The Road to Gorai: Going Down a Road Less Taken

I have been down this road before

But never this way

There's something so familiar 

In this unfamiliarity 

Something so different 

Like I have seen this road

But never been down it like this before

So as we make our way

Slowly but steadily

Moving out from the city 

Onto roads that leads us past 

Quaint village houses 

A place where the grey skies 

Seem to have descended down 

To touch the land

Patches of salt pans and paddy field

Surrounded by the soothing greens 

And then like running on a heaving chest

We climbed and descended

With every breath the road takes

Running round the curves

You challenge us to keep up with you

Up the steep climbs

Cause you'll reward us at every turn

Like a master rewarding his faithful dog

So we keep up with this road

Making it up the climbs

Making the ascends on weary legs

Huffing and puffing and panting

But making it all the way to the top

To find another descend 

Followed by yet another ascend

But the reward is great

Cause the view of breathtakingly beautiful 

Making us feel blessed 

And leaving us in awe

So we steadily trudge on this road

Pass paddy fields and churches

Quaint little houses with the sea

In their backyard

Pass crosses and villages

People slowly awaking 

From their Sunday slumber

Pass ladies in lugdas 

And girls in green or similar attire

Boys dressed in their best

Men in their lungis 

As they made their way for Sunday mass

Looking at us funny stranger

Huffing and puffing

As they gleefully went on

And so went down slopes

Overlooking wharfs filled with boats

Making us feel like our very own Goa 

Without ever leaving the city

It was here the blue of the sea

Met the great greys of the skies 

Nothing furious, just gentle waves

Breaking on the shores

Once again we moved away from the sea

Down a road that felt oh so familiar 

Once again surrounded by the green

Brining up a familiar feeling

In an unfamiliar setting

Cause though the road was the same

Things have obviously changed

And then came the time to take the right

Making our way steadily to the beach

To the greys of the skies 

And the distant seas

(Cause it was low tide)

A welcome sight

But Signalling the end of the run

Making you feel glad

That 21k was now down

All that was left was memories 

From the run

Along with weary feet but a thankful soul

Inspiring the verses of this post

That shall never grow old

Up and up: The Hyderabad Marathon Experience

Up and up...where the hell are the downs...  shouldn't what goes up also come down... these were few of the thoughts that I thought would cross my mind running the Hyderabad Marathon... ok ok... Half Marathon. To an extent these thoughts did cross my mind but I have begun to realise that when a route challenges you, you rise to the challenge.

The Hyderabad Marathon is billed as a marathon with one of the toughest route and it sure does live up to the expectations that it sets. For a good extent of the run you going up flyovers that are over a kilometre long and unrelenting inclines with very few declines.

A couple of runners advised that you don't challenge the route cause if you do it will bite right back. You've got to give it its due respect and you will reap the benefit of it. 

Now that I have run it, I can say that all this is true. There are continuous inclines and flyovers, and roads without much shade. But that said, the route teaches you to be strong and tests your endurance and holds a mirror upto you and shows you your strong self. The inclines of Peddar Road seems just like a fraction of the inclines here.

Yes there are inclines and flyovers, but don't let this daunt you. You give the route it due respect but don't let it overwhelm you. I learnt that a route that challenges you is the best route you'll ever run. This is one dynamic route, nothing here is boring. The route always has an aspect to keep you active and make you feel alive. The route is alive and interesting, always something to challenge you at every corner. Love it and it will love you back. To add to it, you're blessed with an awesome weather conducive to running. Never would the sight of an overcast skies be more welcomed.

The route had hydration stations at regular intervals with each of these stations adequately stocked (with Fast and Up making me feel like home) and the volunteers on their feet and ready to help. An aspect that I liked was that the Volunteers themselves were holding the garbage bag to collect the garbage and not other help.

One aspect that I didn't find much was crowd support. Ok I am a spoilt mumbaikar who has been spoilt by the crowd support. Yes there were school kids but again as for the Vasai Virar Marathon, most of the cheer group seemed to be forced. School children in uniform does not seem like voluntary. That's where I missed Mumbai the most.

But that being said, this was the only grouse I had. Everything else was well managed and well organised, the hydration station, the medal distribution, the hot breakfast. 

So now I can proudly say that I managed to tame my fear of slopes and with it Hyderabad.

