Mindfully enjoying the sweat.

The pores in the head opened slowly and micro droplets were squeezed out. They merged to form a thin line of sweat that meandered slowly through the hairs. The many tiny rivulets flowing through the hairs gently massaged the scalp tickling it lightly and merged to form big drop. It poised gingerly on the top of the head, and as I took the next step, it rolled across the forehead rapidly, sliding down the nose then then gently falling into the road, a light moist spray touching the lips. The dry tongue longing for wetness darted from inside the mouth caught the spray spreading the salty taste of pure sweat across.

Like the wildebeests in the Masai river crossing waiting for one them to take the step across so that they can follow mindlessly, the other drops followed this drop, falling off the face from all directions. The tiny balls of sweat gently caressed the face, a blissful feeling that I did not want to wipe away with a handkerchief. It was wonderfully mindful and this continued for quite a few kilometres.

Running is not just about two feet and a Garmin with eyes darting at time and distance, it is about feeling every sensation, dispassionately observing it, becoming lost in time completely immersed with yourself.

The above was my experience on my 10km Thursday run at Tokyo, a warm and humid day, a maiden run in my new shoes. The New Balance Response 2.0 snugly fitted my feet, the soles more flexible and lighter than my Nike Pegasus 2 making the maiden run pleasurable.

Friday run turned out be cooler, in fact there was a mild drizzle, another relaxed 10k run, the last one in this trip before I head back on Sat. Not a bad week, with the mileage counter at 50km despite spending two days of the week in planes. Sayonara Tokyo.


OCT 1, 2016

Sketching by running

(Mar 30, 2014 - Headache recovery run  - 5.59km/33mins)

A bad headache on Sunday meant indoors most part of the day. The pain subsided when the sun set. And a good run was what I needed to clear up the head. A casual run criss-crossing the locality. Warm weather, sweaty run. Felt great. 5-Tibetians at the end. 

And don't you think that the run map picture looks like a (scary)runner in motion?

“Catch me if you can”

(Mar 31, 2014 : 10.06 km run in 1:06 hrs at 06:33 pace)

Being Ugadi festival today the roads were empty. Nice cycle ride to Cubbon Park! 8AM . A big German Shepherd chasing a small dog and the little guy was fast - it was "Catch me if you can". Well, the big guy could not manage to catch him. Delight to watch.

Along the road into the trail. Sunlight filtering through the trees, golden tubes drawing circles. Quiet cool wind. Run across a small metal bridge, it shudders. Fallen dry leaves. Just you and your fluid motion. Peace.Trail ends into the road. Circle the library, suck up the sun and then back onto the trail. Broken fluorescent tubes on the side. A stray plastic bottle. Bamboo arch welcomes you to a mini bamboo grove. Two more small bridges, no shudder though. Back on the road and into the park, two circles on cemented pavement, 10km done. Time to head home. A relaxed cycle ride back.

Do you see a dog sniffing in the run map picture?  (Tilt your head anti-clockwise)

"Ma can we go to the park and play?"

(Mar 28, 2014: 10.39 km run in 56 mins at 05:21 pace)

Crescent moon today too. But the star has moved to the centre of the crescent. I am late for the dog-walk. Moon goes home. As I step out for the run, see two young teens, in conversation. The boy holding a small teddy bear with a red heart. Enjoying the togetherness after the school exams, I presume. As I jog and turn, a young frisky puppy (my friend) with his master sees me and jumps. An energetic and happy 'Good Morning'. Love that. Smile, nuzzle him, and continue to run. Boys playing cricket in the ground. As I speed up, the batsman lofts the ball, it is a SIX and the ball lands near me.

Three circles around the park and then onto a longer stretch on the main road. And then the Sun spots me. He is there in full glory. As I near the turn on the main road, he rushes in through the trees on the road-side, making a beautiful golden arch and embraces me. Energised. 3KMS done.

Criss-cross into side streets, over rough jelly stones spread on the road under work. Cross the main road and run on the pavement. 300m of dancing on the uneven granite slab pavement soothes the legs. Greet a cyclist who is racing. Into the tech park and yet another date with the Sun. 7KMS done. U-turn with Sun warming my back. Long shadow in front, really long legs. If I could stride with those long legs, I will faster that a cyclist - That would be great!

Two young girls playing badminton on the street. Five dogs sprawled on the street basking in the warm sun. Two young puppies jumping up and down to their mother's head possibly asking her "Ma can we go to the park and play?", and the mother screws her head up- Sweet. Two ducks bobbing quietly in the lake. NikePlus announces 10KMS done.

Another KM and today's run comes to an end. My fourth consecutive 10KM.
Nice. 5-Tibetians is soothing. Off to office by bicycle.

