I've been slacking off this week. But maybe I needed it because I felt good when I lazed in bed on those days instead of going out for a run. I enjoyed the nagging ache in my legs, a remnant of the Amby Valley long run. As I drifted in and out from a dazed sleep state, Minoti kept asking me as to whether I was taking an off - I wish:-) Its just that she likes it when I am at home because somehow Dojo loves to lie down belly up and snooze next to me.
The run that I did yesterday and today made up for the slack. I managed a swift set of loops around the pond at Aarey and returned with a heaving chest. Today, I enjoyed the meetup with the group. There were new comers such as Melvin and Atul. However, most seemed to have commitments or were injured or, like Raj, had dragged themselves from a late night. The first loop at Aarey was nice with runners giving a thumbs up to each other on every U-turn. I was the sole guy that ended up doing a second loop. I enjoyed it for the opportunity to sort out my thoughts. The 21.4K that I did today was cathartic and I had my decisive moments for the issues plaguing me.
I am now feeling relaxed with a stiff "Ballatines" soothing frayed nerves and the soft strains of "Moon River". Dojo too seems to sense the mood for deep contemplation and celebration - especially since he heard Monsoon order "Lollipops" from the chinese take-away:-)
Moon River, wider than a mile,
I'm crossing you in style some day.
Oh, dream maker, you heart breaker,
wherever you're going I'm going your way.
Two drifters off to see the world.
There's such a lot of world to see.
We're after the same rainbow's end--
waiting 'round the bend,
my huckleberry friend,
Moon River and me.
Sunday, September 12, 2010
Sunday, September 5, 2010
The Number Mysteries
I finally got the Math book I had ordered. It is an interesting analysis of the world of numbers. The very first chapter deals in Prime numbers and asks as to why David Beckham chose a jersey with number 23 on it, at Real Madrid. The reason? You guessed it; 23 is Prime. The top players in Real Madrid have Prime numbers on their jerseys. The book is rightly recommended for ages 1 - 101:-) The book has a problem offered at the end of each chapter. A problem that has eluded a solution to mathematicians the world over. As if someone reading this book will find it. Well, you never know:-)
I went out for a run with the Aarey group with all the intentions of doing a 21K but I had to cut it short because I just could not work out a pace. I hope I can recover enough to do it tomorrow. The group of runners was just a few because many are on tour. Srinivas is in Chennai, Amit in France, Madhu in Himachal and Roshni in Pedong. I do hope the group grows in strength as the build up to the Mumbai Marathon gains excitement. I am sure the article in the Hindustan Times on our group will draw attention from the running fraternity in Mumbai. There have already been a few curious queries from runners that joined our group on RFL recently. I felt disappointment at the end of the run. But then, I have been so since the last few weeks.
I went out for a run with the Aarey group with all the intentions of doing a 21K but I had to cut it short because I just could not work out a pace. I hope I can recover enough to do it tomorrow. The group of runners was just a few because many are on tour. Srinivas is in Chennai, Amit in France, Madhu in Himachal and Roshni in Pedong. I do hope the group grows in strength as the build up to the Mumbai Marathon gains excitement. I am sure the article in the Hindustan Times on our group will draw attention from the running fraternity in Mumbai. There have already been a few curious queries from runners that joined our group on RFL recently. I felt disappointment at the end of the run. But then, I have been so since the last few weeks.
Tuesday, August 31, 2010
KTM taper
The Kaveri Trail Marathon is round the corner and although I now need, as a seasoned marathoner, a taper of 2 weeks, I am still contemplating starting my taper 3 weeks before. The "Nirvana" run was a blast on the endurance front and the crowd of runners showed how much the group has grown over the last one year. I somehow miss my solitary long runs though.
I am in much better shape now, both physically and mentally. It has been a stressful two weeks. I am glad its behind me now and I can handle anything that' thrown at me now. The bright spots were the meetups with Bamoo and Russell. Nothing like a few tipples with good ol' buddies from your youth. There is the mail from Val and Mal urging that we do some pubs but then they too agree that the loud music gets to you after a while. Well, I cannot handle loud pubs and I don't understand the people that go there. I'd rather that the music was a soft jazz piano playing the blues.
