Baby Steps Towards Climate Change @ Copenhagen

If you browse any newspaper, magazine, or news channel, you will be inundated with “the Copenhagen” news. In case, you are not aware of it, it’s the international platform, to save the planet for ours next generation, through political dialog and agreement. The international politics of “Carbon emission” is on a full swing. God knows what will be its outcome of this "climate change" summit.

What is it's significance here? Why does one care about it? How someone’s lifestyle has an impact on it? Many people today may not be aware of it, but in one line, it would be sufficient to say, in case we don’t take right measures now, then Mumbai might be there under the sea in the next millennium. I mean, the "global warming" will melt the glaciers and the sea level will rise to wipe out a few more cities.

Believe me or not, we can bring equal subtle change than our leaders at “Copenhagen”. To start with, let’s just walk/cycle while going to nearby places rather by bike or car. It will not only help us to do some workout (as we don’t have enough time for the same), but a small step (in our own way) towards reducing “carbon footprint”

Having started with that, I acknowledge, we don’t have the right infrastructure in our cities or towns to support this. However, if we start pursuing such endeavors, I am sure we will have a better life, better city in few years down the line. The change will come.

Walking/Cycling is a baby step on the right direction in mitigating “carbon emission”. Let’s follow it!

Why do you like long-distance running?

"I like the challenge of endurance running. You're one-to-one with your body, consciously pushing against your limits to overcome fatigue, to push yourself further. Running is a challenge for my body."

- WOLFGANG KETTERLE, PH.D, The Nobel Prize-winning physicist from MIT talks about his 2:50 marathon and how running helps him stay at the top of science.

Further reading on this @

http://www.runnersworld.com/article/1,7124,s6-243-410--13337-0,00.html

When STARs descend on the road

It’s been a winter morning… a bit chillier than the previous years… We all got up at 5.15am after a long time, beating the laziness that crept in us for some time. There is a sense of enthusiasm as Vikas bhai came from Bangalore to run in Hyderabad 10K. When such determination/enthusiasm is there, laziness can’t rule, not to get up at 5.15AM.

We reached near the venue in-time, meeting the early sun. Hyderabad was yet to wake up except those running enthusiasts. And, to our surprise, when we reached, thousands of runners had already been warming up. The excitement was in the air, and those high octane music thrilling the environment.

The run was yet to start but we started running within, the boy in us was taking full control of our persona…few more known faces appeared in the jungle of rain-bowed human beings. There we spotted Gopichand.

Finally, the 10K was flagged off, and there we were, among the thousands, hitting/heating the road. Then we spotted, not just the hyderabadis but few stars, who had descended on the roads, and one could easily took notice of those crowds around them, especially those kids. Either it was Alu Arjun or Milind Soman, you can easily take note of them, for they were surrounded with frenzy running groups.

The weather was very good, no runner ever could complain of. As you move further and further, the density of crowd got slimmer and slimmer. But as the finish line approached, the lost energies got rejuvenated, few more meters and there was nothing seen except the finish-line….and the sense of achievement just got over the pain…

It’s not fair to say there was no pain though. But when you see hundreds of smile of achievement, and when you see penta and heptagenerians complete before you, the sense of pain just becomes a motivation for next time with better preparation, not just to finish but to win over one’s own body, the unspoken promise that I will run faster, better and longer – if not for ego, but for living a better and healthier life.

(I took 64 minutes, Tutu bhai 87 minutes and Bikas bhai 81 minutes for Hyderabad 10K)

Have you registered for hyderabad 10K?

The registration for Hyderabad 10K is now open. It’s scheduled on Nov 22 (Sunday). It’s a great way to start/resume your running/jogging/walking instincts/habits  It feels great to reach the finish line with 1000s of people of all ages, and genre.

For practice/preparation you may start walking/jogging around a park nearby your place. That will make it easier for your RUN on the D-Day.

If you think, 10K or 21K is a bit too much, let me assure you - YOU CAN!

It’s more fun with your family. Just give a try, you will never regret it!!!

Below are the links for further information.

You can have general info here:

http://www.hyderabad10k.com/10kruns_info.php

You can register online here:

http://www.hyderabad10k.com/10kruns_registration.php

TOI Article:

http://epaper.timesofindia.com/Default/Scripting/ArticleWin.asp?From=Archive&Source=Page&Skin=TOINEW&BaseHref=TOIH/2009/10/29&PageLabel=16&EntityId=Ar01605&ViewMode=HTML&GZ=T

