The TCS New York Marathon

https://medium.com/@SKolhatkar/the-tcs-new-york-marathon-662300abf707#.m4581wtjd

The Bench, The food and The Rainbow

The hike today was so inspiring that I just had to write about it. To cut a long story short, I rediscovered my love for long hikes about ten days ago when I went with two college friends for a 10.5 mile hike after probably 15 years or more. The last long hike in my mind was Half Dome which was before my seventeen year old was born. That's not to say I didn't want to hike. Its just that I got into just running, then injuries and of course the children and not wanting to leave them for extended periods of time. Fortunately, I am at a point in time in life where my children want their time to themselves on weekend mornings, where my husband is either sleeping or playing cricket and where I am learning to enjoy my breaks as real breaks without letting myself getting stressed about todos and worrying about too many social engagements. Also, my injuries became an endless saga, the last of which was an eight month physical therapy period from December 2014 to August 2015 during which time, I made some changes to my workouts, weight and food. It also meant that I didn't want to regress so even though I will try running a bit once in a while, it is far from being my primary focus. So, when this friend (who took to running 5 or 6 years back) suggested a Mount Diablo hike with another of our college friends, I was like lets do it. 

I did make sure that I bought myself a new pair of hiking shoes before that first long hike. After all, I can't fit into the ones I had from fifteen years ago and shoes can make or break sometimes. Decided to go to REI and check with their expertise. Given that I have been using Hokas for running and love them for the past year or so, the person suggested I try the Hoka hiking pair. I just fell in love with them despite their sticker price being way above the next likeable pair. It turned out to be well worth it. What I found from my friends was that it is better to have hiking poles. I know my younger me would have pooh-poohed the idea but the more mature me is trying hard to comply. And boy, did those poles save my knees on the way down. So my resolve was to buy myself a pair of those before the next hike.

Having this December break is great and I was glad to be in town this time to be able to enjoy some time around (I even managed some spring cleaning in the house and garage). So, none of our other friends could join us and Bala and me decided we would do the Los Trancos Trail in Foothills Park. She had told me it would take about 4 hours. So I had mentally come prepared for it. We decided to get there by 8 around the time the park opens in winter. It has been unusually cold in the bay area and even though this morning was probably 32 versus 28 degrees Farenheit, it was of course freezing. Layering up was essential. Unlike on a run though when one warms up in the first few minutes and the recommendation is to dress for 10 degrees warmer than it should be, during a hike, one needs to layer up a bit more. However, I hate wearing a jacket and then having to lug it around for most of the time. So I try and layer up in dri-weave clothing. A headband and gloves were essential for the first part. The meadow where we parked and from where the trailhead is, was full of frost. The rays of the winter sun peaking through made for a wonderful start to the hike. 

And so we started all bundled up. I had new poles that I hadn't tested nor figured out how they fit. So I struggled through the first uphill, while fitting them. At some point, Bala realized what I was doing and pitched in. At that point, we realized I had dropped the bottom part of one of my poles. I was ready to just move on with one but Bala insisted that we go find the piece, saying these were new and we can go back. These were shiny blue ones so I knew it should be easy to spot. It did mean though that we were going downhill all the way and would have to reclimb the hills. Did spot it well before we hit the bottom again and then realized one of the poles was missing this black little piece that holds the bottom pieces in place. So having fixed one pole, we started back up and right around where we had stopped, I managed to spot the fallen black piece. Bala helped put that back and we were really off. 

There are times when going alone is fun to have time to oneself and there are days like this where having company is great when we could share and admire the beauty around us together while having a myriad of conversations. It is certainly not just time well spent but also great therapy with the beauty and serenity around us. Not running meant we could really admire all the flora in the environment, appreciate the fact that we had received enough rain that our surroundings were all green and we were able to see flowing water as well as listen to the water falls at some points, while taking in some breathtaking views. There were a number of different species of mushrooms along the way and I captured only a few. I am still fascinated by how well just a phone camera can take photos because I was so used to carrying my SLR on these long hikes.