After KTM, which I will run as a long run rather than race, there will be the Ultra in November and the Nike Run Club (NRC) too will begin. I guess I will to give a miss to the runs that the group plans in Amby Valley or elsewhere. I think it is better to mingle once in a while. Besides, I have to plan a trip to Mahabaleshwar with the family including Dojo. This will mean I have to give NRC a few misses but then I'd rather miss these for the family than for the runs. I have had my fill of fraternizing and its better that way. I have taken a break from work as I am feeling a little under the weather and listening to Bob Dylan seems like deja vu and is also making me feel good;
How many years can a mountain exist,
before it is washed to the sea?
How many years can some people exist,
before they're allowed to be free?
And how many times can a man turn his head,
and pretend that he just doesn't see?
The answer my friend is blowing in the wind,
the answer is blowing in the wind.
I am in much better shape now, both physically and mentally. It has been a stressful two weeks. I am glad its behind me now and I can handle anything that' thrown at me now. The bright spots were the meetups with Bamoo and Russell. Nothing like a few tipples with good ol' buddies from your youth. There is the mail from Val and Mal urging that we do some pubs but then they too agree that the loud music gets to you after a while. Well, I cannot handle loud pubs and I don't understand the people that go there. I'd rather that the music was a soft jazz piano playing the blues.
After KTM, which I will run as a long run rather than race, there will be the Ultra in November and the Nike Run Club (NRC) too will begin. I guess I will to give a miss to the runs that the group plans in Amby Valley or elsewhere. I think it is better to mingle once in a while. Besides, I have to plan a trip to Mahabaleshwar with the family including Dojo. This will mean I have to give NRC a few misses but then I'd rather miss these for the family than for the runs. I have had my fill of fraternizing and its better that way. I have taken a break from work as I am feeling a little under the weather and listening to Bob Dylan seems like deja vu and is also making me feel good;
How many years can a mountain exist,
before it is washed to the sea?
How many years can some people exist,
before they're allowed to be free?
And how many times can a man turn his head,
and pretend that he just doesn't see?
The answer my friend is blowing in the wind,
the answer is blowing in the wind.
Monday, August 30, 2010
Nirvana run for the soul
It is important for me to draw parallels with a quote that defines our collective experience on Sunday (29th August); an august gathering (though we qualify for this adjective only by virtue of inhabiting a Masonic lodge) of passionate runners of varying ability, bound together by a common thread of “aim for the sky and you will at least land among the stars”.
The quote:
"It's elevating and humbling at the same time. Running along a beach at sunrise with no other footprints in the sand, you realize the vastness of creation, your own insignificant space in the plan, how tiny you really are, your own creatureliness and how much you owe to the supreme body, the God that brought all this beauty and harmony into being."
- Sister Marion Irvine, 2:51 PR and 1984 U.S. Olympic Marathon Trials qualifier
The run was conceptualised, a recce led by Ashok, to draw up feasibility and logistics, and to put in km markers, and a detailed plan for transport, accommodation, meals, water-stations and safety, drawn up a with meticulous fervour that only a die-hard, selfless runner like Venkat can.
The bulk of our runners arrived the previous evening to a damp and dusky sky and a Spartan but clean abode reminiscent of a Scottish dwelling, complete with red-brick walls and a fire place. There were introductions followed by the usual banter and then an enthralling screening of the movie, “The Boston Marathon”. It left everyone with hope in their hearts – there were many in our midst aspiring to graduate to the full marathon; a daunting prospect. It portrayed people from regular walks of sedentary life, suddenly but surely elevated to the shocking realization that they had finished a marathon. The tears of joy and embraces that the worst was over and the achievement securing their positions, admittedly in the elite list of those that crossed the finish line in a 26 mile foot race, left us all determined to give our all to the long run that is the single most important ingredient in our training mix for the full monty.
