Yesterday was an hour of running - no idea on distance and some weights.

I was so cold today - wore a scarf to cover my nose and mouth. I jumped rope for 5 minutes before starting just to get the blood going through these viens again - churned out 14k in 65 minutes. I am happy with it, since I have lost so much fitness and confidence the last year!

25 minutes of stretching.

I've been doing 2-a-days everyday since Thursday. Friday I ran a mile and a half barefoot on the grass after running 10 miles in the morning. Saturday was 5 miles, 40minutes on the cross trainer in the am, 3 pm miles.

Sunday, today, I ran 22kms on the treadmill at 1pm. Tempted to run another 3 miles before the day is done with.

I got 6 hours of sleep time last night - more than I do most of the time, but it still isnt enough. My body is SO tired. Still got 'er done though - logged 7.5 miles in 70 minutes plus 30 minutes of yoga.

My body was tired - only managed 45 minutes of cardio and some weights.

I will try clocking in some pm miles if it isnt too foggy by the time I get home!

Women and their bodies...

I think there is no better way to inspire a human being to view their body differently than by inviting them to be an athlete. It gives a person a chance to revere the body as an instrument rather than an ornament. Its an awesome way to orient yourself to see your body as an awe-inspiring capable machine that needs adequate amounts of fuel and rest to be able to function optimally.

13 miles this morning. I found a kilometer-long patch where I live and decided to just do some repeats. It was dark and gloomy and I did not feel safe leaving my backyard. I did 21 repeats to music - wouldve died of boredom otherwise! In any case, taking the run to the treadmill did not even cross my mind because frankly, running outdoors is *any* day more fun than being stuck indoors.

The whole thing took me an hour and 45 minutes.

Tool, Pearl Jam, Nirvana - great start to the day!

Reflections at 2am....

Running has taught me so much about life. I think if one can tap into something within that lets you go if the strings you attach, you can have quality runs....and quality experiences in life too. For example, try and reflect on being "no one" - I know it sounds counter-intuitive, but I have discovered the exit or path from my feeling lost is to admit my powerlessness and allow the humility. It is a mystery to me how it works, but it does. Somehow the struggle seems to dissipate into the acceptance. Or maybe into the "empty" comes something new. This may not make sense in words, but it does in experience. Usually after a run, I feel so good, I just want to say hi to everyone I see, but sometimes I walk the other path.

Besides being thankful for acquiring good health and a better quality of life from running, I also want to share that it has taught me a lot about myself, my own weaknesses and my strengths. One antidote that I found effective when I am feeling low is to reflect on humility. Whenever I admit that I am a "no one" and can accept to be the least or the "lowest" among others, then there is never a need or a space for hubris and boasting. I feel that I am able to help myself and others if I am "empty" and can just be that "no one" for others all the time. Reminding myself of humility is where I find the challenge and the strength.

I hope that makes sense and helps someone in their own journey through life...and whatever means you choose to get to your destination. I choose fitness since my body is how I express myself...always....

I dont plan an am run today - trying to be good - maybe clock some easy miles this pm. God bless!

My sundaily went something like this:

A 20 minute 5k at 7 this morning. Followed by 40 minutes at level 10 on the cross trainer, followed by 100 stair sprints. I did 2 rounds of the 'sitting cycle' of asanas - held each for 4-5 minutes. This calmed my breathing. All in all, 35 minutes of stretching.

After an awful sleepless night, I dragged myself to the gym for weights first because I just could not keep my eyes open. 20 minutes later, I clocked 6 miles at an even clip, came back to the gym and jumped rope for 5 minutes and put in 100 stair repeats. Felt very good. Also stretched for 35 minutes.

I see pm miles in my future today, plus more stretching. You see, I have the weekend off this time and have no idea what to do with all this energy I have!

A very beautiful run in the dark this morning - I was done at 6.30am!

An easy 6 miles and 30 minutes of stretching. I am also now back to wall sits - 15 minutes!

I think I have hit upon my running elixir - solitude. Many people do very well in groups and constantly being engaged. For myself however, I do best when I am able to restore myself...well...by myself. Why else would I wake up at all odd hours just to listen to some music and run?

Although I love the cold, it makes me even more solitary if I am not careful. It has been getting dark here by 5pm and I doubt listening to Ari Hest all day and running 2-3 hours every morning and isolating myself is the best idea - it cant be!

As Chekov observed "Any idiot can face a crisis - it’s day to day living that wears you out." Sometimes it seems as if its the overachieving perfectionist streak is what keep me running and literally use it as a form of medication (and meditation). I guess sometimes, its the promise of my next run that keeps me alive!

Anyway, I write this post at 6.05pm - just after my first session at work is done with and its pitch black outside. Something tells me I will have the perfect run tomorrow. I shall report back!

80 minutes at level 10 on the cross-trainer this morning. 25 minutes of weights, followed by 20 minutes of yoga on this 8 degree thursday!

I listened to 3 new albums so I wouldnt die of boredom - playing drums in the air keep this runner very happy on the cross trainer :-)

Much needed update!

I feel so bad for neglecting this page. I do my running a great disservice by not giving it due respect by reflecting on each and every one of them. For that, I apologise.

I will say though, I have had some awesome runs lately. Not least because I was back by the water last week, running some of my strongest runs. I did one 16 miler and a 17.5 miler plus one day I ran 3 times!! I also drank, ate and loved more than I ever have before - so it all evens out in the end.

Now I am back to routine, to India again. Had a nice strong monday morning - 6 miles, 25 minutes of weights and a very half hearted yoga session. Its ok though, I was terribly jet-lagged, running on barely 2 hours of sleep. I took tuesday off and clocked 1100 stair repeats in an hour and 40 minutes this am - strapped on 20lbs on my back. I finihed this workout with 20 minutes of yoga.

Just a quick update of workouts since my last post!

There was a 15 miler somewhere middle of last week.
50 minute cross training thing on level 10, followed by 10 minutes of stairs.
5 mile run, followed by 20 minutes of weights.
Another 60 minute run I-cant-exactly-remember-anything-else.
Took saturday and sunday off - my effort at 'chilling' and enjoying my weekend. Ended up eating way too much as usual.

Today is a monday and I strapped on 20lbs in my backpack and logged in 130 minutes of stairs, followed by 25 minutes of yoga.

Thats it!

Season of sacrifice....

I have been waking up sleepy and drained lately.

It's interesting when you have already expended yourself in other ways - things like work and taking care of life's business, feel like a huge task day in and day out. Additionally, you have to find something in reserve within yourself to complete a workout that is truly beyond your capability in that moment! This has been how I have felt for so many months now.

Sometimes in the middle of my run, I have honestly felt like crying. It has been a long time since I felt brought to tears from running. Occasionally running might release some tears stuck in an emotional holding tank, but rarely do I feel so pathetic during a workout that I want to cry or give up. I mean really give up - not just placate myself with the option of giving up.

Today was one such day. I decided to strap on my weighted backpack and head to the stairs. I honestly did not want to leave my bed and I definitely did not want to have a taxing workout. But I didn't give up. A quiet and tenacious voice spoke to me and told me to take my time, go whatever pace I needed to go, but under no circumstance was I permitted to quit. After 100 or so climbs, I was gasping breaths, like I had been held underwater for almost too long. I wiped my dripping face on my shirt and felt salt on my face again, it looked like smears of gray ash. I dont know why, but I took to it in almost a holy; biblical sense. Ash reminds me of Lent - the season of sacrifice.

Sacrifice. What does it mean to you? Even those people who have no observance of or interest in religious practices can appreciate the timeless, noble act of sacrifice. Maybe it means sucking it up when things hurt and you can't breathe and completing the effort on a day when you don't have what it takes. Maybe it means going to work and supporting your family when your career is in an unfulfilling rut. Maybe it means honoring your marriage even when it doesn't feed your soul the way it used to, right now. Maybe it means taking the time to visit or call your parents or grandparents because it's the right thing to do and it makes them happy. Maybe it means biting your tongue when you feel like lashing out. Maybe it means boldly speaking up when you feel like shutting down. Maybe it means being generous when we feel like hoarding. Maybe it means taking a deep breath in the inevitable periods of frustration and chaos, taking the time to figure out what's really going on, or how a moment can become teachable instead of punitive. Anytime we can acknowledge our selfish desires or feelings of inadequacy with a nod and move beyond them, that is sacrifice.

I dont know why I felt the need to write this. I guess it always helps to arrange thoughts in some sort of coherent manner. And if it somehow resonates with someone else, then its win-win!

500 double repeats, followed by 20 minutes of light weights. My back is healing very very slowly!

20kms in 83 minutes yesterday!! 40 minutes of yoga.

Today is my day off!

Easy day! 35 minutes, level 10 of the cross trainer. 15 minutes of stairs. 30 minutes of yoga yesterday.

This morning was a mile long run. 25 minutes of weights and 20 minutes of yoga.

280 stair repeats - 56 minutes of play! Followed by 30 minutes of yoga!

Clocks

I watch my own clock, thinking of how I want to spend my time. I was doing a hill workout on the treadmill. One can do most flat surface running on auto-pilot. The hills however, the hills. They are a beast and require mind-body unison. I love hills! Up and over! My family is going through one of our own 'up and over' at the moment. Transitions like this are never easy. I ache so much, but I know for sure corridors like this eventually pass. They must. Its only natural. The clock ticks for us all, but for most of life, we dont hear it.

As I willed my legs over, I sucked air in my lungs. I tried to imagine sending this air to the people in my life who need it to climb their own mountains: my mum, my dad, his mother, his father and him. I wondered if something as simple as sucking air can provide a potent link between families, across all those miles between 2 people. I watched my own watch, the ticking clock and thought of how and with whom I want to spend my own life with.

Towards the end of my hill, I came to think of the boxes in my room. I find it so liberating - I only have 6! We spend our lives amassing so many things and ironically none of it matters. I have hundreds of boxes in my mind - memories and experiences. In one moment, I can be 10 with my brother learning to ride my bike and being chased by him all over the garden for hours. Hes my brother and brothers and sisters are a bit mad about each other like that. At 28, any more boxes I collect, I will make sure to pack wisely, with a person who is deserving of sharing memories with. Instead of gathering more 'stuff', I want to spend the rest of my life making memories and experiences and shedding the stuff.

