We are so wrapped with our own lives that we hardly get time, not just for ourselves but also for the ones we love, our parents, our spouses, our partners, our children, our friends. Long working hours and deadlines and travels take up our weekdays, long runs and races take up majority of our weekends. Even the time that we actually spend with them are obligatory, cursory moments, not really quality time.
So when a race, which I was supposed to pace, gets postponed, jumped at the invitation from a friend to run the Nashik marathon. A promise of a flat route and good weather and some good seafood got me tempted (as if I needed flat route and seafood to be enticed). Saw this an opportunity to get mum along and was grateful when the answer was yes. Mum seemed quite excited at the prospect of an outing, even if it meant that I would be out running. To be honest I was more excited about Nashik than I was even about my Thailand holiday. This was hitting two birds, or was it more than a couple of birds, with one stone.
Come Saturday and we were off on our road trip. We set out in two groups, one from Malad and the other from Powai. We did what we all do on road trips, we sang, we snacked, we teased, admired the view outside, clicked selfies. We took tea breaks and pee breaks. All the time I was little worried if mum would be comfortable but my worrying was unwarranted. To my delight she was smiling, not trying to smile but genuinely smiling, enjoying her time, even joining in for pictures and selfies. My friends, on their part, made her feel comfortable and took to her instantly. She enjoyed the extended misal break, which turned out to be our brunch. She munched on the papads, has some lovely chaas and relished the jalebi, much to my charging due to concerns of her diabetes. She even chewed pan. All in all she was taking in and relishing the entire experience. We even went to a temple and got shushed and reprimanded for laughing and chatting in its premises (what else could you expect from a bunch of cheery runners). On a hindsight we were disturbing the sanctity of the environment.
We made a stop at a sports training academy where our host is a trustee. I even got to play a couple of exchanges (if you called one shot rally that) of badminton. Boy have I grown old. We even the future Siana and Sidhu in training. From there we headed to the expo to collect our bibs. Proudly showed my Mumma around the expo but the most amusing moment was when I collected the bib. I have always thought my name was the most easiest thing to spell, but much to my annoyance people quite often end up misspelling it, not this time. Not this time, ended up chuckling realising they made my name quite roomy.
Finally, we reached the hotel, and went up to our rooms to freshen up and relax. I checked on mom to see if she was ok form all the travel and sitting for long hour in one place. As she took a short nap I took the chance to post the pics we clicked from the journey so far, being quite the so-called social butterfly.
However, after a short nap it was once again off to do some sightseeing. As we headed to Trimbakeshwar, on a very picturesque highway, saw a number of signage for the Marathon, especially the 42k turning point. Proudly pointing this out to Mumma, actually feeling bad for the full marathoners, and then it hit me, the route ain’t flat. So one side of brain went into a full blown panic mode, where as the other half was just simply excited of the route not being flat.
So we arrive at Trimbakeshwar, after halting for evening tea and Poha. I was apprehensive if Mumma was ok visiting temple, as most devout Catholics do. But she was ok with it, she even got a good history lesson of the place from Alpa and Jaj.
On the way back there was a plan to drop us Runner at the hotel while those who were not running, my mum included, would head to Shirdi for a quick darshan. However, later on the plan was dropped as it would be quite late.
We then went to Infant Jesus Church, stopping in between at a Hanuman Mandir. And from Infant Jesus we headed to Panchvati, actually admiring all these places and how the river flowed through them. One word of caution out here, using Google to navigate can be quite tricky, it can easily be hit or miss.
We then returned to hotel to join the rest of the gang to enjoy the wonderful seafood spread prepared by our wonderful hostess. So you had Surmai and prawn fry, along with fish curry for the non-veggies, and dal for the veggies. Stuck to the prawns as I don’t like seafood but made the most of the food which was served and absolutely relished what I ate.
Finally, we retired to our rooms as those running the next day would have to wake early to prepare, but before that got news that our driver was ready to take the ladies who were not running, to Shirdi, by 5 the next morning. So tried to sleep early, while keeping my running gear ready.
