So...
2018 ended with a decent amount of mileage under my belt, including a few races.
2018 had been more or less consistent. I'd done a lot of running on my own. Usually went out on my own, in the wee hours. Kept a small journal, kept note on my progress. Did myriad runs, kept my focus on getting fitter and being injury free.
In Jan 2019, I did the half in Bombay (@TMM) and finished the running season with another half (@clubrun hyderabad) in feb. Improved my time too :)
I'd decided by then that i would not race anymore. S#it had happened in the preceding months and it had taken a mental toll. I'd decided that while i would try to keep my weight in control, i'd run / train to the best of my ability - but not push myself.
Also - life contrived to put my running itself on the back-burner.
I remember going for a Saturday run with Dr P, just before i started a new project. And then everything went downhill.
Work took precedence. I spent almost every waking hour at office. To say that it was hectic - would be an understatement.
Soon - not only was i not running - i was not even thinking of running. I couldn't even walk consistently.
Days and nights became a blur...a constant haze of work...from stumbling into problems, one after the other...from dousing one fire to another.
I put on weight. Significant weight. My face became swollen. Shirts and trousers didn't fit anymore. My three minute planks reduced and i could barely hold a minute, on the oft chance that i tried.
2019 passed and 2020 came.
Aw crap !
We all know that the world suddenly stopped spinning. And the year dragged and dragged...
A couple of weeks before Christmas, my C25K buddy called and said - will you walk 30K ? He'd just done it and was thinking of doing one more. He co-ordinated and said that a few of us can get together and just go walk :)
Now, trust me, when i say - 30K is a significant amount of distance and time. It also takes a toll on your body if you don't hydrate well and consume nutrients. It was daunting.
I spent some time thinking about it...and then thought, i'll walk a bit in the evenings and see if i have any stamina to cope. Turned out that i did ! I walked consistently for a few days...slowly but steadily.
We ultimately decided that we'd do 20K. Relief !
I wasn't sure of being able to wake up and go meet folks - work had been crazy and i wasn't sure if i got enough rest.
Apparently my body had other ideas :)
I ended up with hardly any sleep...and went out to meet them.
It was soooooo good to see them all. And off we went. It was as if nothing had changed in the past couple of years. We set off...and it was so simple to just go. Just like that.
Someone even said - who goes walking for four hours ? What's wrong with you ? It sounds insane !
Try it - sometime - with me :)
The beauty of it was...it was good company...it was chatting and walking...it was discussing families and kids and grandkids...it was as if the pandemic had evaporated for those few hours.
Ravi had cramps on the way back...Dr P helped stretch. I hope he continues on his amazing journey, unhindered.
I was happy on a personal level - i kept up :)
I kept up with the flag bearer - Sudheekar sir. He walks daily - at least 10K. Covered almost 4000 kms in the year, even with the pandemic. He avoids inclines, walks straight and walks fast. I kept up with him :) Hats off to the man !
Ultimately, i did only 15K. But it was a good walk. It included a stop at Taramti Baradari. It wasn't strenuous. It was...satisfying !
Its only been a few days since then... but i'm trying to begin again. Once more ?
I woke up early and went out - to try again.
Second day that i was out - i saw my C25K mentors out for a run. I folded my hands in salutation, from across the road... A sign maybe ;)
It's said - if you do something for 40 days - it becomes habit...
Day 1 : Dec 28 - 60 mins - 6K walk
Day 2 : Dec 29 - 60 mins - 6K walk
Day 3 : Jan 1 - 60 mins - 6K walk
Day 4 : Jan 2 - 110 mins - 11K walk
Day 5 : Jan 3 - 120 mins - 11K walk
Day 6 : Jan 5 - 80 mins - 6K walk 2K run
Let's see what the future holds...
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