The dilemma - I might be in India during the first one and second might be too close to Gate River Run. There is no way I am giving up on GRR! I will have to decide sometime soon. Meanwhile I am back to running regularly. This past week was a good one - 3 3milers and a fast 2 mile in the middle of the week - I am feeling good about my stamina which seems to be improving.
A bad work week followed by a good evening run. I have been working crazy hours for the past one month. With the last deadline tomorrow, I am finally done with the craziness at least for a while now. As I stepped out for the run, I realized how much I had missed it! Also, since I am tired and drained of energy from the insane sleeping hours and many sleepless nights, I went out for an easy 3. By the end I was a little dehydrated because of the heat and sweat - I have to remember to carry a water bottle next time.
I really had to thank all those who supported me in my efforts - those who supported me throughout my training and people who contributed to Asha's efforts to raise money. Through the support of many kind-hearted people we were able to raise over $20k. We are still getting money from various quarters and hope to do our best to spend this money on educational projects that will make a difference to the lives of kids in India.
I was ready to go, and so were over 20 other Team Asha runner. After a two hour drive on I-10E, a major part of it waiting to get into the parking lot, we reached our destination - Jax Municipal Stadium. A little warm up and stretching in the cool morning air, which showed all the signs of getting warmer as the day progressed, we headed to the Gator Bowl Boulevard, starting line for the 15k. Thanks to a seeded number(goof up with me race tag), I ran as 'Kiwakar' with other top 5000 runners. 
On my third mile, I saw my timing as 29 minutes or so, under 10 minute-miles! That too in the first one-third of the race. By this time the shin splints had gone and so had the stomach cramps. The air was getting hotter and my calf muscles were tired of the fast running. I realized I'll have to make some changes in my running - run faster and take more walking breaks (to give myself some breathing time and muscles some rest). Also a little hydration helped beat the heat. I also loved the tangerine slices handed out by a small girl with a smiling face. Actually the best part about the race was the people lining the streets. It was a really beautiful neighborhood with scores of people out on the streets with sign boards, claps, cheers and smiles motivating you to go on. Every mile or two, there were some bands playing live music. 
Finally I reached the top of the bridge and as I started running the down slope, my legs screamed. On one side was the gorgeous view of the sea and Jacksonville downtown. Against this breathtaking view was runner who had burnt himself out and was fainting because of exhaustion and deydration. Two runners, maybe his friends, reached out to him and a medical van was also on its way. I ran with all my heart pulling every muscle together.
The rest of the day was just as expected - hurt body and mentally drained - I had nothing left in me. Ate a couple of bananas, bagels and bottles of water, walked around for an hour waiting for others to finish , all to keep my muscles from going off to sleep. After loki revived from his brief post-run blackout, all of us gorged on lip-smacking Indian buffet.
As I said earlier, I was longing for the comfort of my bed after lunch! Ice packs, cool shower to soothe my muscles and I was in bed. The sweet pain I experienced for the next few days was something I couldn't complain about. I had finished the race in my best time ever, 1:32:53 at the pace of 9:58 minute/mile, way better than my expectations!