Running with Amarjeet Singh Chawla

I have been running for almost a decade (or may be a couple of years short, not too sure about it), and during my runs I have come across a number of people (many who I call friends) who have over come the odds (as cliched as it may sound) and made a name for themselves in running. People who you can truly say that they inspire. Today I had the privilege and honour of being Amarjeet Singh Chawla's 35th escort.

I first saw Amarjeet Sir during the second edition of the BNP run and then at couple of other runs, including the monthly training runs with the Mumbai Road Runners. It was during one of MRR's monthly run, when my friends Perna and Babita where escorting him that I actually got to meet him in person and introduce myself to him.

I am runner who normally keeps to myself, though I believe in encouraging my fellow runners, but today I chatted with him the entire 12 kms we ran together. Together with Jaj and Maya (who became his 34th and 36th escorts, respectively) and Kimberly, we accompanied him for today's run.

With every minute, every km, our admiration grew (and swelled) for this unassuming man who was so determined to not let the hand that was dealt to him, keep him down. He exemplifies the saying that when life throws lemons at you then you make lemonade of it. His determination and diligence left us in awe and his achievements left us gaping. Knowing that he done well over 70 half marathons and 40 ten kms left us with our jaws literally on the floor. And that to at an age when normally people pack their bags and live a retired life, here was a man going from strength to strength.

He was more concerned if we were comfortable than we ensuring that he was ok. We eagerly listened to the wonderful and insightful anecdotes that he told from the various events he has run, about troubles sometimes he has to face in getting escorts for runs, to his wife's concern with all his running (as wives and mothers normally do). He narrated various incidents from running across the country, the adulation and recognition that he has begun to receive, and the runs he wanted to do. He left me in awe knowing that he has done runs that I have stayed away considering the difficulty.

I can say that at the end of the 12 kms and almost two hours that we ran together, I have grown to not only admire and respect him more, but also grown to love him much more. Here was a person that represented what freedom truly meant to me, not letting circumstances shackle you doing, letting your spirit soar and fly, a free bird in the sky.

Thank you Amarjeet Sir for all the inspiration that you give us, truly respect and admire and was an honour and privilege to accompany you today, on a very auspicious run.

Being SPOC

Being a SPOC... No not that Spock. I am not attending any Star Wars convention (see I have even managed to mix up Sta Wars and Star Trek) nor am I dressing as a Vulcan (or is it Klingon... again I am not a Trekkie and that can be damn confusing). No I was a Single Point Of Contact (SPOC, see) for the August edition to the Monthly MRR Training run. I had earlier been hesitant to take up this role (and still was) because of personal, however, this time decided to take up this challenge.

As a person, I am someone who over thinks and over stresses and at time goes over board, so the challenge was to keep all this in check. So fuelled by the Admins the machinery of the mind began to churn.

First went out the registration announcement and link, and then the post requesting volunteers. Got a bit tensed  when there were not many people coming forward to volunteer. But then because of injuries (the only time I am going to thank God for people getting injured) and people's schedule getting cleared, managed to get the required number of volunteers for the the four water station. 

Now, because of number of events happening around the same time, and people scrambling to get that all important timing certificate before the registrations opened for the Half Marathon at the TMM, the number of registrations were bound to be low. So the challenge was to try and boost registration. For once I got to thank God that my job allows me to think creative in other things by not needing to apply much creativity in my work. So was able to apply it to boost registrations and, allocate volunteers to the water stations and then based on the instructions,  informed the teams about the required water and bananas for their stations. 

As D-Day arrived, and information was received and dispersed, got to know there was already sufficient water in place, so again the message had to go out that there were no need to purchase water, leading to a bit of confusion. Then there was  Friendship Day ribbons to be brought and because of my laziness, left it to the very last moment. So had to sit up cutting ribbons (500 or so of them) till around 1 in the morning (is it right to say that or do we call it night). And then there was the small point of waking up at 3:30 in the morning. 

So D-Day arrived, the teeth brushed, the coffee drunk and all set for a  smooth run. Just needed to ensure that everyone and everything was in it's required place at the right time. Trying not to be a maniac, as only I can be, distributed the hydration and tried to ensure the right amount of water went to the right place without confusing myself and in turn confusing others. 

So once the run was flagged off and all the members dispatched to their station, just prayed that it didn't rain (this was just me being a bit selfish as I hadn't carried any protection from the rain. But then to my dismay, it began to pour. So quickly ran into a car and went off to my water station. On the way ensuring the volunteers were at their water station and ready. 

