How do I feel... Pretty relaxed actually, I have things to do, but I'm not worried or anxious at all. It can get a little difficult suppressing wants, needs and desires at times. Surat An Nas helps quell them.
Bismillah Ar-Rahman Ar-Raheem
Qul a'udhu bi Rabbi-n-nas
Maliki-n-nas
Ilahi-n-nas
Min-sharri-l-waswasi-l-khannas
Alladhi yuwaswisu fi suduri-n-nas
Min al-jinnati wa-n-nas
In the name of Allah, the Most Beneficent, the Most Merciful.
Say: I seek refuge in the Lord of mankind,
The King of mankind,
The God of mankind,
From the evil of the sneaking whisperer,
Who whispereth in the hearts of mankind,
Of the jinn and of mankind.
I've been so used to doing as I please as and when circumstances allow, it's a good thing to deny oneself of luxuries for a month.
I'm a week in, I must admit, I'm worn out, but not to the point of quitting. I have some pain and discomfort in my feet. I've been getting headaches the last couple of days so I upped my fluid intake last night.
What I find most difficult is staying awake till sehri, eating, performing ablution, praying then, sleeping...well I found it tough last night.
I had concentration issues last night, that could be because of dehydration. I was almost like a child on a home video, looking like I could fall asleep on my food. My nephew was more than a little amused.
I' could really do with a sports massage just to liven me up. I have not lost weight. Where does this leave me now. Looking forward to completing day 10. Getting to that milestone will help.
I draw upon an experience I had some years ago. I did the London to Brighton ride. I didn't train for it, like a fool, but I had about three days notice, it was a beautiful morning when me and two friends set out for clapham common. It started out fine, then it got hotter and hotter, we were on country lanes, they were not flat, I was expecting straight and flat. It turned out to be 30 degrees, the hottest day of the year so far that year.
So there I was, no training, no preparation, gung ho, and fool hardy, I did not think I could make it, from within the first 10 miles. I was looking for a way out. Then what I did was just aim for the 10 mile markers. I convinced myself to get to the next 10 miles and see how I feel. I forgot about the end and concentrated on the next 10 miles. I had to dig deep. Really deep. When I got to the 10 mile marker, I'd say, now that wasn't so bad, how you feeling, you can manage another 10. When I got to thirty I said, you're half way, it's the same distance back as it is forward, push on. I convinced myself with trickery that I could do it. I did. I will do it again, only ill prep for it in advance, I'm older, less fit and wiser.
The moral of the story: if a journey looks to far to travel, don't focus on the destination, just do it in segments. See how you deal with it in stages. Also train for it, do some preparation; only fools rush in where angels fear to tread.
Have a good day!
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