Another nice morning. Have a great day!

"Run for the joy of running"

(Auroville Marathon : Feb 8, 2014. My first trail HM)

Auroville Marathon tag line is "Run for the joy of running". And this is what I did today. And naturally achieved my new personal best today - HM in 1:51 @5:15 pace.

Wave start for HM. I started with the first wave at 6:15. The Sun was peeking lazily, countdown started and we were off at the exact time. Sea of runners on a cement path initially and I slowly and steadily moved to the front. Then the trail showed up. Weather was nice and chilly, with a mist hanging to the trees. Around the 3km mark was a beautiful sight with the mist wafting and crossing just in front of me as if lovingly saying - "Please go ahead". A wonderful feeling and it showed in my pace being 5:05 at that time.

Amazing variety - uneven trails, muddy, sandy, stony, narrow trails, sharp turns, sun in the front and sometimes in the back, cold draft wind and suddenly warm draft, running over cow-gates, jumping over little walls designed to keep animals out, running on cement slabs, sharp u-turns. Legs constantly adjusting and nimble, eyes constantly scanning the trail not out of anxiety but out of curiosity and fascination and the body agile and dancing through the bushes, a lovely feeling of aliveness. "The joy of running".

Suddenly I find a lot of runners and was wondering where they heck they came from. And it dawned that they are the 10k runners who were routed through a shorter trail that joined with the HM later.

It was nice to see a distance marker every km, it was always a mystery as to where the next one would be , how many turns later.

Went through forest, living quarters area, city centre, pony centre, gardens, so many variations. A nice game of hide and seek with the sun, it came left, right, behind and in front. The wonderful variations of trail, scenery, sun kept me alive and in the moment while the legs rhythmically danced the way through.

Fantastic volunteers, cheering, smiling at every aid station that was every 3km. Was wonderful to see waste cups only in the dustbin, and not messing up the environment.

And the sea of humanity showed up and were cheering and I sprinted into the finish line with the HM clock showing 1:51. Surge of joy. My new PB! Also my fastest 10k in 52:01 and my fastest km at 4:55 today.

Stretched well and then had a tummy breakfast of Pongal/Vada with lovely tea. Two helpings and multiple cups of tea- heavenly.

"Run for the joy of running" - Thank you Auroville.

Happy photo after the run!

Auroville Picture Moment!

Catch the shadow run - Attempt #2

(Mar 26, 2014: 10.39 km run in 56 mins at 05:21 pace)

Squiggles in the neighbourhood around the park for 3 km and then an easterly straight run towards the fresh warm sun. Eyes on the sun, arms outstretched, deep breaths, sucking up cosmic energy - Feels great. Love the Sun in front. Sweat drops sliding slowly, glistening in the warm radiance, caressing the face. Simple pleasures.

As I turn back, the shadow teases me from the front. "Catch me it says". And I continue to chase. Armin van Buuren music fills me, arms and legs in a flowing rhythm with the music and 10km happens. Time runs out, I stop in the park. Shoes off, barefoot walk, stretches and back home with shoes in hand.

A lovely morning! Have a great day, my dear friends.

Trying to catch my shadow.

(Mar 25, 2014 : 11.02km run in 59mins at 5:22 pace)

A pacy run after resting on Monday - Great way to start the week! Love the morning Sun in front, the warm sun rays give me energy and my fastest km happened then - 4:54.
"I am fast when I can catch my shadow" - My new goal!

Smiley moon & the welcoming Sun

(Mar 27, 2014 : Morning run of 12.21kms in 1:08 at 5:33 pace)

A beautiful crescent smiley moon today with a lone bright star just below said "Good morning". My dog ack'ed with a big woof and off we went on a morning walk. Walk done, stretches and then commenced the run. Do not know why, right leg was slightly wooden. Steady pace for the first 5 kms (5:22-5:26 pace) scrawling the neighbourhood and then turned east to my morning date with the Sun. And there he was, waiting for me as I crossed the road. Bright & yellow, fiery yet soft, filling me. And he hid as I turned ran along the lake. Another fleeting glimpse as I entered the tech park area and 400 metres later, right in front. Bathing me fully in a radiant glow, warming me and softening my stiff leg.

A young kid of 3 years playing ball with his mom. Another tiny fellow in school dress running fast pulling the reel tape from a broken cassette. A dog basking in the sun. Two young girls playing badminton on the road. A young couple returning back after a jog. 8 km done. U-turn and sun warms my back. Soothing. Hide and seek with the sun for another one km. And then back to the park for a walk and cool down.

12+kms done, my third 10 in a row. Consistent pace between 5:22-5:32, perhaps due to a slightly stiff leg? My first 5-Tibetians today. Felt nice after doing it. Have a great day!