For now, I think I should just concentrate on being light on my feet :-). God bless you all!

So 7 miles on an incline of 5. 25 minutes of yoga.
Yesterday was 110 minutes of stairs.

I have had a beautiful autumnal saturday morning in Delhi. Not many people know that I sprained my back 8 days ago. I was being quite like I am and skipped a step during a stair workout and *somehow* managed to tumble down 3 flights of stairs. Landed on my lower back! I have been running sporadically, but doing yoga as often as I am able.

Anyway, after my workout this morning, I sat under cold running water and filled the bath tub with ice. The sharp stab of the cold caught me completely off guard and I burst out laughing. Cold water cleans your wounds, alot like sweat after a humid run.

I cranked out 7 miles in 65 minutes and 20 minutes of yoga.

Maybe you relate...

I think this is the longest I have been quiet here. So much has happened these past few months, that it may take me another year to just process the changes.

The other day, as I was attempting to slick down the humid frizzies in my hair and camouflage the shadows under my eyes, I got a phonecall. It was an old runner friend. He shared with me that he was lacking motivation when it came to running.

The gist of what he said was that several years ago when he was training for a marathon, he couldnt wait to get out there and push himself. He was basically saying that although he is completely out of shape now, even that isnt motivating him.

I thought about what he was trying to say. I reflected on the times when I had been exceptionally motivated, almost on a mission when it came to running. I asked, "Were you happy, when you were training like that"?. He got really quiet for a minute and then said, "I was happy when I was running but no, other than that, my life was miserable at the time".

I can so relate! I have run like that before. I have used running as a therapy, a way to literally hurt to work out other hurts. A purging feeling thats hard to replicate any other way. In this way, motivation comes easy since we are all motivated by release and relief. We are often sad-skinny and attempt to control our pain because we feel we want to control something, anything. What happens though when the painful season passes away? I asked him how he felt today and he said with a start "Oh, I'm really happy". It made me smile so wide to think of how much runners share, how easy it is for us to find common ground.

So, perhaps he could redefine what he sees as success in running. Instead of seeing it as something to overcome or working out, running could also be fun, celebration and peace. Maybe if he took away the theme of striving from his running, he would feel more compelled to go out and play?

Just like dressing up for a date with our spouse, or sharing a drink with friends, our relationship with our bodies need maintenance too. If it always feels like work, we are missing the joy. And as author John Eldredge says so beautifully, "We have to be intentional about joy".

I wont post up my workouts. Another day :-)

So this pretty much sums up my life: Run, eat, sleep, repeat. I wanted to write something useful because I realise that waking up and feeling incomplete without physical activity is rare.

I have been having some pretty solid workouts lately. My initial lame attempt at yoga has given me motivation to practice it atleast 45 minutes these days; in addition to everything else I do every morning. My run have felt smooth, like butter on my tongue. They've been effortless, leaving me breathless only towards the last mile. It also helps that the weather is being kinder these days. The last 7 days or so, I cant remember a crappy day workout wise. Thats when it hit me. That great runs were actually possible because of the previous lousy miles before. And god knows when you log in as many as I do, I have had more runs that have been difficult than easy. In contrast, the whole world seems more vivid thanks to all those bad runs. Though we dont know it at the time, in a strange way, those bad runs set you up for something awesome.

Of course, this isnt a running thing. It is a life thing. Yin and Yang. You cant have good without evil. This is obvious of course but running provdes a good medium for it, dont you think?

Its a sentiment worth remembering, because its handy when the bad run happens and it inevitably will. Whichever one you have next, enjoy it, smile through it with the knowledge that the next good one is just 'round the corner!

No running this sunday. Friday: 40 minutes 7.3k and 25 minutes of stairs (130 repeats), 20 minutes of weights. Saturday: 60 minutes of stair repeats!

White clouds gave way to brilliant blue. All I could muster was a "Thank you God". Underneath my shoes was brown mud and my lungs were filled with mildew. I cannot wait for it to get cooler!

Did not even break a sweat on a 75 minute run. 20 minutes of weights and 30 minutes of yoga.

Dont try this at home.

I havent updated - as per usual these days. Had alot going on though - went to Agra to celebrate for a day among other things. *sigh*, I still prefer my Dilli chaat unfortunately. This city has me hooked! Speaking of which, my pre-long run fuel has gone from bacon and pasta to gol gappas and gulab jamun. I have an iron stomach - so proud of it!

This is what I had yesterday, a mere 12 hours before my long run for the week. I woke up feeling like a sloth, which isnt unusual for me mind you. Anyway, woke up and logged in 540 sprints on the stairs. And this usually takes me an hour 50 minutes on the stairs. Today it took 95 minutes. How awesome is that?! I felt not-so-fat afterwards and did 30 minutes of asanas, which calmed my mind enough to dive into a bowl of ice-cream on my way to work. Errrr...and that would be all. No wonder I'm not hungry for dinner!

Anyway, I have bigger things planned for tomorrow so I cannot wait! And bigger things planned for this year. So I'm all :-) :-) :-)

God bless! This is a wonderful time of the year to get your endurance up...among many other things :-)

14.3kms to the dot at 70 minutes, followed by 30 minutes of yoga

I got asked recently what "feature" of mine I was most proud of. I didnt have to think too hard. I think it would be my heart. Sometimes I feel like my heart will burst by the overwhelming kindness some people have shown me. Sometimes I feel like it will burst because I get so sad, so happy, so full of anger...all of it. I wish it was big enough to forgive, and big enough to heal on its own....

Another strong morning. 80 minutes of stair sprints for 400. Arm Weights for 25 minutes, followed by a big long stretch. I can now extend my legs over my head as of today. So proud!!

Stretching has made a world of difference to the way I align my body and how quick I recover. My PF has virtually stopped bothering me. It has been atleast 2 months of consistent stretching - every single day, sometimes twice recently!

Holiday Tuesday!

I had no intention of running today. I cant help it though - everytime I think I should take a break, I want to do it even more. Had a really strong morning again. Delhi right now has gross weather - the stoopid sun insists you put on your happy face, no matter how bleak you feel inside. I do love seeing it shine so bright. I ran a 50 minute 10k on the dot - strapped on my watch to time it and even though I had one of those days of too much fuel yesterday; I felt light and quick on my feet.

It is runs like these that I give thanks to God. I may have veered off track as far as faith is concerned, but I know for sure that what keeps my heart ticking is my joy for running. It is intrinsically connected to my belief in God. Running without faith is pointless to me.

It is not a talent. What motivates me out of the door every morning is an unflinching curiosity, a desire to seek out the best in myself, no matter what the odds. It drives me to solitude more often than not. In all likelihood, it will be this curiosity that will drive me till I am 90 - any chance of improving is motivating but inessential. Being the underdog is the secret - so if you lose, you lose only to yourself! :-)

Anyway, Sunday was 400 stair sprints in the am, followed by weights and then jumping rope for 7 minutes. In the pm was a quick 17 minute 4k. Monday I felt blah so only managed 150 repeats on the stairs in 20 minutes. I stretched for 45 minutes after that though. This morning was supposed to be a rest day but I ran instead. Goodtimes!

Nice strong day for exercise! It has been ridiculously hot again. I love sweating in this weather! Any less than soaked is unsatisfactory. This morning was 300 stair sprints in 50 minutes at 5am. At 5pm, I followed it up with 150 repeats in 21 minutes. Getting faster :-)

Tomorrow is my weight day. Lets see. I also like my new flexibility. The results were slow to show but now there is so much more freedom!

Until tomorrow...

Updates

India has made me a better all-round athlete. I can now do splits, stand on my head, dont have skinny chicken arms anymore and I recover SO much better. Oh well, theres always a silver lining I guess. I do tend to do things in the extreme of too much rather than too little, so as long as I dont workout too much, I am fine. And reining that tendency is the hardest part!

Anyway, enough rambling. I have been solely concentrating on climbing stairs this week. And I love how strong I feel. I feel nourished while I destroy myself almost daily.

This morning was 90 minutes of stairs and weights. Yesterday was 2 hours and the day before was another 90. Lets see what tomorrow brings. Bring.it.on!

"What nourishes me also destroys me". Funny how true that is, of life and love.

A little cheer :-)

I will leave you with this little nugget! Besides, I love food porn!

One of my favorite places in the world is Peanut butter and company in New York. I am obsessed with peanut butter and you havent lived unless you have experienced the combination of peanut butter, honey and bacon. *sigh*. I have been indulging too much in my peanut butter stash that I brought with me when I moved to India 6 months ago. I have in my cookbook collection an Elvis cookbook - it is seriously the epitome of 70's kitch and while I rarely make anything from it, its a great fantasy read. This picture would make him proud! (Elvis's favorite breakfast? Peanut butter and banana sandwich fried in butter - fantastic!)

Apparently KFC is testing a new "sandwich", where instead of a bun they use 2 hunks of fried chicken. Between the 2 filets are "2 slices of bacon, melted slices of swiss cheese and a dollop of colonel's sauce". Thats the picture above! Where can one find this? Ummm...Nebraska!

I think it sounds like a nightmare - I would just eat the bacon on its own :-). What do you think? I love this picture!

10 days since my last update - yikes!!

My memory has been so bad regarding my runs that I literally dont remember any of my workouts save for yesterday and this morning.

Yesterday was 700 double stair sprints in 130 minutes followed by 20 minutes of weight work.

This morning was 350 repeats on the stairs in 70 minutes, followed by 35 minutes on a treadmill on a 10% incline - dont ask!! It felt good, but the treadmill was squeaking after 10 minutes. Clearly not made for running!

Hopefully will have more to say after a few days!

Yesterday was a 70 minute clip - my legs were turning over without much resistance. 20 minutes of weights followed.

This morning was an unintentional tempo. Right from the moment my feet hit the dirt, turning them over was effortless - 49 minute 10kms. Anxiety somehow makes me run better - is it because one tends to fidget more? I dont know, but as soon as I'm done sweating - I want to go again! Anyway, may log in another 5 this pm if the weather allows me.