A sumptuous dinner of chicken curry, vegetable, rice, bread, salad and bananas and we wound down for the day. Pre-dawn alarms rang with varying intensity, stirring everyone from their fitful sleep and even though I tried snuggling in bed, the sounds of ablution, murmurs of restive runners, tinkle of ceramic ware made me shrug of the quilt in resignation. Refreshed with a morning cuppa, we all started out in a drizzle from our start point. Runners like Raj, Allen, Kavin, Dr Oak and others that had set out that morning from Mumbai, started out a while later. The first 4Kms being a steep and winding slope hit our runners the hardest and such pre-warm-up palpitations brought on a fearful foreboding about their fate for the rest of the way. But it all turned out to be superlative.
Runners passed each other on the return leg cheering each other despite contending with their own exhaustion. Each runner emerged intermittently from a glorious medley of rolling wispy clouds, cool gushes of wind, flashes of green landscape, dark woods and the rain coming down in steel grey lances. The grey heavens pregnant with boundless rain and the black undulating asphalt disappearing into the mist brought an exciting mystery about running into the realms of the unknown – a long run is just that. Each foot strike caused a splatter from tiny puddles even as water run-off over the lips brought the taste of salt from your sweat. As we ate up mile after mile, each slap on asphalt brought pain that rose through the arch, ankles and shins. The water, bananas, Lucozade and jam sandwiches handed out by angels such as Malini, Vighnesh and Venkat’ chauffeur (I reserve my deepest respect for these selfless non-runners that stood hours in the rain and chill to hand out water to even the last runner) were received with gratitude by exhausted runners, running on pure mental strength. Along the way there were limps from low electrolyte cramps, sprained ankles, glycogen depletion, ITBS and plain exhaustion. But this carnival of pain dissipated in the chilling rain; in fact, it distilled each runner to his essence.
Each runner crossed the defined finish line to applause and high-fives and embraces. Steaming vada-pavs were handed out, from a wayside eatery to grateful hands and beaming smiles. All had come home, revelling in the deep satisfaction that - the long run puts the tiger in the cat. Several returned to the lodge to a breakfast of eggs and Poha and to plain put up their legs. Others had a longing to return home and relax. Monsoon and Bryan paid me a pleasant surprise by driving down to cheer me on but were hampered by a traffic jam in the Ghats. As I relaxed in the car, on the way back, sipping from my hip-flask, I mused as to how well our runners had trained this year to keep their endurance on a razor’ edge in preparation for SCMM, hitherto not experienced by many of them. As the buzz in my head made my eyelids droopy, I remembered another quote;
"There are people who have no bodies, only heads. And many athletes have no heads, only bodies. A champion is a man who has trained his body and his mind; who has learned to conquer pain for his own purposes. A great athlete is at peace with himself and at peace with the world; he has fulfilled himself. He envies nobody. - Coach Sam Dee - The Olympian
The quote:
"It's elevating and humbling at the same time. Running along a beach at sunrise with no other footprints in the sand, you realize the vastness of creation, your own insignificant space in the plan, how tiny you really are, your own creatureliness and how much you owe to the supreme body, the God that brought all this beauty and harmony into being."
- Sister Marion Irvine, 2:51 PR and 1984 U.S. Olympic Marathon Trials qualifier
The run was conceptualised, a recce led by Ashok, to draw up feasibility and logistics, and to put in km markers, and a detailed plan for transport, accommodation, meals, water-stations and safety, drawn up a with meticulous fervour that only a die-hard, selfless runner like Venkat can.
The bulk of our runners arrived the previous evening to a damp and dusky sky and a Spartan but clean abode reminiscent of a Scottish dwelling, complete with red-brick walls and a fire place. There were introductions followed by the usual banter and then an enthralling screening of the movie, “The Boston Marathon”. It left everyone with hope in their hearts – there were many in our midst aspiring to graduate to the full marathon; a daunting prospect. It portrayed people from regular walks of sedentary life, suddenly but surely elevated to the shocking realization that they had finished a marathon. The tears of joy and embraces that the worst was over and the achievement securing their positions, admittedly in the elite list of those that crossed the finish line in a 26 mile foot race, left us all determined to give our all to the long run that is the single most important ingredient in our training mix for the full monty.
