mini marathon

The dri-fit tshirt is washed, perfumed and folded. The comfy shorts
are right below it. The ArunPandian headband is on top of the pile.
The breathable bandaids for the nipples are in their wrappers near
the sink. The sweatproof nylon socks are resting inside the
endurance-optimized NewBalance shoes. The shoelaces
have been tied according to the height of the arch in
relation to the width of the foot.

Electronic, mechanical, electrical, human, solar-based, off-site
and all other types of alarms have been set to prevent a
Jean-Paul situation. Starbucks barristas are ready with their
gizmos to help the spectators track their favorite runners using
their bibs. The CPD is ready with the barricades, horses, segways,
cars and helicopters. I can already hear the "thwap-thwap" sounds
created by thousands of feet hitting the Chicago roads and can see
the hand-drawn banners. I'm like the kid in the Disney
commercial. I am too excited to sleep!

I remember my first marathon. I was in the fifth standard.
My school (a shout-out to SBOA CBSE Annanagar Chennai TN
600101, please) had organized the Mini Marathon to promote
World Peace (?!). The entry fee was five rupees. I had to
get a note from my teacher before mom realized that I was
serious about running. The race was to start at the Blue
Star intersection (the Annanagar Saravana Bhavan stands
there now) and end at the school grounds.

I had to get up at 0530, put on my white school shorts,
red Pallavan house t-shirt and my trusted canvas shoes. I
even put on a fresh coating of white shoe polish. I had
never been in a race longer than 50 meters. So I had not
heard about training for running or building stamina until
then. I just turned up to run, see if I can outrun my
archrival Godwin and get the free Glucon-D packet that
was promised to all runners at the finish line.

My friends and I got together, put our little heads (except
mine ofcourse, my head bloomed very early) together,
strategized on getting a head start and leaving the
rest of the crowd in the dust. We decided to worry
about the order of the finish once we were in the
lead and had more time to talk it through. The first
prize of a BSA SLR sponsored by TI Cycles was attractive
enough to test the bonds of our friendship.

The Annanagar Police had cordoned off the arterial
Second Avenue. The School Principal shouted out a small
speech and asked us to race away. Within five minutes,
my friends and I realized how tough the whole thing
was and how quixotic our dreams were. The race leaders
disappeared from our sight quickly. We chatted and ran
fast enough to keep up in the middle of the crowd and
well ahead of all the girls in our class. Surprisingly
for a beginner, I managed to finish the race without
much problems. Glucon-D had never tasted so nice
before that day. I was even able to save half the
packet to take back home.

I am amazed at the amount of training and self-torture
that SpiceTooth and Military have endured in these past
few months even before they ran the actual 26.2 miles.
I'm wishing the very best to you guys. Hope that the
weather cooperates and makes it memorable for you.

ET and I have decided to give you full body massages
with our bony behinds when you get to the Loft. GG has
already promised to cook you a scrumptious meal fit for
a Deshastha Brahmin king. Jedi has promised to add your
achievement to his list of excuses for not buying a
plasma. And ofcourse, you will get free Gatorade at
the finish line ;)