Don’t join a Gym. Instead Run.

1. Gym will get boring soon. 

You discover new ways to workout, new machines. Then you set targets – 10 Reps, 15 Reps, 30 Reps and reach them. Then you start getting used to the machines, the reps, the music, the people who come there, the smell. Then you start dragging yourself to Gym. It is like going to office – not fun.

Instead Run – you can create so many variations – Run around a lake, Run inside a Park, Run on a long stretch of road, Run on a treadmill,  Run on a beach, Run on a nice slope, Run on new trials. Run a marathon and get a certificate. Run backwards. Run barefoot. Run in a midnight marathon. Run on Mumbai Sea-link ( my next goal ). You can keep changing the place, pace, time – no two runs are the same.

Running never gets boring. After every run you get a “Runners High” – you have to experience it to understand it. Its addictive too – a good addiction.

2. You need to wait for your favorite treadmill / machine


When you run you need not wait for anyone – the road is always open.

3. You can enjoy nature.


A hot sun beating on you, your tshirt is wet from your sweat and a cool breeze touches you – and you can feel the heat and coolness penetrating your skin – its a wonderful feeling.

4. You are truly green.


You are burning only your own calories when you run. You are not wasting fossil fuels unnecessarily.

5. No Guilt.


You are not paying for a year’s Gym membership and spend the days in guilt when you do not go to the gym. If you don’t feel like running – don’t run. And when you feel like running – you just take off – wherever in earth you are – on a vacation, on a business trip.

You have a free membership to this gym that is available everywhere – 24×7.

Don’t give in to the Gym’s pitches – all you need is a cheap shoe and a good headphone – and just run.

—
A Runner for the rest of my life.

Books Books Books.. what will I do without you!

Here is the list of books that I crunched last year. If you are curious – here is my list for 2010.

Conversations with God 1,2 and 3 by Neale Donald Walsh

During one of the demos I met this interesting 70 year old Gentleman who suggested these books. The author reaches the bottom pit of his life and cries out in anger to God – Why are you not talking to me – and God responds.

It has got a good mixture of eastern and western philosophy and can help you form your own theory on Religion and God.

For me I did not get any answers, but have more questions in my mind now.

Fifth Mountain by Paulo Coelho

Now I don’t remember what was there in this book. But it was a good timepass and helped killed time on a day train from Coimbatore to Bangalore. You can give this a pass.

The Pixar Touch, Making of a Company


If you love Pixar movies you would like this book.  The Pixar Touch

Cryptonomicon by Neal Stephenson


Total Geek Novel. Enjoyed it thoroughly.  Cryptonomicon

Enn Inniya Iyanthira by Sujatha


The only Tamil novel I read. I was always curious what this highly regarded novel was all about. This was written in 1980s and I read this one after almost 3 decades. The story happens in the future and is about a robot dog ( the hero of this novel ). This was a weekly running story published in Ananda Vikatan – so is a little jerky and there is not much of a flow. Wish the editors or Sujatha himself had re-written this masterpiece before he logged-out.

Eat Pray Love by Elizabeth Gilbert

Good Time pass, interesting writing style. I recommend this one if you are looking for something light to munch on.  Eat Pray Love

On writing well by William Zinsser

The author is a regular columnist in New Yorker, and also teaches how to write good non-fiction. I am not sure if my writing has improved, but it opened up my eyes to recognize what is good writing.

What I talk about when I talk about Running – Haruki Murrakami


Loved this one. I read this when I had decided to break the 5 km mental barrier I had developed – and wanted to run more. A little disjointed and boring at some places – but if you are a runner you will love the way he talks about his running!  What I talk about when I talk about Running

Born to Run – Christopher McDougall


The 2nd must read book for runners. This one is a good eye-opener to running. Loved this one thoroughly and inspired me to kick off my nike and run on a Bata Canvas shoe. Three Running Myths Busted

Snow by Orhan Pamuk


A heavy one by my favorite author. Middle East fascinates me and this one is about a poet who returns to Turkey. The clash between conservatives and liberals.

Aleph by Paulo Coelho


Brilliant book. Recommend this one –  Aleph by Paulo Coelho

Currently reading the Tibetan book of living and dying. Finding it hard to finish it…but I will finish it nevertheless – I do not give up on books that I start!

“Did It“

That was the SMS I sent to Sangeeta at 4:00 AM after finishing my half marathon in the Midnight Marathon held in Whitefield, Bangalore on Dec 11, 2011.

Now to the story.

The Irrational act !

A month back on Nov 11, some one tweeted saying “Registered at Midnight Marathon“. I just clicked on the link and paid 600Rs for the half-marathon. Human progress happens on such irrational acts.

Why was it irrational? : My personal best was 12.5 Kms. The half marathon is 21kms. I thought I can practice harder and increase my mileage.

After signing up for the marathon, I announced on Facebook and even got 13 likes and 5 comments and tips. I duly forgot about the marathon and went on with my work + occasional runs ( I average 6 runs a month – yes its very bad – good runners run almost 4 times a week )

The Panic Attack

Suddenly around Nov 26th I panicked. I SoSed some of my friends and runners I follow on Twitter and got useful tips.

