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!!

A 32 mile bike ride along the American River

C.A.L.I.F.O.R.N.I.A - Absolutely LURVE this place :)

When I was applying to colleges in US for doing my MS, I always hoped I would get into some college in CA. And I did....Thank God for that :)

Couple weekends ago, I went for a 30+ bike ride along the American River Bike Trail. This was something that I had wanted to do for a long time, having lived in this area for close to 10 years now.

This bike trail is arguably one of the most successful and beautifully paved bike paths in northern California. Also known as the Jedediah Smith National Recreation Trail, the American River Bike Path is nearly 100% separate from vehicle roads (a mile or two shares the road).

Until now, I had done portions of this trail but this time I completed the entire stretch from Old Folsom to Old Sacramento. Sooper FUN!

We started from home at 7.45am, and got to Karen's bakery in Old Folsom at 8am. I met with few colleagues from Intel who were all going to ride together with me, and then got ready with the bike and gear (helmet, sunscreen, etc). Here's me and my bike :)


We started the bike ride around 8.45am....and one of the first views was of Lake Natoma area. I could not resist stopping here for a picture of the view.



The weather was purr-fect for biking that day. I was feeling great as well.

We saw many animals (like a peahen n its babies) and birds along the way, and some late spring flowers blooming as well.

We passed by Nimbus Dam, which is fantastic, and then through so many parks - Sacramento Bar, Rossmoor Bar, Ancil Hoffman Park, Goethe Park, Fair Oaks/Watt Area - along the way.

We took a long break at my alma mater - Sac State (California State University, Sacramento). We took our bikes up on the Guy West Bridge (a pedestrian-only suspension bridge modeled after the famous Golden Gate Bridge in SFO), and enjoyed the view. I used to live on the other side of this bridge for 3 years while I was in school, and would walk this bridge several times a day to go to school. Felt so nostalgic!



By this time, we had covered a distance of about 20 miles, and my toosh was hurting really bad coz I was wearing regular shorts and not proper bike shorts with gel pads. I was really debating whether I should go further or take the train back home. But the idea of turning back did not feel good. So my friend Andy asked some fellow bikers on how the trail was until the end, and they encouraged us by saying that it was very easy and doable.

So I borrowed Andy's jacket and used it as my toosh-cushion and continued the ride.



From here until the finish, it was a breeze in terms of riding. Yes my butt did hurt, but other than that, everything was fine.

We passed by Discovery Park, which is spread across 300 acres, and where the American River meets the Sacramento River. There were lots and lots of people enjoying various activities in the park, which was a sight of delight!

We also saw a beach (which I never knew existed here) where folks were enjoying water activities and sun bathing.



At this point, we thought we had reached Old Town Sacramento, but it was nowhere in sight. I have been there several times before, but never via the bike trail, so we were kinda lost. We asked a guard about the directions and he said we had still 2 more miles to bike (phew!) before reaching Old Sac. So we pushed ourselves to get there, and met Joan (our bike trip lead) on the way. She had come looking for us (so nice of her :)).

We finally made it into Old Sacramento....and I felt soooooooooooooooo relieved!!!!

As you would imagine, I was starving by now. So I ordered a Farmers Market crepe with pesto, tomatoes, avocados and cheese - a classic Californian crepe....and enjoyed my meal outdoors on the patio with the bike parked on the side, while observing swarms of people strolling by and shopping around.

I could not resist buying a pound of salt water taffy from the candy store across the street before walking to the train station.

The 45-minute train ride back to Old Folsom was so relaxing....the ticket inspector came to check the tickets (which only happens once in a blue moon) - not once - but twice - the second time she didn't even ask for our ticket...just smiled and passed by :)

I would love to do this ride again with few more friends, and improve upon my time from my first attempt! Yes, I won't forget to buy a pair of good bike shorts before my next attempt :)

Here is a map of the trail in case you are interested:



My next trip this weekend is to the Channel Islands National Park in Southern California, where I am going to try sea kayaking for the very first time :)

I Love SUMMER and I Love CALIFORNIA!