Delhi Half Marathon 2013

Last run of the year and finished it well; with the timing of 02:23:40, the best ever so far in my running feat.

A relatively cold day in Delhi; 15th December 2013, I was at Jawaharlal Nehru stadium group C line up. The race flagged off or rather I started running exactly at 0740.

At finish, my mobile app ‘My Tracks’ says total 22.54 km of run in 02:25:12 with average pace of 9.31 km/hrs. & max speed 17.42 km/h. but the race official time says 02:23:40 finish time.

Anyways it was within 02:30, which was my target, m glad I achieved it.

running bib.

After the finish! too much sweating…

Finally rest time and enjoy the biscuits, apple n water and yea medal too!!!

Fearful we are!!

This happens to be after midnight, no vehicle to drive us to the shelter. And then it came easily; the fear.

The fear from our own species; getting robbed, stabbed, killed, raped etc. etc. That made me think who made this world? Who live here? If its just because someone has spent a week without having anything, would only realise what money is? food is? Material thing they are me think. So why so much care and fuss about money and all the material things which makes someone nervous, fearful, scared every time.

Then I thought heck who cares! enjoy the moonlight, night breeze and the colour of midnight. There are rare days when we get opportunity to be out there and survive.

Mussoorie Half Marathon 2013

As planned, 10 Nov 2013 was a lucky day; I was running my 4th half marathon of my running journey.

It was a mix of road and trail running, this was the first time i ran off-road. It was a perfect day for a run. Woke up at 0500 hrs. checked out from hotel Deep and headed towards Gandhi chowk Library bazaar via mall road. Steve did briefing and we started exactly at 0730 hrs.

The route was exactly the same which I traced a day before at morning. That followed like Gandhi Chowk > Company bagh > Everest house > return back to the same route > pass the Gandhi chowk > mall road > Woodstock college finished.

It was a mix of all off-road, killing elevation, no path. But then completed the run within 3 hrs.

Track here... http://www.dailymile.com/people/TejB/entries/26094982

Took some snaps along the way.



Morning getting ready for the run..



Doon Valley early in the morning..



Start line..



Steve briefing the crowd/…



Near Everest house.. blissful Doon valley



At the finish.. retrieving the luggage from van..



Nice run altogether… my first hill run..

Thanks MHM 2013..

Work or Not to Work!

So, recently I have got this fantasy with this girl at my workplace that I can't resist myself coming everyday and wait for one glance or even a walking where my eyes can see! I am getting so attracted and miserable at the same time!

Being a conservative my entire whole fucking life, this one thing always intrigued me.

I remember my last working place where I came across the same feeling I am having now, and I discussed that with my colleges’ buddies; they were too much possessive and advised not to get into this trap. One day conservative me freed himself and a talk was enough to get me out of 'that' feeling.

I am trying to figure out causes, do I need some companion? Am I alone in this sucking world? Or it is just that am not going out much!! Or the outside me trying to give me some signals about me future?

Oh! Such a bull shit. Better gotta talk man!

A Morning Walk to Everest House Mussoorie

09th November 2013

Sun was resting and mother earth was still waiting to be enlightened by gold’ish sun- rays. Fresh morning cold breeze, on top of mountains, resting mighty Himalaya and doon valley disappearing somewhere, I was in Mussorie, Uttarakhand.

I wanted to experience morning run on hills so I was out before sunrise. Fully geared, walk on mall road was pleasant. Singing birds, lonely roads, gold’ish hills and doon valley lightening was so awesome that I didn’t realized I was at the end of mall road, at Gandhi chowk! Then I decided to have a walk till Mt. Everest House which was, as per google maps, 6 km away from here.

So took a right turn towards from Gandhi chowk, towards Kempty falls road. Crossed the LBSNAA (IAS training institute), early morning peoples were inside their beds, I could see the mountains top getting a color change, ringing bell at far temple. On the way near Company Bagh I found one shop open and purchased a water bottle and continued.

