Comrades Training - Val Vil Ori Marathon Kolli Hills India

Inaugural Val Vil Ori Marahon 2014 ....still struggling to describe the experience....to sum up "truly one has to feel it to understand!!"

First time at Kolli Hills .... It started with a 7.5 hrs driving from Bangalore on Friday + 20k in 2:27 min run on Saturday (part of the same course run on Sunday)

On Sunday, starting at 4.00 am ...ran 55 k run with 1000 meter gain 1000 meter loss + crazy temperature after 10 am (must be around 37-38 deg???) + perfect fuel and hydration & run walk plan + 100% cramps free + few dogs here and there to chase & entertain + very scenic Kolli (Silver Oak trees, Pepper vines, Banana and Tapiaco Plantations, tweeting song birds + surprised villagers + dusty and rough roads due to road construction + excellent support and cheers from fellow runners...especially Nandu and Aravind who were with me) and the patient and enduring crew (which included my lovely children) finally awarded with a hand made and most priced Val Vil Ori Medal 

You can clearly see I went off course after 39k mark near Poonthottam...missed one turn and had to compensate for the loss by running some unknown roads to sum up my 55k. It was funny when I reached the finish point @ Nallathambi I had completed only 52.5 and had to run a (charged up / paced up) 2.5k back and forth few times soon after I saw my wife Meera at the finish line...when I finished my Garmin read 7 hrs 24 mins.

CONGRATULATIONS TO ALL THE OTHER RUNNERS!!! I'm glad that I was privileged to be part of this finest 'running history in making!'

A BIG THANKS TO Krishna FOR THE IDEA, HIS WIFE AND CREATIVE KIDS (who kept my children busy and entertained) AND A CARING BUNCH OF FRIENDS FROM CHENNAI RUNNERS - this is the second event (started with the Yercaud run) has made me realize how lonely I have been for so many years as a solitary runner....Truly a 'I'm loving it' moment in my life!!!

after a brief rest ...took another 6.5 hrs to reach back home today morning at 3.00 am

....what else to ask for.....on the day I turned 40!!!.....

Did running make me a great employee?

I recently read a blog written by Oliver on why runners usually make great employees.  I totally enjoyed reading it and thanks to Oliver for reflecting what I truly believe in - link here....

I started running since 2011 and never stopped after that.  Ever since I started running, many positive things have happened in my life.  

What did running do to me and to my life? 

Did it change anything to my work life?

Lets see...

1. a disciplined person… plan, practice (train harder), execute – my races or my projects 

2. camaraderie, appreciation for people and their work and not to compare with others which is totally meaningless.  If there is one, its only within me vs. what I was a month, a year or even a decade before –  greater appreciation for my fellow runners and their capabilities, however week or strong they are vs. appreciation towards my colleagues. I cheer for others when I run and I cheer at my fellow  colleagues whenever I can 

3. how to achieve something in my personal and professional life which is complicated, longer, tougher not to forget very painful – my tough races vs. challenging project situations to deal at work

4. better risk manager - participating in any event, 1000+ things can go wrong...rain, weather, terrain, blisters, fuel, hydration, shoes… - during my runs or while running my projects 

5. to set goals, small or big and chop them into bits and pieces, work towards achieving them successfully – my race plan and preparations vs. my life / career plans 

6. smile when in pain and bounce back really fast, laughter guaranteed - when I’m hurt during a run or a workout or even due to a misunderstanding at the workplace

7. celebrate every milestone… - whenever I touch the finish line or complete a task or project successfully however small or big they are

8. run towards conflict or anything that I never thought that I could do....continuously indulge and learn something, totally enjoy everything that happens on the way, be it success or a different result  - coming out my comfort zone and starting something absolutely new at work or. running the Comrades in 2014 

9. exercise patience and endure to success - my grueling training and races vs. approaching a tough task or even a nasty escalation

Lastly, I have started enjoying the nature more and its beauties....

I have also managed to inspire a few

its just a short journey so far and a million miles more to explore...

Finally, did running make me a great employee?  I don't know about that, but it certainly made (continuing to make) me a better person.....

Cheers,

I would like to remember and give credits to the three cheerleaders of my life, my wife Meera to be the best critic, my son Aditya to inspire and get inspired by me (a fine athlete in making too) and my sweetest daughter Anjali who totally enjoys my fun filled workout sessions with her and her friends