Here are some pictures along the way:

One of the early views

The Dish seems not so high and far away at this point

The most powerful waterfall

Probably one of the most tranquil moments, hearing nothing else but the waterfall

So, one of the things that Bala and I had chatted about the previous night was about carrying food and water. We obviously had our own water bottles, and both being runners, used to carrying gu with us for energy. However, the previous night, Bala had said she would carry enough food for us both. I was wondering if we really needed food along the way and she had said that it would be really nice to sit up top on this bench and eat before we started our downhill. I was indifferent in the sense that it would be good to eat but I didn't care either way. So a little before we reached the top, when I had stopped to admire a view and take a picture, Bala again stated that I should just wait and see till we got to the top. She asked me a few times along the way about food and each time I was like no, I am fine. At which point, this whole thing of reaching the bench and eating there was great anticipation. "The Bench" as we were now referring to it periodically seemed to me one of those funny things. 

As we went along rather merrily, we realized we were just a fraction away from "The bench" which we spotted from the other side of the trail on the opening. 

Almost as soon as we reached there, Bala started unpacking the food which she had so carefully put together and carried from home.

Bala on the bench unpacking the food

As we sat down to eat and absorb our surroundings, we realized that we were facing the most wonderful rainbow across the sky right in front of us. The rainbow stayed long enough for us to take pictures of the rainbow and selfies with the rainbow, deciding that we should call it the halo around our heads. We also decided that it was a safe spot to take the selfie :)

The bench not only lived upto its hype, it was installed there by a loving husband in memory of his wife of 50 years, which is probably why it was so special. I told Bala that was the tastiest boiled potato I had ever had in my life and once rejuvenated, we started our downhill which was not just awesome for earning it, but also because it was inspiring to run into a senior couple, one of whom was easily at least 80 years old and who had walked uphill for 2 miles, and were picnicking on a log along the trail. 

Towards the end of the hike, I almost stepped on this little guy who was scared but stayed around long enough for us to take a couple of pictures.

Walking back to the car, stretching before getting in and then driving back, thinking about the rainbow, the bench, eating the food there and thinking of all the serene beauty around us all made for a wonderful last hike of 2015 for us. Here's to many more to come!

BITS 85 SJM

As I sit in Mumbai at my parents' sipping my first cup of chai after almost a week of spending time just with friends, almost oblivious to the fact that we all have these parallel, responsible lives without families, wanting to write, not knowing where and how to start.

How can you compress almost 30 years of friendship in a few lines? How can you capture that magic where one starts a line and it is completed in everyone's heads and they have started laughing as you start? How can you capture those moments when you know that you would like time to stand still? How can you capture the moment of what you felt as you saw your home of four years after a gap of twenty five, the four being no ordinary ones, but ones where you built the deepest, most lasting relationships, ones that you had no idea would last for a lifetime, ones that you would build upon, ones that you just took off from where you thought you had left off not knowing whether or not you had a chance to reconnect? If not anything, this reunion proved that the relationships run even deeper and if not anything have become way stronger, as well as newer relationships have been built.

Don't get me wrong. We all missed our families and I certainly hope each one was extra nice to them upon getting back. I know that I owe my family big time and have to make up to them in more ways than one.  However, that was to be done for a once in a lifetime event. Life is too short to think about well, maybe we can meet them tomorrow. This would not happen again in Pilani for another twenty five years and it was wonderful that almost two hundred of us made it.

A few months back I wrote about what it was like to get back in touch with my batch mates and saluted them. As I look back to those months and weeks and days of planning and anticipation to the SJM, I had no idea just how difficult it would be to say bye to folks (and I did avoid a lot of goodbyes yesterday - my apologies but that was the only way I could have got through a highly emotional day without falling apart). It didn't matter whether or not there was an occasion to have 1:1 talked, find out what everyone was doing. It didn't matter whether someone was a CEO or a Venture capitalist or a corporate worker. Our relationships surpass those superficial barriers and stay frozen in time.

For several of us, the dream started in Hyderabad, with the Shaadi party and the train ride. The Hyderabad hosts had planned the party meticulously. LV's house made the perfect lunch setting while Jun's restaurant made the perfect setting for the Shaadi party with Saucy's idea of the floral arrangements to go with the theme, as well as the Charminar as a backdrop and typical Hyderabadi food to go with it. Everyone obliged by dressing up for the occassion, even guys who otherwise wouldn't have done so. The dance floor was a super hit but that is where I lost my voice.

Boarding the train the next day was a blast from the past. The gathering at the platform, the look of the train, the loading of bags, the moving of folks from our bogie so we got an entire one to ourselves (thanks Sharat for toiling on that along with Gandhi's charm as well), the snacks that were packed for everyone, all of it was a recipe for a smashing success.