Reaching my water station, almost began to have a full on panic attack when I realised that the required water had not yet reached the station, in addition had not assigned anyone at the 10k turnaround point and forgot about the dustbin bag. Calling up the Admins was ensured that the water would reach there in time, the turnaround would be instructed to the runners, so there was no need to assign someone there, and we could use the empty plastics and cartons could be used to collect the garbage. 

That being sorted, so began our volunteering work. We held water and hydration out to thirsty, sweaty and parched runners. It didn't matter which group they ran with, we offered and cheered all. Some gratefully took what we offered, others gave a curt nod and mouthed a thank you and passed by, while still others just continued on their runs, like only a SoBoite could do. But this didn't dither us. We were there to support all runners and not just MRR and that was what we did. We offered water, smiled for pics, cheered enthusiastically and gave hugs.

Once the last runner went by, we quickly wrapped up the station and proceeded to NCPA, the end point. After the customary announcements and group pics, it was time to have a pic with the volunteering team. With grateful heart thanked the volunteer and then proceeded to help transfer the excess water (which rather miraculously seemed to have multiplied) and help clear the area. Thus bringing the curtains down to this experience.

Though tiring, at times nerve wracking, would I do it all again, if I was ever asked to do it again, the answer would be a hell yes, would surely do it all again in heartbeat. No matter what, Being SPOC is an experience to cherish.

Round and Round We Go: Experience of a Runnaholic

Going round and round in a circle is not my ideal race to run. That being said, last year witnessing the 12 hour team relay really made me want to participate, be a part of a team. It also left me feeling a bit sad that no team thought of asking me. Not that I am a bad runner, and I know I would be an asset to any team, so was kind of surprised at not being asked. But then what was done was done.

This year, I eagerly waited for some team to ask me. When the moment presented itself I eagerly jumped at the opportunity. Irrespective who asked, I knew I wanted to give it my best. But then due to a goof up and a really foolish situation, I was left with this annoyed and sad feeling.

A week to the run, and I resigned myself to the fact that once again I was relegated to the role of cheering. But a chance  call brought the hope back again and not wanting to miss the opportunity, I immediately agreed to it. 

So here I was, all set to run the last slot for my team. A little nervous, a little wary knowing that the temperature could get hot and humid during the slot, nevertheless excited. Didn't think I needed to prepare cause had run for two hours and above. Hence felt there was nothing to be worried.

The day arrived and I decided to reach the venue well in advance so that I could cheer my friends and at the same time avoid the railway mega block. The first thing i noted when I reached the stadium was that it was one humid cauldron. As I made my way to the stands to greet my friends and fellow runners I told myself I was prepared for this. 

So as the slot kept going and runners ran, felt the tinge of nervousness building. Admired the various running forms and runners and picking some valuable running tips. It rained for an entire slot bringing some respite, but then it stopped and the temperature returned to being humid. As it drew closer to 3 pm the nervousness was pretty palpable. I quickly changed into my running gear and started my stretching.

As we waited at the line up, met my good friend and running Diva. We decided to keep pace together as we did not want to push. We were then joined another really good runner who decided we all will pace together, at least for the first half. So when we started off the three of us joined together, running steadily down the track, passing photographers and other runners and being passed by other runners. There was a slight breeze which disappeared after a while. Sipping water and passing it on and supporting each other and our runner friends. 

After a while, going round and round and the weather seemed to get to me. Wanted to just stop and walk. But didn't want to as I would seem like a wuss. So kept going. So when we were over an hour mark, we decided to break away and run at our individual pace. Briefly walking brought some respite. Then it was back to running steadily. Played with the idea of doing something I have never done before. I removed my running vest and handed it over to my friend and ran bare chested. Felt nice and light and cool. 

As I kept passing the clock just waiting for it to hit the two hour mark. By this time I decided to walk to the water station at every round, drink water and pour it on myself to keep my body from overheating. And it seemed to work, was able to up the pace. It is always a morale booster when you heard your friend cheering and egging you on, offering you water and fruits, teasing you by asking if they could pace you. 

So we finally entered the last stretch and I decided time to sprint, assuming this was the last lap. Alas there was time for one more. Here I felt like a spent force, I decided to go on one more lap, Ans walked for a while to catch my breath. Then as I reached the last bend seen people trying to pace their friend, decided to give it my all and began my sprint to the finish. When I finally finished, pumped my fist knowing I did what I set out to do. Covered well over 21 kms in those two hours in the hot and humid weather. 

