Run I will and Run I must - So I am a Marathoner !

So I am a marathoner!!!


Thanks to Gopinath Sargunam  who insisted and followed up for almost two weeks for this registration before I decided to go for it... Though after registering, was quite clueless for some days.

Decided and talked with few experienced runners for their experiences and planned my practice runs based on my Chennai runner friend's simple suggestion to increase 2kms weekly or biweekly....Another friend from Mumbai told me to do 36k two weeks before the race and then taper down…

Though not everything went as per my plan ;-), I always  got company for every run and all my running buddies came forward to help me with the runs .... It felt ...though only two of us from the group registered for this event everyone from our practice group lived and practiced for this event....

Thanks a million Ambili Menon , Jayashree Vaidhyanathan, Sandhana Arumugam , Siddharth Venkataraman , Venu Gopal  & Nash for always being there and supporting me at odd hours wholeheartedly and last but not the least  Rama Chandran  ...who ran and practiced with us for the event .He helped me reduce my unnecessary and unwanted miles & pace and made it look much much consistent , easier and comfortable …

He also slowed down during the event to accompany me and without whom this run would been much tougher...I owe this run to all my these friends  & to Chennai runners group where I started my marathon running ..;-)

My heartfelt thanks for all the personal and group messages, suggestions, advices and motivations during and before runs which kept me going and motivated me during my uncertain moments....

Bengaluru Marathon Event was organized nicely and one could notice the hard work and efforts Organizers have put in for the event.  Weather supported just fine acknowledging their efforts and debut marathoner couldn't ask for any better weather than this where she/he had to worry only about the running and not the blazing Sun or heat … Volunteers were friendly and cheerful… Water points were ample …Did not face any issues with markings and directions during the run.

Jawans standing and cheering with all the enthusiasm was an experience to cherish …

Every hoarding after 28 Kms was very motivating and read runner’s mind at that mile…

Medal , Breakfast from Adiga’s were absolutely awesome…Traffic police I guess did the terrific and most difficult job of controlling traffic on the road which according to me was totally non-receptive to the event and they honked and honked and pushed their vehicle on runners and refused to acknowledge the event, organizers , volunteers , traffic police or the runners….Traffic after 9:30 without traffic police was crazy and we had to stop at signals for vehiclesand people  to cross.

During the run when I was most tired and having those moments where thoughts were crowded and screaming and asking me why I am doing this …. Making me wonder why people do it again and again… I realized I am still able to run without any cramps and pain ….and I can finish the race … & I am stronger than I think ….

I finished my marathon in 5:24:22 with the Category Rank 15….

 Though nothing much changed after the run and I am still living my same old life … I am a new person ... and have come to conclusion that  every runner deserves a Full Marathon
 
If I can do it then anyone can do it !!!

Run I Will and Run I Must - Chennai Trail Marathon - 2014

 

When it comes to CTC events, one got to expect the adventure in it. Let it be a trek ,triathlon or a trail run !!

When I heard few reviews for last year event like… trail was muddy, uneven , slushy…I was quiet surprised as honestly that’s the very reason I want to run CTC trail …

It gives you sense of adventure…brings you closer to nature …it has places that take your breath away ... have so many surprise elements in it at every corner of the trail…It gives you sense of joy and achievement.
So far this is been one of my most favorite runs & I enjoy running it every year.

It got me worried when the run was advanced by a month to avoid rain based on last year feedback… I was worried about the sun but the day was in runner's favour ....
weather was absolutely awesome … and also there was slight change in the trail this year…
Temples, turns, slopes, paddy fields, bright brown/red canyons, small huts around, cute children with bright faces and full blown smiles, young and energetic volunteers and known faces along the run kept me so busy I did not even realize the distance …
and off course all photographers all along who did not let me walk.…

Loved the girl in off-white Saree for Onam special at last water point…forest in the end and all cheering at the finish line.

