I am BACK :)

Hello Hi Namaste Salama Aa Gaye Phir Se Karne Hungama....

Sorry for disappearing from the blogosphere for so long. I didn't intend to take such a long break, but I am back for good now. I've missed writing, and more than writing, I've missed reading all my favorite blogs - Ramesh, Sriram, SK, so many more....hope you are all doing well.

I just read my last blog entry from June 2016 where I wrote about my UK trip - WOW, has it been 2 years that I didn't write anything here? Ouch!

Life has been kind and generous during this time. No illnesses or health scares, family is doing well, kids are doing great, and work @ Intel is creatively challenging but still provides me enough flexibility n balance as a working mum.

Kids are on summer break right now, and my parents will be here next weekend to spend the summer break with us. All of us are looking forward to their company!!

On the personal front, I took a break from running in 2015, 2016 but I picked it back up in 2017, and have been consistent at it.  It's all I think about, read about, and do most days. I've run many races since I resumed in August 2017 last year. A couple weeks ago, hubby decided to join me for his 1st half marathon, and we ran it together - a memorable experience for both of us!!

My next race is the Ragnar Tahoe in July. It's a team trail relay race, where you take turns and run for 24+ hours non-stop as a team. I've never done something like this before, and it's going to be challenging, especially at 7000ft altitude, the uphill climbs and a possible middle-of-the-night run. I'll keep you all posted on it - I'm nervous but excited!!

(https://www.runragnar.com/event-detail/trail/tahoe_ca)

Another thing I have immensely enjoyed since September 2017 is working out @Orange Theory Fitness. I love the coach led, interval training at this gym, and it helped me lose so many inches as well as lbs. I participated in many special events (like the dri-tri, which is a dry triathlon at the gym - 2000m rowing, 300 reps of body weight exercises, and a 5k run on the treadmill). A year ago, I was in no state to even complete it. I finished my first dri-tri in 54 mins - and I know I could have done better!!

After every workout, we also get a summary in the form of a bar chart below - I love analyzing the numbers....whether its my heart rate, or calories, or the zones, it's my jam! I used to go into the orange/red zone very quickly in the beginning, but my cardio health has improved and it takes a huge effort now to get into those zones and bank some splat points.

I have put my Orange Theory membership on hold for the summer, as we go to another gym with pools and kids activities as a family. It's been only 10 days since my last class, but I miss it terribly. I was addicted to it these past few months.

Summer is here - it's my favorite season of the year. The days are warm and long - we try to spend a ton of time outdoors. We've done local hikes, water play at splash parks, biking and park picnics so far. We have a camping trip coming up this weekend, followed by a few days exploring San Francisco and the bay area. Kids have been swimming at every available opportunity, and I'm hoping to take them whitewater rafting this weekend on the American River.

So - how are all of you doing? What exciting adventures do you have planned for summer? How has your 2018 been so far?

I'm hoping to post a lot more in the coming days....stay tuned!!

Half Marathon, Summer Haircuts, and more....

Sorry I went missing for a while from the blog. Lots was happening and blogging fell off the routine.

I wanted to update all of you on my running training. I finished my first half marathon (13.1 miles), about a month ago. It was an amazing experience, and I hope to churn out a post with all the details in it. It took me about 3 hours to finish (yes, I was slow) but I ran strong, and I finished my training as well as my race injury free. SUCCESS!!!!

Pictures before and after the half-marathon race.....

Much to my delight, I have managed to continue working out and running as an effort to lose weight and get fitter. I'm eating more balanced meals (I always thought I ate healthy but being a vegetarian, I did not balance out the protein and carbs on a daily basis) and steadily losing a pound a week since the last 4 weeks. I'm learning to incorporate Kettlebells in my workouts and they are amazing to work with. 

On the home front, the husband changed jobs and is settling into his new role. His commute has gone down from about an hour each way to 20 mins each way so that's a blessing for the family. We are much more relaxed with our morning routine now and he is also back early in the evening to help me out!

The kids are growing up to be naughtier and more adventurous. The son TALKS a lot - I MUST do a post on all the words and short sentences he can cook up. The daughter rides her bike (with training wheels) on the street and they both absolutely love riding their plasma cars inside or outside the house. They are true champs at riding those cars....and when the neighbors' kids (6 of them) are also out riding, it's pure delight to watch the street scene.

The son also got his first haircut last weekend - he looks sooper cute with a shaved head :). The daughter, who hates getting her curls combed and hates any hair accessory, also got a haircut from her favorite hairdresser, Jenny, and is sporting a short curly bob.