It was 0830 hrs when I crossed a cyclist coming on opposite direction at Everest point restaurant cum hotel. Till this point proper road is there. I continued to my right into the jungle area on a concrete path. At some distance I saw CRPF camp doing their morning routine, I kept my pace into the lonely peaceful jungle path.

At some point I lost the google maps pointer/arrow, it was pointing my location off route but I didn’t encounter any diversion on the way though, so continued ignoring google maps. Then I saw old stone marking my destination, Everest house and some local names, I continued happily.

Then there was a well and some workers were there, I asked for the route to Everest house.

I thought it will be a massive or something fort like place but what I saw there was a collapsed building, marked walls, some graffiti, declaration of love (as usual). In front of the house was a big lawn, a ground full of cow dung, some water. This was supposed to be a man’s house, who surveyed our entire cost-line and upon him; the highest Himalayan peak of the world was named Mount Everest. A little disappointed on that front but then thought this is India, this is who we are.

The view from there is awesome; I sat there for almost an hour to admire the doon valley one side, snowy Himalayan on the other and bushes around. Pleasant weather, it was like top of the world, flying!

I came back from other side of the road, which meets at Everest point restaurant, had tea-parantha lunch there. One mini-can ignition started, I asked the driver whether he would be going to Gandhi chowk, affirmative, I sat on the van. At drop he said whatever fare you wanna give, confused me saw 20 bucks note on my pocket and handed it over.

Later, I went to Woodstock School to collect my bib for next day’s race and saw the same cyclist distributing the bibs. Steve, a nice energetic man, organizer of the race handed me over the bibs, described the route and I found that it was the same route I walked today morning!

Evening was at the mall road, sitting on the road side bench, reading ‘Life of Pie’, enjoying sunset, happy people walking here n there, vendor’s selling local food items, and photographer’s approaching to every couple “sir, one pics. See, just like this. Will give you print in 2 minutes”.

Jaipur - Pushkar - Jodhpur Cycling

27th Nov - 1st Dec 2013

As per the plan the journey was set to begin on 27^th evening. I was confused about the bus stand though, where should I board the bus!, was major concern. All the Rajasthan roadways Volvo buses starts from Bikaner house near India gate but office to home and then home to there biking looked too much of a task. So from Bikaner house to Kashmiri gate to Sarai kale khan finally it was Iffco chowk from where I boarded the bus.

At 2230 hrs boarded a sleeper bus from Iffco chowk Gurgaon after 15 kms of ride from home. Buswala charged Rs. 80/- for bike.

In between bus stopped for dinner at some awesome place but was too cold outside so had a cup of tea and came back. Morning 0430 hrs, I was standing outside Sindhi camp bus stand having a cup of tea and in dilemma of what now. And then opened the google maps, sketched the route and started riding.

Reached the first destination as early as 1030 hrs, so continued towards the next destination, Pushkar. Straight from Phulera to Rupangarh through Marva ka Kila skipping Sambhar lake & Naraina. A lot of off-road riding, digging deep inside rural part of Rajasthan, met a lot of great people asking so many questions like whats my cast, gotra, where am I headed, are you on india tour, do you work in TV, how Akshay Kumar looks, have you ever seen him etc etc. Lost the route after Kucheel and at the same time rear tire got punctured, didn’t change the tube as was too busy searching the correct route. Once reached the bypass road changed the tube in dark and made it to Pushkar around 1930 hrs. Thanks to the light I was carrying.

At Pushkar, found a cheap (rs 250/- per day) hotel and rested. Next day didn’t touch the bike at all. Instead explored the local, Savatri temple trek, Brahma temple, lake, mela ground, read ‘into the wild’ book, saw a (only) fully geared cyclist and evening was near the lake witnessing sunset and lake puja. It’s a good place with a lot of foreigners roaming around, searching for ‘something’, I found locals much aquatinted with them.

