NOVEMBER RUN, the game of numbers..

After my exhilarating ultra-run of 80kms in Malnad I was tempted to keep the zeal at the fullest.  I have decided to run till I would fly… Sky above me, earth below me and fire within me- I shall run, was the only thought in my mind for this November.. The comments and feedback on my previous blog instigated me to pen down my triumphs conquered in November here again, hence the birth of this blog. It’s a dopamine for me to note my name in the run-keeper app… The feeling of the distance being captured in the app and the various location of my run being registered on my mobile screen is indeed blissful. Every such milestone will remain as a cherished memory within me..

Regardless of how thick the mental fog may be- it dissipates just after couple of minutes of my run, as the endorphins start spreading in my body which is the most effective and natural chemical to provide the best perspective for a new day. The residues of yesterday’s problems are shaken off along with my run and gets replaced with fresh positive perspective for the new day. This emerges a new belief within me that there can not be any insurmountable obstacles or can not be any unsolvable problems which I can’t conquer. When I begin to run, my body becomes the master of my mind.  My body tells me when to get up, when to quit when it hurts.  The discipline of running has been the coup of mind over my body as I learned how to push my limits and beyond, during my run. This in-turn has enlightened me that I could do this in every areas of my life(may it be work or personal life) and win any battles, any difficult situations, any challenges. I thoroughly enjoy mastering the art of pushing limits.

Well, the concept of November run started from a comment by a close friend of mine mentioning that he too wished that he could run but his busy work schedule chained him down and hence the curtailment at his end. This blog was the best from my point of view to answer this distressed situation. Being a live example could have been the only tool to understand how I would succeed in such a situation.

I checked my Nov work travel calendar and as always had the 3 days of travel in each of the week. Almost half of the month was on outstation travel. Wallah, this brought joy and a crazy thought of exploring the different soil across the country. “If there is a way there is a run” this was bubbling in my mind and I was RUNGRY this November.

8^th of November, probably Entire India would remember this day when this word called demonetization got glorified – reached Delhi early morning of 8^th & with back to back meetings and follow ups, the day ended after a tiring 18 long strenuous hours. Waking up fresh the next day was not a concern as it was all about a run where I lived for 10 years that was almost like an home for me. That joy woke me up without an alarm at 4:30 am, all set to catch up with the Delhi weather. On the contrary, the smog fever had yet not settled in & hence had to pull up a crazy mask for my run. It was an exciting experience running in the borders of hauz khas & greater kailash as early as 5am. Remembering my good old days of run in this soil, I did about 12.12 kms which was the 1^st drizzle of my November run. Had to rush back to the hotel as I had to take the flight to Jaipur at 10am. An incredible learning experience to plan the day backwards with a tight schedule and still enjoying every inch of it, will stay firm in my memory.

10^th November Run @ Jaipur: After a tiring day of outlet visits in Jaipur crashed out late night after covering almost 200+ kms. Was little worried to start the run for the 2^nd consecutive day, that too a new terrain which was never experienced before. Owing to the early flight from Jaipur to Udaipur had to start my run at 4:30 am. Grabbed some zeal and stepped out of my hotel on the dark streets of Jaipur. An experience unforgettable, where I was chased by few street dogs which in turn helped my pace to get much faster. Giving the dogs a chase( J vice-a-versa ) missed my way back to the hotel. Managed the route with the help of google and

finally completed my 2^nd day run of 13.13 kms

My 3^rd consecutive day run in Udaipur on 11^th November

Was an awesome experience to run around the famous Fateh sagar lake. Enjoyed the whole run circling the lake twice. The joy of experiencing the sun rise inn the terrific location was quite incredible. The early hours of the day, just for myself is so worthwhile. This long run of 14.14kms was again after a tiring previous day of my travel to mount abu and café visits in Udaipur.

This 3^rd run completes my goal of the 1^st week run of 12.12km then 13.13 kms and finally 14.14 kms in 3 consecutive days. Experiencing back to back continuous run was exhilarating, was tiring, was painful, was hectic but thoroughly enjoyed every bit of these 3 days. From early hours of sun rise runs to late hours of work load, everything has taught me to get stronger and healthier..

13^th nov – All set for the upcoming BENGALURU ULTRA RUN within the next 48 hours.

Was excited about ultra run as I remembered my run in this trail, when I was an amateur in running 6 years back. Running 25kms those days used to be challenging however was eagerly waiting to set my feet on the 10^th edition of Ultra at Hennur, bangalore. Starting my run managed the fastest 25.25 kms of mine in less than 2.25 hrs with humming songs. Completely enjoyed the run. Rough terrain and the loop was exciting to keep up my pace. Completing the 4^th run of this month at such a pace was indeed blissful. The craving for an hearty breakfast post the run was quenched to the best.

