After a couple of rainy, gloomy days and really heavy workloads, the sun finally shone bright and clear today as I donned by jogging shoes and set out on a brisk morning run.
It wasn't very late by any standards; around 9:30am, but the roads were deserted the morning joggers and power walkers too had for some reason, decided to give this morning a skip. So I was alone with my thoughts and it reminded me of another morning jog a year ago, in a little town by the river called Hradec Nad Moravici. Located on the banks of the Hradec River in Moravia in the Czech Republic, this town holds a special place in my heart as my husband and I got married in the 'Red Castle' there, 8 years ago. There was no jogging then, but when we revisited it last year and in fact, stayed in a chalupa (cottage) by the river for a couple of weeks, I did take my shorts and trainers. And I managed to fit in some excellent morning runs with my sister in law who was also visiting with her family. She's an excellent runner and I have to admit I had to try really hard to keep up with her long strides and fluent gait, but it was well worth the effort. Jogging through verdant fields and shady forested glens with no one but the occasional dog walker (and dog) in sight was really special. So was the fresh smell and the healthy river air that the locals enjoy all year round. And sipping on a chilled Pilzen (beer) and eating wood grilled meat at the end of the day did not make me feel guilty in the least bit, thanks to all those early morning runs we did.
My husband revisits Czech this summer, but there's no possibility that he runs those trails (or any others) My husband is not a jogger or even a walker ;) As for me, I look forward to packing my shoes for my next trip, a two week holiday in California next month!
Till then, I'll stick to my morning runs along the usually busy, but occasionally deserted roads around my home!
Happy running!
Saturday, May 9, 2009
Wednesday, April 22, 2009
Runners Of The World Unite
It's amazing how runners seem to gravitate towards each other. A couple of weeks ago, I began hunting for apartments for our upcoming trip to San Francisco. We had sent out a number of requests and it seemed that most of the places have already been booked. But one gentleman called me back and we got talking- mostly about what a lovely city Vancouver is (I agree), how San Francisco is great in summer (I agree), how cyclists are taking over both cities (I reserve comment on that) and how both cities have marathons; the reason of his visit to Vancouver in the first place. So, our talk moved to running and the great cities we've both run in...and after 10 minutes, he actually offered me a discount on his place.
Are we taking it? Probably not. My ever finicky mother from whom I obviously inherited my ever finicky habits does not recommend the area (and she's a true San Francisco veteran), but it was nice to connect with another like-minded soul, even if it was for a few minutes!
Happy running!
Are we taking it? Probably not. My ever finicky mother from whom I obviously inherited my ever finicky habits does not recommend the area (and she's a true San Francisco veteran), but it was nice to connect with another like-minded soul, even if it was for a few minutes!
Happy running!
Wednesday, April 15, 2009
The Colaba Woods Circuit
It's funny how your body adapts to running in different climates. In the 80's, I lived in India and that's where I first started running. Our apartment building (or flats as we called them) was in a very exclusive location (Cuffe Parade for those familiar with Bombay as it was then, not Mumbai, as it's now) and we had a newly developed park next to it, christened Colaba Woods by the locals who used it. There was nothing woodsy about it- it was a large oval park, ringed by trees, with bushes and smallers plants strategically placed throughout the park. There were wooden benches and bricked walls. But the best part of it all was the long-winding 'jogging' path, which ran the entire gamut of the park's circumferance! On it, comfortable middle aged men and women took their 'evening constitution'; young kids chased after stray puppies; elderly gentlemen walked with their friends and neighbours while their wives trailed behind them; and young girls and boys huffed and puffed their way into a new world of fashion and fitness!
This then was the first path I used to try on my new 'running' shoes. I progressed from one round to four rounds in a couple of months. And I was hooked.
I have since then run in Dubai, Hong Kong, Cyprus, London, The Czech Republic and now don my shoes in Vancouver. I've used treadmills in Russia, Hungary, Poland, Indonesia, Greece and Turkey. But I will never forget the feelings of exhilaration and accomplishment I experienced when I ran the 'Colaba Woods' circuit!
Happy running!
This then was the first path I used to try on my new 'running' shoes. I progressed from one round to four rounds in a couple of months. And I was hooked.
