Alibag calling

On Saturday, 3rd May, I went to alibag to spend the night at Dilip Kamtikar' Bungalow based on his invitation to me and a few other Aarey Runners. The place is well-furnished with a lot of plantations around the bungalow and its right on a secluded stretch of beach. I drove down in my car with Bryan (yes, ku-ku boy wanted to be with me:-) and Pankaj Sharma. We arrived at 6:45pm and went off straight to the beach. We played a little bit of football with encouragement from Bryan, who was keen on kicking the ball around and tempted us all.

The table was set for a "tipple" and Dilip was kind enough to offer us "Black Label"! We truly enjoyed the liquor (though the snacks arrangement could have been better) and got into intense arguments on happiness, money and even death (though many indicated by their reluctance to be drawn in, that such morbid discussions are inappropriate). By the time we ate dinner, it was 12 midnight and we were truly famished.

The next morning, Bryan and I woke up at 5am! We went for a walk on the beach and enjoyed the cool day break and dipped our feet in the ice cold sea water. Bryan was keen on getting the rest of us to play a game of fooball on the beach but I guess the guys were feeling the effects of "the night before" and were more comfortable lounging around and chatting about how Dilip made his fortune in life:-). At 11:30am, Bryan, Pankaj and I bade goodbye to the rest and left for home. On the way we stopped for a bite at Macdonalds and wolfed down some burgers, which Bryan enjoys a lot. We reached home at 2:30pm after which I had a beer and snoozed. All in all, it was a nice weekend.

Self-flagellation!

Maharashtra Day is a holiday for me and I surprised myself by waking up at 5am without an alarm. I had nothing to do as Monsoon is in Leh for a company review (some MNCs really do reviews in style!) and Bryan was to go to "Water Kingdom" with his friend Shiva. I decided that I'd just do a long run. The weather was like it was last Saturday; warm and humid. I realized that doing a long run would be a tough call. Nevertheless, I set out at an easy pace. About 2 hours later, I felt sapped and wanted to stop but I trudged on cause I wanted to overcome pain. This kind of punishment was meant to help me cope with my stress! Maybe the logic beats you but its just that I felt better pushing myself physically over the brink. It made me feel that I can handle whatever crap is thrown my way.

I finished the run another 45 mins later completely drained and dehydrated. I went to the Aarey water pumping station and the attendant there seemed to recognize me. Well, I guess that running 10 yrs in this place makes one rather popular:-) I used the hose that was lying around and let loose a "high pressure fountain" on myself. Boy, the cool water felt like heaven. I walked back home shaking my head at the lunacy in my work out today.

I met Rajesh while doing my run and he was wearing a knee brace! I realized that his knee was acting up cause he had not rested it enough after the damage from his Judo fall. He tried to laugh it off but I could tell that he regreted it. The sad part was that he was walking; unable to even jog because of the pain. Well, runners never learn. They throw caution to the winds cause their motivation to run is right up there.

Whew! I made it!

After enduring months of studying in planes, trains and cars, I was delighted to receive intimation from the American Council on Exercise that I am now a Certified Fitness Professional. Well, this certification allows me to design exercise programs for strength and endurance for not only healthy populations but it licences me to deal with special populations such as those suffering from obesity, diabetes, arthritis, osteoporosis, coronary heart diseases, muliplesclerosis and even pregnant populations.

Frankly, I did find the course content tough because it entailed knowing every bone and every major muscle in the body by location, origin, insertion and their latin names. In addition, the chapters on nutrition, injuries and pregnancy placed a substantial load on my ability to memorise - I had long lost this ability after studying to be an Engineer. Well, I could call myself a 30% doctor now - at least the course content made me feel like one:-) I was just joking; if I encounter questions that are the domain of a health care provider, my "code of conduct" requires me to refer the person to one and not "stray" into this area!

The day after

The day after my "junk miles", I set out from home early morning. Somehow, just as I knew on saturday, that I was not in form, I knew this sunday, that I was feeling strong! Well, true feelings never lie and whaddya know; I ran a 10K in 47 mins! I revelled in the comfort, speed and length of my strides:-) Also, since I had so much time on hand before I could head home for a sunday morning breakfast of eggs, chicken sausages and cheese (yes sir, you spoil yourself cause you earn these occasional sinful delights thru' running), I decided to just stroll around and savor the morning sun ( a surya namaskar was in order), acknowledge the smiles of my walker friends (who raised an eyebrow or two on seeing me doing nothing) and I literally stopped to "smell the roses".

"Junk" miles

I woke up at 5:05am with a start. Seldom do I sleep deep but this morning I was truly in the "beta waves" mode of sleep. I felt my pulse racing due to this rude awakening. I lay in the darkness contemplating on calling off my long run. Since I would never be able to go back to sleep (I am a poor sleeper), I decided to drag myself out of my bed. Even as I made myself a cup of Java, I sensed that today, my run would suffer. My resting pulse rate was surely high - I could feel it!!

I stepped out the door and lo; I could feel the weather was the worst for a run. The humidity was probably in the 80s! I started out slowly and felt my heart rate was high. As I went thru about 14K, I realized that I was going nowhere with this kinda run. I met Pankaj today after a long time and we had some conversation about our lives. I made up my mind as I ran alongside, that I would "junk" this run. I looked at my watch and it said 7:32. Well, I had intended running till 8:30 - which would be suicidal today!

I jogged back home weary and disappointed. As I had my breakfast, I consoled myself about the fact that it is always advisable to listen to your body (don't I give this advise to others as a coach? huh?) then to let it break down in some misplaced enthusiasm to "hit the training target". Good show Dan. You are practicing what you preach:-) Let me see if I can do some "blitz runs" tommorrow to make up for the lack of "training stimulus"today!!!!:-)

"Lungs" of the city being destroyed!

If you read the papers and the link below you will realize that what is obviously of benefit to all who dwell in this city, is slowly but surely being "hacked" to death. I am really really livid about such news because I run in a forest and dread to see the day they come with their bull-dozers to "take away my breath". The audacious "penal levy" of a paltry 70 paise per sq ft for raping the city makes the bile rise in my throat. Oh, how I would love to sit in judgement on such an issue and punish the builders and government officials that allowed this to happen by pronouncing that they all be hung upside down from the trees in that very forest (and whats left of it) so that they are preyed upon by the many leopards and panthers that lurk around after dark.
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/articleshow/2171962.cms

The Monk who sold his Ferrari

Robin Sharma asks in his book, titled as above, What is it that you are searching for? Do you want to be a better father and live a more balanced, rewarding life? Is it adventure and fun that you feel you are lacking? He postulates that if doing the above will make you happy then direct all of your energy doing it. Once you are concentrating your mind power and energy on a pursuit that you love, abundance flows into your life. You will wake up every morning with a limitless reservoir of energy and enthusiasm (Gee, this is a dream!!! However, I must mention here that my dear childhood friend, Bamoo often told me that in his job the salary is a bonus!! - He is a journalist BTW). The person the author talks to says, Would'nt it be risky for me to leave my job to start searching for my overriding passion? I mean, I have a family and real obligations! Robin Sharma answers, You will have to start taking risks, shake up your life a bit. Take the road less travelled. Come out of your comfort zone!
Hmmmm, nice philosophy and worth dwelling on if things don't work out for you in your job. I love my job as operational head of an SBU but its the "nit-picking" that gets to me!!