Event was organized quite perfect from Bib distribution till the finish line, medals and breakfast. Every event and place gave a home coming feel as now most of the volunteers have become buddies and known faces over the period.
Thanks for organizing this event Peter van Geit …Congratulations to you , your organizing team and volunteers for the successful event and hope you come up with more and more in coming years…( We are waiting;) )

Photo by : Surya Nandhan Raj

Thanks to Rama for pushing me for steady run and consistent pace & making me finish the run in 2:21:33 as expected. ( Time is as per garmin though the official timing is 2:30..) .. & So far my one of the best runs…

Thanks to my running friends Spl..Sandi ,Jaya and Ambili for all the run and fun during our regular - running and non-running days ;) and events...

Rupin Pass – With Indiahikes

It’s been eight days, we walked through villages and we walked in mountains, along the river, in the valleys, through the jungle, crossing rivers and bridges… on the snow ... on frozen rivers...

Every moment we experienced thrill and excitement ...missed the dear ones… felt so close to the nature...walked on the edge … & yet so close to life… We risked our lives ...survived the challenges... made great friends and memories....

People from very different places, backgrounds and age groups could connect with each other...felt together where everyone was a trekker and there was no need to explain why we are doing this.

As rightly said by Arjun, this trek turned different every day...moment you could get comfortable with the trail... terrain changed and so the challenges...

One day trail was broad and along the village ...other day it was narrow … Some times it was all mountains covered with Pine trees and flowers ... & some we walked on frozen river …some days climbed the snow mountains... and when started feeling stronger about the snow ...came across steep climbs and deep descents.

Where first slide on snow was so much fun... it turned into helluva experience other day as there was no other way to come down the huge mountains and we did slide down holding to our dear lives.

Nights on snow were coldest and stormy ... we could hear avalanche one night and kept wondering inside the tent...whether it would hit us.

I remember ...It took 3-4 minutes for the stone to reach ground when Suraj dropped it after making steps on the snow while crossing one of the snow patches. Everyone on the trail watched quietly holding breath till it hit the ground and crossed that patch without saying a single word.

We learnt some mountaineering skills like duck-walk, kicking, side steps, Plunging & sliding with and without micro-spikes to make the snow climbing and walking down easy. It did help us a great deal though the walk was never easy... ;)

Climbing Rupin pass seemed impossible .Though there was no way back and you could afford to look neither up or down while climbing the pass ...you had to keep going...Pranav - Honey Sing From India hikes ;) was great great help and his songs and mountaineering skills definitely gave us much needed confidence to reach Rupin pass.

Snow was changing with time and weather. Sometimes it was hard ice, slippery and sometime it was so soft that almost an entire leg went inside. Most trekkers suffered from AMS...and to add to the thrill ...we also had snow fall which covered all the mountain peaks when we were up high on the clouds at Rupin pass. Walk down from Rupin pass was extremely tiring and never ending... we had two helluva slides while coming down the pass which were most thrilling and scary and turned everyone upside down.

Skin burned while walking and we could see our faces and hands turning black, red & purple ...When we all thought walk is almost over …we saw Ahilya slipping on the snow and went down with lightning speed …every other person who saw her going down helpless , lost their confidence on snow. It took us a while to settle the heartbeat and porters were great help all the way ahead on every snow patch. Shiju-India Hikes trek lead's plunging down on the trail to stop and hold Ahilya without losing a fraction was very brave.
 

At last we lost snow and could feel the land with our feet …it felt incredible to get inside the tent which was not on snow… and the very thought in the mind was "Bloody Hell ....We did Rupin Trek….!" Climbed 15,250 ft in wind, snow and many of them with loads of backpacks!!!

Thanks a ton to Suraj and his team for making this trek possible for giving us all the support, help and yummy food …& Cheers to fit and fun Army(Mavala) gang …Leader Saurabh…experienced and fun trekkers like Ahilya & Gautamy , Arun who never left his camera and crossed all the trails & climbs with ease , Pavan with music , cool Menons, Spirit of the trek Sonali … bright and bubbly Prashasti… quiet couple Tarun and Richa… best buddies Tarun and Anurag…Super models Rupa and Sunita… Quiet n Strong - my partner Madhu , cool Shantanu….consistent Sanjay ….Super cool David … & last but not the least Sweetheart Shiju who made this trek very memorable and experience of lifetime.

Photo From Arun Nayak:

Women's day !!!!