God Bless!

Run Happy!

There are always reasons why we dont do something. Or wont do something. Excuses are so easy to come by. There is a saying: The person that really wants to do something finds a way; the other person finds an excuse.

I am the princess (not old enough to be the queen!) of excuses.They come so easily. Its tough to see past the excuses to the object of my desire and reconciling what I have to do to make it happen.

I once dated a boy who said to me during a hissy fit, "but you always get your way". While this may be probably true, isnt that the point? Why would anyone get in an argument to not have their way? I didnt do the girl-thing and apologize to him, I think I said something along the lines of "yeah...and your point being...?" You can see why that relationship never worked out :-)!

The point of the little story above is that its ALWAYS easy to take the lazy way out. It has been so obvious lately that I havent been running happy. Sometimes you just need to suck it up and be happy dammit! Its no secret that I strive to be a better runner everyday that I run. I want it to be better than the last. What have I been doing lately to get there though? Answer: a big fat NOTHING! I drag myself out of bed and clock in some miles. So annoying! Because I'm innately competitive and my runs lately have sucked mainly because of my attitude. I have been slacking off, making excuses to not go fast, eat better...as a result of which I dont run as well, get grumpy and sad again...until the cycle repeats itself.

Anyway, I started this morning with a vow to "run happy" no matter what. No negative chatter allowed! Did it work? Well, I did 130 minutes of stairs this am, 1500 single repeats. It was only after 90 minutes when I felt like my body was responding. One down, only about 100 workouts to see if this approach works!

Updates...

Thursday was an 80 minute run followed by some weight work.
Friday was my day off!
Saturday morning I ran a speedy 8.5 miles in 70 minutes on the treadmill - fast because I wanted it to end before hell froze over!! I logged another fairly speedy 5k in 20 minutes, 6 hours after the first run. 20 minutes of weight work!

I averaged 8 minute consistent miles on my run at 4.30 this am. Never again am I running on this morning's road again - there was not a single light on and my natural clumsy oaf-ness was way too tempted to rear itself. I should remember that I am a girl...in a bandana...in India. Enough said!

Anyway, a 69 minute 8 miles that left me very happy. I put in obligatory gym time as well. I dont even know if the weights do any good since I take NO breaks and fidget so much; dying to leave!

How life changes - I think its "cool" here these days at 35 degrees. Singapore seems like winter in comparison to this!

Log!

Forever running away....even when its towards something....

Yesterday was an unexpectedly awesome 450 stair repeats, 25 minutes of weights. This morning was a second strong workout in a row - 10 miles in an hour and 29 minutes to the dot. I am strapping on my garmin tomorrow am and will have my mile splits - I dread this since its been so long since I have been logging my runs in this way. I get so carried away with numbers that my obsessive nature takes over; sucking the fun out of what is essentially playing.

Anyway, those in India - enjoy the sporadic rain. If I can get my butt out in this strange city every morning, anyone can. Get out there and run already! (my favorite motivator!!)

So! 2 strong runs since my last post...9 miles and 7 miles respectively. And they both left me happy and completely tired. Today is my day off! And I have earned it :-)

Agent Orange!

These past few weeks, I have felt like an endless pitcher - some for you, some more for you...and somehow, none left for me. I made a decision to take the day off today to just gather myself. When it gets like this - I get quiet. So quiet. And I can stay this way, completely happy within myself for what seems like days. Not healthy if it goes on for too long - but sometimes, I'm sure many people feel like they're swimming in an endless sea of their emotions and its so very necessary to take breaths as you go back and forth - these breaths save your life. I took one of these yesterday. And boy do I feel so much better. I havent said more than 2 sentences and havent done anything - but I was exhausted. I took a nap in the afternoon (something I never ever do) and woke up happy. Now I feel so ready for tomorrow...and tomorrow's run.

I am a runner through and through. It nourishes me. Much as I love to eat and I love to love...I love to use my body as a tool - to guide my life, to guide my thoughts and my heart. I think like a runner. I am also prone to loneliness - like a runner.

Orange is a color associated with danger - much more so than red. As a rebellious teenager, Agent Orange was on my repeat playlist for weeks. This post has direction, I promise (ever the academic). This past year, and this blog is witness to it, I have been living in my own threat level orange. Many people tell me I am strong since "you are a runner after all". As if being a runner automatically gives you the balls to "be strong" - whatever that means. More often than not, I feel like I fail miserably. Yes, I can run endless miles with my head screwed right. But sometimes, the "being strong" bit is lost on me.

I have been the most miserable when I havent been true to my core. I seem to be lost that adventurous spirit that guided my youth, somehow in the quest to "move on" with my life. And move on towards what? I got so caught up in the idea of figuring out some direction, and subsequently my own threat level orange. One of the biggest lessons I have learnt is to be Here and Now. In addition to this, I also have to let go of safe bets, the safe choice, the safe path and regain that adventurous spirit that is a bright part of me. The fact of the matter is, I am completely comfortable in the idea of the unknown. I now know what its like to have pared down needs and its a great exercise for me to wade deep into uncertainty, into spontaneity and leap without looking. It is further helping me to regain myself, my power. In alot of ways, its a small thing, in other ways, its everything. But needless to say, it is empowering to wake up each morning and say "how will I create today"? The possibilities are endless!

This morning I ran up stairs for 2 hours on my very tired legs. 550 repeats to be exact!

So much catching up to do - 9 days! I dont even remember my exact workouts anymore. I do remember the last 3 days though. I have a fascination for round numbers and somehow seeing '60' (or 132 on mine) on my weighing scale makes me very happy. Sometimes, I strap on a backpack with weights so that I weigh 60 kilos. Dont ask me why. I have no reason, except I like that number and it works out to be 8 or 10 (depending on the time of the month) kilos more than I usually weigh.

Anyway, I have been running stairs and running on the roads with weights for the past 3 days days. I wont do it again for awhile though. This morning I logged an hour of running plus 20 minutes of weights in the am. I then did another 3 miles 4 hours later.

Living a boy's adventure tale!

No time for a proper post so just updates!

Yesterday was gorgeous - did a 6.5 mile run in 52 minutes, followed by 20 minutes in the gym. I just didnt want to get out of bed this morning - had too much candy last night (yes, I am 28 :-)). Anyway, still managed 31 minutes on a rainy summer morning - 3.5 head clearing miles. I think my shoes are wearing out on the soles because my PF is acting up again. I gave it a 10 minute massage by rolling my foot on a golf ball. Try it on the soles of your feet if they are tight - it will hurt and the knots will come out.

I overheard my father describe me to someone the other day. His exact words were " My daughter Aditi is a runner and eats like a 15 year old boy...", followed by laughter. Yeah, so attractive Dad...thanks!

Sometimes fitness is such a clever ruse - using my legs to shatter away doubts and fears and pretend I am stronger than I am!

So to update: 9 miles on thursday, none yesterday and 900 single stair repeats this am.

A bandana-less run in my part of the world this morning. I started at 6.20am - relatively late by my standards with a belly full of food and a heart full of caution. A rare 10min/mile run that lasted 86 minutes to the dot to make 9 miles. It was so very gross and humid and I finished with a tee-shirt that you could wring sweat out of. It is my badge of honor while in India - I love the heat. The hotter and the more sweat, the cleaner I feel. I also earned a really strange tan.

Finished off drenching myself with the sprinklers that shower the very proper garden (?) outside of where I live. And then walked over to the air-conditioned gym to do 20 minutes of weights. Now you would have some idea why I would be the strangest girl at this gym...in India :-)

Thank you Mr. Vedder!

Music memories - why is Black the greatest love song of all time? Ok, Ok. I exaggerate. It reminds me of Monet, Givenchy and summer rain. I had it blaring on today's sultry run...in India. A far cry from my 17 year old self! Enough said!

11k in 55 minutes. I was dragging by the end and was covered in sweat within the first ten minutes. Gross!

Yesterday was 10 miles in 85 minutes. Sunday was an easy 6k in 29 minutes.

She's up, she's down, she's up again!

I am on a roller-coaster ride these days - like permanent PMS without the luxury of knowing it'll be over in a few days.

This no-logging-running thing is no good. I have gone from 3 running logs, spreadsheets to absolutely nothing! I did not run 4 days in a row, which is unusual but I was "being chill" you see :-)!

The only eventful run in my mind is my 14 miler on thursday morning in 110 minutes. Yesterday was an 11k which just sucked. I'm not running this morning, just stuffing in peanut butter and honey toast wherever I can!

...SO! 9 days since my last post. I have run everyday save for Sunday. The only noteworthy run being yesterday's 22km in 110 minutes. This morning I cranked out 7 miles in an hour, ate breakfast and left for another 2.5 miles in 19 minutes. I plan to do another 5k before this day is over. Seems like one of those restless, jittery days.

...and sometimes a girl just needs a boy to bring her some sugar - without any ravens :-) !

Anyway, how perfect is the weather for running in India right now?!

How do you know how far you can go if you never go very far? There is an ease and power to pain, a power we never thought we owned!

65 minute run yesterday - no idea on distance. 20 minutes of weights.

12km this am. Mulling over another 5 at some point!

Sorry, no surprises. I do however have updates!

Tuesday: 9 miles in I - cant- remember - anymore.

Wednesday: 600 double stair sprints with a weighted pack - I dont know why I do this to myself. 2 hours it took me.

Thursday: 7 miles in a slow 70 minutes and a half-assed weight routine for 15 minutes

Friday: 10 miles this am with the last 2 leaving me a bit breathless.

That is all.

Endurance...

I think my birthday run the other day achieved one thing - I am not afraid of distance anymore. Not that I ever was - but running 12 miles, 16 miles is a whole lot different than running 28. Without any training, tapering, nutrition, hydration. Not that I am a careless athlete. I am not, but I do take my fitness for granted and am maybe not as respectful as I should be. I do however respect distance, and I do respect the roads I run.

