Miles to go..

Lot of people keep telling us the advantages of running. They tell how running has changed them, mentally and physically. They tell how good it feels. And so on. 

Two years back, I would have never believed that. I was diagnosed with thyroid. After some blood tests and boring visits to the hospital, I had the reports in my hand. My mom was trying to analyze them. The normal range was 0.3-3. Mine was 5 point something. I said, it is okay. Big deal. One tablet a day. I would fight with amma whenever she would tell me to exercise. 6 months later, another test revealed that that 5 point something was now 15 point something. It scared the hell out of me. My clothes soon started ditching me. People had their share of fun by commenting on my weight. I chose to ignore and tried to be happy. 

I felt lonely at one point, thanks to a few other events. I started walking in the evenings. Insti is so beautiful! I would jog a few metres when there wouldn't be anyone on the roads. I would feel so happy. It was my time. I would talk to my mom and bro on the phone and tell them how much I walked and how I used to take running breaks. I went to the stadium to run, thanks to rudra's suggestions. 1 round and I was done! Yes, 400m. I was very inconsistent. Somehow I managed to do 3 rounds (1.2k).

One fine day, my faculty advisor called us and told about a 10k in Nov 2011. They were having some training sessions on Saturdays. It was very inspiring to hear his half marathon stories.  Ran ~5k. Wait, I think we walked more than we ran. Before I could finish a kilometre, I was already walking. So this whole run walk introduced me to the world of running. It was the first race of my life. Lot of people ran. We finally finished in around 90 minutes plus. Our friends couldn't believe we actually woke up early in the morning and ran. 

Next sem we were very inconsistent. We would run 2km. Yes, that's all. 

After summer 2012, Kay and I were very determined to run. Bought new shoes and tights and what not. I would say I was consistent for 2 months. I even registered for a 10k in Mysore, which got postponed and I had to cancel it, thanks to the political drama. Registered for TWCM2012. 

I was down with an injury. Randomly decided to do TWCM 2012 after collecting my bib. Finished in 74 minutes. Still can't believe that. Then came the Bangalore internship. I participated in 6 races this year so far. I did my maiden half marathon i.e, 21.1km. 

My thyroid levels are now normal and also, I seem to fit in my old clothes. Miles to go. :) 

I feel good. I have control over my short temper. I have cracked some assignments and puzzles while running. I have made new friends. It is my stress buster. I think I have found what they call as inner peace. I have become a better person, though I have a long way to go. I am still a newbie in the running world, every run is a learning.

A lot of us might have been there in the situations I have described above. I am not selling “running” as a sport here. I have never looked it as a sport. It can be that component which you feel might be missing in your life. It can push you to do those adventures. It will just bring a whole new perspective in your life. Participating in runs is fun. You meet new people. You hear very inspiring stories. You get awesome medals! Not to mention, you get to run along with some hot guys. ;)

If you are studying at IITM, join me for a run in the evening! Would love to know more about you. 

Rhythm on the run

As I was running on the downhill, another girl came and joined me. I thought she would be one of those speedsters who would overtake me. I was wrong. We ran for almost a kilometre, which seemed endless, when we began talking. We were totally in sync in some time. Pacing down the downhill roads, waiting at water stops, smiling and posing for pics(got loads of them where I look pathetic and tanned!). I did not have music, neither did she. We were breathing in rhythm 2:2. For the first time I paid attention to it. It felt good. 

Fire on the mountain, Run run run!!

I know you might be feeling that all(or at least most) of my posts are about running. Well, yes, maybe.But that is because running teaches you so many lessons.
One of the biggest lessons is appreciation and being down to earth. No matter how fast others might be, they don't mock your pace. They know that you will get there. They appreciate that you have got past the laziness and have donned your shoes. They know what it takes to be out there and challenge yourself!
I have been participating in quite a few events here in Bangalore. Every event, I have seen these super fast runners who finish and come back to pace the finishers. They cheer you up :) It is in those moments you realise how a little bit of cheering and appreciation can make a difference.

Here is a pic from Anandayana 2013, where these little kids were cheering all the runners! "Fire on the mountain, Run run run!!"

