The art of Slowing Down

Tag: half-marathon

  • Why I Kept Running, Part 2: Becoming the Runner

    Why I Kept Running, Part 2: Becoming the Runner

    Sree Padmanabhaswamy Temple, Thiruvananthapuram

    I ended the last part mentioning Jupiter — and its return that often signals a change. Jupiter takes around 12 years to complete its orbit, and looking back, I can clearly see those cycles play out in my life.

    Around 2001–2003, during 8th and 9th standard, I became physically fit, my academics shifted up a couple of gears. Then came 2013–2015 — another cycle. A shift not just in what I did, but who I was becoming.

    In 2013, by God’s grace, I got a call from IIST (Indian Institute of Space Science & Technology) — confirming my M.Tech seat in Machine Learning. The institute had close ties to ISRO and shared a campus with LPSC. For the first time, they opened admissions to students from non-ISRO backgrounds — and I was lucky to be one of them.

    That moment was the beginning of a new chapter. A shift in identity. And maybe, Jupiter was playing its part again.

    IIST Chapter:

    IIST Campus, Thiruvananthapuram

    From a working professional back to a student — surrounded by younger students on campus. And one advantage of doing a master’s after a job, is most of my seniors at college are juniors to me age wise. Having a decent bank balance along with a stipend gave me a rare kind of freedom as a student.

    That’s where running became my identity. I wasn’t the fastest runner, nor did I have the fittest body. But I ran — almost daily. And I was good, even compared to the younger ones.

    One morning, a security guard gave me a piece of advice that I still follow — ‘Keep your mouth closed while running, and breathe through your nose. I have followed it ever since, and I pass it on to others now.


    My First 10 km run : 

    First running shoes

    In the first year, there was an event called TrivandRUN. I decided to run 10 km for it — a big leap for me. I wanted to show off a bit in college — maybe for personal reasons and I motivated many others to join. We ended up arranging a college bus to go to Trivandrum city in the early morning ! Out of excitement — and being new to distance running — I overtrained the day before. My leg muscles cramped or got injured.

    The race started early in the morning. But just 500 meters in, I felt intense pain in my shins.  I had never experienced this kind of leg pain before. All my batchmates — who didn’t run regularly and were just testing it out — went past me. And I was walking, in pain. I desperately searched for a pain relief spray — but couldn’t find one nearby. Till around the 5 km mark ,I endured the pain — and I finally got the spray.

    How I ran the next 5 km is the reason why I am still running. 

    The way I sped up, crossed one by one. While I was in the flow, they were losing energy. Then I finished the race with a strong sprint at the end— and that’s when I realized: I had just warmed up.I could have run another round if I wanted to. And thanks to the organization of the event, I didn’t get a medal.

    Later, college sports events came up — and I really wanted to win a medal. But unfortunately, I had to leave for an internship at Philips in Bangalore, exactly a week before the event. And I accepted, a running medal from school or college may not be possible in this life. 

    Bangalore & Delhi Chapter : 

    Bangalore was even better for the running enthusiast in me. There were running events, and the weather was perfect. At that time, Sailesh and Pavan were my ‘occasional’ running buddies. And Manyatha tech park to Hebbal was my go-to route. 

    But my first official half marathon was at the Kochi International Marathon. It was humid — as Kochi usually is. I just wanted to complete it somehow. That’s it. I managed to finish my first 21 km in around 2 and half hours and got my first medal !

    First Half-marathon & First Medal

    Then I moved to Delhi. We were a group of four – Sailesh, Sundar, Sanoob- working together, traveling together! I didn’t register for any marathons that year, but we went through the capital roads around India Gate. Many solo runs around Sarita vihar. And exploration runs to the Lotus Temple, Humayun’s tomb, Tughlaqabad Fort, Yamuna River banks. 

    Bangalore Travel Circuit
    Delhi Travel Circuit

    Those two years made me a runner or not— but they definitely made me a traveller. Using Bangalore and Delhi as base camps, we roamed far, backpacks always ready.

    Pune Chapter :

    View from the Hinjewadi Ph 3 hills( monsoon), I lived in one of those white buildings.

    I came to Pune in an August and I remember the day well, I was welcomed by the drizzles in Hinjewadi. Hinjewadi felt more like Lonavla than Pune itself. Lots of hills nearby. Pleasant weather. Running uphill for sunrises were usual.

    Next Running wave:

    One of the most memorable was the Pune International Marathon. It was another endurance story — this time with a health scare thrown in.

    On afternoons, I used to feel very drowsy, I initially thought I was becoming lazy. Eventually, on doctor’s advice I took a blood test — and discovered that my Vitamin B12 levels had dropped close to 100. One reason might’ve been that over the last 8–9 years, I had turned eggetarian — and in the last 3-6 months, I’d stopped eggs also completely.

    Pune International marathon , overcame my fears

    Even with the fear of blackouts, I ran and finished that race. I remember crossing the finish line with tears of satisfaction in my eyes.

    Another time, I did another half marathon through Stone Ridge Valley through the parikrama route near Triambakeshwar in Nashik.