So tempted to run for 7 hours on a weekday before work just for the heck of it. Why not? I have this body and these legs can endure. There is no point having endurance and not really *enduring* anything. Make sense?

Anyway, I hauled myself out after eating copious amounts of batura channa yesterday (hey, I ran 28 miles the day before!). Being in India has been so good for me. I cannot believe I used to turn my nose up at spicy food. Now I say, bring it on! The fuel carried me through 8 very humid miles.

I have a suprise for you tomorrow - hope I can deliver!

Its my birthday :-)

There are so many things I want to say. They will have to wait.

I remember I once said that I didnt want to tip-toe through life and wanted to arrive at my destination bruised and saying "what a ride". Well, no kidding :-). I lived and survived another 12 months and today I am 28.

I ran 28 miles this morning. The whole morning was so dramatic and saw me changing my clothes 3 times, plus a shower in between!! This is India and the temperature is in the late 30's and it is so humid. Summer in India has made me stronger - and hopefully a better person and runner overall.

I was at it for a total of 5 hours and 40 minutes - but this included a 20 minute weight routine and a 30 minute shower. The run was comfortable and I am happy. So happy.

A couple of thoughts. I have this belief that I could run for hours and hours if my mind is in the right place. There is just so much to say. But I dont want to. I think what drives me to do these distances is this: it is not a talent at all. Nor is it a physical gift. I am painfully ordinary. It is an unflinching curiosity, a desire to seek out the best in myself, no matter the odds. It has driven me into solitude for most of my life. The motivating force is inessential and inconsequential. I am the underdog - and if I lose, I only lose to myself.

I think I have missed 2 days of running since my last post. I have run everyday save for 2 days that I did my stair workouts with a backpack. Day 1 was 2 hours and twenty minutes for 1400 repeats with 15lbs in a backpack. Day 2 was an hour and 45 minutes with 7lbs with a backpack - 1150 (or around that figure). This morning, I managed a 55 minute run and 20 minutes of weights - want to log in another 5k this pm.

Sweat has been my sanity and I have come to love the heat of India - never experienced anything like this before. It is nice that running only requires GUTS. Thankfully, I have *alot* of that!

Just run! And when you need more of a challenge - RUN MORE!!

Onward...

I have been getting my normal prescribed 9 miles a day. Even in this torturous heat. I love the freedom that movement gives you. I love knowing that my I can will my body into literally anything, any distance and it will comply. It is one aspect of my life totally under my control. And boy do I love control.

So this post is more for me than for you. I rarely tell people specifics of the distances I run. There is usually no point. For a non-runner, 3,7,10,24 miles all sound the same. Whenever they do somehow find out (from my little posse of cheerleaders), they usually get a baffled look on their face and say "what does it take?" or "I cant even imagine". What is the attitude that carries you through miles and miles and still find joy? I will let you in on a secret and helps me so so much.

I just love what I do. I love to run. For me, I have developed an ability to remember that and focus on that even through suffering, even as the miles drag on. I have learned that, in running, like in life, if you just keep moving, everything changes. There is no permanence in this life, and there is definitely no permanence in running or a single race. You never know that after mile 26 or 27 that suddenly you will start feeling great, you just never know when things will change - that is why, you can never quit. It is the reason why I go for a second run if my first one was bad. It is commitment and dedication. I dont berate myself. I simply smile and remember to keep going and truly feel blessed to even be out there. I hold on to the journey and the lessons it holds. Sure running well is nice, but I can only access that physical ability if my mind is right. When I relinquish my control, and the desire to control, I can be fully present in my run and thrive.

Running long distance offers to me a smiliar ebb and flow as life does. Good times come and good times go, bad things happen and we survive. As I continue to learn in my own life, when you have faced, survived and thrived after a bad experience, and no matter how many dark places you go to, you will always come to the other side. (boy that sentence has so many commas - I'm squirming, but I will keep it because thats how fast my mind is working right now). Running is the same for me, no matter how much it hurts or I suffer (and I do, especially in this heat), I will never give up on myself. This does not mean that I will run through injury. Knock on wood, I have never had to deal with anything debilitating.

My running is informed by the life I lead, the things I have survived, and my life is also informed by the lessons I learn on the road everyday. Neither life or running is that serious that we cannot face it with infinite joy or hope in our hearts. I find it hard not to celebrate that blessing with every step and every breath. So what does it take to complete a long distance run? Answer: Nothing more than it takes to live your life...putting your best foot forward and simply continuing to move forward. (other than the physical conditioning that takes years...Ha!)

I have been so bad about logging in my miles for the past week. Needless to say, I have run every single day and now cannot remember the specifics at all! Logged in 22kms yesterday in 45 degrees (!!!!!!!!) and this morning could only manage a half-hearted 55 minutes in 46 degrees (!!!!!). You cannot imagine how hot and dry it is here - and you also cannot imagine just how amazing it feels to sweat it all out. I am getting addicted to this heat and its quite surprising to me how much I enjoy running in this weather.

55 minutes this am. 30 minutes of an unknown distance again this pm.

Ride on...

Thursday, Friday, Saturday, Sunday. I have run/done weights all these days. Mostly an hour minimum of cardio followed by arm weights. Too much going on to follow any spirit of program. So I just go out and run.

Monday I clocked no miles. Same with Tuesday. I was sick with heat stroke and food poisioning. This morning, I stopped feeling sorry for myself and logged 20kms, followed by 6 arm exercies. Goodtimes!

I leave you with this song by Evermore. Its a great running song and very apt for me at this stage of my life and love. The ache you feel every morning alone....

Monday morning... hesitate, I can't get out of bed
I'd rather go back to the dreams I'm living in my head
Tuesday evening... pack my bags, I'm heading out the door
I left a box of memories lying on the floor

Ride on, ride till early morning sun
Ride on, like the dawning of the day
It's too late, to let all your feelings show
Go on, til the night is swept away

I'm running from the city lights
I'm running from this empty life
I'm running out of time tonight
I'm screaming out for "Help! Help!"

"Slow down, your moving too fast
Go home, you'll feel better for it
Oh boy, you better stop dreaming
It's all in your head!"

'Cause it's too late now...

Ride on, ride till early morning sun
Ride on, like the morning of the day
It's too late, to let all your feelings show
Go on, til the night is swept away...

Ride on, ride till early morning sun
Ride on, like the morning of the day
It's too late, to let all your feelings show
Ride on, til the night is swept away...

15kms that felt easier than usual - I left 45 minutes earlier than I have been and it wasnt as hot. 20 minutes of weights.

The past few days, I have been dragging every morning. My philosophy in terms of aches and pains of any sort has been to run through it. Yeah, I didnt say I was very smart, its just my way of doing things. Running is an extreme sport, whether anyone agrees or not, we ask our bodies to do things that the majority of clear thinking, rational people would never consider. I dont know if it takes a different type of person to handle running, but I think it takes a different type of person to keep running. Not a better person mind you, just a different one. And I am nothing if not consistent.

A fairly speedy 60 minute run at 6am today - I almost tripped on gravel. Can you imagine a face plant in India? Distance unknown. It took enormous willpower not to go out for another 5k this pm. I must not overdo. Those that know me personally know, and it is fairly obvious from this blog, I tend to have a somewhat obsessive, borderline addictive personality when it comes to alot of things in life. Its an interesting approach - to find things that make you feel good and do them as much as you can. I dont know if thats a healthy way, in fact scratch that, I KNOW its NOT a healthy way, but I think plenty of us do it.

Thats enough for now I think.

Updates!

This is from memory: Saturday was an 85-ish minute run (not sure of distance - no watch). Sunday was a strong 100 minutes.

I woke up on the wrong side of the bed this morning and was so unmotivated. I shuffled out and gave up after a minute and headed to the gym instead. Nothing motivates me more outdoors than being caged in a gym to workout - so 17 minutes of my very lame weight routine later, I headed out for 12 kms. The whole "episode" lasted 90 minutes and I was so so dissatisfied. Gave it another try at 3pm and ran for 28 minutes (6k). Now I feel so much better. I refuse to have bad runs anymore!!

65 uneventful hot minutes in India this morning.
20 minutes of arm weights.

The Look!

What exactly does it mean to "look" like a runner. How does one "look" like something anyway? Every few months someone will say something to me or someone I know that makes me ponder this question. Isnt that just stereotyping? By that logic, if someone "looks" like a runner, it follows that someone "looks" like a car thief or a racist, etc etc. I have never once felt complimented when someone has said that to me. As a chubby teenager I have been 30-50-60lbs heavier than I am now, I have been 20lbs lighter than I am now - how has it mattered? The one constant that I have had since I started running almost 10 years ago, is that I am strong and my body simply adapted to the sport. Functional exercise does this to you.

The point is that runners come in all shapes and sizes and skin colors and is the greatest equalizer. Sport is an equalizer actually. I feel very protective when I see young girls damaging themselves to "look" like something or someone else. Instead of just being runners and running and letting our natural body shape follow, and eating to support our training, the numbers on a scale or the lack thereof become the focus. It is so sad.

To be in tune with your body day in and day out, no matter what it looks like, reminds you what an amazing machine it is. This vehicle lets me run hundreds and thousands of miles. This body will let me run up 10 flights of stairs with ease, and chase my kids around when they happen. It is my peace, my bliss and it has the additional benefit of being good for me physically, mentally and emotionally. Stereotyping or fitting into a stereotype serves no purpose other than to diminish. I dont ever ever want to pursue a "look" instead of the actual "being" part. This should be celebrated in ourselves and in others.

Be your bliss. And occassionally when someone makes a stupid comment about "looking" or "not looking" like something, close your eyes, take a deep breath and remember that it is the sweat and tears and miles that make you a runner. A runner looks like me or anyone who laces their shoes and gets out there and simply...runs...no matter what.

Aaaaand my miles - 9miles this morning in 80-ish minutes. SO HOT!! Going for another 3 this pm.

This is HOT!!

