Joie De Vivre

The run this Sunday was a milestone for me- my longest run this season…..25 kilometers. I was low on confidence because  I had missed my previous 2 ritualistic Sunday runs, as work had taken over my weekends.

All the same, our band of 5 started out - bright and early at 5.45 am with full enthusiasm. We kept in step with each other. With Pervin that is easy as she is full of beans, and many stories. What really cracked us up, were her extremely witty one liners.

Pervin is quite an amazing woman. Her age belies her………A 100% Bawi- who is a bundle of electricity! She has run several half marathons, winning a couple too. I ran with her for the first time in Pondicherry, and enjoyed myself completely. We befriended two Bangalore runners and to top it all, we sang our way through the difficult parts. The next race was the Thane marathon. I started with her, but she carried on without me as my laces came off! And how she scolded me! Rightfully so! I still remember her words,” How silly can you be?” she said!  And now, each time I lace up before any run, her words ring in ears. Pervin won in Thane- and had I continued with her I would have also got a better timing! My loss! 


Pervin’s special quality is that she is extremely encouraging.Her spirit is infectious! To do a long run with her is a delight as one doesn’t feel the kilometers.

This Sunday we thoroughly enjoyed with her, until she went home at the 21km mark.

Post that, the balance 4 km were a mental struggle for Santa (a 60 year old first time marathoner-who really looks like Santa-and is as jolly as him!) and me. Nimisha had zoomed off from the halfway mark as had Vishal. Santa and I plodded along. When 2.5 kilometers were balance I was ready to stop, and walk. As we crossed the flyover, the vista opened up- and we saw a beautiful marine drive welcoming us! Santa exclaimed about the view and took my mind off the run.  From then on we put running on the back seat and went with the flow. We enjoyed the weather as we broke into a song! “Sing a song of sixpence “was what we began with, when 2 km were balance. It turned into “These are a few of my favourite things”, followed by “Mamma Mia” and “When the saints go marching in”.

Oh! What fun it was! We lost all inhibitions and reveled with the amused expression of the onlookers. They didn’t know we were marching towards the finish of our 25km run! As I sprinted past the stragglers to the finish I was in heaven! What a high it was!

A nonstop 25 km in 2 hours 55 minutes.

A book I read a while ago – about an ultra marathoner Dean karnazes, in which he says: in a long run you run the first half with your legs and the second half with your heart. True enough!

As the training gets harder, I feel I am getting stronger…..hopefully the music in my heart will get me through!


" The human body has limitations, the human spirit is boundless!"
- Dean Karnazes, Ultramarathon Man, Confessions of an All night Runner

The "Weak" that Was!

I sit back and reflect on the week that flew past, and I smile.
it started with one of the most difficult runs I have ever done. Only a 21km run. It was a huge battle with my mind as I struggled over the last 4km. My pace dropped to a real slow jog. One step at a time I told myself as I inched towards the finish. I felt I was finishing a Full Marathon. This, ofcourse, is wishful thinking-if I felt like this in a half I was nowhere close to finishing a full!
I complete the run with Murakami's words chanting in my head- I have come to run, not walk!

Post the disastrous Sunday run, on a cool Tuesday morning I find myself walking tentatively towards Cubbon Park, Bangalore, a verdant oasis in the heart of the city of traffic. I started along one of the radial roads alongside the local runners. Within a few minutes I discovered a path off the tar road. On this paved surface I picked up pace under the green canopy.

After a few minutes, I observed a dirt trail which seemed to lead towards the heart of the urban forest. As I meandered all over the park, I ran with my heart. At several points it narrowed down to a one foot clearing. As I wove around the 100 year old trees, I was reminded of my trail run in Pondicherry.

The path was uneven and the trees were dense. I ran footloose and fancy free. I only saw where the trail led once I rounded the corner. There was a surprise at every junction as a new vista awaited me at every turn.
I ran on a whim and a song little realising the distance or the time. Awaking from my reverie I found myself lost. I had to run 10 minutes in the pollution and full traffic to reach the hotel. I was happy with my hour well spent.