I have since then run in Dubai, Hong Kong, Cyprus, London, The Czech Republic and now don my shoes in Vancouver. I've used treadmills in Russia, Hungary, Poland, Indonesia, Greece and Turkey. But I will never forget the feelings of exhilaration and accomplishment I experienced when I ran the 'Colaba Woods' circuit!
Happy running!
Friday, April 10, 2009
How To Deflect Unwanted Attention- Of The Two And Four Legged Variety!
So far, my blogs have been rather serious. But the fact is, I'm not a serious person. Nor am I, I have sadly discovered, a serious runner. I do love running- it gives me the freedom and exhilaration no other sports does! But with two young children and a new career, it leaves me little time to jog on a daily basis; much less blog about it. So I'm going to leave the serious running and blogging to those who do a better job than I do.
My running is all about fun running, running to lose the extra baby fat, running to remember my '5 minutes of no-fame' when I completed the Dubai marathon and running to get away from it all- and I guess that what this blog needs to reflect. So here goes!
Yesterday I did get to run and as I run along the neighbourhood roads, I've become adept as dissuading 'followers' from joining me. I refer to both the two and the four legged variety. I appreciate that dog walkers have their dogs on a leash. But a lot of them don't bother to tighten them when they see a jogger approaching! The worst offenders are the smaller pooches who believe that anyone running past is fair game! But if you do know that your dogsy wogsy is going to attempt to grab a chunk off my ankle, then wouldn't you want to do something about it?? Like maybe hold him off? So I have to confess to slowing down and sometimes even stopping when passing alongside a furry friend. If I'm tired and need to perhaps,gasp, stop!- then this works out well. But if I'm following a rhythm and doing rather well, then this is not always the best possible idea and I'm working on alternative solutions. Any ideas??
A worse threat is of course that of the two legged variety. Most women joggers would have experienced them at some point or the other. The 'hello' whispered in your ear as you breeze past; the unwanted comments which hopefully get lost in the wind, and the horrible eye-contact which you wish you never made coz it results in your needing to go home and have a shower immediately...and that's not because you've worked up a sweat!
My solution- the largest pair of glasses and a cap! I feel much better jogging incognito. That way, I can observe, hopefully before I am observed!
Happy jogging!
My running is all about fun running, running to lose the extra baby fat, running to remember my '5 minutes of no-fame' when I completed the Dubai marathon and running to get away from it all- and I guess that what this blog needs to reflect. So here goes!
Yesterday I did get to run and as I run along the neighbourhood roads, I've become adept as dissuading 'followers' from joining me. I refer to both the two and the four legged variety. I appreciate that dog walkers have their dogs on a leash. But a lot of them don't bother to tighten them when they see a jogger approaching! The worst offenders are the smaller pooches who believe that anyone running past is fair game! But if you do know that your dogsy wogsy is going to attempt to grab a chunk off my ankle, then wouldn't you want to do something about it?? Like maybe hold him off? So I have to confess to slowing down and sometimes even stopping when passing alongside a furry friend. If I'm tired and need to perhaps,gasp, stop!- then this works out well. But if I'm following a rhythm and doing rather well, then this is not always the best possible idea and I'm working on alternative solutions. Any ideas??
A worse threat is of course that of the two legged variety. Most women joggers would have experienced them at some point or the other. The 'hello' whispered in your ear as you breeze past; the unwanted comments which hopefully get lost in the wind, and the horrible eye-contact which you wish you never made coz it results in your needing to go home and have a shower immediately...and that's not because you've worked up a sweat!
My solution- the largest pair of glasses and a cap! I feel much better jogging incognito. That way, I can observe, hopefully before I am observed!
Happy jogging!
Sunday, March 29, 2009
Jogging and spring allergies
Spring is not only about warmer, longer days, bluer skies, greener trees and happier people. Spring unfortunately is also about pollen and spring allergies! And for those who suffer from these allergies, jogging (or having a partner or family member who jogs) in the great outdoors can be quite difficult.
However, as they say, nothing is impossible and with a little care, you don't have to hide indoors till summer arrives.
Know your pollen count and keep indoors when it's high: Pollen counts calculate the given amount of a particular pollen in a specific amount of air during a given time frame. Learn from your MD what you are allergic to and when this count is the highest and stay indoors during this period.
