I spent the last week at Hyderabad and Vizag. In Hyderabad we were in the Hitec City area. Since it was a Christmas holiday the dominant theme of the holiday was alcohol. So running was not really something I focused on much. But I did get out to run two evenings - once I ran through Hitex - an exhibition area and once just outside the place I was staying in.
What struck me the most were that the streets were so clean and well paved. Maybe because this area is so far out that regular Indians don't live there. Most of the people who live there are sofware types who have travelled abroad and have been confused by the way things are done elsewhere. These people think that garbage has to be put INSIDE garbage bins. I'm sure they will soon realise that that is not the Indian way and garbage needs to AROUND garbage bins.
The roads are also clean and brightly lit. Probably because the roads are less than a couple of years old.
Anyway the running was light and easy. Couldnt do much. Hmmm - wonder if the three quarter bottle of whisky inside me had anything to do with it.
Until next time.
Tuesday, December 30, 2008
Friday, December 19, 2008
Working hard and the right way to tie Shoelaces!
Been working a lot these last couple of weeks. The prospect of the recession is creating a sense of fear and urgency. So I've been focussing a lot on my company's ability to execute and deliver on what I think are our priorities these last couple of weeks.
As a result my running has taken a bit of a back seat. The last I ran (before today) was last Sunday when I ran with Chennai Runners. Did a slow 11K. Went from the usual starting place - Dimensions Gym - to Besant Nagar Beach. At the beach I did 24 pull ups and 24 dips in sets of 8. Came back to Dimensions.
It has been such a long time since I ran long and slow that certain unmentionable parts of my body were hurting on the drive back. Following that I resolved to really get back into running again. But 'tis the season to be jolly. So a lot of alcohol was moved around and processed this week.
Managed to get out this morning and go to the MCC. Hammerred out a really fast 4 laps - a tad more than a mile. Felt really powerful. I think sprinting has taken my running to another level altogether. Though stamina wise I think I need to throw in a couple of long runs each week. But in terms of just plain running action and feel, I find I'm running a lot more on the balls of the feet rather than heel-toe. And the quads and glutes are responding with a powerful kick.
So it all looks good for now. Planning to run again tomorrow morning with Chennai Runners. Probably do the same 11k route.
Found an interesting article on Runner's World about the right way to tie shoelaces. Didnt even know there was such a thing.
Long article but well worth reading and learning!
Until next time
As a result my running has taken a bit of a back seat. The last I ran (before today) was last Sunday when I ran with Chennai Runners. Did a slow 11K. Went from the usual starting place - Dimensions Gym - to Besant Nagar Beach. At the beach I did 24 pull ups and 24 dips in sets of 8. Came back to Dimensions.
It has been such a long time since I ran long and slow that certain unmentionable parts of my body were hurting on the drive back. Following that I resolved to really get back into running again. But 'tis the season to be jolly. So a lot of alcohol was moved around and processed this week.
Managed to get out this morning and go to the MCC. Hammerred out a really fast 4 laps - a tad more than a mile. Felt really powerful. I think sprinting has taken my running to another level altogether. Though stamina wise I think I need to throw in a couple of long runs each week. But in terms of just plain running action and feel, I find I'm running a lot more on the balls of the feet rather than heel-toe. And the quads and glutes are responding with a powerful kick.
So it all looks good for now. Planning to run again tomorrow morning with Chennai Runners. Probably do the same 11k route.
Found an interesting article on Runner's World about the right way to tie shoelaces. Didnt even know there was such a thing.
Long article but well worth reading and learning!
Until next time
Saturday, December 6, 2008
Disappointments and getting back to training
So I just got a kick in a butt from a friend about updating my blog. Here it is, Shumit.
The major development is that my meet which was scheduled to be tomorrow (Dec 7) has been postponed to Feb 15th. I was pretty disappointed. So much so that I actually ate only junk food for 2 days. (I have to watch this carefully - I think I may have some psychological problems associated with running and keeping fit)
Anyway, I entered this week feeling really tired and worn out. My legs were hurting and my mind was bruised from all the sprinting that I was doing the last several weeks. The rains made it more difficult because I would feel guilty for missing work outs. The sprints were getting laborious. I don't think I was getting faster but I certainly am lighter. I think my kick has now become a lot more powerful. But basically I was tired and fatigued.
So I decided that this week I was going to rest. I slept in the whole week - waking up at 0700hrs - previously I was waking up at 0445hrs.
When I heard that the meet was postponed, I generally let go and ate a lot of chocolate. That was good.