Long back I came across this story and loved it instantly…It may be bit long but worth a read ….

Young King Arthur was ambushed and imprisoned by the monarch of a neighboring kingdom. The monarch could have killed him but was moved by Arthur's youth and ideals. So, the monarch offered him his freedom, as long as he could answer a very difficult question. Arthur would have a year to figure out the answer and, if after a year, he still had no answer, he would be put to death.

The question was: What do women really want?

Such a question would perplex even the most knowledgeable man, and to young Arthur, it seemed an impossible query. But, since it was better than death, he accepted the monarch's proposition to have an answer by year's end.

He returned to his kingdom and began to poll everyone: the princess, the priests, wise men, even the court jester. He spoke with everyone, but no one could give him a satisfactory answer.

Many people advised him to consult the old witch, for only she would have the answer.
But the price would be high as the witch was famous throughout the kingdom for the exorbitant prices she charged.

The last day of the year arrived and Arthur had no choice but to talk to the witch. She agreed to answer the question, but he would have to agree to her price first.
The old witch wanted to marry Sir Lancelot, the most noble of the Knights of the Round Table, and Arthur's closest friend!

Young Arthur was horrified. She was hunchbacked and hideous, had only one tooth, smelled like sewage, made obscene noises, etc. He had never encountered such a repugnant creature in all his life.
He refused to force his friend to marry her and endure such a terrible burden, but Lancelot, learning of the proposal, spoke with Arthur.
He said nothing was too big of a sacrifice compared to Arthur's life and the preservation of the Round Table.

Hence, a wedding was proclaimed and the witch answered Arthur’s question.
Everyone in the kingdom instantly knew that the witch had uttered a great truth and that Arthur's life was spared.

Neighboring monarch granted Arthur his freedom and Lancelot and the witch had a wonderful wedding.

The honeymoon hour approached and Lancelot, steeling himself for a horrific experience, entered the bedroom. But, what a sight awaited him. The most beautiful woman he had ever seen lay before him on the bed. The astounded Lancelot asked what had happened.

The beauty replied that since he had been so kind to her when she appeared as a witch, she would henceforth be her horrible deformed self only half the time and the beautiful maiden the other half.

"Which would you prefer? she asked him. "Beautiful during the day ... or at night?"

Lancelot pondered the predicament. During the day he could have a beautiful woman to show off to his friends, but at night, in the privacy of his castle, an old witch! Or, would he prefer having a hideous witch during the day, but by night a beautiful woman for him to enjoy wondrous, intimate moments with?

(If you are a man reading this ...) What would YOUR choice be?
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Noble Lancelot, Thought for some time and said that he would allow HER to make the choice herself.

Upon hearing this, she smiled and announced if she has to choose then she would be beautiful all thetime.

Noble Lancelot understood the answer....

Give her charge of her own life and life will always be Beautiful !

 

Run I Will and Run I Must - Happy Hour

Happy Hour

It gives me confidence of being able to run and satisfaction of taking time out for myself in my most of the times busy schedule and people around.

I feel privileged to have fresh city just waking up from sleep all for myself and love this part of the city which is so sane & distant from crowded, hurried, busy and angry version of it.

My run leaves me grateful to the safe city and people around who contribute to my run in different ways during my wee hours running.

It's pleasure to know healthy and fit people around which I would have otherwise never discovered.

I witness smiling faces and happy waves of greeting irrespective of their acquaintances with each other every run.

I get an uninterrupted hour with my favorite music whenever I feel like...

When I run , I am more cautious about my food , I take early dinners , avoid junk food ...sleep early ...get up early and also get an extra hour to prepare for my son's school after run which otherwise may end up sleeping.

This hour gives me ... stronger self, great friends, self-assurance, satisfaction, happiness, refreshed soul and healthy lifestyle!!!

It helps be believe I can!!! And I am a never the same person after every run!

Sometimes I run for joy...sometimes for peace... sometimes for pace... sometimes for distance ...sometimes just to clear my mind... sometimes for a friend ….sometimes for myself…

Whatever may be the reason; it’s my Happy Hour!

 

Cheers!!!!