On love

The past two weeks were a lot of activity and full of daze and drama. The runner in me can handle continuous activity but things were happening on auto pilot and it had become difficult to put my finger on what was going through my head or what I was feeling.

And then I decided to attend the wedding of a friend almost on a whim to get away from everything.

When the groom's eyes lit up to the bride's entry under फूलो की चादर accompanied by her brothers, things started to settle down in my heart. That 'singular magic moment' when magical happy smiles were exchanged between the two, must have been what drove me to Delhi.

I have exchanged many notes, emails and thoughts with Someplace else. And on this Monday morning, when my vacation has ended, I am feeling nothing but a weird satisfaction. 

Because its not just the movies where you meet your Shahrukh khan on a train journey. Sometimes fairy dust makes these things magically real.

there is a wedding at home!

We are beginning to get on each others' nerves. Polite discussions are now annoyed arguments. The Nagpur winter is colder and chilly. There are people sneezing all over at my place. And sometimes the warmth only seems to come from a cup of tea.

There is a wedding at home.

We are in a plush mall buying shoes. In the same hour we are in the middle of a bustling market, asking and bargaining for matching bangles. There is a polite shouting match going on inside the car between brother and me, about shopping tasks on our list. I am an efficiency maniac. He likes to take it 'chill'. We pass bhavnagari. We unanimously decide to stop to buy some kachoris and samosas for evening snacks.

There is a wedding at home. We are functional in our dysfunctional ways. 

Pune run beyond myself - half marathon

Pune running is an active bunch of amateur runners in Pune city. PRBM (pune run beyond myself) is the flagship charity event organized by this group along the lovely route of NCL/Pashan/Bavdhan (if you know your bearings around Pune you will know what I mean).

After the hyderabad running nightmare I really wanted to run a half marathon to gauge the improvement in my running stamina and form. So I signed up for the half marathon at PRBM (which my trainers at running potential did not approve of!). Reluctantly I resumed the training routine. Running 4 times a week with a comparatively longer run a week before the actual run. I even started developing a cold feet a week before the run. 21.1 km started feeling like a ridiculously long distance to be run by anyone. (Full Marathoners I respect thee!)

With all these background activities going on in my head, race day arrived. This was exactly 48 days after the Hyderabad run. The pleasant Satara Hill run had assuaged the running blerch a bit. But there were still doubts in my head. I wanted to validate my own beliefs.
Like a kid getting nervous before her first stage appearance, I started feeling jittery before the run. A point came when I could hardly contain my excitement so I made myself watch the tragic Anna Karenina. That did help! 

So race day arrived. And if you like me get excited about racing events like school exams, you would know the emotions. I was ready with warm up at 5.15 am (race was to start at 6am). But despite that I reached the start point late ie around 5.45 am and made a dash for the start line. Thankfully I caught sight of  the 2.30 hour pacer and I snuck behind his bus.

My strategy for this run was to stick with the 2.30 hour bus for the most part and try to finish the HM under that. My earlier HM timings were more than that so it was a huge task in my head. The gun went off at 6 am sharp and I slowly made it out of the crowded beginning section of the route. 600 meters into the route and the 2.30 hour pacer started walking. I had not confirmed his race strategy earlier, so this run-walk routine came as a big disappointment to me. It became clear to me that I had to run the race with my own bus at my own pace and just try to be ahead of the 2.30 hour bus all the time.

With this little improvisation I got my mind back into the race. The earlier part of the route was uphill so my slow but constant pace helped. I ran with a pace of 6.45-7 mins/km during the first 5 km, having crossed the 5km mark at 35 minutes. This is when part deux of my strategy came to the fore. I took my first water break for exactly 30 seconds, where I kept on walking sipping 200 ml of water. My next water break of 30 seconds came after the 7 km mark. Next 20 second electrolyte solution break came past the 10.5 km mark. And so on. The return route was quite downhill and the weather was perfect for a long run. Of course the sun had started shining down on us by the time we started our journey back to the start point. But it all felt like good sun god behavior. Post the 15 km mark, my urge to take more and longer water breaks started creeping in. This is when the real test began. I managed to cross the 18 km mark under 2 hours and gave myself a treat by taking a 1 minute long walking water break. With only 3 kms to go, I knew I could achieve that elusive timing. 

But these 3 kms were not a breeze as my over imaginative brain had pictured. I took another walk break on a quite uphill part and totally lost track of time. It was only when I saw people behind me overtake me, that the competitive person in me awakened. I started running with all my heart (literally, you should have seen me panting :P) and finished the race in 2 hours 24 minutes and 30 seconds.

This is my personal best timing after having run 3 half marathons. I have realized, the only way to get over a bad race (or run) is to run another race.

Until SCMM in January then!

Satara hill marathon 2014

I can see this blog is slowly becoming a place to document running events. But as long as I keep on writing here, no one's loss right ?

The Satara Hill Marathon is an elite ultra marathon event in Maharashtra, which only in its 3rd year has already become famous for some superlative arrangements for runners and gorgeous and tough route. I ran the 10 k race there yesterday and immediately made a plan to run the half marathon next year.