I was planning to go back to Jaipur via Ajmer and explore Jaipur, but then next morning saw message of salary credited and smelled something royal. It was nothing but Fort Khajerla inviting me to welcome newly credited salary. Left hotel at 0700 hrs. Missed the turn twice; first, the turn towards Nand, second, just after Govindgarh. Second miss was a kill, I had to drag myself on sand for about 9-10 kms. Asked so many locals about the route and finally reached Khajerla at 1700 hrs via Jaitaran route skipping the planned route.

Fort Khajerla is 90 km before Jodhpur. 500 yrs old this massive fort is now a ‘some’ star hotel, the manager told me that it has been given on lease for 19 yrs (since 2006) by some hot shot guy (forgot the name). The sunset view from the top is a pure bliss, food is good so the stay. If you really want some cool calm place, this is for you. And yeah! current Rajah Dileep Singh still lives there.

It was a dry day due to state elections so no energy boosters served, was open for foreigners’ though.

Sunday; last day of ride today. Skipped the breakfast, started riding at 0900 hrs as per the planned route, made it to Jodhpur around 1400 hrs. It’s pretty much a highway ride, nothing fancy.

At Jodhpur, the fort looked inviting from far but didn’t get much time to explore the city, as the last bus (Volvo) leaves at 1600 hrs from Rai ka Bagh bus stand. One semi deluxe also there leaving at 1530 hrs. I needed to pick one and semi deluxe was lucky to get my cross check on board {fare was 530 and another half ticket, (rs 245/-) for the bike}.

Mussoorie Trip & Mussoorie Half Marathon 2013

Race Day – 10th November 2013

7 Nov -10 Nov 2013.

7th Nov – Leave Delhi via Bus (2300hrs)

8th Nov – Reach Mussoorie (0700hrs), Book hotel (YHAI; Hotel Deep), Mall road, Gun hill, Kempty Falls.

9th Nov – George Everest house, Bib collection from Wookstock School, Lal Tibba.

10th Nov – Race day (0730hrs), Rest at Mall road reading ‘Life of Pi’, Mussoorie exp. from Dehradun 3A RAC.

 

Steve: the man

Chukayenge? Nahi!

This was the first drama/play I saw at Sri Ram Centre for Performing Art, Mandi House. I kind of liked it, though it is a copy of a English drama but all the characters, dialogue are perfect in todays day to day scenario.

There was a very less information available on net. I booked the ticket by bookmyshow.com, later came to know we can book ticket at the counter itself, there is no seat number thing as such but they have different blocks for different price levels.

Play was good, liked the subject and flow.

Instead of these over-priced PVRs n all, I would definitely prefer going there again and support the cause.

Itinerary: Delhi Jaipur Jodhpur Cycling

28 November 2013 – 1 December 2013


Total distance cycle: 484 km

Route: Kashmiri Gate (Delhi) – Jaipur – Sirsi road – Kanakpura – Mundraya ramsar – Fatehpur – Boraj – Hirnoda – Phulera – Sambhar Lake (84 km) – Naraina – MDR85 – (left) – Rupangarh – MDR85 - (left) – Kucheel – Babayacha – Chachiyawas – Pushkar bypass road – (right) – Hokaran – Kanas – Badi Basti – Pushkar Lake (117 km) – Ganakanda – (left) – Chawandiya – Nand – Govindgarh – MDR39 - (right) – (left 30km) – Kurki – Bhumbaliya – Lambia – Merta road – (right 15km) – Baloonda – Kharadi – (left) – Ransi gaon – Khajerla (155km) – Piparacity- Sindhipura – (left) – Chodha – Dangiyawas – Bypass road – Jodhpur (90km) – ISBT Delhi.

Stay:

Delhi – Jaipur: by bus (Wednesday night 27th)

Phulera/Sambhar – 70 km (Thursday 28th)

Pushkar – 117 km (Friday 29th)

Khejarla – 155 km (Saturday 30th)

Jodhpur – 90 km (Sunday 1st)

Delhi Mathura Cycling

Plan-

2nd November 2013: Delhi to Vrindavan ride, Vrindavan to Mathura rail bus travel n back, Night stay at Vrindavan.