I had no idea what to expect as I started on this journey of SJM planning. It continued into the days in Pilani where I found myself being posed with questions I had never thought would be needed to be answered. It showed the level of engagement and involvement that each one brought in. Some people made every effort to come - international travellers who flew in on Thursday and flew out on Sunday night, those who came for 24 hours or less, it was just very rewarding to see that. I had to use every inch of my reserve to prevent an emotional breakdown at several stages right from the time I met people in Hyderabad to the time I said goodbye to several (even though I avoided many byes), to the number of thank yous and great things said, all of which had my brain trained for emotional restraint for fear that I would be a wreck the entire time in Pilani and I just wanted to laugh the entire time without a care.

The train journey was eventful to say the least. We managed to survive it, and reach Delhi not just in one piece, but smiling away and super excited for the short bus ride to the hotel. I have never been so happy to see a five star hotel with its amenities, and a very clean set of restrooms. I felt civilized for sure. This stretch was an emotional challenge meeting folks as they opened the mementos.

The party that evening was a blast. Of course, the organized games did not go on track as planned, especially because managing a 150 strong 45+ year old crowd is far from easy. It did not matter in the least bit because folks did break the ice and then the DJ was awesome with a slideshow running continually in the background for effect :) The dancing, energy and buzz at the party was simply fantastic.

The warnings that buses were leaving did pay off. The buses were loaded on time. It is challenging to get such a large crowd (almost 200) ready and boarded on time but it was extremely helpful that at every step of the way people were such good sports.

The bus journey together did set the stage, even though the party before that was fantastic. Riding in the bus with your friends, checking out the sights, laughing and talking, counting down the miles till the last few minutes, when we burst into our anthem song for the reunion, "Pyaar Hume....", it was as though the dream had indeed started coming true.

When we entered campus together, it was as though our brains are trained to act like 18-20 year olds. We broke several rules, we had a lot of fun, we felt very young again, we might have done some crazy things. But we also played basketball games, we went for a 5K walk/run and we visited the temple.

Starting from the party in Delhi (and for more than 60 of us, the party in Hyderabad) to the time we bade goodbye at the Radisson in Delhi, it was a treat which we all seemed to deserve - leaving aside all the baggage we carry day to day whether at work or home in our respective lives with a million issues we deal with on a daily basis, this was a complete break-away from it all.

Yes, we were building up to the event, yes we had been planning it for months, yes we knew we would have a blast, but no amount of planning could prepare us for the range of emotions that engulfed us for that period of time together. It was way beyond my comprehension. I laughed so hard and for such long periods of time and right through for so many days, it made up for any laughs I may have really yearned for through those missing years.

Yes, there were periods of frustration, not exactly frustrations but patience limits, while planning for the SJM. We knew it would all be worth it and the 85 batch did not let us down. Everyone was simply amazing - the level of participation at each event just blew me away - everyone was either playing the basketball game, or was in the stands as a spectator, almost a hundred folks woke up and showed up at 7 a.m. for the 5K walk/run after karaoking the night away till the wee hours of the morning, almost everyone showed up and participated by talking to the current students, almost everyone sang and took part in the music nite festivities with our star performers.

Yes, I know I missed a couple of my closest friends who did not make it and that would have made the reunion absolutely perfect but life is full of imperfections and will continue to be that way.

Venu organized a tea/coffee stall with Cafe Coffee day which was a fantastic treat for all. The local kitchen made chai whenever we wanted some.

Alagu, thanks to his company, Blue Jeans and their technology, live streamed two of the events - the faculty felicitation and the music nite. It was a fantastic way to engage those who couldn't make it physically and they felt really good about the participation as well.

Frozen in time is a double edged sword - it is an extremely emotional moment to come to Meera Bhavan and see that the facade looks just the same, that when one goes to climb the stairs to one's first year room, one sees the concrete steps with cracks and dents in the exact same spots, one sees the same colours. The downside is that one feels really sad that the current students don't have better living arrangements in spite of the enormity of the fees. The temple frozen in time was a good thing - to feel that cold marble under one's feet, to look out to the institute (which probably looks best from that distance),

We weren't listening to the peacocks, we were so busy sharing laughs with each other, that I have no idea if they still screech like crazy at 3 a.m. The roads look the same more or less, the institute building and Cannaught looked the same more or less (other than hoardings for Airtel and Vodafone, etc). In terms of visiting our favorite haunts or doing our most memorable things, it wasn't quite possible, as someone said too much to do with too little time on hand. It didn't matter because the people who mattered were there.