Avoid jogging in the mornings and when it's very windy: Usually you will experience a higher pollen count in the mornings (from 5am-9am, when plant pollinate), and it's best to avoid jogging during this period. You should also avoid jogging when it's very windy.
Keep Rover at home: If you must go out for a jog in the mornings, try and avoid taking your pets with you. Pollen can stick to dog fur and be brought back indoors.
Shower immediately when you return home: Get rid of any possible pollen on your body and clothes by showering and changing as soon as you get back from your jog.
And finally, take your medicine before you leave for your jog. This will help protect yourself from any oncoming allergy attacks.
However, as they say, nothing is impossible and with a little care, you don't have to hide indoors till summer arrives.
Know your pollen count and keep indoors when it's high: Pollen counts calculate the given amount of a particular pollen in a specific amount of air during a given time frame. Learn from your MD what you are allergic to and when this count is the highest and stay indoors during this period.
Avoid jogging in the mornings and when it's very windy: Usually you will experience a higher pollen count in the mornings (from 5am-9am, when plant pollinate), and it's best to avoid jogging during this period. You should also avoid jogging when it's very windy.
Keep Rover at home: If you must go out for a jog in the mornings, try and avoid taking your pets with you. Pollen can stick to dog fur and be brought back indoors.
Shower immediately when you return home: Get rid of any possible pollen on your body and clothes by showering and changing as soon as you get back from your jog.
And finally, take your medicine before you leave for your jog. This will help protect yourself from any oncoming allergy attacks.
Monday, March 16, 2009
The Importance Of Hydration
Follow these few simple rules and you'll ensure your body remains hydrated, before, during and after a run.
Stick to what you know: I tried a new sports drink a while ago, and my body didn't take kindly to it. We were going skiing and I developed stomach cramps. The same could apply to any sporting activity. And more so if it's a big race. So stick to what you and your body are familiar with.
Don't give water a miss: It's easy to think you'll drink post your run, but the trick is to have water or a sports drink before you begin. If you wait to drink when you feel thirsty, it means your body is already dehydrated.
Don't fill up on too much either: While you should drink before you run, you shouldn't 'over drink'. Stick to a comfortable limit so your body doesn't feel too full and bloated.
Avoid caffeine and carbonated beverages: Caffeine is a strong diuretic and will contribute to your dehydration. Water or sports drinks are your best bet.
How much? Drink 2-4 cups up to two hours prior to a competition, and then sip according to what your body demands.
What else? During the day, think of consuming light and watery food such as cucumbers and oranges.
Monday, February 16, 2009
8 Steps To Get Motivated
It’s so easy to get de-motivated when it comes to running. You can blame a number of external factors- the weather (always top of my list), an aching body, work, lack of time...but the fact remains, motivation always springs from within and all external objections can be overcome, if your internal motivation is strong enough.
Sounds very Zen like and the question is, how the heck do I get my internal motivation going! The following are some tips to get you started:
1. Set just one goal, in writing: Start off with just one goal, so you don’t get overwhelmed. It could be a simple, run thrice a week, or run for 20 minutes each session. Keep it achievable. And now, write it down, in large letters, and paste it somewhere your assured to see it daily. Your refrigerator, besides your work desk, next to your bed. It doesn’t matter where, as long as you’re guaranteed to see it each and every day.
2. Be inspired: Follow someone you admire- it could be a friend who runs or a famous athlete whose work inspires you. Speak to them or read their books and find the key things that inspire them. And be inspired from it.
3. Inspire: In turn, aim to inspire at least one person around you. It could be your child, your partner, your colleague. You can do this by sticking to your commitments, following your goals and achieving your dreams. Even if it’s the simple goal of step one- run for a minimum of 20 minutes each session- by doing it, you are inspiring someone else to follow their own goals.
4. Get excited and enthusiastic: You will never get those shoes on if you’re not enthusiastic about it. Sometimes however, enthusiasm is hard to come by. The weather (always the weather) is miserable and you’ve had a late night! How can you be excited about going out and doing your 3 mile jog? This is where fake enthusiasm comes into play. You know how they say- if you pretend to smile and like something, eventually, you are bound to (maybe not love it, but ) feel comfortable with it? The same is with fake enthusiasm. Smile, tell yourself you’re going to have a great time, keep smiling, get those shoes on, still smiling, sail out of the door. Half way through your ‘feel good’ hormones are bound to kick in.
