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!!!!

 

Nagala-Ladies and Ladies again!

It’s been almost a year I had been on a trek ... Crazy work , traffic , routine , shoes, torch …all were shouting for a trek -break…

CTC’s Ladies trek came up as a perfect solution to all my limitations ...It was a day trek & very near to Chennai ... Just what I could afford ….I enrolled myself very instant and was waiting for confirmation …

Few days later got an email from Subhasiny with confirmation and preparatory information ...
Me being bad at dates…assumed trek is on Sunday and did my all setting at home accordingly...
I realized trek is on Saturday only on Friday evening when Nandini called for pick up point confirmation...Though this Small confusion could not stop me from the trek … It took me half an hour to fix the bag and I was all set for the next day…

Our start point for the trek was surrounded by huge inviting Mountains …& we started our trek once our food was distributed at the starting point …

Initially it looked like all plain walk though small bushes with perfect weather. After all they had mentioned it as an Easy Trek...

Once we reached inside the jungle / mountain; we had to climb uneven stones and jump around ... to realize it is not so easy for a day...

Though Terrain was not so easy and distance did not seem like  6 kilometers ... all stress was busted with cool pools we came across…

Water without chlorine which does not harm you even if you drink it ... Still it took lot of courage to try swimming and leave the safe zone as was worried and scared about the uneven and bushy base and unknown depth of the pools...
It was amazing, scary and thrilling to get into natural waters…

Third pool was just awesome and it took more than twenty minutes for my temptation to win over my fears to jump inside the pool.

 With my totally clumsy jump inside the water (As there was no other way to get inside the pool) I reached other end near waterfall and swam in the pool ... It was an awesome feeling and surely one of those lifetime moments and experiences which I would be talking about for years to all my friends who could not and did not join this trek... ;)..
Overall experience was very refreshing...Felt it ended too soon ...
Subhasiny , our trek leader was cool, patient and just perfect leader for the trek who was all ready for fun and at the same time kept good track of time and people around…Thanks Subhasiny for showing us good time !!!
Support team.....All boys deserve a big applause for being enthusiastic, cautious, supportive, fun and witty...
Fellow trekkers who said it’s their first time though showed good stamina and awesome attitude....
I am back home and getting into my noisy schedule & crowded civilization with a happy knowledge that I know something so serene which people around me may not have a clue about …
I smile at the thought and promise myself to be part of this team & trek again n again with every opportunity I would get ….

Dream Runners' Half Marathon...

It’s been a week Dream runners' half marathon event is over and I guess I am already having "Empty Nest syndrome."

Every Saturday with determination of doing little extra , pushing little further and hoping to do better...me, Ambili, Radha & Kumar woke each other up early ... took leaves when were supposed to work...re-adjusted our priorities ...drove to Besant Nagar...Just to be part of dream runners' group run...

Joining the group felt so right when on very first day dream runner team told me and my friend to concentrate on our own runs and they would be looking after every runner in case anyone trailing behind...

It was a treat to meet lot of pro runners and new faces during every run...

Some days ran faster...Some days; was one of the trailing ones... Some runs were with cramps…and sometimes walked whole distance....

Swami,Rekha, Radha telling me I can do much better and can finish 10k within an hour on my very first day...Ali making me run nonstop and trying to improve my every run...Shahul's encouragement for pace...inspirational Vjji...Water points during practice runs and photographs after every run....all are much cherished moments and helped me enjoy my 2nd half marathon with lot of comfort...it felt like a home affair.....

Event started quite on time with  nice whether , greeting lot of familiar faces...Few new introductions and beats of zumba .. Though zumba ended before I could pick up beat and sync my steps...I also enjoyed the music and stretches after...

With lot of cheering from other runners, Hi-s & hello-s we headed for the run... I ran 8-9Km nonstop with steady pace and comfortable rhythm and continued later with run/walk pattern ... Marina stretch was beautiful and was reserved for runners ...came across some supporting cops and spectators around ...few greetings with them and fellow runners during different paces of run..continued my run…

I ran this half marathon with little distraction ...I blame it on smiling young faces at water points...Real fit female cops ... Marina beach beautiful stretch and other awesome runners who crossed me from opposite direction with lightening speed..Amused spectators on the road ...and lot of photographers with their big lenses....

After 15 kms …my feet were burning and legs were stiff...muscles were sour...Switching to walking from running and vice versa was getting more and more difficult... I calculated and then re-calculated my finish timeline every 10 minutes afterwords and managed to complete my half marathon in 3.06 hours ...
May be not a very strong finish...But definitely a memorable one …

Dream runners community made us feel like one of them and encouraged on worst and best of the days; including the event day!

Event was well organized from bib till medal distribution....I feel every success of this event is well deserved …...Cheers to the Organizer Team and Runners!!!!!

Definitely waiting for next year dream runners half marathon...!!!

E

Run for Fun !!!!

Driving an Adventure !

It took me three driving classes over the period of seven years and still when I got my car I was looking for a trainer …..