North India is unforgiving. The terrain I run every morning is uneven, dirty and probably not very safe (or so I'm told). Since it is well and truly summer here, it is also very dusty. This weather forces you to smell the earth. The sun isnt quite out when I take off and one can almost hear an echo - strange, because I am also surrounded by very tall buildings. It takes me 15 minutes to settle into a comfortable stride. The first mile is rarely easy. I also am very relaxed when I begin. When the breath settles, and your tongue is comfortable in your mouth and your arms nest against your core - your heart takes over. I run till I can run no more and if it hurts, I run some more. Its hot, its dusty and lately, it has also been very windy. People rarely bother me here, I have seen far worse - mostly just curious stares.

Yesterday was so gross - a frustrating 90 minute "run" (shuffling). Today was so much better - I finished 12k in 57 minutes and stood by the sprinklers for some welcome water on my head!! 20 minutes of weights. I am so proud that I make it to the gym for a whole 20 minutes twice a week nowadays - I am also the grumpiest member and I dont think people here are used to seeing a girl coming in soaked in sweat - I think they think I'm homeless and leave me alone, or think I stink and leave me alone. Its win win!

I forgot to blog my run yesterday: 15 minutes of running barefoot on grass, 15 minutes of jumping rope, 15 minutes of the elliptical, 15 minutes of stairs and 25 minutes of weights. This was at 7am. I logged in another 3.5 mile run in 26 something minutes at noon again. I was also out of running clothes and socks for my pm miles so this is what I did - ran without socks (and did not get a blister!!) and wore a t-shirt 2 sizes too big, cut out the sleeves and tied it at the back. With the bandana I wear during these summer months, it looks very fashionable :-)

Its so beautiful this morning. Its been raining for the past 24 hours and I had forgotten what "normal" temperature feels like. I think it was in the mid 20's when I ran today. I did 75 minutes of an unknown distance. Its been excellent to run
without my usual gear, my usual route, no watch, no prescribed length or distance.

This is why I love it - running takes commitment and it isnt afraid to ask. The road is always there for you; doesnt keep score and it *always* accepts you back. Running is raw and it truly is joyful when you do it for its own sake - and expect nothing in return. Unconditional. Thats what it is.

This makes me so happy! Food of the gods - even though your artery narrows just at the sight of that. Yes friends : that really IS bacon stuffed in waffles. Nom Nom!

20kms in my village...

My morning began just at the first sight of the sunshine before 5. I ran past the sprinklers again, it wet my white bandana, and I was set. I ran 15km in 70 minutes. I realised something annoying about my personality. I am perpetually dissatisfied. You could say this means I am always open to growth, evolution experience, learning. Wouldnt that be nice? Really, it just means I am bitchy and hungry!

I know I am lucky to have a fast metabolism physiologically, but I'm realising that my personality has a fast metabolism too. I process an experience instantly and am immediately looking for the next thing. Theres no appreciating the provebial tree or the big picture or whatever your favorite cliche is. Hence the dissatisfaction with the 15k (9 miles) and a desire to round it to 20k for the day. I wanted to conquer my dissatisfaction and left again to clock in another 5 to make it 20 - a round figure! and I did! At Midday again. The midday run was in 19 minutes, just under 5k!

Goodtimes! Atleast for sometime...

Our own little Purgatory...

I read the book "On a Pale horse" on my flight over to India last November. It is written by Piers Anthony, a famous Sci-Fi writer. In a nutshell, the book is about a man who attempts suicide and his soul was so much in balance that Death comes to personally collect his soul. Zane, the protagonist, shoots Death in the head instead of taking his own life and thus, is forced to assume the face of Death. When a persons soul is in complete balance, they are taken to a place called Purgatory where they exist till their soul shifts to good or bad so they can eventually move on to heaven or hell. The actual description of Purgatory is uncannily similar to Catholicism.

Its a word that means limbo, to wait, to not move forward, or even backwards for that matter. Its a word used to describe the afterlife but I guess we could be living this way unknowingly even. Maybe you are in your own little Purgatory, happy to live for the day, drifting and not really addressing tomorrow.

Anyway, it is a humid day in Delhi today, and even at 5 in the morning, the sun was up and shining. I ran through the sprinklers in the park, which did an excellent job of waking me up. 12k this am, followed by 20mins of weights. Started off very slow but ran the last 3 miles at a pretty decent clip. The whole thing took me 85 minutes (and included staring at my annoying hair in the gym mirror). Will clock in another 30 minute run at midday when its in the mid-40's! Yesterday was an easy 6 miles which were not at all enjoyable!

Inspiration...

I adore my niece. Children somehow have the ability to sense your deepest fears and your deepest anxieties. Ever since I first held her in my arms, I knew that she knew. And she always did. Mind you, she is yet to be 2, but she always knows in that little head of hers. Even if I keep a straight face, she will look at me deep in my eyes and reach out to wipe a tear only she sees. Its quite magical sometimes what children know. Thanks to modern technology, I get to see videos of her growing up even though I cannot be physically present.

Children are inspiring and can teach us alot. They have no inhibitions about what they look like when they try hard; they lay it all on the line without fear. They dont really know their limits so they have no awareness or anxiety about approaching them. If they know someone believes they can do it, they are certain they can. Watching them work together towards a common goal reminds me of everything that is pure and good and redemptive about humankind.

Some food for thought: When was the last time you gave something special your "all"? When did you pull so hard for a dream that you got red-faced and your hands hurt from your simple adamant refusal to let go? When did your effort simultaneously exhaust and invigorate you? For what (or whom) are you willing to dig your heels, get rope burns on your palms and slide across dirt on your behind? When was the last time you pursued something with the optimistic abandon of a child?

Ran and climbed stairs with my weighted backpack again. It sounds ridiculous when I see it written down: 10km, followed by 420 stair repeats. Took me 2 and a half hours. Plan to do another 150 repeats with my pack in the middle of the day.

I was grinning like a happy idiot this morning after a very good run - looking up at the sky and appreciating the lovely weather. When I realised! It was still 35 degrees!! Given the recent runs (no pun intended), this temperature practically feels like winter.

Anyway, 65 minutes 14kms at 5am.

Its beautiful out today - so nice after the sweltering few days. 70 minutes of running without a watch. I have been running long enough to estimate distance - not more than 7.5 miles.

20 minutes of weights. Le sigh. I havent been feeling too spectacular after the afternoon of carrying weight on my back so been logging in the miles when its still dark out.

60 minutes of very easy running after the harder day yesterday!

My addictive nature is in full swing today. Everything is personal and everything is my responsibility. I strapped on almost 10kgs of weight in a backpack - enough to weigh 61kgs - and set out on the staircase of where I live. The deal was: no quitting unless there was vomit or crawling involved or finish 700 repeats. Whichever came first.

There is something very liberating about being able to will your body to perform the way you want in this weather. I hate being confined to location/clothes/time/space/anything. I like knowing that my body will always be able to make me feel good - and sweating it out for 2 hours in this heat is the closest I have to feeling cleansed. I would not trade it for anything!

So, 700 stair repeats with a backpack mid-morning!

I kinda have an unintentional streak going for the past few months - exercise every single day no matter what. Physical activity is something that has been ingrained in me for like 9 years now and I cant remember the last time I took 3-4 days off. Anyway, it was hot and sticky today and I was so sleepy. Still made it to the most yuck 31 minutes. Have no idea how far I went - just glad it was over and I could shower, drink my water and go back to sleep!

31 minutes of sweating - slow and gross!

Hills

In my real life I have only known 2 runners who I can call "friends". One is a dear friend and quite a bit older than I am. We used to meet up once a week - he on his "recovery" run and me, well, on my tempo. He is so fast - I envy his speed, and he thinks I am "graceful" - I think thats a polite way of saying *pat* *pat* Aditi!! Anyway, I have known him since my Brisbane days when I started running and he shifted to Singapore 2 years before I did. We often met up to tackle hills and he was always my Yoda and taught me to relax.

This morning as I was getting through my run, I thought of the hills that we encounter in our own lives. During a run, hills are an interesting challenge. We know we have the strength and experience to get through a climb, so it isnt a physical thing as much as its mental. Looking at something hard looming ahead is a daunting exercise in any capacity, running or not. I have friends who are going through hills in their own lives: a cancer diagnosis, looking after a sick parent, divorce, among many others. The incline ahead seems to be steep and unyielding. So how do we prepare? Running hills mirrors this and offers some clues. First, we relax. This is essential. Then we remind ourselves and each other that we have the strength for climbing. Ideally, we should breathe deeply. Then we begin. We lift our legs and pump up our arms and go at our own pace. This is incredibly important. Its easy to lose heart on a hill when we compare ourselves to those around us. We waste energy by taking our focus off the goal, which of course, is to finish. Some people attack a hill, others run steady. Some have a mantra, others need a clear head. Its good to know what kind of climber you are, the middle of the hill is not a good time to change tactics. When we practice enough by running hills, we develop our own strategies and rhythms. We become fitter and less fearful with more practice.

I am trying to get to a place where I welcome all hills in my own life, running or not. I want to be in a perpetual state of preparation, and this gives both pleasure and purpose to my training. This time, I want to be ready. For what? I am not exactly sure.

Monday: 25 minute stairs. 20 minutes of jumping rope. 25 minutes of weights.
Tuesday am: 55minute 12 kms. 5 minutes of core.

I have learnt to not have such a tight rein on things all the time. A few months ago, running without a watch was a huge step in letting go of control a little. With the craziness of the past few months, I allowed myself to not run if I didnt feel like it - you know what though? Allowing myself the option of saying no, not running when I didnt feel it, not doing everything I am told - all of this took the pressure off and made me breathe just a little deeper. So many things we take for granted. Being able to run is a luxury I am afforded; a luxury that I will never take for granted. There are people who need help walking, even washing themselves, who are too sick to leave their bed. I feel grateful every single day to be able to wake up and go whenever I want.

12 very hot kms this morning. The sun was up and shining at 5am today. A bit gross!

Right here, right now

I find myself addicted to running in the middle of the day here. In Delhi India, yes in the middle of May - Aditi Subbiah craves the feeling of midday sweat on her skin. There I said it.