Woke up up in the morning and went through my pre-running rituals of having a shower and applying Vaseline, to avoid the sting of chaffing, though I missed my black coffee. Woke mom, who got ready and came down to the hotel lobby to join the ladies who were ready for Shirdi.
Once we saw them off, kissed Mumma good bye, we headed to the starting point. As the area was close to the hotel we walked to it chit-chatting on the way. Reaching the venue we did what we always do, socialise, click selfies, smile for pictures, try to find the baggage counter, some water and Head to the starting line, and yes spend time stretching and warming up.
So switched on the music, Garmin, NRC and off you go. The weather was nice and route scenic but not as easy I thought it would be. Nonetheless kept going and trying to relax and enjoying the run. Though I knew I was kind of struggling, I concluded, bloody-hell I need to loose weight and go in for lighter shoes. No way was this run easy, even began wondering when would the turnaround point would come cause when we passed the 12th km. However the return journey brought a glorious sunrise over the highway and a lots of hi fives to friends and fellow runners. Finally crossing the finishing line at 1:48, not quite the time I hoped to clock but was satisfied.
Collected my medals and went out to pace friends on their way back. Once all them were back it was time for the post run shenanigans, to click funny pictures and selfies and join the celebrations and celebrate the PBs and podiums. If you thought that after running 21k a Runner would be dead tired then you should see my friends dancing after getting theirs PBs and simply enjoying the atmosphere.
Once back at the hotel it was time to shower, refresh and have a quick breakfast. By the time we got back the ladies and mom were back from Shirdi. So quickly packing and checking out of the hotel, thanking our wonderful host’s family for their wonderful hospitality, it was off to Sula Wines for some more celebration.
All through the ride I slept like a baby, cause I am one big one. Reaching Sula meant some more pics to be clicked to capture the memories of the place. Being a Sunday the place was pretty crowded. Somehow we found a table that overlooked the vineyards below. We crowded around a single table sourcing chairs from tables where they were unoccupied. We enjoyed some French Fries and nice conversation over glasses of wine. Tried to show mumma how to hold a wine glass. The best thing is had a couple of sips of wine and didn’t feel light headed as I always do. On the way out picked a bottle of Riesling.
Before we headed for lunch we stopped at this wonderful place called Utopia run by the dashing Adwait Kher, who also happened to be one of the first marathoners from Nashik. Calling it just wonderful wouldn’t do it any justice. Overlooking the Godavari, these quaint cottages were beautifully rustic in their decor. It was peaceful, blissful, quiet, like a piece of heaven on earth, surrounded by fields.
The more we interacted with Adwait the more we admired him. He left us in awe with his wit and charm and his down to earth disposition. He had no shred of attitude considering he owned and ran this piece of heaven and was married to a Miss India and his daughter had just made her foray into Bollywood, and as we would later learn, was a model.
From there we headed for a quick lunch, or I should say quite the sumptuous lunch before we made our return journey back home. All this while though mom had been quiet she was making the most of the experience with her new friends insisting that I get her to the back road even if just for a walk.
In the evening, when we finally made it back home, I looked at mom worried that she would be all tired and worn out from the journey. She didn’t look exhausted, of course she would be tired, wouldn’t one be sitting in a vehicle all the time. She was smiling and that was what I wanted, to see her smile. She had a wonderful time and made some wonderful new friends who wanted her to join them whenever she could. I hugged her tight and kissed her and ordered food and retired for the rest of the night.
P.S. Thank you Atul for not only inviting us to Nashik but also your wonderful hospitality. We couldn’t be more grateful to you.
To your wonderful better half and your kids a big thank you for everything and the wonderful lip smacking food.
To the awesome Prerna, Babita, Alpa, Pooja and Jaj for making my Mumma feel like one of you, taking care of her and making her feel comfortable and being awesome.
To Neha, Manasi and Reshma, congratulations on your PBs and being awesome run buddies.
To the city of Nashik, thank you for the memories.
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