As I received the medal from my friend, who was eager to put it on my neck and posed for pics, I knew it was now an experience to treasure. All I wanted to do is find something to drink and fall flat and rest.

All in all an it was an experience to savour. Although it left me feeling a hell lot drained, couldn't asked for it any other way of trying push the limits to see how far you can go. So left the venue with a sense of pride at what was achieved, individually and most importantly for the team. 

Confession of a Runnaholic

What's your running story?

Why do you run?

How did you start running?

How can you wake up at such ungodly hours just to run a couple of miles?

How can you run so much?

How can you pay so much just to run a race for a silly medal and some snacks?

These are few but familiar questions that a runner constantly faces. Truth be told, we really don't know the answers to most of them, and on this Global Running Day, we don't think we would be able to answer them. How do you explain to a non-runner the passion behind this mad addiction? Very often we don't remember why we started in the first place. It seems like eons ago that we started running, and now it has become part of our being, the life we live.

We run because we can, because we were born to run. We have been built for running. For our ancestors running was a way of living, a way of surviving, to avoid starvation or being the next meal. But over the years, thanks to progress, we have forgotten to run. Not anymore cause running is back with a bang. We are the running addicts, the runnaholics, who cannot do without running a few miles or kms.

Running knows no age. A true runner doesn't bother about pace or distance, give them a road and they will be content to run for a lifetime. There's no particular age to start running. 

There are many inspirational stories of runner, just waiting to be told, to inspire, to be heard. All you need to just scroll down to read their stories in their own words. Meet runner and listen patiently.

Running is not just a form of exercise, it's a way of life. It would not be an exaggeration to say that for a runner, it is as important as breathing. In running it as important to give back as you receive. To cheer and support as much as you receive, sometimes even more. For a non-runner, this would be difficult to understand and we don't think they ever will. But we are runners and will always run.

The road of life goes on and on

Out from my doorstep 

Into the great beyond

Where it will lead us 

No one knows

But down that road 

I shall go

With a spring in my step

And a smile on my face

The road of life goes on and on

Dream a little Dream for ME

Dreams are your window to what you can be, who you want to be, what you are capable of. Sometimes you may give up on them, but they have a way of never giving up on you. Just when you least expect it, there they are standing in front you, smiling at you, with that "I told you so" look (not the sheldon kind). Dreams have a way of coming true. 

I have a dream (not the MLK kind), or I had one, or I still have one (so confusing). I wanted to be a model (ok, ok, I can hear the snickering). I even got a portfolio done, matter of fact two them, one quite edgy and the other standard, met coordinators and even went for an audition. But then circumstances and Home Loans would have it, felt that modelling was something not for me. Look at me, I don't look one and neither do I have a physique like one. I knew I couldn't possibly be one. But somewhere at the back of head there was and still is, a yearning to do something. Especially when you see and help with shoots.

But just when you least expected, you get a DM asking you if you would be interested in being part of a photoshoot for a sports shorts. At first, i was wondering if it was true or just someone playing a prank on me. Even so i decided what was there to loose, so agreed to do it. Got a call Pravin, the co-founder of Athlos, who explained to me about the shoot and the concept, and from that I was on board.

Was pretty stoked about it since the brand was active wear and excited about the concept too as it had to do with running... so double wooohooo! And so the day dawned, but before I could don the hat of a model, I had take my job of a runner, a pacer, at the MRR run, cause I wouldn't want to miss it for the world, well not for June. I actually dared to purchase a full sleeves active combat gear so as to insure I didn't get a tan. So did a good 21 kms in the sweltering and humid Mumbai weather, greeted my friend, waited patiently for my dearest Jennifer To show up, wished and then was off to get ready for my shoot.

Tired and stoked are two things that don't mix well, but they were what I felt as I travelled to Seawood, Nerul, the location for the shoot. Picked my friend Saagar on the way and then we were off. Reaching there had to first find change for the cab, which made me hate the 2000 rupee note even more. 

At the gate met Pravin, who then introduced me to Shruti, the co-founder and the art director, Krutika (who was part of the Athlos team) the junior photographer and our photographer, Himanshu. Shruti ran me through the shoot board which she had prepared for the shoot (really began to like the way she worked). So the shoot was all about running and gymming, which was right up my ally. She then gave me the products, awesome black shorts (what they were promoting) and an equally awesome blue crew neck tee. So had two colours I loved. I even quipped that they matched my blue Pegasus shoes. Shruti further noted that the orange in the shoes would match the orange tee they picked for the next change. 