The first BITS girls' basketball team (85) got to play with the current students. The 5K walk/run marked a milestone in participation and in the increase in tolerance levels on campus with accommodating girls for such events. Bhattu led a post run stretch with professional ease. The karaoke night had many folks participating, whether it was Bollywood numbers or classic rock. We got to hang out in Sky, eat paneer maggi and drink milkshakes at Blue Moon, eat Nagarji's rabadi (though I suspect it did impact my digestion), eat the Sunday special lunch at the RPA mess, interact with the students in more ways that one, eat some really delicious meals at the guest house and have fun to our hearts' content.

Many folks had talked about the new institute, which was as beautiful as we had seen the pictures to be. We had the faculty felicitation there. We also walked through, with several of us sitting through classes. We had a live streaming of the event in that beautiful auditorium.

Upon our return to Delhi, I must admit that the very hotel lobby that I had thought was brilliant after the train ride seemed so mundane and sterile and too civilized. It felt like - why can't I break through these shackles? Oh well, reality had to be faced.

At least four people asked me the origin of my nickname - it was rather amusing because the perception was very different from reality and it was quite a revelation to me as well. It was great that people asked even if it took them 29 years to do so - showed me the comfort level :)

There are several people to thank to make this all come together, whether in front of or behind the scenes (in no particular order). I will try to list them all and if I inadvertently miss your name, please excuse me.

- SDG aka Sanju
- Arvi
- Bala
- Muthu
- Rajesh
- Ranjan
- Papa
- LV
- Manas
- Blow
- Vijay Anand
- Spy
- Vochak
- Terry
- Alagu
- Venu Madhav

Several of you came forth with their own strengths - you all have a range of talents and it is that rainbow of diversity that makes it such a special event. The biggest thank you though is to all of you. Without the participants with your level of enthusiasm, all the planning in the world can be rendered useless.

Of course, there were a couple of mistakes. Mistakes are bound to happen. Things cannot be 100% perfect. But you all went with the flow. You forgave us those couple of things (we will make up for the same) and you all provided us our laughs.

Lastly, I want to mention the unity and support that our batch has shown towards Seema Sood's cause for the BITS 85 Helping Hands fund.  We received cheques and cash (both in INR and USD) during the time there. Almost everyone took a pledge to donate generously for the cause by picking up a cap. It would be very useful for us to actually know how much each of you is pledging - it is private - as in not known to the rest of the batch, just three of us working on the drive. So if you haven't done so already, please go to the pledge form.  There are those who had to cancel their registrations at the last minute who just gave the entire amounts to the fund whether it was Rs. 20,000 or Rs. 35,000.

Several new relationships were formed, while existing ones strengthened. As someone remarked, we have all gone back with a range of emotions, but mostly lots of happiness at having reconnected at one of our favorite places on earth. If we could just bottle up all those memories and get them out when we need them the most, that would be fantastic, wouldn't it?

With that thought in mind, I certainly hope we can all get together in Goa in 2020. You are all special people in my life!

Running in the Monsoons

Bombay (Mumbai) monsoons.... Growing up in the city, they bring memories galore. There is something magical in this crowded but lively city with the onset of the rains. Everyone is happy, there is relief from the heat (intense this year I believe) and just like peacocks dance when it rains, people are happy to see the downpour. 

One of my most precious memories is running in pouring rain along the sea, getting drenched by not just the precipitation but also by the tumultous waves from the sea, making those runs much more delightful, and keeping one cool. The waves dash against the rocks and come crashing down on the pavement alongside. When I was around ten, we had studied that the science behind breaking the waves (by installing dykes), was obtained from the Dutch as most of the Netherlands is at or below sea level, just as several parts of Bombay are low-lying. 

Visiting my home city just by myself, minus my husband or children in at least eighteen years, has a huge advantage. Besides focussing on my parents, I am able to enjoy certain things by myself, just like enjoying a run whenever I please without worrying about when my children might awaken, what might need to be done, etc. The last two mornings, I had decided to skip my run. 

This was the first day that it was raining right as I left the house. I debated - is it prudent, will I fall sick, maybe I could do a shorter run, and eventually giving into my love for running in the rain with I just have to do this. It is less than a 5 minute run to the seaface.