I and P reached Satara, (1.5 hours drive, 2 hours by bus and 3 hours by train, away from Pune) a day before, collected* our stuff (kit consisting of bib, running tee, route map and other goodies)  from the expo and set about exploring Satara. 
* Great story about the managing team here: They sent a wrong text message regarding the bib number and race category to a bunch of participants. I was one of them. My immediate thought was to get this resolved at the expo itself. To my surprise, I received an email the next day, where they admitted their mistake and gave instructions about what should be done by these participants. I think this was a pretty good corrective measure in what could have been a management disaster, where I could picture participants arguing and fighting with the marathon staff.

Satara has a distinct small town feel to it. There is not much to do in the city itself, except some amazing foodie treats. But around the city are some great escapades like, Sajjangad, thoseghar falls, kass valley (smaller version of valley of flowers) which are 30-40 minutes drive away from the city. So if you are the adventurous kind and would not mind exploring these instead of resting it off, these are a must visit. Of course, we did not do any of this as we were quite anxious about the run the next day.

We hit the sack early and got up at 4.30 am on race day. Owing to the fact that our hotel had some cleanliness and water issues. Runner tip: If possible get an idea about where you will be staying in advance to avoid such issues.

We reached the start point when the half marathon was about to start. After cheering the amazing elite and non elite runners for the half marathon and some warm up, we queued up for the 10k race. The 10 k race, starts in the city, takes one to the sahyadri ghaats upto 5km and then one returns to the start point having gained an elevation of 2034 ft. 
I clicked this picture during one of the water breaks -> 

<3

Needless to say I had not run on a route which is outside the city limits and is surrounded by luscious green hills. I was mesmerized by the views on my way upto the 5k mark. The return was even more beautiful with view of Satara city covered by fog and mist in the early morning hours and the sun penetrating the cover. I did not click any pictures on the way down from the ghaats as I was busy capturing the beauty for my own sake. I will go back to these images in my head over and over, is the only thing I can say right now.

The live traditional dhol-tutari played by local troupes welcomed the runners back in the arena on completion. That along with some astounding ground support all along the route made this one of the most well managed events I have attended since I started running.

I wish to come back over and over again to this wonderful city and these amazing people, just to run with nature and take it all in. If you are a runner anywhere and reading this, then I also urge you to visit the Satar Hill Marathon. You will not be disappointed!

Hyderabad marathon 2014

As an amateur runner, I have decided to try to select 2 new cities or venues every year for running events and show up and complete the run (if no fancy goals). As part of this plan, I decided to run the Hyderabad half marathon, touted as 'India's toughest city marathon'.

My training journey to Hyderabad Marathon 2014 (popularly known as AHM) started in April, when I signed up for an year long training plan for SCMM 2015, with running potential. I started running out of various reasons last year and after the first half marathon experience, I wanted to run more and better. So my training included lots of base building which focused on improving my aerobic fitness and some ramp runs to prepare me for the hilly (tough) route of the AHM.
[Please call/meet/write to me for detailed training discussions. I have realized over time how boring it can be for non runners!]

The planning for the marathon weekend started in June with train and hotel bookings. Plenty of trains from Pune so no issues on that front. Also plenty of hotels near necklace road where the race normally starts so no hassles on that front too. I had received the race route and altitudes from my trainers well in advance, which I had studied for quite some time. But as the race day approached, I started becoming more jittery and less confident. I had a lotof strategies and back up plans ready in my head. Timing was not even in the picture. Because on a tough route a lot of factors play deciding role. I entered the city of Hyderabad with only one aim ie finishing the run in under 3 hours. 

all in a day's work!

I reached on Saturday and spent the entire day out. From 9 am to 10.30 pm. Explored the charming old city. Visited Charminar, Macca masjid, Salarjung museum, haggled with the shopkeepers in Meena Bazar, asked for directions from random strangers, argued with rikshawalas, took city buses, ate at chutneys, Ohri's. In short loved Hyderabad despite the heat and traffic rush. 

I also managed to collect my running kit for the race during all this touristy activity and literally forgot that I was visiting the city for a half marathon and not all this sight seeing. 

When I hit the bed before race day did I realize that I was kind of tired. Nervousness started creeping in. And I went to bed making all the arrangements for the next morning ready like running clothes, shoes, breakfast stuff, water bottles, charging phone. 

Woke up at 4.30 am on race day with 5.5 hours sleep. Got ready and drank 2 glasses of water and ate a banana and did some light warm up. Prepared my electrolyte solution to be carried with me. With some money in pocket and earpods and phone I went to the hotel lobby where I met other runners. Together we all left for the start point which was 10 minutes walk away. 

And boy was that a party or not! Loud music was playing. Hordes of runners had gathered. The full marathon runners were about to reach our start point as part of their route. Our race was to start at necklace road and end at GMS balyogi stadium. A calm started to spread over me. I made a simple strategy of starting steady with the 2.30 hour bus and making it a point to hydrate well even if it meant longer waits at water stations. The announcers also confirmed the expected bad weather conditions like extreme heat and humidity and asked us to keep hydration levels high. Even if it meant taking loo breaks!

