Still I remember, I and my friend used to run at my graduation days and I think those were my first attempt to run.  We used to run about 5kms with slippers.  Don't even much aware of that running in shoes would be more comfortable.  Despite dogs, no goals, target and method, just used to run in the morning about 3-5km.  Not sure by that time it was anyway indication to that I can run more and this long.  If I could have continued, I believe, I might be at more better state than what I am now, nevertheless nothing late or missed. 

Since then I never ran or tried to run, but I started brisk walk again in my late 40s, slowly used to try run about 3k.  After few months, I picked up and used to run about 3-5km, realized that I never tired.  Those walks turned into frequent short runs.  One of my colleague advised me to participate in one 10k run event.  I registered but I was afraid if I can make that run.  While I was running I came across an old man slowly running, no walk, I spoke with him what made you to run, he just said, I enjoy my run, I am not doing this for any benefit, I am able do it, so I am just running.  It made me thought differently, then started running regularly and participate another 10k event, surprisingly one of the event picture posted in an famous English newspaper, with our running faces.  I felt very happy, motivated me to participate more 5k, 10k events.  I moved to another apartment where I started running regularly, but used to struggle, couldn't run non-stop, used to take couple of breaks.  But slowly improved started participating more events. 

One more break, that I was pushed to run 21k at Central University, it was almost a kind of tough run, took good breaks, other runners used to ask me if I was ok.  However I completed and then slowly increased pace used to run 21ks.  At the same time, I saw there was Hyderabad Ultra Marathon, I registered for 25k without any hesitation, practice, understanding of its difficulty, if I can or not, or.  Somehow I ran 22km, at 22th km, I was completely drained, fatigue and tired because of long Microsoft, Gachibowli elevation, I sat for a while, I was thinking why I was running and what for, when I looked at my palms, they were a bit swelled, I was bit afraid, what is going to happen to me and hands.  But still I don't want to give up, started running very slowly and complete that 25k Ultra run.  This was my biggest break through by two ways, one was I overcame fear of 21k+ runs, long or steep elevation, another one meeting with KVB Reddy, couple of days before this run I checked in our apartment chat if anyone running from our apartment, he replied, we met on the ground floor, this changed my entire running life.  He added me to their running group called Triders, and more to say about it. In the beginning, when I look at their running, cycling and workout updates, used to think and felt differently, but, I am inspired, influenced by that great wonderful team, used to interact them, learnt a lot.  I started running and participating events along with them.  It was altogether great experience, learning and happiness in running with them.  Ran lot of groups runs, 10k, 21k.  And then my zeal and dream turned to complete at least one 42k by looking all teams activity. That made me join Poonam's workout sessions, that helped me to complete my dream 42k run in Hyderabad and then in Mumbai.  Since then my running saga continued, participation of 100 Days of running, other events.

Now 4 Marathon, including latest NMDC tough one, about 30 Half-marathons, many 10ks and 5ks completed. 

All my special thanks to Triders team for all fun and motivation, to KVB Reddy for all guidance, help, support and suggestions and taking me along for wonderful events like, Durshet Forest, Stone Ridge, Vagamon Runs, to Sridhar Yelamanchali, Nagu Maradani for all inspiration, motivation and fun.

Now it is not any more a run for fitness and health, it is a bliss run.

.... STILL TO COME...