Summer is a time for renewal in nature. I find myself being renewed every single day as well. It has been a journey of discovery - one that I am very thankful for. So ask yourself this question - "where is your heart"? The only acceptable answer should be "right here". If my heart is somewhere else, I'm going to go there to join it. No two ways about it - I have wasted too much time with people and things that did not matter. No more!

This is where its at this Saturday : 35 minute outdoor run. 20 minutes of weights. 13 minutes of jumping rope. I will run another 25 minutes outside around noon. Just because I want to. It feels so good to put that down :-)

*Update*. I left at 1.42pm for the second run today and finished 6kms in 5 seconds under 27 minutes - including sprinting up three flights of stairs. This running-in-an-Indian-summer thing is turning out to be pretty interesting!

Every morning in Delhi has been an experiment. An experiment of One! My endurance is slowly coming back and getting used to the weather, which is nice. The body seems to hold onto salt after a hot afternoon run and everything is puffy. Singapore is humid which causes the body to lose water, whereas India is proving to be very very different. I seem to lose my appetite for a day or two before finding it again with a vengeance! Anyway, my day began at 4am which makes me very happy for a change.

350 stair repeats.
5 minutes of various wall sits.

Getting used to this India thing!

So I left this morning with my new gym card and fully ready for a treadmill run. Bleary eyed and grumpy, I went through the motions of my so-called weights routine. The one word that sums me up during my gym sessions is IDIOT! Anyway, 6 exercises and 25 minutes later, a steady stream of people started coming in. My cue to L.E.A.V.E and I did. I set off running my new favorite route. I wish I could tell you where it is, but that would mean that you would take a flight and come and stalk me! Likely? Of course not!

I love running in the mornings in India because its not crowded at all. No place does hazy mornings like Delhi and today it was windy. Its not at all noisy where I am and I got to wear a different pair of shoes today since the road is so uneven. I wasnt as hesistant as I have been lately - maybe its my new-found confidence *rolls eyes*. Did I mention that I love running this route? Theres something about the intrusive heat I love as well - you start sweating within seconds and after 30 or so minutes of enduring it, the feeling of the wind on your sweaty body cools you down naturally. Maybe its just me and I've totally lost it :-)!!! Anyway, I ran once this am and liked it so much that I went again 3 hours later.

25 joyless minutes of weights.
16kms 87 minutes at 7am
7kms 35 minutes at 11.10am!

So I'm the typical firang/farang/whatever...

Disclaimer! What follows is just a jumble of things. If you are just interested in the distance, please scroll down. Thnx!

I should title this little page as "running adventures in India" or specifically, "running in the sweltering heat in North India". I think it has made me a more hardcore runner. I have learnt that *nothing*, absolutely nothing will make me stop and if I thought I knew heat before now, boy was I wrong! I used to be so proud - after running in a hail storm in Melbourne, the snow in New York, and the humidity of Singapore. Nothing prepares you for the heat of North India. You know what though? I love it. I love everything about this place!

There are just too many things in my head right now, so I will just list some things about being here in the middle of May.

This tip is practical - I tie my very long dark hair twice in a pony tail and pin it up completely. Soak a scarf and freeze it for a few hours, tie it around my head and cover my mouth. Delhi is dry and some sort of moisture is always welcome.

Running outdoors at noon is not recommended unless you are very fit and your electrolyte levels are normal - salt is key. When I get done from these noon runs, I'm covered in sea salt and I dont push the pace at all. Someone today was very nice and gave me some nimbu paani half way through - must have been quite a sight!

I turn left from my house and enter a village. The first sights you see are farmers selling vegetables and fruit. Vats of hot oil frying samosas. There are 2 mithai shops. One only sells sweet boondi on Tuesday afternoons and the other one sells Bengali sweets and batura channa. Towards the right is a small Shiv temple that is made of marble. I like this one because it isnt ornate at all - just stripped down to the bare essentials. Which brings me to the next point...

Moving back to India has stripped me down to my bare essentials. It is scary, daunting and incredibly liberating. I cannot believe that someone like me can actually do this - having been here over 2 months, in the weather I hate the most (I used to cringe everytime the mercury hit 25 degrees!!), with chaos everywhere. However, there are moments every single day that my mind is still and...happy! So what if I am the percieved to be the typical firang? How many people run in an intimidating Indian village where women cover their heads in the middle of the day? All I can say is that I *need* this - I need to do this.

Running has always been a metaphor of life, now it validates my life in some way. Life is bigger than we imagine it to be. For someone who has always been in the corner, yet in the spotlight; I feel like a goldfish in a bowl. I will always run, and I guess one can call that commitment. Does one love in this way too?

There is so much in this post and no clear point that ties the whole thing in. This is why I make lists nowadays - the thoughts are down but they dont follow any neat patterns. If there is one thing I know to be true, is that being offered a drink by a stranger in the middle of the day makes me very happy. It renews my faith and I float with that feeling for quite a few hours. It doesnt take much!

10kms in the Gaon in my backyard in 50 minutes. It was 46 degrees!! 50 stair repeats.

This is where its at!

Friday: 8 treadmill miles. Blah!
Saturday: just over 10 miles.
Sunday: an hour of stairs.
Monday: 7 miles, 6 arm exercises and 90 seconds wall sits all in 75 minutes.
Tuesday: 9k in 40.54, 5 minutes of various core exercises.

I should say - discovered a route which takes me into a village - the meandering road beneath makes you feel like you are running a trail. It is slowly becoming my favorite route of all time. Pictures to come!!

Done!

Folds...

I feel like I am Folding and I sorta like it this way.

I think at the very core, my foundation would be one of Gratitude. I want to live a life that is free and authentic. I want to love what I do because I want to be happy for other people. I want to give my best so I dont envy or eye-roll other people for offering theirs. And I want to see us all get past judgement and move towards encouragement. I feel like Forest Gump with all the running I do anyway, so to quote him "That's all I have to say about that"!

Onto running! I think I have given myself a big fat fever thanks to all the midday miles clocked in at over 40 degree celsius! Anyway, yesterday I ran 8 miles. This am was 13kms in an hour. 64 seconds of wall sits. Cant wait for the pool to be ready - I wonder if I still have swimming fitness.

Logs.

I have not paid attention to any of my workouts the past 5 days. I have only had 50-60 minutes every morning to get through them.

Friday - 45 minutes of cardio and 15 minutes of weights
Saturday - 70 minutes of a treadmill run.
Sunday - 15kms ( only time that I logged in distance).
Monday - 5.5kms
Tuesday - just a touch under 20kms. My longest in 2 months I think. I plan to get out there for another 15-20 minutes to make it 14 miles for the day. We shall see.

Sunday was an exception where I did 90 seconds of wall sits. Rest were all in the 60-70 second range.

God of Hope.

Hope does not mean to leave everything to God. We should steer away from company that crush our confidence for faithlessness is the worst possible state of being.

I am reminded of a story from the Gospels that talks about the house built on sand and fell down when the rains and storms set in. This is juxtaposed against a house built on rock that survived the winds and the rains. The house built on sand is a symbol of all those who put their faith in the wrong place and in the wrong people. The house built on rock is a symbol of those who have true hope and place their ultimate trust in God rather than human beings.

While there will always be much disappointment, there is also much to be happy about. The God of Hope never lets us down. To the faithful, He offers hope of resting in Him. Every sunrise, sunset and changing of seasons, the tides of the sea and history - are all lessons in hope. Keep on hoping, through every circumstance, doubt and calamity.

A very gross 45 minutes on the stairs this am - mid 40's yet again where I am!!! 60 seconds of wall sits.

I was 0.2 short of 12k this morning - its annoying me very very much. It was done in 56 minutes. 60 seconds of wall sits and 15 minutes of arm weights.

2 updates!

Monday: 20 minutes of stairs - 120 repeats. 40 minutes of the elliptical tabata sprints (20 seconds hard/10 easy) at level 10. 7 and a half minute sprint on the treadmill at 17km/hr. Followed by 5 arm exercises - 20 minutes

Tuesday: 45 speedy minute sprint on the stairs. 74 seconds of wall sits!

2 solutions to everything in life!

Of course running fixes everything. For that hour (or two or three or four) that we spend on the road, the world is fine. Its just you, the pavement and the scenary as you pass it by.

I have found as of lately though that sometimes when things get you down, or when you are angry or stressed, its not always possible to run or sweat. Sometimes its the wrong time of day (for example, at midnight in India) and sometimes circumstances dont permit (for example, no sleep after being on your feet all day).

Of course, if I had my way, running would always be my first solution of getting rid of fears, tears, anger, frustration, but as a public service, I would like to share 2 things that make life all the better when you cannot get a run in.

Peanut butter (or its other sibling, Nutella): this has to ability of fix all the wrongs in life. You have to do it right however, to make it work properly. Take jar of PB and a spoon, take it to your room (at night preferably), prop up some pillows and crawl into your faithful blanket, open jar and dig spoon into jar, scoop huge gobs into your mouth while you stare out the window. Soon you will feel all warm and fuzzy and life will be ok. Same formula should be used for nutella.

The pros are as follows: its healthy (thats my theory and I'm sticking by it), it tastes like heaven, its cheaper than therapy in this economy.

The cons: its not running, some really annoying people are allergic (haha!), weight gain may occur if you continue to eat and not run (but theres no fun in that).

Apparently sleep makes things better too. Case in point - after one of these peanut butter/nutella/bourbon biscuits/anything else, I sleep well and am super chirpy the next day. The pros of sleep is that you sleep through what you dont want to feel...I cant think of anything else that sleep accomplishes actually, it just seems like a waste of time most of the time. So anyway, those are my 2 solutions for everything right now. Plus, I wanted to write about food.

75 minutes 15kms early this Sunday. Its 43 degrees today. Can someone please shoot me now? I plan to do another mile or so at some point, but the heat is too much. We shall see.

60 seconds of wall sits. 67 minute run, no idea how far.

A bride in a veil I never was, more like a bride in red with a lilac stain that I'm proud of.

A laboured run this morning powered by too much salt which was evident with the crust of white on my face. I burned 600 calories in just 60 minutes. 15 rounds of my block - whatever distance that is. 75 seconds of wall sits.

Getting started at two o' clock this morning made me feel oddly even.