3rd November 2013: Vrindavan to Mathura ride, if legs permits ride back to Delhi same route.

Route-

Ber Sarai (0600hrs) > Surajkund road > Faridabad > Ballabhgarh (35km) > Palwal (24km) > Hodal (28km) > Kosi Kalan (15km) > Vrindavan (40km, 1530hrs) = 144km Total.

Rail Bus: Vrindavan railway station (1740hrs) > Mathura (1815hrs): Mathura (1925hrs) > Vrindavan (2000hrs).

Woke up at 0500 hrs and within an hrs. was ready to roll. It was all well except the rack, bastard betrayed me at the last moment, made me carry the bag on my shoulders. It was a beautiful sunrise rolling down surajkund road, crossed the Budkal road touching the Mathura road at Gandhi chowk.

A straight ride, a lot of stoppage and by the time reached Vrindavan crossing, I was damn tired. 2 O’clock I made it there. 8 hrs. of ride time, 137 kms. with 17 km/h average speed.

Welcome to the home of Krishna, Widows, prayers, animals on the road, and there met with a 9th standard kid who helped me find a room for 500 bucks.

1740 hrs. I was out there at Vrindavan railway station. Only a rail bus runs from this station till Mathura. All the major trains pass through another station called Vrindavan Road.

Came back from the same rail bus, it was a nice and first experience travelling in rail bus. Dinner at the dhaba near the hotel and slept just to wake up late by 9 o’clock. Was too tired to get up early and start, but then again started riding towards Mathura. 20 kms ride, half a kg Mathura ke Pede sweets, bike on the roof of the bus, by 5 o’clock I was at Sarai Kale Khan bus stand with a small cut on the handlebar tape and was home sweet home after some 15 kms. of more ride.



Resting at the garden near AIIMS… (previous day)



Safe n sound…



Taking a heritage ride at India gate to Rastrapathi Bhawan…



On the way..



Missed home seeing this….



Entry gate nearing Vrindavan…



Exhausted.. all white… sweating… tastes like sea water…



Loved the rail bus ride..



For your reference… note one less route on Sundays



Bare foot Goverdhan parvat Parikrama…



A temple near famous Banke Bihari temple…

Airtel Hyderabad Half Marathon 2013

First run of 2013, it was Hyderabad Half on 25th August. I was in Hyderabad during that time and ran without any preparation! Yes, not even a single run before running. New shoes were brought from bib distribution expo, on a day before race i.e. 24th Aug! Asics shoes for around 6000/- with 10% discount.

Race was good. There were good numbers of water points and medical facility was adequate too, in short simply liked the run.

The route was challenging too, it started from Hussain Sagar bank and finished at Gachiboli stadium. Before that I cycled the freedom ride, on 15th of August, mark of the 66th completed years of Independence. Knee pain was hurting a lot but then completed the race within 3 hrs., as promised to myself.

A day before race, @ expo which was organised at Hitex, Hyderabad.

Perfect run!!!!!

Here’s the victory.

Refreshment and amazingly it was only for the runner, they stamped on the bib that I have taken mine.. no second inning or for friend..

First time experience at the running court @ Gachiboli stadium!

Vizag - Araku Valley trip: Part- II Vizag, RK Beach, Kailasagiri

Part [0] [1] [2]

Open pouring sky, blowing fresh air, morning was much better than regular. It was Vizag railway station platform. After morning routine and tea, headed towards the RTC complex in search of AP tourism office. AP tourism organises various tours in and around the city, I was planning one day vizag tour, the heritage tour.

The office was open but due to strike all the tours were cancelled for a week. What now! The city is too big to walk and pocket? Too light… So walked across..



RK Beach..



RK Beach, no don’t like Goa!



That’s what happens when you go around without shoes..



On the way to Kailasagiri peak..



Thank You!