As we approached the long weekend Nimisha and I decided to finish the long Sunday run on Friday. We started early and ran at a steady pace. The weather was pleasant with a bit of rain. I had a strong finish. After the 18k we were rewarded with a brief shower as we stretched!
What a roller coaster of a week it has been. I learnt there a good days and bad days. The only way to deal with the bad days is to run through them (which I suppose is common sense).

"If you want to see a rainbow, you need to put up with the Rain!"

I run therefore....

As I picked up a drowsy Nimisha, she tells me, “But Parul, its raining!” I looked around and agreed, as i realized that it had been pouring all night. After much deliberation, we drove slowly to Nariman point, wondering if any of the others would show up.

And lo, behold!

Almost everyone was there in this incessant rain. Not that it was a drizzle and showed any signs of letting up! Oh no! It was serious rain!

Under the cover of the dark clouds we all trooped out in batches, most of attempting the longest runs of the season. 3-4 km into the run, the rain got heavier. It fell in large drops and we couldn’t keep our eyes open in the deluge. The rhythm of our feet continued as usual, as it ignored the fact that we were drenched to the bone!

The advantage of doing the long run in the rain was simple- we didn’t feel hot! And we didn’t need water. On the contrary when the wind blew, we were actually cold. We went along, over Peddar Road and the sight at Haji Ali was beautiful. The hazy morning light falling on the sea, which was far back because of the low tide. The tops of the new skyscrapers in Bombay were covered with clouds…….all was misty!

We ran along and passed by enough runners who all realized what a treat it was to be out, running today. On Worli sea face, the waves caressed the sea, playfully. We ran past a smorgasbord of people…..and there was one common thread linking them. The look of incredulity on their faces when they saw us- said it all! Are you crazy!!!!!!! The instantaneous reply to this was- YES! :)

Ditch the umbrella and cleanse your soul- I wanted to tell all of them all!

We finished with huge smiles as we completed our distance of a half marathon with ease. What had been my goal last year is but a stepping stone today. At this mid way point I would like to say, I think I am very happy to be where I am. I guess, it gets uphill from here and, I am ready for it!

As we stretched post run, the wind was deadly.

On my drive home I was reminded of a t-shirt slogan I had read on my trail run in Pondicherry:
I run therefore I am……..Nuts! ;)

Running in the Rain

“Sunshine is delicious, rain is refreshing, wind braces us up, snow is exhilarating; there is really no such thing as bad weather, only different kinds of good weather.”

-John Ruskin

We ran through the sweltering summer heat awaiting the rain. Come June. In anticipation of the monsoon we pushed the mileage up. After a teaser on the first weekend, the rain completely disappeared. As cloudy days passed we sweated it out with each kilometer. Still no rain.

Then came my trial by fire. Exams for both my kids! I was out of the main action for 10 days.

On a dark and cloudy Friday morning I hit the road. It startrd drizzling as I started. What a glorious feeling it was. So refreshing. To run with raindrops fallin' on my head! From then on.........lovely music played in me. And I smiled. At all and none. Was just happy to be out there amidst the changing urban landscape in the rain. Past the buildings, the greens and beach. I reached marine drive. . The rain continued with varying intensity and the distance melted into sheer pleasure. My feet flew over the wet road, as I sprinted to finish with the wind blowing, into the greyness. I met the rest of the gang returning from their 10-12k runs. The run was a breeze. It was unanimously decided that it was one of the best runs we’ve had in a long time.

Come sunday. Time for a long run.
Our target of 19km was easily achieved as we got light sporadic rain. Post run chit chat was on and there came a shower. All of us were drenched. It was an exhilarating feeling to have the raindrops beating down on us. The massage was brief but the downpour was heavy and accompanied by gusty winds. We felt a chill which created a surreal feel. The bleak urban landscape ....the adrenaline rush......the satisfied smile.........

A quote I once read, “Runner’s don’t get rained out, they get rained on.”

The Winner

The run on Friday was amazing. After many a sweltering run- over the last 2 months- this one was like manna from heaven. I ran late…….in the soft intermittent drizzle- and I felt like I could run forever. It was a short 8k run as it was a weekday, but this glorious one had filled me with a great deal of anticipation, for the long run on Sunday.

So we headed out…with a partly cloudy sky over our heads. As we ran along, there was no sign whatsoever of any breeze, and much less rain. We went along the entire distance as we had committed to ourselves……..

