We all have dreams. In order to make dreams come into reality, it takes an awful lot of determination, dedication, self-discipline and effort.

Jesse Owens
For all of us training under Zico for over two years, SCMM 2010 was very special. It was going to be a culmination of the training imparted to us so painstakingly custom made and monitored by Zico, our own efforts and most important : The fight of the mind over body which Zico explained to us in great detail.
The day dawned, quiet and mellifluous. Everything was in order as meticulously directed by Zico: carbo loading, hydration, stretching, pre-race meal, rehearsing the race in the mind with the race plans (pace and timings written on our wrist bands to keep track while running) except the incessant flutter of butterflies in the pit of our stomach. We reached the venue and quietly proceeded to the start line. I always like to hold Roshni’ hands and the warm reassurance gives me a feeling of sisterhood I deeply treasure.
The bugle sounded, the gates opened, the momentum of the hustle and bustle of eager bodies pushed us to the start line and we switched on our timers as we stepped on the mat. No fanfare, plain and simple beginning. The starting incline was not as intimidating as was previously thought but as I reached the 1 K marker, I was under pace and was surprised. I quickened my pace and reached the 2 km marker a little ahead of time. Soon we reached the Sea Link and the breath taking site blew my mind. But Zico always taught me to focus on proprioception that is, the form, balance and motion of the body while running and after a while I concentrated on the body and my pace again. He made me understand the importance of listening to the body and following a proper pace strategy to last the distance and not burning out fast with no glycogen storage or breath left. But a knee pain and a long run 2 weeks before had left me fatigued and I was quelling it under a positive mind feedback. I found myself being under pace at every km marker and I ran faster to make it up before I reached the next km marker. This game was successful till 12 K and I was about 1 ½ min. faster than my pace. This pace was a stretch for me but I was determined to break the 3 hr barrier this time.
I picked up a bottle of water at each station and ran without stopping to save time. I sipped a little, poured the remaining over the water and back to cool off (temperatures were intimidating. Where Oh Winter did you disappear, Lady!) As we turned the Mela restaurant, I suddenly found myself tired but did not stop. My pace slackened by the time I reached the Peddar road climb. My knee was screaming and I did a brisk walk for a few meters. I then found a child offering gluco biscuits and took a few, started nibbling them and found myself becoming stronger again. Did I blast off my glycogen storage by running faster? Was my carbo loading not sufficient? But the brain seemed happier with the glucose provided by the Gluco biscuits and I picked up a steady stride.
The mind game had begun. I decided to forget to notice the km markers now. I knew I could not keep my race pace. My muscles were screaming and I would only panic if I increased my pace and I did not want to shuffle. I changed my strategy. The remaining distance was a steady stride with my head bent down doing self talk: “Hey dear muscles, you have enough glycogen to reach the finish line. The brain has got enough glucose form the glucose biscuits. The body is so cool after the water shower.” The mind was now compartmentalized. There was this cool self talk to the body. And there was this painful discourse with the soul: I have let down my Coach again – I knew the 3 hr barrier could not be broken again. I was heading for a PB, no doubt, but there was emptiness. I clocked 3.03.43 by my watch.I learnt:
Learn to run when feeling the pain: then push harder.
William Sigei
My lessons: Daniel is right: The Mind is everything.
I must share the things he shared with us on Sports psychology. He told us: When things go wrong in the last part of the race, do the following:
• Challenge and channelize your emotional response to take you beyond your capacity (my fear of never racing at that pace made be subdue this directive and perhaps under challenge my own capabilities).
• Be assertive. Do not be intimidated and have control over your goal. (I did it quite well, I think. I changed my race goal to the next best).
• Sensitivity: How do you perceive failure: (Yes, it is always easier to think back retrospectively that I could have done this and that better and feel bad)? But I refuse to cry over what is over. I have learnt the lessons; I will discuss with Daniel my next plans objectively. Forward is the way-sensibly, safely, strongly.
• Tension control: Be positive. Take corrective action: I did this well too, I feel. Instead of panicking at missing the target, I decided to focus on my strides and taking me to a PB instead.
• Confidence: We need to let go of the past. The Race is over. There is going to be another Race. I am focused on my next goal.
• Personal accountability: I have no alibis to offer. I have found what went right for me and I know what remains to be conquered are finding out how much I can stretch my body and mind. I am going to train with the learnings and break the barrier.
This race took a lot out of me. It gave me a lot too. When I reached the finish line, I could not see anyone. I had promised Coach I will be there at the finish line.I could see none of my friends.There was still an hour left. In the process of finding the baggage trucks, I wasted 1 hour, sat by the wayside with dizziness and cried because I could not see anything for some time. By the time I regained some semblance of balance and reached the finish line, Coach’ finish time was way past, he was no where to be seen and I did not know where to find him. Smsed him. Screamed at Roshni to come and help me out. She came; we collected the baggage, went to Barista to find Coach and met our RRR guys. Giles, Veera, Sundar, Roshni, Mrudang buoyed my sagging spirits and we walked back in peace with a strange sense of camaraderie. This run gave me a lot of love and a lot of friends. Mike, many Thanks to you for the marvelous photo on the sea link. A treasure to preserve forever.
I want to end this report with my sincere gratitude to my Coach and to my Guide , Zico : Without your constant emotional support and training, I wouldn’t have done a PB today and learnt so much about the science and soul of running. I am forever indebted to you for all that you have taught me about Running and Living. There is a long way to go and I intend to do a Full M under your guidance. You have always set an example and with your 4.10 time, you have taught us:
"Man imposes his own limitations, don't set any"
-Anthony Bailey