India's oldest long distance runner completes 96th marathon

Washington, Oct 12 (IANS) India's grand old long distance runner Ashis Roy has completed his 96th marathon, chipping 11 minutes from his previous timing in the Baltimore marathon, his eighth marathon in North America in six months.
'It was a good run and I felt very happy,' an elated Roy told IANS on phone after completing the race, formally known as the Baltimore Running Festival Saturday with a timing of six hours and 25 minutes.
Running on a beautiful cool and cloudy day over the 26 mile course with several ups and down, Roy - at 77 the oldest of 4400 participants in the full marathon - clipped 11 minutes from his timing of six hours and 36 minutes in Rochester marathon last month.
His timing at Baltimore, where he ran the last mile in his quickest time of 14 minutes, was even better than the 6 hours 33 minutes to finish second in the 70 plus age group in the Self Transcendence Marathon at Rockland Park, near New York City in August.
Dr Roy, who plans to run two more marathons in the US next month in his quest for 100 was particular happy at the response of other participants, officials and bystanders watching the race.
'You are an amazing person; a great example to the young,' they said as they clapped and cheered Roy along the route and at the finishing line,
Roy, who is listed in the Limca Book of Records and has, to date, competed in 20 countries outside India, including the International Veterans Marathon in Athens in 1986, has run ten marathons this year, two in India, six in the US and two in Canada.
His next run would be in the Marine Corps Marathon in Washington DC on Oct 25.
The seasoned marathoner would be competing in one more marathon in the US next month before returning to India for his 13th run this year and topping it off with his 100th marathon in Mumbai on Jan 17, 2010.
Roy began running marathons at age 52 when he retired as a cardiologist working with the Indian Air Force. He has also penned a self-published book called the 'Joy of Running'.


http://in.news.yahoo.com/43/20091012/377/tsp-india-s-oldest-long-distance-runner.html

P.S: I met him during Mumbai Marathon this year

Some motivation: Hail Lance Armstrong

Nike Commercial of Lance Armstrong

Lance in Tour-De-France 2001

Lance in Tour-De-France 2003

Finally some lines from his book: "Every second counts"

"The world is full of people who are trying to purchase self-confidence, or manufacture it, or who simply posture it. But you can’t fake confidence, you have to earn it, and if you ask me, the only way to do that is work. You have to do the work, and that’s how the 2000 campaign started, with backbreaking work."

"I better wake up every morning fresh and know that I have just one chance to live this particular day right, and to string my days together into a life of action, and purpose."

“Fame is an intrinsic negative. People respond to you based on their preconceived notion of you, and that puts you at a continual disadvantage"

"With success came the problem of celebrity, and how not to be distorted by it. But fame, I learned, is an isotope, and it’s not good for you"

Tour-de-medchal

NH-7 is empty in the early morning.

Starting point – JNTU bus stop on NH9 (junction of KPHB road and Bombay highway)
Starting time – 6:00 am
Route - http://www.gmap-pedometer.com/?r=2755580 .
(JNTU -> BalaNagar -> Bowenpally -> Medchal Road -> Kompally -> Medchal -> back to NH9 via Medak road (MAYTAS hill county, Bolarum). This is a 56km route. )

We started at 6AM exacty from JNTU junction, finally we reached at Miyapur cross-road around at 9.15AM...It's a good route overall.

Running Tips from the Expert

Here is the summary of the email from an Expert Sports Physician. He was the doctor for the Indian Hockey Team, Cricket Team, currently for the Deccan Chargers.

Dear friend-runners, some important information I would like to share with all of you. During 20 years of my experience, I have seen many runners and players with lot of enthusiasm train very hard but unfortunately end-up their ruuning career abruptly with injuries.

Reasons are very simple;
- Excess training;
- Too many goals in too short time to achieve
- Not considering the conditioning needs of the body
- Not considering the age and the inherent disabilities that every individual has
- Not giving adequate rest and recovery between the races

Here are few tips to think about

- Run only 4-5 days a week
- Do knee and back conditioning exercises 2-3 times a week for the rest of life
- Respect every small injury and allow it to recover completely before you resume training which should be very gradual in nature
- Hear your foot contact sounds during running - should be smooth and similar on both feet
- Try to reduce the impact of feet on ground which helps in running economy
- Periodization; that means, plnning of training in relation to time available before races- important.

You are most Wellcome to contact me if you need any help;
Run careful---Run for Life

With Profound regards,
Prof. Dr S Bakhtiar Choudary Maj (Rtd)
D.Litt (Colombo)
MD (Sportsmedicine). Senior Consultant Sports medicine, Ergonomics and
Obesity
Founder member : British Society for Heart failure
Working Group member : European Society Of Cardiology
President : Indian Association of
Occupational Health (AP)
President : Indian Federation of Sports
medicine (AP)
Consultant : Microsoft India Development
Centre
Address
Hyderabad Spine Clinics
770 A , Defence Colony ,
Sainikpuri , SECUNDERABAD-500 094
+91 40 27113853
+91 9849136940www.hyderabadwellness.com
sbakht...@hotmail.com


More views:
A good list by the Prof. In addition to these I would also add:
- Run as much as you can on softer surfaces, like trails or dirt roads.
- Be careful when you increase your mileage. A very slow gradual increase is best.
- You cannot become a good runner overnight. Your body needs time to adapt to the stresses you place on it.