@nilakanta, @_bharath_k,@ulaar and Jayaram Srinivasan ( ex SAP VP and now entrepreneur ) – Thank you guys for the pep talk and encouragement.

Some of the tips I got from them :

* eat curd rice couple of days before the race to load up on carbohydrates

* watch out for the cold in the midnight marathon – it will be good if you can change your t-shirt in the middle of the race

* Just run – thats what running is all about. Don’t over analyze things

* You can easily stretch your 12.5Kms to 21Kms on race day – adrenaline will keep you going.

So I started pushing myself a bit – went for 3 runs on alternate days and ended up with a new pain – “runners knee”.  This was Nov 30th.

The Suspense

The next 10 days was the most harrowing time. I was reading more and more of runners knee – and learnt that I should have been doing strength training exercises – not just running. Now it was too late – so I decided to just take rest and not injure my leg any further.

Twice I was tempted to run but better sense prevailed and stayed at home. Walked gingerly all the time and even got a knee socks kind of thing and wore it now and then hoping it will do some magic.

Race Night

I was very anxious through out the day. We reached around 10:30 pm and I got my first whiff of a marathon event. The atmosphere was electric. So many were walking in shorts and wearing sports shoes, wearing bibs, people stretching, warming up. There was a rockband called “one night stand” playing some oldie hits. I couldnt quite enjoy it as I could only think of the race.

Around 11:40 PM went to the race line. A huge crowd was there already. Here are some snaps from the starting line :

My Running Accessories : Bata Canvas Shoe, Sennheiser headphone, SGS Android phone with Cardio Trainer App for tracking time and distance

The ambulance was reassuring. Also behind my Bib had to write emergency contact person name and mobile, blood group, alergies to any medications etc.

My Cheer Party!

Just before the start

The Race

At 12 precisely the race started. There were drums at the entrance and people were cheering. After the first bend it was quite and all I can hear was the sweet thump of foot hitting the road – and ahead of me – for the entire stretch that I can see where heads bobbling rhythmically. It was beautiful the very sight.

We were to complete 5 laps for the Half Marathon ( 10 laps for Full Marathon ) – each one was around 4Kms. I typically alternate between running and walking – and keep increasing my running time and reducing the time I walk. My knee pain did not surface and I was very much relieved.

The course had 3 slopes. I have never practiced on a slope and I found that it was hard to run on an upward slope. I had to redo my strategy and started walking on upward slope – this totally messed up my rhythm – but I didnt mind much as I was enjoying the whole experience. When I crossed 1Km I saw the Ethiopian runners on the opposite side – they were already returning from the half way mark. Just watched them with my mouth open !

I managed Laps 1 and 2 pretty smoothly.

And it gets tough

I reached my 12.5km mark without much trouble and felt elated. I typically average 7Kms per hour, but this time it was 6.5Kms per hour…because of the slope walking.

Then I felt a tinge at the back of my right knee. This always surfaces when I cross 12kms ( and this is the reason I stop running after that and go home ). I knew what was coming – so stopped stretched, ate a banana and gulped some gatorade in one of the stations. I completed Lap 3 running.

The pain was pretty acute now and so I stopped and rested again. Did some more stretching and ran gingerly putting more weight on my left leg ( earlier this was the problem leg with shin splints – thankfully I am beyond that now )

By the time I was returning on the 4th lap I knew I could not run in this race anymore. The right leg will not bend. Also since I was putting more pressure on my left leg, started getting pain around the knees on left leg too.

The last lap


I walked slowly to the finish line at the end of lap 4. The experienced half marathoners were completing their runs and the newbies like me were walking or slowly jogging.

I went and sat. I had carried Volini – a pain ointment my mother uses – and applied it generously on my knees. Removed my shoe and let my toes breathe – they were literally burning.

I did not bother looking at the clock as I knew it will depress me. I took a deep breathe and started walking. I had another 4+ kms ahead – and it looked very far. I was literally dragging my right leg as bending it would send pain waves through my leg.

Most of the half marathoners had completed by now and only the full marathoners were now running or were also walking. But they walked briskly and also jogged – unlike me.

One kind soul while over taking me said – walk briskly sir thats all you have to do. I just smiled at him and said Thanks!

I dropped the idea of sitting and resting – as I knew the last time I sat and applied ointment I had a tough time getting up. Lot of thoughts were buzzing in my head. Why the heck did I even decide to run? This is it – I kept thinking – I am not going to run any more Marathons ever. I tried to banish such thoughts but the negativity in me was going on increasing.

To shut up the devil in my head I started focussing on the pain. The toes were literally burning, there was a sensation of a tight pull above my knees and also a searing pain behind my knee. I tried diverting my mind to think of positive things – but the negative thoughts started coming and it was making me angry and wanted to give up – so I started focussing on the pain again.

I think focussing on the pain strategy might have worked. I reached the mid way point and was elated. Phoo – just 2 Kms more. I was certain at this point that I would be completing the race.

