Today was another bit of a milestone for me personally. From having run less than a few kilometers, today I got to feel the joy of finishing at the Bangalore Ultra in 
which I did a 12.5 KM. The longest segment was 100 K, which I hope to achieve NEVER:). After a rather disappointing week, I would say this made it up for all and got to spend quality time with kids after a very long time today.
I have always been a runner, but only basic distances. This year a cousin of my wife pushed me into a group called Runner High which is a dedicated runners group and an initiative of Santhosh Padmanabhan, who has returned back to India to help with his dream of service. He helps with Team Asha and can run 100 Miles in a hearbeat. A coach who aims to bring the best in all of us at Runners High. It is one thing if the coach just says – Here is how you run” and one thing if the coach can run150 Km races. Some things I have learnt from him in my coaching career (Agile consulting )
1) Walk the talk.
2 ) Practice what you preach
3) Set a high bar for team, but do not push them
4) Do a structured long term inititiave. There are no shortcuts.
5) The only way to believe in yourself, is when I cross the race finish on my own.
In six months span, now I run weekly three to four times, running is now fun and enjoyable.
Some basic achievements ( baby steps )
1) Freedom Run 10 K
2) 10 K practice runs – 3 of them
3) Kaveri trail Marathon – Srirangpathan for 10K
4) 12.5 K Practice runs – 2 of them
5) Bangalore Ultra – Today for 12.5 – The timing today was rather bad.
Not to mention is the wild support I get from everyone at home and at Team Runners High.
What keeps the hopes high for me is the fact that I meet some really great people along the way. Santosh as an example. At the run today at the Ultra, one of the runners was a very old person ( more than 70 ), who has just recovered from many months of being bedridden. a traditional Indian couple who ran faster that i did, a bunch of kids who from Asha foudation, Kiran from my family who runs at a great pace.
Some day I plan to make it to the full marathon. I guess i have no rush there. I have been in US for 15 years, but thanks to Kiran, I seem to have found a nice passion which I have always enjoyed. In two years of our return to India, we as a family have had various days where we contemplate where do we belong. But days like this only make my resolve to get better everyday. Not to mention I had the energy to spend time with family at the pool.
What matter I think is these simple joys of life. Lets see what future holds.
Go Runners High:)
Be Different... 