How can one not complete 5k in one’s personal best time when Shakira is crooning “Waka Waka…This time is for Leena”( yeah, I tweaked the lyrics just a bit in my mind)but it really worked! I heard this song 3 times close to the end of the race. Her voice was like adrenaline, kept me sprinting toward the distant black and white finish flag.

Before the race, I told myself again and again, and yet again, don’t start running too fast in the beginning, but nah, I never listen to myself. I sprinted off hastily when, organizer said “Go” in his high pitch voice, I was hoping to begin with a “bang” he said he forgot his gun at home

By the time I was about 1.5k, there was this athletic type guy running in the opposite direction, I thought he had lost his way, but then it struck me, he was almost done 3.5k and heading back to winning the medal and relinquish pancakes ( Organizer had pancakes after the race for all)

I increased my music to another decibel, took a deep breath and kept following the red arrowed marked path. It was an awesome experience, so many friends, family member and volunteers encouraging runners to the finish line.

Keeping humility aside for a bit, I am so proud to complete my first 5k much ahead of my record time, this is definitely an achievement for me.

Few things that I said I want to accomplish in my previous blog-
Running (not walking) my little heart out to the finish line- Oh yeah, I ran the whole 5k!
Not to be last to finish- I didn’t have to worry about that at all.
Not cry after I finish the race- a tear or two don’t actually count, do they?
Enjoy the experience and have fun!- It was a remarkable experience!

I was considering not to race at all for few unavoidable reasons, but with motivation and inspiration from my husband and my ex colleague, buddy, pro-runner Heather, I did it and I am no long a racing virgin!:)

I had read in one of the health/running website that novice runner should never run on the course that they have not walked before, so this morning, my husband and I, went to the Elysian Park, where the 5k race will be held next Saturday. It is a charming park with beautiful views of downtown Los Angeles. As we started running, I was in for a shocker; it was not a straight stretch leveled road as expected. It was hilly!! I have never run uphill before, never EVER! Sometimes people tell me, I am a snail (I think they wanted to say “slow” but were too kind) I suppose I concur with them today. I should have done my homework before registering for the race.

Another challenges that I will encounter is that I am a nocturnal runner, always ran after sun set, guess I am “Team Edward” (Twilight fame). It was tough running with the ball on fire sizzling brightly in the sky.

So will this blogger succeed, or accept defeat even before launching to the first race…will find out in just 6 days!

Finally, I have registered for my very first 5K! It’s on Saturday, July 31st, here’s the link http://aztlanindianrun.com/default.aspx . I am so energized; I will at last have number on my shirt! Apparently it’s called “bib”, runners usually pin it on front of their shirts.
Butterflies and zillions questions in my tummy, am I prepared? how do I avoid pre-race anxieties ? warm up? Cool down? Play list? what do I wear, I know it’s not the prom, but it is my first race! What do I eat, before and after? will there be water? am I a complete Looney?
So far, I know the answer only to the last question and its YES!
Ok, here are few things that I want to accomplish in this race-
• Running (not walking) my little heart out to the finish line.
• Not to be last to finish.
• Not cry after I finish the race.
• Enjoy the experience and have fun!

Do you have any tips to offer first time racers?Click the "comment" button and help me reach the finish line.

Strength training is the use of resistance to muscular contraction to build the strength, anaerobic endurance and size of skeletal muscles, yup that's the definition directly cut and pasted from Wikipedia, but nearly not are important as strength training that I have in mind. I was talking to a friend of mine, who my husband and I call superwoman ,she is having a challenging time juggling two very active kids, demanding 80+ hours workweek, no weekends time with family, zero vacation for two years, squeezing in strenuous workouts, attending classes and never ending assignments.

To take on all that, by choice or because it’s your duty, and still be positive, without an ounce of alcohol in your blood stream, is what I call mental strength training.

So how do we strength train our minds to curve balls life throws at us? Here’s my two cents – things that I seek to incorporate in my life-

Be positive, stay positive, subscribe to jokeaday, be an walking advertisement for dentist and smile a lot, work out, dance at every opportunity, take daily dose of multi vitamins, let the small stuff- be small stuff and not stress about it, eat healthy food but don’t skip on dark chocolate or tiramisu once in a while, drink a bit (avoid during work hours) and most importantly have fun and live boldly!

Do feel free to add to the list via comments tab.

Yes, I had bugs for dinner last night,marinated in yogurt, just a touch of mayo and ketchup with fingerling potatoes on the side. Yeah right, I am vegetarian, born and raised as vegetarian, never had the choice to choose!
I have been running in the evening because of the hot weather and obsession with fairer skin,ran 3k in 19 minutes, average pace 6.30. The run was really good, I was focused on increasing my pace, cool breeze blowing my newly cropped hair, I believe it provides least resistance while running:),out of the blue, a big bug flew into my mouth...I huffed and puffed but could get the bug out. I spat, coughed and imitated throw up, but the bug seemed to fancy my oral hygiene and stayed inside my mouth. The only things left for me to do was drown bug, the bugger, I drank water, don't know if bugs have soul, but if they do may it rest in peace temporarily in my stomach till morning.

How do I avoid this from happening again? any suggestions? I wish to stay vegetarian and prefer cereal for dinner.

I killed the bug and the bug killed my appetite.

Here's to all the bugs who fly into unassuming runners mouth, fly in peace.