5. Commit to an audience: Go public. Tell as many people as you can (and who you care about) that you’re going to ‘run a marathon’, ‘run each day’...whatever your goal is. And then see how difficult it is when you have a whole personal audience cheering for you, to back out from it all!
6. Get a support structure in place: If you find it really hard to go at it alone, then consider getting a running partner or joining a running club. There are a number of excellent ones out there and you’ll be partnered with someone who’s at the same level as you’re at. It’s much easier to get out of the house when you have someone waiting and relying on you.
7. Take one step at a time: This ties in with point one. Go slowly and set small, achievable goals. You cannot run a marathon if you’ve never run the block. But you will finish a marathon if you make running around the block part of your daily goals.
8. Think positive: And finally, focus on the benefits, not the difficulties. Take the most positive things you can find about what you’re doing, and keep them affixed firmly in your mind. You are running to lose weight, or to complete a marathon or to relieve stress...the pain, sweat and hard work is only a side effect, and the benefits you get from running, far outweigh any of the immediate discomfort you feel. Focus on the benefits, focus on what you’ll accomplish (a sexy six-pack, a toned body....), whatever your reason is- that’s why you run.
So read this, re-read it and then strap on your shoes and hit the road!
Keep running!
Sounds very Zen like and the question is, how the heck do I get my internal motivation going! The following are some tips to get you started:
1. Set just one goal, in writing: Start off with just one goal, so you don’t get overwhelmed. It could be a simple, run thrice a week, or run for 20 minutes each session. Keep it achievable. And now, write it down, in large letters, and paste it somewhere your assured to see it daily. Your refrigerator, besides your work desk, next to your bed. It doesn’t matter where, as long as you’re guaranteed to see it each and every day.
2. Be inspired: Follow someone you admire- it could be a friend who runs or a famous athlete whose work inspires you. Speak to them or read their books and find the key things that inspire them. And be inspired from it.
3. Inspire: In turn, aim to inspire at least one person around you. It could be your child, your partner, your colleague. You can do this by sticking to your commitments, following your goals and achieving your dreams. Even if it’s the simple goal of step one- run for a minimum of 20 minutes each session- by doing it, you are inspiring someone else to follow their own goals.
4. Get excited and enthusiastic: You will never get those shoes on if you’re not enthusiastic about it. Sometimes however, enthusiasm is hard to come by. The weather (always the weather) is miserable and you’ve had a late night! How can you be excited about going out and doing your 3 mile jog? This is where fake enthusiasm comes into play. You know how they say- if you pretend to smile and like something, eventually, you are bound to (maybe not love it, but ) feel comfortable with it? The same is with fake enthusiasm. Smile, tell yourself you’re going to have a great time, keep smiling, get those shoes on, still smiling, sail out of the door. Half way through your ‘feel good’ hormones are bound to kick in.
5. Commit to an audience: Go public. Tell as many people as you can (and who you care about) that you’re going to ‘run a marathon’, ‘run each day’...whatever your goal is. And then see how difficult it is when you have a whole personal audience cheering for you, to back out from it all!
6. Get a support structure in place: If you find it really hard to go at it alone, then consider getting a running partner or joining a running club. There are a number of excellent ones out there and you’ll be partnered with someone who’s at the same level as you’re at. It’s much easier to get out of the house when you have someone waiting and relying on you.
7. Take one step at a time: This ties in with point one. Go slowly and set small, achievable goals. You cannot run a marathon if you’ve never run the block. But you will finish a marathon if you make running around the block part of your daily goals.
8. Think positive: And finally, focus on the benefits, not the difficulties. Take the most positive things you can find about what you’re doing, and keep them affixed firmly in your mind. You are running to lose weight, or to complete a marathon or to relieve stress...the pain, sweat and hard work is only a side effect, and the benefits you get from running, far outweigh any of the immediate discomfort you feel. Focus on the benefits, focus on what you’ll accomplish (a sexy six-pack, a toned body....), whatever your reason is- that’s why you run.
So read this, re-read it and then strap on your shoes and hit the road!
Keep running!
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