I realized much later that my trainer was not even holding his original driving license... (Welcome to India!) Also he was unable to understand or speak my language or Hindi or English. So in the process I also tried to learn Tamil along with driving….

Anyway after pulling up the trainer stunt for a month and half and paying him huge I am driving on the Chennai roads.

With the brief span of driving experience, I have come to an understanding why Indian car drivers are always angry ...irritated and frustrated whereas sweaty, dusty and heavily loaded bikers seem far happier and more content …

I completely sympathize and understand them and have become very agreeable to their outburst ... and also regret giving them those JERK looks in past...

“Until you've learned to drive, you've never really learned how to swear.”

Rush hour (Its 24hrs in Chennai) doesn't allow you to drive comfortably....You are mostly stuck with 2^nd gear with a huge queue in the front and rear and if somehow you manage to reach 3^rd gear some biker comes from nowhere and you either have to stop / or go back to second or first or your engine stops … and Your side mirrors are always at risk… 

Smallest scratch on either side of the car costs you huge and you have a whole lot of body and metal to protect against others’ rash driving.  

There is red signal or barricade (It’s amusing why traffic police keep barricades on always clogged roads where it’s already impossible to cross 20 KMPH speed) or huge traffic queue ahead and somehow your engine stops and you need to restart vehicle….Mark it...Those 2-3 minutes are most disastrous as people from everywhere start honking and then they start coming from all sides...And manage to go ahead not more than 20/30 meters to stop again … and those looks … I had nightmares during my initial driving days….(I always dream of broken gear shift in my hand and stuck in traffic)

My friend says… Crossing/Overtaking them once your engine starts or just going next to them and giving them mean smile or few decent words mentioning their short lived achievement was so in vain…are some of the cheap thrills of driving …

 I can’t agree more and it’s is one of the very appealing reasons I am so keen on learning the local language.

Driving car actually means not allowing anyone else overtake you from wrong sides...not letting biker go ahead of you when you are already in extreme right lane and he tries to overtake you from right and then crosses you and others on your left and reaches extreme left .

I am not even talking about frequent honking… but it’s no more protest for me ...and those speed breakers and Potholes ....

 

I applaud myself every day when my vehicle does not stop on flyover slope and pat when I drive the car back home without any scratches…All scratches and dents on my Car hold no less value than scars on soldiers body…

I wish .......Here

  

• Bikers are acquainted with concept of lanes and follow lane discipline  when they ride … and do realize that unlike them (though they too are not supposed to) Cars cannot overtake from any side. Also stop giving us those looks when they come too close to the car without realizing their own fault.
• Auto rickshaws use rear mirror when they overtake from all sides and stop pushing themselves wherever and whenever possible …
• Pedestrians are allowed to cross road and they do not cross on highways without pedestrian marks just to avoid some small walking distance or walking bridge…  
• Buses do follow their lane and acknowledge other life on the road…
• People in general do not always drive in their utmost hurry and rush other vehicles…
• Foreigners and NRIs do not look at driving in India as an Adventure and experiment
• and A Happy Car Driver!

  

Woman's day!

I love the way you smile...love the way you dress...way you carry yourself with your head high in your high heels.

It impresses me the way you handle your life.

I love when you struggle in man's world with bright smile and the way you keep them dazzled, surprised and amused...

I admire the way you adhere to those rules to keep your home a special place and cherish those values inherited from your mother and Grandmother.

Love the way you always manage to do right things at right moment ...Your struggle with the rules and beliefs which bind you hopeless and weaken you.

Your passions, creativity, faith and strength ...Being a woman feels just special when you are around.

It hurts me the way you keep your secrets to yourself and mourn over lonely...

I would hate to see you defeated by your inner fears and pray you remain unchanged.

I wish you all happiness and success you are far more worthy of ...and at the same time I wish you the ride of joy and passion of being in love, being in marriage and having a family. I wish you a warm house with lots of love, care, value and respect.

In this tough reality I wish, you still cherish your dreams and do not give in to the harsh realities just too easily...I hope to see you fighting for every stupid dream you have dreamed and every crazy wish you hoped to come true.

And in your every struggle, success, joy and happiness just count me in … I would be with you cause I love being with you.

I wish you a very special and happy woman's Day!

Run I Will and Run I Must

"Why do you want to run..All of a sudden.."

"Do you get any money or prize for running?"

"Running ...it's difficult...Can’t breathe...Can’t join….."

"No time …Have to take care of my children..."

"Hey...it's awkward...."

"What...running...in Chennai…Where are the roads..!!!!"

"My husband told me one guy died while running a marathon....Can’t risk....!!!Sorry.."

"People pick up running only at or after 40..."

"Morning 5:00 AM!!I don't want to overdo myself dear...."

"Can't you be normal!!Like others!"

When everyone ridiculed the idea of me running, Google helped me and I found ChennaiRunners .Also found there is Wipro Chennai Marathon in December.