The moment I hit the shore, I knew my heart had made the right decision. The early morning peace, calm and darkness too (it was only 5:30 a.m.) in the usual hustle and bustle of this busy city lends itself to the charm. I could hear the waves though it was low tide, and the rain came beating down, giving me that instant happiness shot. As the darkness paved way to the emerging daylight, with nosunrise, just grey clouds, grey skies, grey seas and continued rain, keeping me cool through my run, I knew - this is bliss! Not only did I continue down the path, I ran 6.5 miles feeling lighter and came home a much more content person, worries all taken care of :)

Alone with the Turtles

Alone with the turtles

By no means do I consider myself to be an animal fanatic. I like animals but am not crazy about them and cockroaches are something I am terrified of. However, I don't dislike them either. I am fascinated by wild animals such as tigers and big mammals such as whales. I certainly admire them. I have become bolder over the years. Traveling and doing some adventure sports has certainly helped overcome certain fears. This morning, I came about to swim in a lagoon where there was nobody but me and the turtles and fish in the water at the time. On a high from that, I was inspired to write about it.

Right now, I am holidaying on the Big Island in Hawaii where I discovered that there is this new sport called paddle boarding. This resort also has it's own private beach with a small lagoon. The lagoon is home to several fish and sea turtles. I have seen them resting against the rocks each night. Not a very confident swimmer myself, I haven't had the guts to don some scuba gear and check out the sea life. I am happy to see the ones as visible through the water, which in this case are several, with the water being so clear (it was an even more abundant riot of color in the lagoon at the resort in Jamaica last year).

Sitting at the beach for two days and watching people struggle to balance while paddle boarding, I thought to myself, I could never do this. On the second day, I got talking with this one woman who was off and about and to me she seemed to be good at the sport. She claimed she wasn't that good but thanked me all the same. The next day she saw me sitting by the water and asked if I was going to try it out. I said before I leave. In the meantime, she had given me a few tips on getting started.

Unbeknownst to me, my 13 year old son and husband, at the same time of my conversation with the woman, had gone looking for a kayak to rent. Turned out, the day was too windy, and the kayaks were unavailable, so they came back with a paddle board. Both tried their hand at it and had fun, while not quite getting the hang of it, being the non listeners, especially if I was the one giving the directions. Hubby did do alright the second time he tried it. Of course, they had to give me a turn and I tried it sooner rather than later. I was so thrilled with my success with the activity (sitting back and observing helped, as well as following the tips the woman had given me). Granted, I was still on my knees, and hadn't had the courage to stand while paddling, but it was a big step for me, one whose children are constantly making fun of my style with the one and only swim stroke I know. Delighted at my success, I couldn't wait to go try it again.

Turns out, our plan was to drive to the Volcanic National park this morning (the next morning). It meant that I had to pack in a run, a swim and try to paddle board before leaving.  Getting the run in was a no brainer. I had been waking up early enough and getting a good 5 mile loop in that traversed some beautiful views. This plan of mine meant I couldn't  have a leisurely breakfast but that isn't something I would be saddened by!

Upon returning from my run and changing to swimwear, I went to the beach house to pick the paddle board. The two workers were polite but said they opened only at 8. I responded rather disappointedly, "We are going out for the day and I was hoping to try some paddle boarding before leaving". One of them immediately asked me where I was going to and retrieved a paddle board. He told me he wasn't supposed to but was making this an exception. I was extremely grateful and happily walked to the water with the board. A Yoga instructor saw me struggle with placing the board on the water and gave me a few tips on what to do. She called me a couple of minutes later and gave me a few more tips.

With all the advice I got, I was able to have a really peaceful ride, along which I saw turtles swimming in the water. It was just me and the sea turtles in the lagoon at the time. I then saw one swimming in the middle of the lagoon, it's head bobbing up and down, which inspired me to paddle board a little more. After what I thought would be just the right amount of time without making my arms really sore, I returned the paddle board and jumped in to swim in the lagoon, again, knowing that it was just the turtles, the fish and me. After my run as well as the paddle boarding, The cool, salty waters made for a refreshing treat! Rejuvenated and ready for another beautiful day in this beautiful place on earth!

