Admittedly it was with great laziness I dragged myself out of bed to run Mumbaikars’ most favoured spot this morning (Mumbaikar = someone hailing from Mumbai, I love that word so thought I’d casually drop it in), but force myself I did because it was my third and final day in India’s most cosmopolitan city and on day one I declared myself too jet lagged, day two my legs too tired (I’d gone trekking up an 1800ft hill during the day, not massive, but any excuse) so today was the day.

Why am I telling you the above? Ah probably because I’ve given you the false impression that I enthusiastically leap from my bed no matter where I am in the world and bash out an easy 10 miles without even thinking twice. Not true. Don’t let me make you feel bad. I regularly drag myself out of bed after procrastinating about it for hours, and haul on my trainers whilst cursing my own laziness, with the only reason being so I can eat a guilt free bowl of chocolate ice cream later.

Today it was easier, I ran the famed Marine Drive in Mumbai. 3.5km in length with helpful 100m markers just so you know exactly how slow you’re running in the 30 degree heat… it’s a great route though! 

It’s unusual you can go running in an Indian City without having to cross a million and one roads or run 20 circles round a tiny park. Apart from anything else, running circles round a tiny park makes you look insane and you run the risk of an Indian Man stopping you and saying “Your running, really so impressive. Never I have seen a lady run like this!”. True story from my days marathon training in Calcutta by the way. 

But today I ended up delighted that I’d dragged my sorry ass out of bed to watch the locals of Mumbai partake in their morning strolls, cleaning their ears on the beach and staring at the white person running, while I generally admire the impressive skyline I’ve wanted to see for myself since watching Slumdog Millionaire (love that movie). 

And guess what? Yep, chocolate ice cream never tasted so good…