Riding Great Uphill at Filmnagar

In my first attempt, I failed to go across the first part of the FilmNagar hill of the three parts uphill on the road that joins filmnagar (near Jubilee hills) to old Mumbai road. I was riding the SS cycle Volcano model. After reaching certain height, it just got stopped. I had to walk through the entire uphill that may range around 500 mts with three major steep inclinations.

I tried on a gear bike, hero hawk, with a goal; at least to go till the second part of the uphill…I took some inputs from Atul who had already ride that uphill many times. He was going ahead of me, and I moved gradually, putting that little extra effort before reaching the first steep, and changed the gear at the right time, and could come over the first stage of the hill…now the second steep rise was just 40 mts away, I took some rest on the bike and then started pulling, and with second gear I could pull up the second uphill, and the third one was just nearing, and the killing one - the toughest, I spent most of my energy in the first two…I was literally out of breadth, and I pulled hard and reached near the summit but then just gave up…before 5 meters to go to reach on the top…

Though I achieved the goal for the trip, yet felt bad, for couldn’t make it after reaching the summit…and just missed in a whisker…But it was a good experience in riding the Hills, it needs not just strength but right planning on conserving energy.

My First Mumbai Full Marathon Experience

You may have heard about the Mumbai Marathon- SCMM’09. I thought of running half marathon there (21.1KM) in august-08. But the registration for half marathon was over after a few days it opened. So I had to register for the FULL marathon (42.2KM). I ran two half-marathons last year 2008 and a few more long runs in and around KBR Park, but never thought of a full marathon till end of 09.


Finally I set my mind for the FULL one after Hyderabad half marathon.
I knew it would be tough without much training. I was eager to run with my fellow colleagues, who have already run 5+ full marathons.

However, this one was so special in many ways. First, it was too challenging for the humidity and temperature in Mumbai. Second, it was my first full run (my longest was 26KM in KBR Park). Thirdly, it was in Mumbai and some say it's THE best marathon in ASIA, the only international marathon in India, and finally for the fear that engulfed too many this year post 26/11, for security reasons. It was an attempt to show the solidarity to mumbaikars.

In a beautiful early morning of 18th Jan 2009, it started at 6.45AM from the CST, and we are thousands on the road. The sun was yet to rise. We crossed Church gate, flora fountain, then touched the marine drive, took turn at Hotel TRIDENT (the victim of 26/11), and it continued through Hazi Ali. The first 22KM was easier. I took 2 hours 20 minutes to reach near Ganapathi temple, finally the 24KM came at Bandra, there we took the U-turn, and more 18KM were there. It was around 10AM and sun started to be a bit cruel.

I was running constantly till 30KM mark with an avg speed of 8-9K/hour. And by then, I have reached the longest run. My whole body was denying me to proceed, another 12KM to go!!! I just pushed a little and little, and went easy, it seemed as if 1KM is quite longer then it used to be. Finally came to 38KM and then on to the marine drive. It was around 11AM, so the sun has come over the head, too much of heat and humidity. Quite a challenge, I was just thinking how to put the next step, the cramps has started on the thigh muscle, and there were enough people to cheer besides the road. The whole body was jammed. And, I continued gradually, looking many co-runners, coercing each other, reminding our self all the positivity that we had, yes this 4KM will also be gone, and we will reach the FINISH LINE. The human spirit was the only thing that kept me going. I was just thinking - I have to go anyway, if my legs are cramped, let me drag myself but I have to reach the finish line, and finally I reached the target at 11.52AM after the struggle of 12KMs. I went for a sprint for the last 100mts, and crossed the finish line fulfilling the goal that I set a year and half before. I took 4 hours 58 minutes and 21 seconds to complete the 42.2KM distance.


The best part of this run was the people of Mumbai. I have heard and read a lot about them, but experienced it first time. There were many people besides the road in the entire 42KM track, who cheered, clapped and shouted RUN Mumbai RUN, Run India RUN, and kept shouting 1631 (my chest bid number) you can do it! There were kids, girls, men and women of all ages. They provided water, fruits, soft drinks, appies, and fruties to the runners. Kids extended their hands to handshake. There was more excitement in their cheering, and smiling.

It was a great experience indeed and the hardest thing that I have ever done till date, I will remember it for the rest of my life, not only as my first marathon of my life but also as my first visit to Mumbai :-)

Believe me, it just needs a trigger, then you can really feel it, RUN is more FUN than its PAIN, Not only for a healthier life but also your self confidence. I wish, one day I will run alongside you :)

First Step For Running

Running is the best form of exercise. If you have NOT started running...just try once..going to your nearby park...early in the morning...Just once for fun/for a try!
I am sure you will love it :-)

For more information as a starters, you can browse through http://www.runningandliving.com/

Happy Running!