A sumptuous dinner of chicken curry, vegetable, rice, bread, salad and bananas and we wound down for the day. Pre-dawn alarms rang with varying intensity, stirring everyone from their fitful sleep and even though I tried snuggling in bed, the sounds of ablution, murmurs of restive runners, tinkle of ceramic ware made me shrug of the quilt in resignation. Refreshed with a morning cuppa, we all started out in a drizzle from our start point. Runners like Raj, Allen, Kavin, Dr Oak and others that had set out that morning from Mumbai, started out a while later. The first 4Kms being a steep and winding slope hit our runners the hardest and such pre-warm-up palpitations brought on a fearful foreboding about their fate for the rest of the way. But it all turned out to be superlative.
Runners passed each other on the return leg cheering each other despite contending with their own exhaustion. Each runner emerged intermittently from a glorious medley of rolling wispy clouds, cool gushes of wind, flashes of green landscape, dark woods and the rain coming down in steel grey lances. The grey heavens pregnant with boundless rain and the black undulating asphalt disappearing into the mist brought an exciting mystery about running into the realms of the unknown – a long run is just that. Each foot strike caused a splatter from tiny puddles even as water run-off over the lips brought the taste of salt from your sweat. As we ate up mile after mile, each slap on asphalt brought pain that rose through the arch, ankles and shins. The water, bananas, Lucozade and jam sandwiches handed out by angels such as Malini, Vighnesh and Venkat’ chauffeur (I reserve my deepest respect for these selfless non-runners that stood hours in the rain and chill to hand out water to even the last runner) were received with gratitude by exhausted runners, running on pure mental strength. Along the way there were limps from low electrolyte cramps, sprained ankles, glycogen depletion, ITBS and plain exhaustion. But this carnival of pain dissipated in the chilling rain; in fact, it distilled each runner to his essence.
Each runner crossed the defined finish line to applause and high-fives and embraces. Steaming vada-pavs were handed out, from a wayside eatery to grateful hands and beaming smiles. All had come home, revelling in the deep satisfaction that - the long run puts the tiger in the cat. Several returned to the lodge to a breakfast of eggs and Poha and to plain put up their legs. Others had a longing to return home and relax. Monsoon and Bryan paid me a pleasant surprise by driving down to cheer me on but were hampered by a traffic jam in the Ghats. As I relaxed in the car, on the way back, sipping from my hip-flask, I mused as to how well our runners had trained this year to keep their endurance on a razor’ edge in preparation for SCMM, hitherto not experienced by many of them. As the buzz in my head made my eyelids droopy, I remembered another quote;
"There are people who have no bodies, only heads. And many athletes have no heads, only bodies. A champion is a man who has trained his body and his mind; who has learned to conquer pain for his own purposes. A great athlete is at peace with himself and at peace with the world; he has fulfilled himself. He envies nobody. - Coach Sam Dee - The Olympian
Friday, August 20, 2010
Ramblings
It has been a while since I blogged. There were too many things that took me by storm and I couldn't catch my breath. Last Sunday I had a nice long run. Nice, because I logged 31K after a long break in training for long runs. It was however, an exhausting and dehydrating run. By the end of it I had weak legs, a doddering pace and "postural hypotension". It took me all of 12 hrs to recover from it. I later analysed and discovered that I had suffered from "heat cramps". I researched on the topic and then formulated my own action plan to counter this in future; including an excel sheet to calculate sweat rates.
On the work front, I am deluged with new projects, product developments and forays in new markets. While this is a welcome change, I am apprehensive about being able to manage time. The intensity of travel will pick up shortly and I guess it will be back to living out of a suitcase.
I have ordered two books on Mathematics based on recommendations in "The Economist". The brief on these books states that they would interest even those that hated Math in school. I found their examples on application in everyday circumstances, rather intriguing. Besides, I thought it would add to the passion Bryan has developed for the subject. I now spend several evenings doing Math and Physics (both subjects that I love) with him, by solving difficult problems from Guide-books.