Lucky Number Seven

                           

Cheesecake Brule'

Chilled Beer

The above cheesecake brule and the beer were my rewards after Marathon #7. I truly believe that seven is not a whole lot at all, especially after meeting an 81 year old woman who was running her 53rd marathon and someone in his sixties who was running his 253rd marathon. However, I do agree that it is better than doing nothing. I would like to believe that these were well earned rewards. However, I have a lot of work to do ahead and need to get cracking with my planning.

Confessions: 

I really need to confess on a few things before I can write about the race.

Confession #1: I did not run the minimum 25 miles per week, in fact, some weeks, my only running was the long run on the weekend

Confession #2: Until about four weeks before the race, I had not decided whether or not to run it. I wasn't going to go all the way to San Diego for just a half marathon. One of my college friends was going to come and run the half, so if he had, I would have gone for just a half, but he had change of plans and before that, I had decided that I was running the full.

Confession #3: My longest run prior to the race was 16 miles, about a week before the race.

Confession #4: It was my slowest ever marathon by a good 47 minutes

Confession #5: It took me close to two hours for my last six miles

Confession #6: I did hardly any or no speed workout

Confession #7: Recovery wise, this has been my fastest recovery and have been feeling really good.

Confession #8: This really boosted my confidence - completing this race and am thinking of my next one.

Confession #9: It still gives me a high - to complete a marathon. I have a year and half to complete three more.

I signed up for the San Diego Rock and Roll marathon almost six months back when I felt like I would be able to do my next marathon. About 4.5 years back, I made the resolution that I should complete ten marathons by the time I turn 50 years old. After marathon#6, three and a half years ago, as several friends know, I went through more downs than ups. However, since then, I did recover and completed two half marathons this past year. I would have done two more were it not for certain health issues that cropped up. Anyway, the downs continued as after January, my left foot, which had not seen any plantar issues, cropped up and my IT Band on my right leg started hurting. I have written more about this and my journey to the San Francisco Half Marathon here.

School was out two days before the race. A colleague had decided to run this race but was there with friends. Another colleague who has done two ironmans in a calendar year, decided to come cheer. As a result, I got my first ever photos taken by a friend during the race. Am delighted :) Four weeks ago, when I decided I would run the race, I booked my airline tickets. It so happened that the colleague who was running the race and I were on the same flight. Uneventful journey and was pleasantly surprised by the super service I received at my hotel. Getting a room and bed to myself means that I sleep well, uninterrupted and get a stretch of at least six hours, versus the six hours in spurts. 

For a change, I didn't need to get up early enough to make lunches, etc but I landed up getting up at 6:30 and was on my way to the expo in a couple of hours. Upon entering the expo, I learned that Meb Keflinghzi and Ryan Hall were two of the speakers. So after browsing through (and purchasing some) lots of gear and accessories, I went to the speaker area. Meb was running late. As a result, I got to hear Josh Cox, Mike Rouse in addition to Meb Keflinghzi and Ryan Hall. All extremely inspiring and they really put to shame any achievements I may have thought I have had. 

Meb Keflinghzi

Ryan Hall

Josh Cox on left

Sitting next to me was Beth Peterson, an 81 year old woman, who also happens to be asthmatic, who was going to be running her 53rd marathon and had her legacy bib.

Beth Peterson

After having spent a good six hours at the expo, I headed back, thinking I needed to stretch out my arch, especially with my left foot plantar acting up by now. I had been walking everywhere, walking from the hotel by a long route to the expo, around the expo and back to the hotel. I was meeting my colleagues and their friends for dinner in the hotel restaurant, which had a great deal for a $25 buffet dinner. Being a vegetarian, I was delighted to find that the one pasta dish that was a veggie dish was delicious. 

Salad with a ton of almonds

My very creamy veggie pasta

 I must say that a good night's sleep, however short, did happen despite my nervousness. Basically, once I had decided to  run the full, I knew that I would be able to do it. It was a matter of the mind. 

Given that, it was as beautiful a day as could be. San Diego, with its fog, was lovely in the 60s, not at all freezing like in the Bay Area in the mornings. I grabbed a banana and a chai from the Starbucks downstairs, took a taxi to the few blocks which was the finish line of the race from  where I boarded a shuttle to the start line at about 4:30 a.m. The start line was about 1.5 miles from the hotel and I wasn't going to walk that distance the morning that I knew I was to run 26.2 miles. 