80 minutes of stairs 400 repeats with 5 sets of tabata sprints. 72 seconds of wall sits.

Its been a week since I kept any sort of record of the logged in 'runs'. The quotations are there because they have hardly been worth mentioning, but here it goes:

Thursday: 75 minutes of cardio and 25 minutes weights. This was also my last gym visit.
Friday: 70 minutes 8.7 miles. Also the last day I ran.
Saturday: 350 stair repeats
Sunday: 400 stair repeats
Monday: 20 minute run. No distance measured
Tuesday: Nothing (yuck!!!)
Wednesday: my first run in a while. 6 miles 45 minutes.

I have also done wall sits 3 times in 7 days - each lasting 60 seconds.

I fuelled so well last night. A combination of great food and a bad mood led to comfort food. See how that happens? I was also aware that today was predicted to be a 40 degree day. In India!! So me being me, decided to go for a run at 2pm. Yes 2pm. When it was 43 degrees according to my garmin!

Anyway, every run logged is a good run. I hydrated really well and set out. Completed 9 miles in 76 minutes which is pretty darn good for this weather. It is so hot today though that normal water from the taps is scorching hot. Maybe I'm just not used to this heat!

92 seconds of wall sits.

Random!

Other runners would know what I mean when I say this - anyone notice how religious running is? Not in the weird lets-pray-together way, but rather in how ritualistic it is. Right from the time you wake up, you lace up your shoes - runners have routines, they like their routines and are anal about their routines. Something is not quite right when you put on your left sock before your right one. Or when you wear your pink sports bra instead of your black one with the white tee-shirt. Or maybe that one is just me :-).

I get mocked when I stay up late, or choose to eat/not eat at a certain time because I want to get my miles in. Basically, its a lifestyle thats the total antithesis of how most people live today. All this also leads other people to think that I am a good two shoes - maybe because I wont go to a party that starts at midnight - *rolls eyes*. Not all runners are like this of course. Have you heard of hashing? 'Nuff said!

Anyway, its hot morning where I am. Somehow, I still think I get sweatier in Singapore - oh how I miss running by the water!

58 minutes an easy 12.7kms. 73 seconds of wall sits!

There is this really nice quote from the bible that came to mind when I was thinking about this and it relates quite nicely with the above sentiment: "Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us."

I had a 50 minute time limit this morning so this is what went on : a quick and easy 46 minute 10k on my patch :-) 62 seconds of wall sits.

350 double stair repeats in exactly an hour - including 2 sets of tabata sprints. 65 seconds of wall sits.

Just a quick check in.

15 minutes of weights yesterday and a 16k run that included a few other things that I cannot be bothered to type out! 90 seconds of wall sits.

This morning, I ellipticalled my way through 90 minutes at level 10 again. Barely broke a sweat but was all uncoordinated (not much more different than usual) for a few minutes after it. No wall sits!

Quickly logging this morning in - really strong 14kms today. 45 minute 10k outdoors, followed by 15 minutes of 'tabata sprints' on a treadmill for fun - 4kms (I will explain this some other time - needless to say my legs were toast by the end - in a good way of course). 7 minutes of jumping rope. 80 seconds of wall sits.

Running is so incredibly emotional. Spending so much time alone with your thoughts and endorphins for hours at a time. There is a welling. There is a flood. There is a flow - of thoughts, emotions and sensations. I am so very grateful for this outlet. I run because there are so many people who cant.

Thanks be to God.

I mixed it up today because I *need* this to be fun again. This is what I came up with: 10 minutes on the elliptical at level 10, 5 minutes on treadmill at 17km/hr, 15 minutes on the elliptical at level 10 (the last 2 minutes at level 7), 1 minute of bike intervals, 7 minutes of jumping rope, ending with 100 stair sprints. 25 minutes of weights. 66 seconds of wall sits. The whole thing lasted 90 minutes!

Of Masochism and the idiotic....

I think I am a masochist after all.

Why else would I *choose* - for me atleast - difficult endeavors? The easy? *shrug*; it bores me.

Some people can run/workout for just a few miles and call it a day and feel good. Me? Oh no, I need to run long, longer and even the short has to leave me breathless and wrecked. Only then do I appreciate the reward afterwards.

I generally think I am a lazy person. I really truly want things to be easy. And I go so far as to think things should be easy. But they never are, atleast not for me.

Therefore, the conclusion must be that I dont want easy things in life after all because I continue to do things that are hard, and I would go as far as to say that it flies in the face of good sense. Hmm...then I guess masochist is just a fancy word for idiot. Which is how I feel most of the times anyway...

An easy 75 minutes 15kms. 80 seconds of wall sits!

Nice to feel sweat leaking into my mouth. 10k in 50 minutes on the treadmill - easy one to get the blood moving. 80 seconds of wall sits.

Sunday is a day of rest...!

2 updates!

Yesterday's session lasted 70 minutes. 10 minutes of rope followed by 350 stair sprints. 2 sets of 50 second wall sits.

This morning was my easy day. 6 minutes of rope and 35 minutes on the elliptical at level 10. 25 mins of weights. 70 seconds of wall sits.

Woke up today determined to have a great day. Somehow, the Ipod was programmed to the letter 'T' and it read 'Tchaikovsky'. So I dont have a very calm disposition and dont ever listen to classical music unless I'm studying (cue rolling eyes). I decided to go with it. 'Coz, ya know, I was gonna have a great day dammit!

I put it on and went to the weights room and pumped iron to...errr...Tchaikovsky. Not too bad, got through it in 25 minutes, followed by a 50 minute run, 10 minutes of stairs and 7 minutes of skipping rope. My ponytail was high and mighty, 'coz ya know, I was having a great day!

Whatever! Bite me!
70 seconds of wall sits.

Woke up full of energy and a huge smile on my face. So dissappointed 5 minutes later when I realised that someone (!!!!) put ALL my running clothes in the laundry! I was SO annoyed! Theres a method to my workout laundry - I hang 'dry' them when I know I'm doing 2 hard workouts in a row - ya know, my lucky pair. Anyway, I now have to wait 3 hours (!!!!) till they get done and dry and I can be off. My runs and the stairs have been strong lately and I was SO dying to go.

I know this post is full of exclamations, but I cant contain my annoyance and energy. Apart from that, all is well. One of the blessing of running is that it belongs to no one but you, no one can take it away, the roads are always there, welcoming us no matter what we're going through. The roads are my church.

I will do at least 80 minutes of something in 3 hours!

I did a double yesterday. 10k in 47 minutes and 4kms three hours later in 17 minutes. 80 seconds of wall sits.

This morning was stairs - 230 repeats in 43 minutes, followed by 25 minutes of weights.

X-Train

I had Maynard in my ears right from the get go this morning. Tool never fails to pump me up. I cranked up the resistance on the cross-trainer to its highest (10) and off I went. Worked up a pretty decent sweat and managed to spend a respectable amount of time on it. All of 70 minutes. I am so proud!!

30 minutes of weights, followed by 70 minutes on the elliptical at 10 and 90 seconds of wall sits.

Mark our pages with bookmarkers...

My parents have saved every single piece of writing and alot of other crap of mine from way back when. But parents do that, and thats one of the things quite wonderful about being home. I havent been a "Bombay girl" for a decade and a half now, but I remember visiting for 2 days just after my 21st Birthday. Being the geek I am, I celebrated my 21st in 2002 in grand style in far North Queensland. I ran a 50 mile race and 3 hours later went sky diving jumping from a plane at 15,000 feet. I graduated 3 days before the 12th of July. Needless to say, this was one of the happiest times of my life. So last night, I came across a box of my things. Never one to pass up a nostalgic opportunity, I went through each and every bit of writing. Apparently, I wrote down 10 things to improve about my running in the year 2003. I went through that list, and each and every thing written down, still rings true today. I also had a quote by Robert Frost written on it - I read alot of Robert Frost growing up.

While this certainly drives home the concept that running is a lifelong, learning journey, I feel as though there are certain checkpoints to which I should have made it by now. Oh well. I certainly have a long way to go. Miles to go.

"The woods are lovely, dark and deep,
But I have promises to keep,
And miles to go before I sleep,
And miles to go before I sleep."-Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening by Robert Frost

1600 stair sprints 2 hours and 20 minutes.
2 minutes of wall sits.

Spring

As much as I complain about being back here - there is a part of me that absolutely loves this place. People in the tropics dont know what they miss out on - to live in a place that actually has seasons, where people only eat whats available in nature 3-4 months a year. One is deeply aware that there are cyclic changes inherent in nature. I woke up to flowers competing for the sun - huge sunflowers!

30 minutes of weight work. This is the most consistent I have been with these things. 5 minutes of treadmill action - could not bear it any longer!

I have gotten fitter lately. And I have the times to show for it. Today was supposed to be recovery and I wasnt pushing myself at all. I ache to run by the water again - its where I feel the most at home - but its ok and temporary. I managed 12 kms in under an hour on my grass patch. Followed by 60 seconds of wall sits - I so should be doing atleast 90 seconds and I just might squeeze another minute or so at some point.

I have noticed that since my training has stepped up, there has been an unforseen complication. You see, the beast in my stomach has been awakened. It has to be fed all the time and it throws a fit when it doesnt get what it wants. Not the hollow, dainty bubbling tummy gurgle that would leave a girl giggling. I am talking rip-roaring stomach twisting rawwrrr temper tantrum that can be confused with a wild animal, or a mack truck. Or so I've been told. Watch out if the beast gets hungry in say, a seminar, lecture theatre or meeting. In such cases, its usually recommendable to look around aghast after the episode passes, as if you want to know who did it.

I speak from experience!

So far...

Just updating!

Since the last post, I played squash - and I use that term *very* loosely, most because I suck. More like showed-up-for-a-game-of-squash.

I did a stair workout that was equivalent to 14 miles that lasted 2 hours. I dont know the equivalent thing - since running is running and stairs are well...stairs. But I'll take it! I did a minute and 20 seconds of wall sits. They are still painful but 6 days of these and I can maaaaybe tell a difference.