All along
There was no song,
Only sweat,
That was our fate.

After we turned,
On our return
There was a game.
Between me,Sol and the rain.

Rain eluded,
A clear loser,
Although the clouds
Played hide-n-seek.

And after a bit of tussle
They had to part
The sun shone in its full glory
As I, struggled in this story.

It got ugly,
And turned into a scrap,
That’s when my mind said
Let’s end this clash.

So I loosened my shoulders
And lengthened my stride
Picked up my pace
For the last 1 mile.

18k on a humid day
Victory was mine
After a long long time!

Save the Turtle!

"Mom, there's a marathon".....my ever vigilant son, Arnav tells me, and adds," It’s here, in Phuket!".

We see banners for it over the next couple of days as we head out for snorkeling , kayaking and the likes. On Friday.....as we chilled in the hotel I investigated and discovered that it was a “mini- marathon "......only 10. 5 k- starting only 500 m from our hotel, on Sunday!

The "Mai Khao Turtle Marathon" is organized to save the turtles. This beach is a nesting ground for the turtles - so the locals organise it to raise awareness. It’s in its 7th year!

As I registered for it, Savio's words rang true. A day before I was leaving, he said to me, run a race, they always have something going on. And sure enough .......

Raceday morning - bright and early- 5.30 I reached the holding area- and was greeted by the aroma of chicken porridge! They had laid out a complete breakfast- fruits, coffee et al, for the 750 odd participants.

After the inaugural speech (which I didn't get a word of as it was in Thai) we were flagged off!500 of us....running to the rhythms of the sea....along a lovely trail following the beach- soft breeze and waving casuarinas.
Kilometers flew past as the shade of the sea changed from varying shades of azure to aqua......the white sand remaining a constant!



Water stations, volunteers, a simple rubberband at the halfway mark.....all well organised for a small run!

The run was enjoyable as the distance wasn't daunting. There were a few tourists like me trying to catch the local flavor.

I picked up pace as we ran the last 3k around lake Pru Jeh San. It was a picturesque trail which reminded me of Pondicherry.

I finished comfortably in just a minute over an hour. As I sprinted across the finish line I was handed a tag followed by a medal. As I caught my breath I read the tag to realise I had come fourth in the women! I got ranked! Wow! In a single digit!

I walked back to the holding area to see an awards ceremony going on. A Thai news reporter saw the tag in my hand and beckoned me to go towards the stage. Up I went and accepted my trophy. My first one ever!

Yay!

I returned to my room and found my kids waiting for me. After so many runs they have learnt now NEVER to ask me if I won. So they asked....finished? And I surprised them with the trophy and my rank! Never mind the small number that ran! I still won! Wow Sanjana says, " we'll need to make a cabinet for that!".

I believe there's an inner power that makes winners or losers. And the winners are the ones who really listen to the truth of their hearts.
Sylvester Stallone


I won!

The Power of The Mind

11th may 2011- One of my toughest runs ever- running in almost 80 percent humidity at 30 degrees it was like being in a torture chamber, only this is self inflicted.

Thanks to a very determined Nimisha I had originally planned to run 21km today- to celebrate my 2 week vacation. Fortunately Savio shot down the idea and advised us to only do the circuit - a 13. 5 km route which includes the uphill walkeshwar road.

I thought it will be a breeze. 13.5 Instead of 21!
And we were off. After the initial 6k I struggled uphill ......onwards.......The in between 6-10 km were my worst. Thoughts of giving up filled my head- constantly hounding me to head home and not return to nariman point to finish the run.


As I battled my mind- I wondered about the vagaries of nature. Can man stand up to nature in any way?

With great encouragement from Vishal and Nimisha I reached marine drive. Then I completely gave up and walked for 2 minutes, ran for 2. This went on until at churchgate I found my rhythm and cruised along until I sprinted the last 500 m towards the finish.

Upon completion I wondered why I found it so grueling in the middle. The distance wasn't so much and I have been running. So it wasn't out of the blue either.

It was a case of mind over matter and today my mind lost.

To blame I have only the weather......
And myself.


The mind is its own place, and in itself
Can make a heaven of Hell, a hell of Heaven.

JOHN MILTON, Paradise Lost