    Stone Ridge Valley, Trimbakeshwar , Nashik

    Then came the Pune Running Beyond Myself (PRBM-2017) event. I finished in 2:01 hours — my personal best till date.

    I was part of the Tata group, and it was a privilege to run Tata sponsored events. After many 10K & Half marathons now came the next step at the right time. Then came the Tata Mumbai Marathon in January — another half marathon and with it, I hit a sense of stagnation. It is the best marathon I have ran, mainly because of the supportive and encouraging crowd !

    1st Tata Mumbai half-marathon

    I could run 21 km comfortably anytime. Rajat was the occasional running buddy at that time. But something in me was ready for more.

    Breaking Barrier : Tata ultra 35km

    It was first edition of Tata ultra as it was also 150th year of Tata Group.

    Some pain you don’t choose. But this one — 35 km, uphill, uneven, unrelenting — I chose. I was ready to endure more pain.

    Since it was the the very first edition, less participants were there. The route was starting from the Lonavla junction, via the tiger hills, NDA , tung fort and ending near Tikona fort base.

    As I don’t have any pics, its chatgpt generated. Its beautiful to see sun slowly raising in front of you.

    The race started around 2-3 am with a head light. The terrain was definitely challenging, just after 5km into the race, I got the steepest climb I have ever run. It was cold at night as the chilly winds were doing their business. I could see the stars clearly. And as the sun beginning to warm up, I have finished the half way mark. Now I am able see the beautiful route!

    I felt strong till 30 km — then came the extra troubles. 35 km was tough given the terrain, but I managed it in 4:44 hours.

    In most of these runs, I had pain in my legs at the start — just like during my first 10km. But now I know: this too shall pass. I can endure it. After most runs I used to get cramps. I didn’t do any proper stretching at those times.  Marathons were  slowly getting mainstream within my circle.

    And just a week later, I thought — let’s push further. Maybe I was ready to endure more challenge & pain. And in one such moment, I registered for 50Km run ! Why would I do that !

    One book helped me in this journey, Born to Run by Chistopher McDugall . In fact, I kissed my feet after reading that book — how blessed we are, yet we so often forget to value it.

     I feel, Books don’t motivate you alone, you find the right books when you need motivation.

    That 50 km run — and a next day Hackathon finale at another city deserves its own chapter. And maybe, that’s what this blog series was really leading to. That one story, that I really want to tell you all, I’ll save for Part 3.

    This story began with running. But was it really about running?
    It was about what moved me — especially when I felt stuck.
    What reminded me — even in pain, even in silence — that I could still go further.

    I don’t know what your version of this looks like.
    It may not involve shoes or medals.
    But if there’s something you’ve been putting off — a habit, a conversation, a change, a hobby …

    Maybe you can start one step at a time !

  • Why I kept Running : Part 1

    Why I kept Running : Part 1

    Feb 23, 2024 – 9:53 AM

    I wrote this title first in my diary— it was ready, four years ago. But now… I’m not even sure I deserve to use it.

    After my last Tata Ultra 35 km run in February 2020, I haven’t done a long run! I’ve managed just a handful of 10 km runs — mostly to prove to myself that I still can.

    Right now, I’m feeling feverish, with a blocked nose.
    If this worsens… can I still run?  And not just any run — for Tata Ultra 2024 — just two days away.

    The route winds through the beautiful, yet punishing terrain of Lonavla. It starts around 2 AM when it’s cold— and I have a history of blackouts when I have fever.

    I walked into my room and looked at my medal hanger. Fourteen medals from 21+ km runs, and five from 10-km runs. All from years ago. Proof that I had done it once. Maybe I can still do it.

    Now the title feels off, since I really didn’t keep running in these past four years. Something I used to do — almost every day — just stopped.

    If I want to give excuses, here goes:

    First, I can blame COVID — two full years, gone. 

    Then came knee pain, ankle pain, and a locked neck and shoulder.

    And last year? I focused on flexibility. My legs always had tight muscles — yoga helped a lot.

    But beyond that… I want to look deeper. 

    I want to ask myself honestly :
    Why did I start running?
    Why did I keep running?
    What made me stop?
    And… What is still pushing me now?

    Indeed a good thought to have just before the run that is trying to intimidate me. 

    “ Do you remember your 1st run ? “ 

    The very first memory of me running  

    One of my earliest memories of running begins in primary school, in the army quarters of Allahabad. When the afternoon bell rang — just after the national anthem — I would dash straight home.

    I still remember those streets, and me racing back home with other kids. And the joy of reaching back to Amma (My mother) after a long school day — that was its own finish line.

    My first medal :  at St. Paul’s , Kottayi

    At school, I played a lot of games that involved running. One incident I remember very clearly — I was running at full speed with an imaginary steering wheel in my hand, turned sharply near a parked school van, and boom! Accident with another child.

    I paused for a moment. I was about to run again — but I saw a few older children and teachers rushing toward me. When I looked down, my cream school uniform had large patches of red along with my red tie. 