I ran on my patch of grass - no one can accuse me of not having favorites - for a 10k. This is getting monotonous. But then, runners in general are creatures of habit (she says this while having just moved to India of all places!). This was followed by 30 minutes of weights and 60 seconds of wall sits.

That would be all...

Adrenaline pulls us near...60 minutes 300 sprints. 50 seconds of wall sits

I think weights are lame. The only purpose they serve me at this point, is a chance to improve running form. You see, how can something that doesnt leave you panting on the ground, face flushed and wringing your t-shirt be *any* good for you. I have always been a big believer in the purifying power of sweat. It seems in life also, I have a taste for aluminium rather than sweets (metaphorically of course).

45 very sweaty minutes of stairs. A continuous minute of wall sits - gosh these are hard!

Have a good saturday all!

Gym day!

The superficial sighs....have become the story of my life....

The gym - chalking it up to recovery. 3.5 easy miles followed by weights for 30 minutes. 2 sets of 4 exercises that basically engage my back to spport the running. Got asked by the trainer why I was so thin - annoying! I am NOT thin. When you run as much as I do, you cannot weigh more than a certain amount. Not rocket science, just a fact! Everyones body has a natural point it sets at no matter how much/how little you workout.

Anyway, just trying to stay motivated despite being stuck unable to do much else!

*sigh*. Isnt this a thing of beauty? I brought some out of hiding, peeled a banana, some piddly grapes and an apple and dug straight in.

Still procrastinating on my miles today. With the sort of fueling Ive done, I should be running all day. We shall see - atleast 6-8 miles this am.

Wednesday miles

It gets so sunny here by 7am - I dont like walking in the sun (actually I dont like walking period), but running in the sun and sweating is truly wonderful...sometimes...

I found a patch of grass that was just under 400m, plugged in my stop watch to beep at mile intervals and set off. The first 6 or so miles my concentration wavered alot. After that, my mind was on auto-pilot and I only stopped because it got hot. 15miles in 2 hours and 13 minutes to be exact.

I did a wall sit lasting a minute and 30 seconds - will start to incorporate these daily to align my back. It was so so so so hard - the first interval lasted 50 seconds and the second was 40 seconds. Great! I can run 15 miles but cant even do these for a minute at a time!

This is one of my favorite verses from the Bible. So much so that I had it laminated and forgot about it until now. Thought I'd share - interpret it in whichever way is helpful to you.

Psalm 84:4. Isaiah 40:31 Yet those who wait or the LORD will gain new strength; They will mount up with wings like eagles, They will run and not get tired, They will walk and not become weary.

I got in 16kms yesterday morning. I am tired. No movement today but my legs are getting twitchy. I wish I could just take a week off and not feel guilty!

Sparkle

It is so to get caught up in routines or relationships without noticing that our edges are getting fuzzy or that we are forgetting the things that make us sparkle. Running is high on the list of things that return me to myself. Writing is another one. I have a couple of friends who return me to myself in a matter of moments, like a chiropractic adjustment for the soul; things crack back into rightful position. The best relationships are the ones where we are strengthened enough to take off, but whose love always beckons us back home.

Onto running! When your body is used to a certain amount of mileage like mine is; running is alot more mental than it is physcial. My body has learnt to perform even when it doesnt feel like it and is always enough in shape to be able to clock double digits every single day. When the mind is tired however, it is so unbelivably difficult to get going. I knew I wasnt tired yesterday, but my legs just refused to perform. I made a deal with myself - go out for a mile and see how you feel. I went for 1.8 miles before bagging it. No regrets!

This morning I buckled down and ran on the treadmill for 24kms. Took me 1.59 minutes. Goodtimes!

I procrastinated for a whole hour this morning before dragging my azz to the gym. 11 boring boring kms on the dreadmill. I wish I had someone on the machine next to me so atleast I have some competition! Anyway, it took me 52 minutes.

P.S. 'At my most beautiful' by R.E.M. Forgot how great this song is. Reminds me of a time when R.E.M was worth listening to.

80 sweaty minutes on the stairs this am - I'm getting better at this. I keep it fun and interesting by mixing it up - almost like a ladder workout.

I shall leave you with something I found insanely funny this morning (almost feel like I'm a 15 year old boy - I eat like one, might as well have a sense of humour like one). Anyway, some dude from nearby introduced himself - I shall spare you the details but his last name was Dikshit. Heehee. Get it? We do have some funny names in our part of the world :-)

Running makes the world a smaller place.

When life gets overwhelming, it helps to break it down into parts - compartments. I realised something this morning: most of my life (and yours too), atleast three quarters of it, can fit into a single training run. In about 90 minutes, I could circle the entire universe of my adolescence. In November, a day before my wedding, I went for a run outside. Note that I got married in Bombay and India isnt the easiest country to navigate being on your feet! Once again I realised how humbling running can be - I'd grown up thinking that the walk from my house to school was a tremendous hike. Turns out it was barely a mile.

The seemingly epic bike ride from home to the shop that sold my favorite 5 stars? That was half a mile. In fact, I discovered to get the miles I needed, I had to circumnavigate every neighbourhood I used to hang out in. Inside a 11 mile loop I fit:
My pre-school, grade-school, the houses of all my childhood friends, the public park where I learnt to swing on a swing-set, the church I hung out at where all the cute boys went (I was 12!!), etc etc. At first, this was scary. 75% of my life took place inside that training run. Later on however, I realised there was a bright side and it was this - running breaks down barriers.

All of these landmarks once seemed worlds apart. But when you learn to run, you learn that you can conquer any length with enough persistence and time (perhaps less time if there are jalebis at the end - *sigh*).

Distances that were unfathomable simply become new challenges. Hard long runs make short easy runs easier and shorter. Your perception of what is far changes. What used to be a whole mile away becomes something that is just 10-15 easy minutes down the road.

When you see just how those feet can take you, this small world becomes even smaller.

I found a 1km path and went back and forth 10 times for a 45 minute 10k. I didnt push myself at all - it felt easy and natural.

Mondaily and a recipe.

I clocked in the equivalent of 15 miles on the stairs this morning - decided to strap on my garmin just to have numbers that I can record on my spreadsheet. Super geeky - I know! Anyway, it said I burned 1200 calories and I was correct - I mainly stay in the anaerobic zone which means this body burns carbs, not fat. This is fine with me since the aerobic zone feels like I'm barely moving. I was working for 132 minutes. Came back home and jumped into a freezing cold shower. I live in Delhi at the moment and we are into spring - cold, sunny mornings, warm afternoons and nippy evenings. Perfect running weather! I'm not confident enough to step out yet - its only been 5 days, but I will soon. I also jumped rope for 8 minutes. Love it!

The house is equipped with just bare essentials; especially the kitchen. I couldnt bear another day of an unsatisfying breakfast, so this is what I did! I drained 2 cups of yogurt last night in a cloth to drain out the water. This morning I had something that resembled cream cheese. I added a touch of sugar (or equal for those that use it - you know who you are!!), topped it with marmalade I made 6 months ago and a handful of mixed nuts that I caramalized with honey (boil some honey in a small pan and add nuts). So easy, so yummy and if you want to be fancy you can call it a 'yogurt parfait'.

Thats all I have this monday: 700 stair repeats, followed by 8 minutes of jump rope.

On writing and associated issues!

Writing is the cheapest form of therapy. It uncovers issues, stresses and often the 'disowned' parts of ourselves - the spiritual and the noble. Put pen to paper and just....flow. Write as many thoughts that tumble out; no matter how disconnected, rambling, repetitive. Stifle the urge to correct punctuation, grammar...just write. What stops us? We are trained to self doubt, self scrutinize in place of self-expression. Lord knows I struggle with this myself.

The other associated issue I wanted to write about, and I deliberately put this at the very end. Is people!! Why is it sometimes you think you get to know someone and then so abruptly you have no idea who they are. In someways I think I enjoy this aspect of people, you are always suprised and that makes life interesting, at the same time there is a frustration and an anxiety with change. As some of you will know, sociology is not my strong point. Its the dichotomy between the sunny Queensland part of my life and the dark Victorian part of it. I definitely understand dark moods, I have many of them, but the bright sunshine of Queensland warms your mind to the better pleasures in life, which is far more interesting than the dark moods of Victoria..... maybe.....

Anyway, I got in 60 minutes of sweat time this am. I dont sweat here at all - I mostly workout anaerobically, but I get no soreness either. Oh well, as long as my lungs are filled with fresh air every am - I could care less.

Happy weekend all!

Certainty according to Aditi :-)

Ran on a treadmill at 15km/hr for 20 minutes on a 5% incline yesterday before being bored out of my mind and taking myself outdoors. Ended up with 200 stair repeats. The whole thing took me 65 unsatisfying minutes.

This morning was better. A whole lot better - 1240 single stair repeats in 2 hours by the end of which I had salt crystals all over my body. I came home and my mother thought I had powder on my face. It was grainy and looked like sea salt. I think its an electrolyte issue that cropped up just before I left Singapore. Anyway, I will get another 30 minutes of movement in a couple of hours.

On my long flight 3 days ago, I did a few things to keep me occupied. Here is what I came up with. I thought I'd share my guide to life's absolute certainties.

ON FOOD:
Always stick to the first choice you make after reading the menu. He who vacillates will end up with poached offal in porcini jus (true story) - probably just outside Coffs Harbour (he knows who he is).
There will always be another next big ingredient that appears on every chic menu in town, until it goes the way of the last big ingredient - to a cafe somewhere just off the Pacific Highway (or Whoop Whoop - this is the Aussie in me coming out). Remember the Sun-dried tomato?

ON TRAVEL
Holidays will never be long enough, unless you are camping with vegetarians at a holistic watercolor retreat (dont ask, *rolls eyes*).
The cheese selection offered at the end of your in-flight meal will always be served colder than your Champagne.
Packing your clothes between layers of tissue will always be marinally more noisy and troublesome than ringing guest services for an iron, then being woken up from a deep, jet-lagged stupor by loud knocking on your door.

ON CERTAINTY
He who hesitates is lost, or trying to cross the Champs-Elysees.

That is all.