Finally I went out running this morning. Huge difference. I ran upto Pachayappa's college from home - it took me about 3.5 minutes - and I was not panting! So the workouts must have helped.
Today's workout was 450m jog and 10 pull-ups - repeat 5 times. I then did another 3 laps and 10 knees to elbows. I finished up with 3 sets of 10 x 10m shuttle runs.
Felt really good. I'll probably take a few more days off and completely recover before I start again - may be mid next week.
Until next time.
The major development is that my meet which was scheduled to be tomorrow (Dec 7) has been postponed to Feb 15th. I was pretty disappointed. So much so that I actually ate only junk food for 2 days. (I have to watch this carefully - I think I may have some psychological problems associated with running and keeping fit)
Anyway, I entered this week feeling really tired and worn out. My legs were hurting and my mind was bruised from all the sprinting that I was doing the last several weeks. The rains made it more difficult because I would feel guilty for missing work outs. The sprints were getting laborious. I don't think I was getting faster but I certainly am lighter. I think my kick has now become a lot more powerful. But basically I was tired and fatigued.
So I decided that this week I was going to rest. I slept in the whole week - waking up at 0700hrs - previously I was waking up at 0445hrs.
When I heard that the meet was postponed, I generally let go and ate a lot of chocolate. That was good.
Finally I went out running this morning. Huge difference. I ran upto Pachayappa's college from home - it took me about 3.5 minutes - and I was not panting! So the workouts must have helped.
Today's workout was 450m jog and 10 pull-ups - repeat 5 times. I then did another 3 laps and 10 knees to elbows. I finished up with 3 sets of 10 x 10m shuttle runs.
Felt really good. I'll probably take a few more days off and completely recover before I start again - may be mid next week.
Until next time.
Saturday, November 1, 2008
Star attraction!
There's been a spate of six packs in the film world ever since Shah Rukh got his. The question on the top of my mind is - Why the hell didnt these guys do it sooner?
I mean its so obvious that a star has to look his or her best and the six pack has been around for ages in Hollywood. And not just the action stars by the way.
My take is that unfortunately our stars - the Shah Rukhs, the Salmans, the Aamirs, the Bachans, etc. are just not athletic. Take a look at Matt Damon in the Bourne movies. He's got a six-pack - but he doesn't look like crap - the way Shah Rukh Khan looks in my previous post on this.
Surya - my claim to fame is that he was my classmate in school! - looks like a body builder. Which is good on a body builder on stage. But for an action star I'd rather have a body like Matt Damon or one of the many guys in the Fight club. Personally I thought Brad Pitt in both Fight Club and Troy was a bit over done.
But my point is simple - there's a difference between an action oriented physique and a show oriented physique. Bollywood doesnt yet get it. (Eg.: Kamal Hassan has 250 inch biceps that pair very well with his 500 inch waist - and he keeps showing it off at every opportunity as well)
Until next time!
I mean its so obvious that a star has to look his or her best and the six pack has been around for ages in Hollywood. And not just the action stars by the way.
My take is that unfortunately our stars - the Shah Rukhs, the Salmans, the Aamirs, the Bachans, etc. are just not athletic. Take a look at Matt Damon in the Bourne movies. He's got a six-pack - but he doesn't look like crap - the way Shah Rukh Khan looks in my previous post on this.
Surya - my claim to fame is that he was my classmate in school! - looks like a body builder. Which is good on a body builder on stage. But for an action star I'd rather have a body like Matt Damon or one of the many guys in the Fight club. Personally I thought Brad Pitt in both Fight Club and Troy was a bit over done.
But my point is simple - there's a difference between an action oriented physique and a show oriented physique. Bollywood doesnt yet get it. (Eg.: Kamal Hassan has 250 inch biceps that pair very well with his 500 inch waist - and he keeps showing it off at every opportunity as well)
Until next time!
Monday, October 27, 2008
Raw speed and everything is raw!
Today I started my raw speed training phase. I spent all of last week getting ready. Last week's workout was mainly conditioning weights. Of course, more weights than running because of the weather. But I basically conditioned with a lot of high rep/high speed kind of weight training for the shoulders, upper arms and legs. So today I went in to the track at SDAT with some strength built in. However, I also went in with 5 whiskies and several unhealthy cocktail samosas as my energy source. Bad, bad, bad.
Todays workout started with a 10 minute warm up jog - the entire work out today was on spikes by the way. The main deliverable for today was 150m x 2 x 3 with full recovery between sets. No recovery between reps - just the time it takes to walk back the 150m. Shumit gave me company and ensured that I finished the workout.
