A Seven Continent Journey

I am zealous of Sidneysiders, but glad that chose to run in such spectacularly beautiful city. As you would guess I have been visiting all the major attractions in the city and that included the famous Bondi beach. Fortunately my hotel is in downtown so transportation is easy to assess. Yesterday evening listened to Sydney Symphony supporting Grammy winner, Jazz artist Dianne Reeves at the Sydney Opera House. Not to be side tracked the training schedule continued, the last run was yesterday evening around 6 miles, probably through the most picturesque urban route I will ever run. It went through the Royal Botanic Gardens, the trail is right at the edge of Pacific Ocean and affords some amazing views of the Sydney Sky line and Opera House. Early in the day picked the Bib number from running expo. Tomorrow some light stretching and hopefully will take some rest before the big day on Sunday. There was one more incentive visiting Sydney, got to meet Ajay a college mate who now lives in Sydney. He has been a very generous host.

I am in Minneapolis waiting for a flight to LA and then onto Sydney. Leaving home was very tough. I have to admit felt somewhat skeptical of my mission. Is this insanity or what, training at odd hours, keeeping up with a hectic pace at work, lack of sleep and now leaving my family behind an all this for a "Run". One of my close friend Uday called me in the morning to wish me well, he comforted me and encouraged me to get the job done. My wife narrated all the benefits I have reaped since I got into traing for marathons. I got up around 2 am, did some errands around the house, was in my office by 4 am to complete some paper work, returned home at 7.30 am only to head out for quick run. Ran 8 miles @9.30/mile pace. This was the last long run, a few hours later I was headed to the airport.