That’s how it looks from up..



Hollywood is here..



A train does the 5 km round of the peak.



The ticket, costs 50 bucks for non a/c.



Inside the train.



Evening comes and Vizag shines…

Surly goes HYD-DEL

Its been two months since this, now it was the time to test. The bag is big enough for the frame and other bike stuff, has two pocket on both sides for tires. The packing itself is a big task, need extra care to pack. What I worried was the damage on frame and spoke. Finally bag was packed using extra card box parts on both sides of frame, some loose papers. The bag should have come under the seat, didn’t try though.

If it would have been regular 2AC, things would have been different, people carry hell lot of luggage while travelling in railways. I was lucky enough to get a nice seat. Ticket was booked in 2AC; got boggy half 2AC, half 1AC and seat, exactly at the joining point of these two.

Vizag - Araku Valley trip: Part- I Borra Caves

Part [0] [1] [2]

It was Saturday, last day of August. I was destined to travel but was not lucky enough to get confirmed ticket. I was struck at WL 2 (waiting list). Started late from home, result was in front of me; a long queue at the ticket counter. Though AP was half closed due to strike, travellers are travellers, no one can stop them.

Anyway got a general boggy ticket, train was already at the platform with general boggy packed. My fate has been written to travel entire 14 hrs. journey standing by the door side, witnessing everything whatever came along the railway track.

One incident that happened with me first time; the railway police checking. I was enjoying my sleep sitting at the door, suddenly everyone was rushing inside and till the time I realised, it was too late to skip from the police and I got two hard punches in my legs. Lesson was learnt; never sit at the door when halt approaches.

Train was in time and there was a gap of 3 hrs. to next train. That was a passenger and the only train on that route, covering Shimiliguda station, which was once India’s highest broad gauge railway station. Now Qazigad (J&K) station is the highest one.  

The journey on this route is an epic in itself. I stopped counting the tunnels coz there are plenty of them. One after one, a lot of tunnels, bridges and splendid views across. My ticket was booked till Araku, where plan was to stay overnight. However, I got down at Borra Guhalu station to visit famous Borra caves.

At the station I got the news that the entire tribal region was closed today due to AP strike. Damn! what now? The guard at the Borra caves, which is just nearby the station said that they will be opening the gate at 02:00 o’clock. There was much time to explore the area so I went along the railway track just to hit the clock 2 to visit the world famous Borra Caves.

Borra caves are located in the Ananthagiri hill ranges of eastern ghats. It was a british, William King, who discovered the cave in 1807. Borra means hole in Oriya language (this reminds me a story of my childhood, makes me lough. I’m not going to share here) Borra caves are naturally formed and believed to be 150 million year old. It is basically formed through some chemicals and minerals forming the rock. Inside you can different structure, which locals have named like Shi Parvathi, human brain, Shivling, crocodile, Jesus etc. etc. One baba was sitting inside a tiny hole where the natural Shivling was. There was no light so couldn’t see and discuss much. The total length of the cave is about 200 meters and above the caves the railway track is there.

Preparation chat at AP tourism website. Later I found the office to be open but closed for business!

Perfect weather and greenery around..

Small villages and tribal habitat can be found at regular interval.

Perfect day! perfect ride!

One of so many bridges..

The first destination! Borra caves are about 200 meters from this station..

Distance and fare from Borra Guhalu station..

Gates were closed… see that generator kind of thing, they use this for lighting inside the cave.

Time to kill time till 2, walk along the track.

Finally inside… first view of the cave.

One of such so many structures… Ignore the writing, that’s what we Indians are good at…

They have given names to every structure there, according to the shape and legendry.

Returning time… sunset ride! beautiful.

The return train departure time is 03:30 officially but the guard at railway station said train comes at 5 o’clock and ticket will be distributed half an hour before that. And train dropped me at Vizag at 10 o’clock in the night. Ate two plate of idli, gently slide myself on newspaper below, towel above me and bag pillow.

Continued….