Stage fright

Full disclosure time, dear reader.

In two weeks I am running the New Delhi Half Marathon and, as things currently stand, I am in a state of panic verging on terror.

The truth of the matter is that I am SO out of practice and SO undertrained, it’s not funny.

I am not a novice at running races – it’s nearly 9 years since I ran my first HM – so you think I’d know how to train, right?

But God alone knows what’s happened this summer, but my “training” has been all over the place.

Verging on non-existent.

The fact is – I have hardly run these past few weeks, and even my regular walks have not been of the requisite length.

I’d like to blame the crappy weather here in Delhi – our summers are brutal – but since everyone else gets out there and runs in the heat and humidity, I clearly have no excuse.

Admittedly, there has been a certain amount of travel involved of late, including 2 brilliant weeks in Indonesia marking a Very Landmark Birthday.

I even climbed a mountain on said holiday, so I’ve haven’t exactly been lazy.

I’ve just not been running.

And boy oh boy oh boy, will it all catch up with me in 2 weeks, when I shall presumably make a complete idiot of myself.

Yeah, I know, I know, I’m not a professional runner but a very old amateur.

And yes, yes, no-one is forcing me to run.

I know, I know.

But in the decade since I started running, I’ve discovered I’m actually quite competitive (who knew?!) and so making a fool of myself isn’t a pleasant thought.

But, at the end of the day, the lack of preparedness is totally my fault.

I googled “unprepared runner” (as one does 😛 ) and came across a very calming down, soothing article in a Canadian magazine – here’s the link.

Love the title “How to make the most of being undertrained.” Yup, that would be me!

There is lot of sound advice here for a panicky runner like me, and I especially like the last paragraph:

“Worst–by which we really mean best–case scenario, you simply show up and have a great time. Running a race is a celebration of health, fitness and community spirit and being a part of that can be incredibly motivational, uplifting and beneficial in and of itself.“

There we go! Simply show up and have great time 🙂