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:
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 :
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 !
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.
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 :
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.
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.
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 !
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.
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 !
The art of Slowing Down 