Between the marathon and the half marathon participants numbered over 30,000, yes, over thirty thousand. There might have been more, had there been no cap on the participation. At the start, as always, the lines to the toilets, people trying to warm up, and booths with water and food. I went across to turn in my gear bag and saw the dawn break out over the trees on the horizon - a beautiful start to the day. Having turned in my gear bag and with an hour to kill, went towards my corral - the very last and slowest one - number 10 - and sat along the sidelines, as had some other folks. One of the best things about races, as I have mentioned a few times in the past, is meeting a variety of folks from different places. And so, I met these two women, who had also come all on their own, one who was running her very first marathon and one who was running her fifteenth. Our conversations hovered around running and racing and before we knew it, it was time to line up. 

Me at the start

 Had someone really tall take a picture of the start line from where we were all the way at the back. 

I was sure of doing well the first half and even though I know the rule is negative splits, I wasn't sure how I would last out after mile 15. The ironwoman colleague and friend came to cheer at miles 3 and about 9 in old town. It was great to see someone along the course, as I have never had anybody come during the course. Yes, it would have been great to have my family be there at the end, like they have for most of my marathons, but it would have meant that we all travel. This was, I did get way more rest and recovery was easier. I also got a text from a friend at mile 10, cheering me on and all along, I knew I had at least a hundred of my engineering batchmates cheering me on and sending me positive energy which was a huge moral support. 

At Mile 3

At Mile 9

Some highlights of the race: 
* The bands, drums, cheerleaders were all really fantastic. They really helped. 
* At about mile 13, it was great to have a real restroom to use - it was part of a park that we had to cross.  
* The stretch where we went along the harbor near Hotel Circle was beautiful - the palms, the birds, the water. It felt very good.
* The sun came out a little too early - about 8:30 a.m. which meant that I was hot the entire way thereafter. After mile 15, it got really hot and I would just wet my throat and my body at every water stop.
* The local residents were fantastic - they came out in their driveway with hose pipes for us, as well, refilling people's water bottles and handing out orange slices.
* The race had several water and aid stations so it didn't feel like we were without water for long stretches.


* For the second race in a row, I saw someone throw up. It isn't fun to see that. Luckily for him, he was right across from a medical station and the paramedics came right away.
* The banners that some spectators had were hilarious: "I thought you said 2.62 miles", "Touch here for more energy", "Kiss me for faster legs", etc.
*  I met someone at mile 18 or so running her first marathon and she seemed so dejected, but she chatted and at some point she perked up because she crossed me again at about mile 24 and said hi. 
* The hills were hard but not that hard. 
* The freeway stretch between about miles 17 and 21 was brutal.  The sun was beating down, the road was the freeway and hence sloping, the asphalt loved making it hotter, my feet were hurting and even though the band played great music that one could hear through speakers put up all along the stretch, it didn't help much. Literally, nobody attempted to run that stretch. Everyone was walking it. 
* There were random people standing and cheering, drivers passing by giving friendly honks for cheering. 
* My husband called up at about mile 21 and I told him I was too tired, to track me with the emails through my chip and that I would call him when I was done.

Brooks had this water fountain - bliss!

* Met the person I had met at the start yet again, at about mile 22 and we did most of those last four point two miles together.
* I did take a pain killer around mile 5.  
* I did finish with a sprint, as best as could be and with a smile of course, was delighted to get my medal and had someone take a photo of me at the finish.
* I did plan on some tentative marathons for the next three to finish ten. In the grand scheme of things, I think that is so little, especially after seeing what all these people have accomplished.

I think my biggest compliment came from a dear cousin, who said he admired my persistence and never give up attitude. With that, I will plan for my next one :)

The Journey that started in 1985

Way back in August of 1985, when we were carefree and didn't know what we wanted to really do, but wanted to go to a really good engineering school, no matter how expensive for the time, because of its reputation, we took the risk of staying in the middle of the Thar desert where there was nothing but a village, and no civilization so to speak of other than this great institution, we had no clue what we were getting into. Little did we also realize that the place helped make us for who we are today for better or worse, helped us build life long, extremely strong ties and helped us connect with each other in a way that nobody outside of our world can truly penetrate. 

We are kind of snooty about that, not in a bad sense, but it is like our magical, private world that transcends genders, ages, and cultural identities. During those four years, we laughed together, we cried together, we formed relationships, we celebrated together, tried to study together (or pretended to), fell sick together without a care in the world, biked and walked and ran together, played basketball together, giggled about silly things, shared silly stories, enjoyed the heat and the cold of the desert, gave each other nicknames that stuck through life and are so funny, and much more. There was nothing else in that place and we just hung out together. There was one phone for all the girls - about 200 of us - and a post office that was far enough that we had to cycle, we couldn't walk it - and the letters would take three weeks to get to Bombay to my family. There was no other means of communication, but we didn't miss it because we didn't know any better. Simple lives, especially now when, on the same campus, each student probably has a smart phone.