    They took me to a nearby clinic immediately. I got some stitches right above my right eye.

    Maybe that’s my first medal, that I still carry on my face. 

    Vyasa Chapter — 5th to 12th standard

    I always wanted to participate in running races. But at home I had bigger “hurdles” than one saw on the track. 

    There was a reason why Amma didn’t let me participate in school sports.  I had mild asthma as a child — especially during 3rd to 6th standard — and I had put on a lot of weight. She herself was a distinguished asthma patient, and didn’t want me to suffer the way she does. Also, Achan (my father)wasn’t with us then — she was my sole protector.

    One more thing — Amma also stopped me from going out alone because of my sudden blackouts. We consulted cardiologists, neurologists, and did many tests.  But they never figured out the exact reason why I fainted until recently in 2023. 

    So Amma had full responsibility and control over me. 

    She was even afraid to board a bus alone — how could she send me to school sports events in public transport? 

    But things changed. Later, after the 7-8th standard, I lost weight and gained height. I played football at school, cricket at home — and I didn’t face any breathing problems at all.

    Around the 8th or 9th standard, I once participated in a running race — 200m or 400m. In one of the trials, I came third, despite my shoe slipping off during the race. 

    I had qualified for the heats the next day… but Amma didn’t let me go to school that day!  

    I always admired my friends Pradeep, Kailash who could sprint and the other ones who did cross-country from school to Melamuri.  But I never did it myself at school time. Years later, during COVID, I finally ran those same routes — to silence the regret.

    But Amma ensured that I crossed the academic hurdles in my schooling life, without which I won’t be the person that I am today. 

    Vadakara Chapter

    After getting into my then dream of Engineering through a merit seat, Hostel life began at Kurunthodi in Vadakara.

    Until 11th, I was fairly well-built, thanks to Achan’s push-up masterclass. Then came 12th board studies and entrance exam preps — and I put on some weight.

    As part of ragging, one senior — who himself had a bigger tummy — pointed at mine! That’s when I realised I had one too. From that point onward, I got more involved in workouts, games, and gym.  We also played a lot of cricket and volleyball.

    We walked a lot — none of us had a bike. Running was uncommon — maybe I wanted some company. Now, to the main topic: my first group run, probably in the 2nd or 3rd year of college.

    I was the most excited — I planned and organized everything. One fine evening, we decided to wake up early the next morning and run to college hill. Rajeesh, Nikhil, Naveen, Shyjith, Rahul— they all joined. At that time, I didn’t even have sports shoes — most of us ran in slippers.

    We might have ran just 2 kms, but as we reached the intersection before the climb started, I vomited. Maybe because I ran on an empty stomach. Nikhil stayed back with me. Everyone laughed — not to mock me, but in that harmless, hostel-fun way. But that first run meant something.

    “In Vadakara, I felt like I was becoming myself, cut off from home. But it was in Ahmedabad that I truly started discovering who I am…”

    Ahmedabad Chapter — The Slow Start

    I wanted to spend time with Achan.  That was clear to me by the time I finished B.Tech.

    And I didn’t want to follow the usual IT route everyone was taking. Before the end of 4th year, Achan said, “Come to Ahmedabad. We’ll figure it out.” And honestly, it turned out to be a great time.

    I was clueless about my career and didn’t know what I wanted to do next. But those 8–10 transformative months in Ahmedabad helped me become who I am today. I explored whether I should do an MBA, as Achan had suggested. I started reading mainly to improve my vocab. But the very first book “The Alchemist” flipped something inside me — a real ‘UNO reverse’ moment. I didn’t want an MBA – I wanted to work in ISRO ! Those books reshaped the way I thought about life. I started going on long walks and having deep conversations with myself. 

    In one such walk, I walked over 10 km in a single stretch. 

    Life moved on. I got a job at Adani Gas — where Achan was also working. I got a first-hand taste of the corporate world. I started to drift — and rethink my choices. Achan pushed for an MBA — from his experience, that felt like the obvious step.  But I was more inclined toward research, even though it wasn’t a popular or “glamorous” career path back then. Along with my job, I prepared for JEST/GATE to get into Masters/PhD. 

    But Amma always supported me — whatever I chose. She didn’t have much exposure to these paths, but her intuition and emotional understanding were great. She trusted both me and the gods she prayed to.

    This phase of confusion and tension led me to running. Sometimes before or after work, I would run — or at least walk long stretches. Alongside, I did push-ups and pull-ups.
    That running or walking time was my self-talk time. I had questions, doubts, frustration.

    Running helped clear my mind. It became my form of meditation.

    End of Part 1 : Not the End, Just a Pause

    I didn’t write this to glorify medals or distances. I wrote it to understand why I even began — and why I still feel the urge to challenge myself.

    The answer isn’t simple. But maybe it’s hidden somewhere here — in these scattered memories, across places and years.

    In one of my earlier blogs, I had explored the connection to astrology. Interestingly, the next phase of my journey — at IIST — unfolds alongside a new Jupiter cycle.


    And they say, when Jupiter returns, we meet our next version.