I did not stop for any refreshments but kept walking dragging my right leg literally. I had become an expert on my pain  as I had been observing it so much. I literally lost track of how long I was walking and I started hearing drums – I was getting closer to the finish line.

The finish


I registered my final beep on the RFID scanner and crossed the finish line. I need not turn back for any more laps. I had such a surge in emotion that very moment. I walked very slowly and found a chair and slouched on it.

A kind organizer came to me and asked if I was alright. I had a tough time talking and said yes, Thank you. He let me alone and went away ( later he would come back give me a bourbon biscuit packet saying apologetically – this is all I could get! – he had no idea how grateful I was  ). I was basking in pure joy. The pain was still there but I did not mind it anymore. I just sat there stretching my legs. I could see the full marathoners turning back for their remaining laps.

The kind soul who asked me to walk briskly was coming towards the finish line. I clapped and he saw me – he put his thumbs up and smiled. He went back on his lap – don’t know who that person is – wish I had shouted to ask for his twitter handle.

Here are some screenshots of my phone.

My home screen – always shows the calories burnt from previous runs – was 0  at the start of the race.

My running graph captured by Cardio Trainer

And for the time I took to complete this race – it is pretty embarrassing when I think of it – this is the typical time runners take to complete a full marathon. Anyway I can only do better next time – that is guaranteed

Now to the devil in my head – I will participate in marathons again and again – year after year. I will try to better my time, will aim for 42 kms and more. You sir, the devil in my head, can go take a hike!

I am getting back to Paulo Coelho after a very long time. The last one was disappointing – “The winner stands alone”,

Here is an equation that dawned on me today while running. It is quite simple.

a) Speed at which you can run.
b) Distance that you can cover.
c) Running without any pain or injuries.

You can only have two of the above.

Obviously c) has to be selected – cannot imagine a life with pain – unless you are Zahir Khan or one of the sissy Indian cricketers who always feign pain in order to skip playing and go act in more Ads.

That leaves us to pick either a) or b). So if you have only 30 minutes to run – run as fast as possible for a short distance. If you have lot of time on hand – run as far as possible – but slowly with enough breaks.

At times these constraints are a real PITA – but that’s life – we should just try to make the most of it.

I read Ayn Rand’s FountainHead in 2008. A life changing novel.

If you haven’t read here is a gist.

The hero of the book is Howard Roark. 
He hates the old school architecture – where you have the professors expecting one to design buildings with 18th Century architecture – the pillars and ornate designs. Howard Roark could not stand this “apeing” and refuses to follow the college’s dictum and drops out and moves to New York to start his own design firm.
At the same time – Peter Keating, his fellow student, graduates with top honors and moves to New York.  The first half of the story is all about how Peter Keating’s career rises while Howard Roark is rejected by the System and he goes to work as a day laborer in a mine quarry and as a construction worker. 
The second half is all about how Howard Roark’s style of architecture is accepted and creates a new School of Thought. He creates a design secretly for Peter Keating which wins an architectural award by the same people who rejected Howard Roark. 


In the end, Howard Roark Wins. 

Towards the end of the book I almost believed that a Howard Roark existed. I was so fascinated by the idea of a single “man” revolutionizing an entire industry.

Whenever I heard about Steve Jobs or read about him – the picture of Howard Roark kept coming to my mind and I secretly believe Steve Jobs is Howard Roark!

Here is one man – who was instrumental in creating not one – but many industries.

1. The PC Industry

You and I would still be stuck with the ‘dumb’ terminals with green fonts had not the visionary Steve Job spotted the whizkid Steve Woznaik tinkering on a project.

2. CGI Animated Movies


Animation was just another special effect in a movie – until Pixar came along created those magical CGI animated movies.

3. Glamorous OS

It was love at first sight when I first saw Puma in 2001 – borrowed from NeXT OS. If you enter a wrong password the login dialog box would shake like a head refusing to accept the answer – an OS can be fun and elegant while still doing the OSy stuff. Was a convert from that day onwards.

4. Portable Music Device


iPod. What a simple elegant device ( except the fat nano ). Apple did not invent the hard drive based mp3 player, nor the clickwheel – but took them to the next level.

5. Online Media

People wrongly attribute the success of Apple’s Digital Media Offerings to iPod – but the secret is iTunes – it made the process of media consumption easy.

6. Podcasts


What will I do without them? Twit, Car Talk, Macworld podcast, TED Talks – all at my finger tips waiting to soak my brain whenever I run or for a long journey to kill time.

7. Smart Phones and Tablets


My Brother in law bought a Nokia smartphone in 2007 – it had a touch screen, a gyroscope etc. It was jerky and will freeze now and then. I liked the touch concept but did not excite me. Then came iPhone and elevated the SmartPhones to an entirely new level. And alongside the “App Industry”.

This man had Taste and Instinct like no other. He created multiple industries. He turned around Apple from the brink of death. He brought smile to millions of kids and adults. He inspired so many entrepreneurs to go against the current.

The world is a better place because of him.

In the end, Steve Jobs won.