I hit 150m on the first rep and was already winded. The second rep ended at 120m with several muscles screaming for a complete shutdown. After that first set, I made the mistake of chatting with my friend and that also hampered my recovery. The second set was similar. First rep good, second burnout at 120-130. By now a boy who was watching us joined in. He kept screwing up my rythm by running across me from his lane (far one) to the closest lane to the field.
Anyway after the second set I was all ready to throw in the towel. Shumit however ensured that that didnt happen and pushed me to finish my quota.
Thanks Shumit!
I managed to run the last two with a great deal of rest before I started the final set.
Came home, showered and took the family out to brunch. From the time we left the house my thighs have been screaming daggers. Never felt this whupped before. Fortunately today is a holiday and I can get some sleep.
Until next time.
Todays workout started with a 10 minute warm up jog - the entire work out today was on spikes by the way. The main deliverable for today was 150m x 2 x 3 with full recovery between sets. No recovery between reps - just the time it takes to walk back the 150m. Shumit gave me company and ensured that I finished the workout.
I hit 150m on the first rep and was already winded. The second rep ended at 120m with several muscles screaming for a complete shutdown. After that first set, I made the mistake of chatting with my friend and that also hampered my recovery. The second set was similar. First rep good, second burnout at 120-130. By now a boy who was watching us joined in. He kept screwing up my rythm by running across me from his lane (far one) to the closest lane to the field.
Anyway after the second set I was all ready to throw in the towel. Shumit however ensured that that didnt happen and pushed me to finish my quota.
Thanks Shumit!
I managed to run the last two with a great deal of rest before I started the final set.
Came home, showered and took the family out to brunch. From the time we left the house my thighs have been screaming daggers. Never felt this whupped before. Fortunately today is a holiday and I can get some sleep.
Until next time.
Wednesday, October 22, 2008
Missed a workout this morning!
Wanted so much to run today. It was supposed to be Rolling sprints – 30m jog + 30m Sprint + 30m Jog + 30m sprint 4 mins repeat thrice.
Several factors contributed to the missed workout.
One – party last night. A friend of mine was celebrating her birthday last night and I had to go. I didn’t want to drink at all – but I had to drink – probably about 5 small whiskies. Came home and hit the sack at 0100 hrs. Not a good idea when you are trying to manage your weight.
Two – no car. My car had gone to pick up my parents from the airport so I was wheel-less.
Three – I am very frustrated with my work at the moment. I have a bunch of crazy political issues at my biggest client weighing me down.
So even though I woke up at 0500hrs this morning, I just didn’t go out. This after I thought I put in a pretty good day yesterday. Did almost everything according to plan. Except one task which has to turn around and bite me. Anyway hoping to undo some damage this morning.
In the meantime it looks like I will have to travel to see my grandfather who is on his deathbed. So I have a bunch of things going on right now.
Ah – the joys of rat-racing!
Sunday, October 19, 2008
New Schedule for Speed
Got myself a new schedule for speed work this month (Actually November 1 - 30th). Im pretty excited about it.
Been weight training for the last several days focussing on shoulders and arms for the drive. My shoulders feel powerful and I feel like I am actually converting that strength into movement below my hips. My weight has reduced slightly - hovering around 73kg. My fat around my stomach seems to be the same though. While I feel my shoulders and chest somewhat bigger, there is definitely a layer protecting my stomach.
I got the new schedule from my trainer and put it into my calendar yesterday. The plan is to also eat exactly right for the next 4 - 5 weeks. Taking some advice from Josh Hillis! So I have this paper schedule on which Im going to mark off If I have eaten right or not. So lets see how it goes. Planning to cut back severely on alcohol. I think it might just work.
Until next time.
Been weight training for the last several days focussing on shoulders and arms for the drive. My shoulders feel powerful and I feel like I am actually converting that strength into movement below my hips. My weight has reduced slightly - hovering around 73kg. My fat around my stomach seems to be the same though. While I feel my shoulders and chest somewhat bigger, there is definitely a layer protecting my stomach.
I got the new schedule from my trainer and put it into my calendar yesterday. The plan is to also eat exactly right for the next 4 - 5 weeks. Taking some advice from Josh Hillis! So I have this paper schedule on which Im going to mark off If I have eaten right or not. So lets see how it goes. Planning to cut back severely on alcohol. I think it might just work.
Until next time.
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