The Calculus of Friendship- Review

I read this book by Steven Strogatz called The Calculus of Friendship-  What a teacher and student learned about life while corresponding about math. It was ~150 pages and kind of expensive. But totally worth it!!
The two days that I spent in reading that book were a pure bliss. I was so immersed. I was amazed at the elegant proofs in it. The way the student and teacher bonded over letters was something which struck me from within. The book also portrays how the teacher was ever enthusiastic to learn from his student. You might come across these proofs elsewhere, I am sure. But the approach was a smooth transition. Their discussions over letters, how they progressed from math to life, will just leave you thinking for quite some time. 
I could not stop thinking about two of my maths teachers. Before I could tell them how grateful I felt to be their students, they passed away. I could not come to terms with it for long time and tried to find peace. I would just spend days cursing myself. I hope they somehow know how I feel about it. 
If you are a person who loves math, enjoys reading, solving problems in an elegant way, this is THE book I would recommend. If you are from a non math background and happen to read it, please let me know your views.
I would like to thank one of my friends, Prasad, for suggesting this one. :) 

KannadA

Yes, it is Kannada and NOT Kannad!! I have no idea why people conveniently miss the last "a". 

Staying in Bangalore makes me happy because a lot of people speak in Kannada. It feels like home. It for sure is a bliss, as I have been away from home since almost 5 years.I am getting used to understanding Bengaluru Kannada as mine has a "slight" gult influence. My colleagues would definitely frown at the "slight" aspect though.

I felt shy to speak in Kannada with people in insti because I thought the slang was different etc. I have overcome that and it feels so natural now. I am thankful to my friends* for that. I feel like a local to some extent and easily converse with auto guys or shop uncles. Talking of auto uncles, the mere thought of taking an auto was a nightmare in Chennai and life is peaceful here because there is a meter in every auto and it works! =)

*friends= fellow Embracers :) 

Time Management and blah

I thought that I would have loads of time to write blog posts, once the internship starts. I have been proved wrong. Well, not exactly. I do have time, but I don't know how it just flies off!
I have been reading this book, Getting Things Done and I must say, it is great. If you want to get things done by yourself, then this is the book. If  you want to organize all your stuff etc, this would be a good start.
With the added responsibilities in my life, this is helping me.

Now all that apart , I wonder if this is how life would be once you start working in an office.
I have no clue how 4 months have passed already. But I am glad that I have some significant memories to take back. :)
I have been reading Steve Job's book and it just never ends!
Super Freakonomics was awesome! The facts and the way they were presented. Amazing.
The Zahir was a soul healer. The zig zag way? No comments.
That was 3 book reviews in short. :P
Also, here  is a fun event with the Engineering team :D
P.S: This is one thing crossed off my "inbox".

Engineers go for a field visit

So we went to Bijapur. 520 kms from here. 6 of us. The boring part ends here.
It was such an insightful trip. We split into 2 teams each having a Kannada speaker. Yes, it was me for one group!

We met 2 users. One of them stays ~45 kms away in a tiny village. Just 4 "houses" around theirs. We received such a warm welcome. As soon as we sat down, after washing our legs, the mother placed her 3 months old baby in my lap. Wow! Never did I hold such a small baby. She was wearing a new frock as "doctors" from Bengaluru were visiting them. They offered us some lemons and made poha.

The whole feeling can't be explained in mere words. The looks on their face, the happiness, the gratitude can never be forgotten. It is a feeling which one should experience. The whole visit has strengthened my resolve to contribute to the society. To work for the bottom of the pyramid. They shared their feelings and the connection we made, would last forever.

Good old Embrace diaries. 

Not a pessimist

After coming to Bangalore, I started to miss insti facilities. The free roads, internet, hostel and even mess!
That is when I realised, I would miss Bangalore when I go back to Chennai. I have decided to make use of this opportunity to the core.
I have joined swimming. I have tried running on one way roads. I have tried running on athletics track. I am trying to cook and looks like I am getting better at it. I have tried bowling and loved it, thanks to my classmates!
I fall short of words as I try to describe the place where I am working. It is purely awesome. I have met a lot of people and everyday is such a good learning experience. I think this deserves a new blog post.

In these moments, life tends to remind us, it is a bed of roses with thorns thrown here and there. It is in these moments we must step back and look at the bigger picture. Remind ourselves that good and bad times just follow each other. I have learnt to tell myself that there will bad days. That I need to learn how to deal with them. And yes, this isn't pessimism.

P.S: I want to say more. But some messages are better left for the others to think and reflect.