The gun went off at precise 6 am on the watch. I started slow and steady with a pace of 6.40 mins/km. The 4 month long training had taught me that this was my comfort zone pace. I was feeling good and my breathing also sounded rhythmic (I fall into trouble if my breathing is irregular and hence that's a huge indicator for me if my run would soar or tank). By 7 am I was near the 10 km mark and was feeling hopeful. The 2.30 hour pacer was still in my sight so that meant I would be able to catch up.
The only concern was the increasing perspiration. It was annoying. I was waiting for the next water station to take my first water break. The electrolyte solution had helped me take this risk. I drank 2 glasses of water at the next station and started the next phase with renewed hope. The route had started to get tougher. The ramps looked never ending and the sun god made running even more tough. 

a sight for sore legs!

I had roamed around the city the day before enough to know the halfway point of the half marathon. I was overjoyed when I crossed it. Only to encounter a steep ramp, where my first walk of the run started. It was to be first of many walking breaks that I took that day. From then on it became a constant struggle to not get annoyed by the sweat, humidity and heat and keep going on. By this time the 2.45 hour pacers had passed me by. 
I started to feel miserable by 16 km. And thought of giving up for an entire stretch of 500 meters. But then I thought of the friend who had accompanied me to Hyderabad and was eager to see the medal. Her presence made me not give up. So I continued on till I saw this sign -> 

This meant only 2 more kilometers remaining!
But to everyone's shock these 2 kms were also full of ramps. The Hyderabad route would not have it easy on any of us. 
I managed to run the entire last kilometer with whatever willpower I had left and completed my half marathon in 2 hours 49 minutes and 53 seconds. 

Even though the weather and route had it tough on us, the extremely enthusiastic volunteers and awesome arrangements for food, water, rest made the run a memorable experience.
I failed almost all goals I had set myself up before this run. The only goal I succeeded at was recovering sooner post run. So all is still well in lala land. And looking forward to next year's AHM!

thankyou

I always recount to friends proud stories of how I got saved by books at various points in my life. Till now. How sherlock holmes made tedious summers full of mystery and made me anticipate adventure. How Calvin and hobbes and harry potter made me strike new friendships. How the book thief came into my life at a point when I was really struggling. Numerous stories. Humongous debt. 

The stories actually do go back to an origin. Introduction to libraries and books at a young age. One library where I spent my entire summer reading the entire collection. Another where it all started. That too with comics. 

Brother and I shared a comics books library membership in the good old 1990s. Of course brother and his cool bunch of friends would race to the library early morning to collect their share of comics which included super commando dhruv and nagraj and other assorted desi bunch. A nag that I was, brother had to take me along. And kind that he was, he allowed me to choose one comics of my choice every other time. When the boys were competing which latest comics of their superheros to lay hands on, I would lamely (for them) pick a chacha chaudhary one. Those were the only ones I really REALLY liked and enjoyed. Brother would be furious for some time but who can remain angry for long when you have chacha chaudhary and one of his mysteries to solve and tons of fun to have! I can't remember having laughed and enjoyed any other comic book so much during those years. Only Chacha Chaudhary's antics were able to get my attention and laughter. 

That is how I really started reading. With the comics Chacha Chaudhary. Chacha Chaudhary were my first shared books (yes comics are very much books!). They and Calvin and Hobbes are the only comics, I have read in their entirety and never gotten bored of. And for that they are special to me. (Irony is I do not remember much of any of them)

RIP Pran uncle. I will always think of these fond memories of books and reading when thinking of Chacha Chaudhary.

Life in India exposes one to a lot of underprivileged and poor people/animals (mostly stray). I see a lot of them on my way to work everyday. A stray dog huddled by the corner of a street. Trying to protect itself from the chill in the air because of the rains. A poor man eating ban-chai at a roadside stall, probably contemplating how to make ends meet for the day.

A homeless family bathing their kids in the open. One of the kids is crying because it probably does not want to take a bath like any other child. The father is getting their girl ready, trying to tie her hair in a pigtail. These people will then scatter around on the streets begging or asking anyone for work. There is a young couple, who have had a fight. The female is crying dramatically, the guy is trying to persuade her. 

A part of me is torn because of this disparity in lives. In their life and my life. I want to leave everything and go and try help them. I do through food, money. I know its not enough. There is a chaotic system in place which will always have relatively poor and rich people. But I just want them to have a shelter to live under and daily food supplies. I really do. Sometimes I feel I look at life in this super simplistic fashion which in reality does not solve the burdens of the heart.

A part of me on the other hand thinks, poverty must be very liberating. I see people sleeping on the streets everyday. As if they dont care about anything in the world. Of course I am very privileged to even entertain such a romantic thought about poverty. But I really do feel in such case the only fix the world probably needs is some empathy and kindness.