16^th Nov – took an early morning flight to Hyderabad.

Traveling almost 700 kms on the highway reached vizag around 2am. Girish my colleague who heads the AP / TS belt was the one who drove me till this beautiful location of vizag. A long drive and an hectic schedule of outlet visits was little strenuous however this never was a deterrent for my next morning run. It could not have been possible that there is a beach and I do not run on the loose sand. A tough track but an endearing run. After 12:12 kms then 13:13 followed by 14:14, I had to cover a distance of 15:15 and there you go – the exhilarating RUN took about 1:44 hrs.

My foot prints at the vizag beach may get erased by the tide but the firm impression of the joy within me will remain forever.

24^th November – 16:16 kms dash – The Orange run at Nagpur

Again a new terrain but this time had to do a little bit of more mile considering the chalked plan. With my confusing state on the route at Jaipur previously did a little homework this time. Chalked the track keeping in mind the final destination of this run. Nothing else could have been a landmark run in this city other than touching the ZERO MILE of India.

THE ZERO MILE RUN FROM HOTEL TO THE CENTER OF INDIA, the run from the hotel to this destination was on a straight track. Couple of flyovers made the run little difficult but the uphill made my practice much stronger. Post my 16:16 kms run enjoyed the early morning sun rays, closed my eyes to feel the rays..  Stretched almost 30 minutes with sun rise. The orange colored sensation when you close your eyelids AND feel the early morning sun rise is so soothing..

25^th Nov @ Shirdi

A long drive of almost 600kms from nagpur via amaravati / aurangabad and then reached the holy city of Sai Baba late night. Reached about 2am but as always these busy schedules / long drives / hectic café visits which are a part of my life could not have deterred my passion towards running.

Started my run at 5:30 am – crossing the temple took the blessings of Shirdi Sai Baba during my run. Was happy to run in such a holy city. Had to rush back to the hotel as I had to drive my way back Nashik and the café visits and from there a long drive to Mumbai for my return to bangalore. Indeed a lovely and sooting experience in this holy city.

27^th Nov – The final call @ Srirangapatnam

Well, nothing would have been as blissful as this thought where I could set my foot prints in the Kaveri trail of srirangapatnam. The long wanting run of my life.. Been craving to run this trail from the time I knew what Marathon is… The run started at 6 am hence I had to leave home around 2am owing to the long drive of almost 130 kms.. The drive in the darkness will never be forgotten. Anyways reached well before in time. Met up with few connoisseurs of running. Completely charged up and inspired hearing few achievements of my fellow runners. I was all set to make a record for myself in this run..

My pre-race dinner

Well once the gun shot then there was no looking back. Ran like crazy. Wanted to run my fastest pace ever. Great experience during the run. Was quite happy to hear my name being called out by multiple people during the run..(Friends of mine from earlier marathons.. ) It’s a great feeling to know that many veterans knew me by my name and this certainly was different kick altogether.

Was proud to have completed the 21.21 kms in less than 1.50 hrs. This will be a milestone for me and will be the beginning of my next challenge. Finished my run and drove back to Bangalore with complete contentment and pride.

Well, that completes my November Run, totaling the distance covered this month of November was an awesome feeling. In total did about 130.4 kms as per the below table across various parts of India.

Apparently this number (13 04) was and will be close to me..

Coincidentally this numbers matches with my date of birth that being 13^th of April…

City	Date	Kms
Delhi	9th nov	12.12
Jaipur	10th nov	13.13
Udaipur	11th nov	14.14
Bangalore	13th nov	25.25
Vizag	17th nov	15.15
Nagpur	24th nov	16.16
Shirdi	25th nov	13.24
Mysore	27th nov	21.21
TOTAL KMS		130.4

The Game of numbers concludes with this feat conquered at my end BUT with a promise to myself to score bigger milestones, grander happiness in the days to come ahead. Have a thought of doing, one full marathon every month in the forthcoming year of 2017.. (I have registered for Std chartered Mumbai in January for 42.195 km and also I am in the game for the great Pondicherry Auroville run of 42.195 kms in February… March I shall set this shortly… and so on) without forgetting my ultimate ULTRA MALNAD RUN IN OCTOBER WHICH WOULD BE FOR 110 KMS…

For me run begins the moment, I forget that I am running. Running indeed has transformed me physically as well as mentally – it can SIMPLY transform any… it’s just that you need to convince, convince your mind that your body can withstand almost anything….

The voice in your head that says that you can’t, is a Big Liar.. Do not listen to that.

When you lose excuses, you will certainly find results..

                                                                                                                                                                                                  Go for it..!

Sunil Nair