We have some travel coming up, and then my parents will head back to India later this month. I'm hoping the warmer weather will keep us free from illnesses after they leave as we will be on our own for a while now.

Day 11 - Mind vs Body

I woke up feeling very lethargic today. With the ER visit and a sick kiddo at home, the week was tiring.

On top of that, it is the time of the month when Aunt Flo is visiting me, making her presence felt strongly with cramps and more lethargy.

It was also predicted to rain this morning.

SO many reasons to NOT go for my half-marathon training today.

But I went.

I was not sure how it will go.

The trainer changed plans on us - instead of a 4-mile run as per our training plan, he asked us to run 5 miles.

5 miles - never ran that distance before in my life. I've walked 20+ miles but never ran.

The warmup itself was brutal. But no rain, yet. Fingers crossed.

I did not want to run alone. I knew I would not be able to push myself if I did. So I joined a team of 4 women who trained at my pace. We all motivated each other.

The trail, as usual, was beautiful. And it was busy too. Lots of runners and cyclists on the trail. And it did not rain at all - we were so lucky.

I DID IT - 1 hour, 9 mins - 5 miles. The farthest I've ran in my life. (To be honest, it was a run+walk, but that is my goal for this first race anyway).  WOOHOO!

I felt SO good after the run. The core workout post-run was a piece of cake. Yep, even the 60-second planks and the squats and the pushups felt sooper easy.

I was not the fastest, or the strongest, but I gave my hardest. And for that, I'm very proud of myself.

What was I thinking while running? I just kept telling myself: "I CAN do it." Baby steps. Kept counting from 1-10 and repeating it. Chatted with friends along the way, getting to know them better. One has GIRD so she is running to build her lung capacity, one is retiring next month and wants to live an active life filled with travel and adventures post-retirement, one lost 20lbs last year and wants to get fitter and lose more weight before her wedding. So many inspiring folks out there....it was lovely!

You have to have this desire within you to achieve something. For me, right now, it is to GET FIT. Not so much to lose weight (it will naturally come off), but I need to get my fitness level back. And I'm doing it - one workout, one run, one day at a time!

Day 7 - Night Running

I went for my first night run tonight. It was with my training group (thankfully), and I had prepared myself with all the gear I needed a couple of days ago.

I thought I was ready.

SO wrong!!!!

I was scared, and intimidated. I've never ran in my life, period. And this night run was scary. It was on the American River Trail which is really pretty during the day, but is equally scary at night. No lights, and chances of mountain lion, rattle snakes, deer, etc. FREAKED me out!

I started out with the core group, but very quickly, found my sluggish self at the end of the pack with two other females who were running at my pace.

And then suddenly I had an idea - let's listen to some music. I slowed down - considerably - trying to figure out a Pandora station to play and tuck in my headphones beneath my ear muffs and headlamp. It took me close to 10 minutes and I found myself all alone, in this dark jungle, listening to some stupid song which I immediately stopped. With the headphones, I had zoned out of all the sounds on the trail - there could be bikers calling out, a snake hissing, or an animal following. Feeling very afraid, I ran at a much faster pace to catch up with the group who was heading back after the 20-minute turnout.

Even though those 10 minutes were scary, the rest of the run was amazing. 3.5 miles again today, in 40 minutes, followed by a workout in the dark for 30 minutes (squats and push-ups and plank and what not).

I can't say I've fallen in love with running yet (I was dreading the run all day today) but I can see myself getting fitter and stronger with every session.

GO ME!!!!

Day 5 - Sorry, I disappeared

Well, that's a great way to start the New Year - by breaking my resolution :) :) :) :)!

Sorry for the disappearance act. I goofed up big time. I actually wrote blog posts for Jan 2nd and Jan 3rd, and scheduled them to be posted at 11.30pm each day. Only to realize that I put '2015' instead of '2014' so they were never posted here. I have NO idea how I messed this one up.....

But, I will post them after this one, and backdate them. Hope that's okay.

I started my half marathon training. First run was 3.5 miles in 40 minutes, followed by a core workout session. The trainer is one tough task master, so whether I finish this half marathon or not, I'm sure I will be much fitter by the end of this training. Here is the group photo on day 1:

I have my training plan in front of me....and its slightly intimidating. But that's good, right? One of my goals this year is to get more uncomfortable, outside of my parenting responsibilities. And this training will do just that. Wish me luck and an injury free 3 months :)!