Race day minus one.

Preparation for tomorrow:

The Pimpri Chinchwad Half Marathon 10km. Sunday, 05 December 2021.

Race flag-off: 0600h IST.

Reporting time: 0500h IST.

Distance from home: 44 minutes.

Reveille tomorrow: 0330h IST.

Lights out today: 1930h IST.

Forecast: Probable rain. Cloudy skies. Around 19°C.

So, here we are. Ready with a backpack with two sets of clothes and shoes if one gets wet. And our waterproof Walkman and watch. And the windcheater jacket. And chewing gum for instant energy. And the lucky cap and wrist band. And the warm hoodie for before the race. And a box of chikki and candy for later.

Unfortunately, like last time, this was the smallest tee-shirt they had, and we have to wear our own, which happens to be a grey tee-shirt with pink lettering that says, 'This is my time.' Sounds about right too.

And now, off we go with Mamma bear to a movie about a little girl and a big red dog called Clifford. That's how athletes relax before race day. In a cosy theatre with a large tub of popcorn!