I am apprehensive about recent reports on a make-over for Aarey, ostensibly with a plan to develop an Eco-Park! I can only smirk at the thought of our state government being so concerned about the environment. The entire city is undergoing a degeneration in its civic, intellectual and social fabric and they now come up with a scheme that reeks of venality. I have started a silent campaign on my own and can only hope that God saves the space that I love.
Much of the last few weeks have been swallowed in introspection on rights and wrongs of social and behavioural attributes in people. I reached exhaustion on several occasion and wondered why I was burdening my already enervated psyche with these trivia. I thought it was worth it to save something and then I realised that all was "lost in translation" and I am better off now, with my conclusions. Indeed I feel better now:-) Last but not the least is the tipple I had with bum-chums, Bamoo and Russell, at "Prataps". It made life worthwhile as the haze of "signatures" made me mellow. When it all wore out, I was still convinced about my conclusions - so, it wasn't just the "buzz":-) Cheers!
On the work front, I am deluged with new projects, product developments and forays in new markets. While this is a welcome change, I am apprehensive about being able to manage time. The intensity of travel will pick up shortly and I guess it will be back to living out of a suitcase.
I have ordered two books on Mathematics based on recommendations in "The Economist". The brief on these books states that they would interest even those that hated Math in school. I found their examples on application in everyday circumstances, rather intriguing. Besides, I thought it would add to the passion Bryan has developed for the subject. I now spend several evenings doing Math and Physics (both subjects that I love) with him, by solving difficult problems from Guide-books.
I am apprehensive about recent reports on a make-over for Aarey, ostensibly with a plan to develop an Eco-Park! I can only smirk at the thought of our state government being so concerned about the environment. The entire city is undergoing a degeneration in its civic, intellectual and social fabric and they now come up with a scheme that reeks of venality. I have started a silent campaign on my own and can only hope that God saves the space that I love.
Much of the last few weeks have been swallowed in introspection on rights and wrongs of social and behavioural attributes in people. I reached exhaustion on several occasion and wondered why I was burdening my already enervated psyche with these trivia. I thought it was worth it to save something and then I realised that all was "lost in translation" and I am better off now, with my conclusions. Indeed I feel better now:-) Last but not the least is the tipple I had with bum-chums, Bamoo and Russell, at "Prataps". It made life worthwhile as the haze of "signatures" made me mellow. When it all wore out, I was still convinced about my conclusions - so, it wasn't just the "buzz":-) Cheers!
Friday, August 6, 2010
i-Race
It was very heartening to note that a race that started out with just about 70 runners in its first edition was now 550 strong. As part of the organizing committee and more specifically responsible for "Marketing", I felt that the time would soon arrive when I would be able to get a sponsor without having to move around with a begging bowl.
The assembly area at the start was a buzz of activity as runners from several running groups all over Mumbai Hi-fived each other. I led my small band of runners to a warm up because the 10K is a race one ought not to run without loosening up. The start was on the hour and I held back this time because I didn't want the rush of lactate to burn me up as it did last time. Srinivas kept pace as he had announced that he was going to use me as his pacer. I heard footfalls behind him and noted that Raj too had decided to tag along.
We finished the first loop and had settled into a groove by now. I felt my breathing to be easy and my strides strong. I was however disappointed that my tippling habits had cost me a lot in terms of weight gain. I was prepared to finish a full minute later than my last race. As we ran up the incline in the 8th km, I felt my blood lactate accumulation reaching its limit. I was quite winded when I crested the hill at my pace. The final km saw Srinivas and Raj leave me behind as they had the gas to give a final kick to the race. A well executed 10K requires that you be able to give a sprint in the last 200m.
I finished in a time of 50:26 and felt saddened that I was slowing down:-( The camaraderie post race banished the blues as we exchanged notes and ate the frugal post run snack provided. I could perhaps rest on the assurance that those that had finished even 2 mins ahead of me, had a marathon time that was 30 mins to 60 mins slower than mine. But then, the kaveri Trail marathon is coming up and maybe these guys, based on our group runs at aarey, would finish ahead of me. Well, maybe and let them! I guess its their time and they are much younger than I am.