We finished our bachelor's anywhere between 1989-1991 with no promises of meeting, keeping in touch, etc other than with our immediate close knit circles of friends. This close group of friends and I would call, write letters and we knew of each others whereabouts. We were still in India for the first couple of years. The rest of the folks, if we happened to meet, if we happened to see, and nobody seemed interested in going that extra mile.

We each went our ways, pretty soon spreading our wings across the globe, not just various parts of India. Some were in touch, some weren't. Several memories started to blur, and soon fade away, but what remained with us were always the wonderful times we had together. Those bonds that ran so deep that we would immediately be like - oh, are you from BITS? and that was all it took. A few years later, the email system arrived in India, soon the internet started growing all over the world. During which time, we were still pretty much in touch with just our immediate friends, whether meeting, or calling, each busy with their lives in getting married, or having and raising children, or studying further, with no time to reminisce. 

As time went on, and the internet became powerful, we slowly started hearing about more people, successes, where they were, what they were doing, etc. Soon, this application called Facebook appeared from nowhere that transformed the way we looked at the world. Pretty soon, people started surfacing. Folks one hadn't heard of or from in 15 years or 20 years. Well, one just accepted the friendships and took off from there. Some folks one remembered, some one didn't and the brain cells tried connecting the dots through one's memories, through another friends. It didn't matter because we had that strong connection. Before we knew it, Facebook had become a virtual campus. We were having the same chats, sharing things, teasing each other, and having so much fun, but within social norms in a "public" forum.

Now, what we didn't know is our institute had initiated this reunion called as an SJM (Silver Jubilee Meet), to comomerate 25 years since we graduated. We started hearing rumblings of the same from our seniors. I remember when I first heard of it 4 years back, I thought, oh, that is too much trouble, it doesn't seem worth it, etc. As the years started approaching towards our SJM, the excitement started to take shape. After all, who would miss this once in a lifetime opportunity to go to campus and hang out with those friends who have been one's lifetime support? Oh, but wait. Not all of them were my friends. Does it really matter? Did you want to take the trouble to travel 10,000 miles to see folks that live in the vicinity, that you haven't really been in touch with, that you didn't really hang out with, etc, etc. So many questions that everybody was evaluating. 

The big picture was that we were all really delighted to be back in touch, that we were all waiting for an opportunity to go back to that hole in the wall place, to our beautiful campus, to just hang out and do nothing for a couple of days, to celebrate the place where those connections started. Who wouldn't want to do that? And so began the quest for getting us all together to get to the reunion. I must admit, when I first said I would help locate people, that I would help out, I didn't realize what was involved, and what I would sign up to do eventually. It became more and more addictive, more and more connected and has come to a point where people are really counting down.

In the midst of this, one of our friends, who refuses to be on Facebook decided to start a chat group. The beauty of the chat group is that it transcends geographical boundaries. It started out as just a joke group. Bit by bit, people ventured into other topics, from here to there to everywhere. Soon, more and more folks joined the chat forums. The topics ranged from philosophical to general rubbish to jokes to serious questions. People slowly started to rediscover these adults whom they had fooled around with on campus. They started discovering what people had been doing for the past 25 years. It didn't matter if someone had made millions while others didn't. It didn't matter whether someone had a bigger house or more time on hand or their own businesses. We started appreciating each other, respecting each other for who he/she is, accepting each other as mature individuals, wanted to get to know each other's families, and started a new-found bonding experience. We started advising each other on health matters but in a way that gave individuals their space, their individuality, their opinions, we began supporting each other across the globe, virtually in ways that would never have existed. This virtual energy has been felt everywhere.

It has grown our relationships, connections and friendships in ways we could never have imagined. Even the worst cynic would have to change his/her opinion about the chat groups, about what it has transformed into and what it has to offer each of us. 

This, my friends, is a tribute to each of you, to have gone above and beyond in making these connections happen. I hope we can spread the energy so that as many people as can benefit will show up in October to reenergize and show our children the depth of true relationships! The journey continues...