As we waited for my fellow model Rahul to reach, it was decided to move to the first location and begin the shoot with my solo shots, so that when Rahul came, his solos could be done then. So off we went to what I'll refer to as Seawood Lake. This was beautiful and scenic lake with a trail running around its border. It was hot and there were quite a bit of couples and college students (who seemed to have discovered a DSLR and how it could help their profile pic). While travelling, I noted that the short felt nice and light, almost as if they were not there. 

So Shruti explained to me what they were going to capture, Himanshu directed what he wanted me to do, and then it off to running back and forth, more like striding, while Himanshu and Krutika captured it. At once I knew I was in for a long and tiring afternoon (as I had run 21k in the morning). We captured some running pics and some while acted as I stretching looking at the lake (thank you Simtha and Giles sir for all your stretching sessions, they. Cam in handy). In the meanwhile, Rahul arrived with Pravin. At once I knew I was going to have an immense complex. Rahul is a sprinter who coaches at SAI training centre at Kandivali. Here was this guy who was a bit shorter than me, a little dark, but totally ripped and lean with chest and abs I could only wish for, at least for now.

So once I was done with my solo, it was time for Rahul's solo. Once Rahul's solo was done, we started with duo pics. Now since Rahul is a sprinter and I am a kind of long distance runner, we needed To match the pace and stride, this also gave me some time to get to know Rahul better, so we could have a natural chemistry for the pic. So we captured pics on the trail and couple of pic under an underpass. By now we were attracting the attention of group of teenagers who were clicking pics. And then we proceeded to the front of the park. Since I really wanted to some feedback I asked my friend Saagar what he thought about how it was going. Much to my relief he gave me a thumbs up.

So we reached the front of the park. On the way learnt about brand Athlos, about their products, how they positioned themselves and marketing strategies, which quite impressed me. Now the next shot needed us to to relax on the grass with one of us having to take off the our tee. Obviously that had to be Rahul, come on the chappy had abs and I had something that was not abs, but definitely not quite flab. He certainly gave some abs and chest goals. We clicked a couple of pics relaxing on the grass and then it was time to move to the other side of the lake.

Now here, since the light was not capturing the reflectors, Himanshu proceeded to use a couple of flashes. Unfortunately for me, my bunny rabbit or t-Rex hands came to the fore and I had to find a way to correct them. So we clicked a couple of solo pics and a few group pics, with Pravin joining us in the background. While clicking the duo pics there was a branches that came in the way which unfortunately needed to be rid off. We clicked a couple of more pics on the small path between the park and the road and some on the trail by the lake, especially against the girders of the bridge that supported a water pipeline. 

Once done we finally proceeded back to clubhouse from where we started. As i was already a bit drained from all the running, I managed to catch a quick wink in the car, as only I can do. Once back in the gym, it was a great relief to be indoors, away from the heat and sun and in an air conditioned environment. We took a couple of pics in lunges and squats and stretches to highlight the comfort the shorts provided as a gym wear. 

Once we were done with the gym there was a quandary of whether to take a break, as the light outside was harsh, or proceed with the last location, the steps. Once out it was decided to check the last location, to see if the light was good enough. For our good luck, it was. So we proceeded with the last segment of our shoot, the stairs. Now this could be quite tricky as the stairs were narrow and you needed to maintain your footing, especially coming down. But then we both did our shots and took a couple of shots of casual stretching, and with that it was a wrap. 

So now that shoot was a wrap it was selfie time, to capture the moment, to record Insta stories and post them. Both Rahul and I changed into our normal clothes, giving me time to pick tips from him, and we all headed to Subways for a well deserved sandwich, or subs. Over sandwiches we got to learn a little bit more about each other, where we lived, how we commuted (and survived to tell the tale of our travels) and bit more about Athlos. Once done it was time to book a cab, to head home and rest the weary body, with the experience of the day as a memory to cherish. A promise to help in more shoots.

I really like to thank Athlos, Shruti and Pravin, for choosing me to be a part of their brand campaign even tough I am not a model ( I can hear Saagar do a face palm at this), to Himanshu and Krutika for all the capturing, for my friend Saagar for agreeing to accompany me and lastly Rahul of being an awesome model. It was really an experience, and not to sound cliche, a dream come true. A day where I was truly a model, not playing one. Can't wait to see the output of the pics. So all in all don't dream it's over... cause you'll never know when it will come true.