The assembly area at the start was a buzz of activity as runners from several running groups all over Mumbai Hi-fived each other. I led my small band of runners to a warm up because the 10K is a race one ought not to run without loosening up. The start was on the hour and I held back this time because I didn't want the rush of lactate to burn me up as it did last time. Srinivas kept pace as he had announced that he was going to use me as his pacer. I heard footfalls behind him and noted that Raj too had decided to tag along.
We finished the first loop and had settled into a groove by now. I felt my breathing to be easy and my strides strong. I was however disappointed that my tippling habits had cost me a lot in terms of weight gain. I was prepared to finish a full minute later than my last race. As we ran up the incline in the 8th km, I felt my blood lactate accumulation reaching its limit. I was quite winded when I crested the hill at my pace. The final km saw Srinivas and Raj leave me behind as they had the gas to give a final kick to the race. A well executed 10K requires that you be able to give a sprint in the last 200m.
I finished in a time of 50:26 and felt saddened that I was slowing down:-( The camaraderie post race banished the blues as we exchanged notes and ate the frugal post run snack provided. I could perhaps rest on the assurance that those that had finished even 2 mins ahead of me, had a marathon time that was 30 mins to 60 mins slower than mine. But then, the kaveri Trail marathon is coming up and maybe these guys, based on our group runs at aarey, would finish ahead of me. Well, maybe and let them! I guess its their time and they are much younger than I am.
Monday, July 26, 2010
Happy feet
When I laced up for the group run at Aarey on Saturday, I wasn't feeling strong. However, when we started out as a group, I realized that I had not put in any speed work during the week and made a spot decision to try holding my marathon pace. As I shot forward and overtook the group, I smiled because I was sure that Amit or Kavin would definitely throw their hat in the ring. As it turned out, both of them as well as Bhasker, chased me.
We ran at tempo pace for the first 4K and then at the turn around point I decided to ease up. However, Kavin and Amit were still cruising ahead of me and seemed to be doing fine. The run up the hill was too taxing for me and I decided to shift gears a bit and conserve energy. We finished 10.7K in a time that was lower than any of our previous times. I was happy to abandon my plans to do two loops because just this one loop had given me the "buzz" I needed. Besides, Ashok and King were celebrating their birthday and had brought some snacks for the group runners. I didn't want to be late for the treat:-)
Sunday was spent mostly sleeping because I had kept up late to pick a friend from the airport and had then also woken up at 5am to go to the Nike Run Club. As I lazed in bed, I mused about my life and in the course of family discussions, I was quite taken aback when Bryan mentioned that he needs me around for his studies and that he cannot do without me. I told him that I had passed up many an opportunity for his sake and that, for this reason, he always features in my decisions. It was a happy moment for all which called for going to the multiplex to watch a movie. Dojo too began to scamper around with the mistaken impression that he too would be taken out:-)).
We ran at tempo pace for the first 4K and then at the turn around point I decided to ease up. However, Kavin and Amit were still cruising ahead of me and seemed to be doing fine. The run up the hill was too taxing for me and I decided to shift gears a bit and conserve energy. We finished 10.7K in a time that was lower than any of our previous times. I was happy to abandon my plans to do two loops because just this one loop had given me the "buzz" I needed. Besides, Ashok and King were celebrating their birthday and had brought some snacks for the group runners. I didn't want to be late for the treat:-)
Sunday was spent mostly sleeping because I had kept up late to pick a friend from the airport and had then also woken up at 5am to go to the Nike Run Club. As I lazed in bed, I mused about my life and in the course of family discussions, I was quite taken aback when Bryan mentioned that he needs me around for his studies and that he cannot do without me. I told him that I had passed up many an opportunity for his sake and that, for this reason, he always features in my decisions. It was a happy moment for all which called for going to the multiplex to watch a movie. Dojo too began to scamper around with the mistaken impression that he too would be taken out:-)).
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