Out of the night that covers me,
Black as the Pit from pole to pole,
I thank whatever gods may be
For my unconquerable soul.

In the fell clutch of circumstance
I have not winced nor cried aloud.
Under the bludgeonings of chance
My head is bloody, but unbowed.

Beyond this place of wrath and tears
Looms but the Horror of the shade,
And yet the menace of the years
Finds, and shall find, me unafraid.

It matters not how strait the gate,
How charged with punishments the scroll.
I am the master of my fate:
I am the captain of my soul. 

William Ernest Henley

Suddenly poetic? Well, what do you say when a poem captures your feelings so well...

The Crazy 200 is back. New and improved.

I am sorry to have let do many people down by not running 2 of the races that I had earlier said I would. I was hit with viral fever, lack of fitness, a second attack of viral fever and then the biggest enemy - doubt.

It was a time of great frustration, disappointment and heartbreak, but also a time of valuable reflection. I learnt a few very important things:

1. Marathon Running is a lot more holistic training than training calendars make them look like... I have made a conscious move to better nutrition, more yoga, 8 hrs of sleep, topped with a lack of stress

2. Bouncing back is much more important than most of us realize

3. The snooze button on the alarm is evil

4. Work-life balance is not 'found'. It is created

So what has changed:

1. The Crazy 200 is still Crazy: Now starts on the 16th of  Jan with the Mumbai Marathon... watch this space for 200 KM of Marathon running in 2011

2. Fundraising: Is on hold now. I've received a few requests but I have said NO. I will now take donations only after I finish the Mumbai Marathon. Its a matter of pride.

3. Effort: There will now be a much greater fundraising effort. So far, the donations have been minimal. But its not just the 200KM that is going to happen, its also the USD 20,000.

4. Choice: The choice is yours. If you are an Indian and want your donations to benefit India (considering I am an Indian running races in India and India needs humanitarian help), please mention this with your donation. We will ensure that your funds go to the right cause in India.

See you on the road.