Now needed some guidance to start the run around nearby area...

So sent an email @Chennai Runners group in search of guide, company and road …

Two days pass and no reply......maybe I was just being crazy.....

But then I do see an email ...Someone running at KK Nagar...I take it as a Sign... :) ***

And  immediately join him for his next run.....

I do first 500 meters just to realize that I have overestimated myself...

I can barely complete 3.2 kms ..with lot of walking and running.

I am completely breathless and tired and drenched in sweat...

After my first day’s run ...I sleep whole day...have headache....body ache... 

Today it's been more than  3 months ... I am still working on my run but have run my first 10k  in 71 minutes out of which 8k were non-stop.

I am in love with

...5 AMs...

...Sunday  runs at Anna University... 

...Breakfast for Rs15...

...Early morning smell n sight of flowers on the empty roads before it would be soon taken over by the dust and traffic...

...People opening and setting up their road side shops early in the morning...

...Simple morning chores like people sweeping houses, putting rangolis feel so positive and sacred.

...Some beautiful residential areas we pass through...

...Running @Napier’s bridge...

...sunrise at Marina & Elliots...

...IIT campus (though for marathon ;)) Deers around grazing lazily just in the middle of Chennai..

...Run in Rains

Now I know K K nagar , Anna university, Marina beach , Elliot beach , boat club area better than my husband.( He is tamilian and keeps boasting about Chennai …ahh ..ok not so bad :) )

Now a days I eat without guilt ....well most of the times.... :)

Lot of people came to Anna University on Sundays saying it's their first run, outpaced me showed better stamina and more consistency...

Sunday runs with other veterans are intimidating but awfully inspiring.

Though Practice runs make show days ....pretty easy....

Now a days when everything turns crazy for the day I still  can count on my morning runs …

When I go out, i keep looking at shoes and feet...are they over - pronating /under pronating or neutral....

“

All I do is keep on running in my own cozy, homemade void, my own nostalgic silence. And this is a pretty wonderful thing. No matter what anybody else says.” ~ Haruki Murakami”

Kashmir Great Lakes Trek





Kashmir Great lakes 2nd Sep 2011 - 9th Sep 2011

It was an instant decision to attempt for the trek when Prashant called up

with details. Me being regular with walking and almost regular at gym

considered myself fit for Kashmir Great Lake Trek with India hikes.

I had  little idea about how difficult "Medium Difficult Treks" are. :)

First Day in Kashmir was quite hot and I started wondering whether my Jackets ,Ponchos and other stuff  which I would have never brought otherwise.. are just going add to my already heavier backpack....!!!

We started towards basecamp though a very beautiful riverside road and reached by evening.

Our base camp at Sonamarg was beautifully located opposite a huge mountain crowning a glacier high above...and curled by a small  tributary. .. here I see Glacier for the first time :) ..Yes and weather changed drastically and so all my doubts.....

Night went well with the genial individual introductions of trekkers  and just a small walk around the camp area....lot of enthusiasm and good  sleep...

While trekking ..Mules and porters were life savers...We trekked with bare essential stuff  like poncho ,water and few eatables during the day...

Some trekkers may not like the idea of porters but me being a rookie...that  was the greatest help I could get during the trek.

During  the trek ,We walked through the most beautiful landscapes , green  trees, dark jungle , huge mountains ,stunning tributaries ,serene lakes,  crowning glaciers  and  with really rewarding people around  where I could witness and take back whole lot of energy, enthusiasm, care, strength, patience, fun, endurance and madness buried within...

Uphill trails , balancing on rocks, crossing freezing rivers, muddy

downhills were sometimes frustrating, tiring  and most of the times seemed  never ending ....Though  every pass, every mountain kept me wondering..

What I had read in past two months about this trek is just not enough. I am still not sure writing about the trails and landscapes would really do any  justice to this trek.

With the clean break....little chill,rain,snow, mud, rocks ,mountains and lakes in my mind.....I am back home in Chennai and  with all due respect to  clean bed sheets, clothes, running water and flushing toilets ...

Indeed it was a lifetime experience and will be cherished forever.

I have to mention few additional points regarding Kashmir & Indiahikes who organised this trek...

1. Houseboats in Kashmir referred by Indiahikes at special rates :) are clean and economic ...
2. Kehwah and Salty tea @kashmir are must.
3. Everything listed @Indiahikes site is all essential and helpful.
4. Trek Lead from Indiahikes -Rahul is a role model for any trekker and a cool mediator - closing gaps between urban trekkers and the local guides while keeping everyone's pace and sprits high.
5. Trekking pole was a life saver . Thanks to Dipti and Peter ..
6. Breaking my trekking shoes really helped. I was wearing those shoes almost for a month before actual trek as it's extremely painful to walk with   Blisters (I appreciate  Appu  ...going through the pain and still  managing  the best photo with her beautiful smile ;))

For complete trek details  ..you may refer   

http://www.indiahikes.in/himalayan-treks/kashmir-great-lakes-trek/