Back in the running

It is that time of the year- when new resolutions get made. Running and romance are always on the list.

Running along the Prairie Path

One really nice attraction of DuPage County is the Prairie Path. It has several spurs, and the paths are great for distance running or biking.

Weighty thoughts

Runners gain weight easily the moment they stop running. Yesterday I noticed that I had gained 5% just because I had not run for a week. Hope to reverse that trend over the next few weeks.

Lost in Love...

Can be difficult to find one's way when one is lost in love...unfortunately the break-ups break one up. One has to say Yes- to Owner of a Lonely Heart.

The "Sole" of a Runner

Runners are a special breed, especially the long distance ones. They tend to be thinkers, and quite a few of them run alone. To run for two hours or longer takes mental strength, and good soles. The punishment given to the feet is quite intense.

Not down in Downers

One part of my running life that does not stand out is the year I spent in Westmont before moving to Naperville. Used to run on the side streets of Westmont and Dnwoners Grove, and on the track in one of the local schools. Used to run in the Morton Arboretum during the week- that helped a lot too.

Bill

Rodgers...is what a friend of mine compared me to, after we both ran for a while- it was perhaps the only time we ran together.

Fast-tracking the Fast Run

I remember doing speed work while preparing for my first marathon- when I would run a mile fast and then run a couple at an easy pace...those practices took a lot out of me.

A running struggle

Running after a few days was not much fun...layoffs never do the body and mind any good...so one should lay off layoffs...

Watering down...the run

The challenge in running long distances is in getting enough water. When young, I could just drink water at the beginning and it would suffice for more than two hours. Now, the route is selected based on the presence of water fountains along the way.

Running out

of time at the end of the year...too much to do, too little time to run.

The long run

to Lake Cook Road- the road where the Chicago Botanical Garden lies. Those runs would take four hours and leave one tired but fired.

Powering ahead..

Running by the lake when I used to take classes in downtown Chicago in 1994-1995. It was fun to run by the interesting spots along the lakeshore.

Hitting Forty...

miles...one of my students told me that he ran forty miles in the summer. My max distance for a single run was close to 30.

Running from friendships

There are certain races well worth running, and certain others well worth avoiding. Perhaps it is the same way with romances and friends. There are certain ones to run away from, but they tend to chase the runner and often catch up with him.

The "Bud"ding team

The Budweiser triathlon which I did with Mark and Neil was great fun. Mark was an excellent swimmer and Neil was a good biker and I finished up the run. We finished first in our category- a fun finish to a serious training regimen.

Wish I was in California

Where I could run every day and have romantic dinners more often....

marathon...of music

one can listen to music all day and all night..One of my students wrote an interesting paper on the history of music formats, from LP to the current digital file formats..

Running with Coffee

Coffee, Exercise Fight Prostate Cancer - Studies show improved survival among men who partake regularly

Run and Romance...even in NJ

NJ is generally regarded as the pits of the Universe...and certainly the Newark area gives that argument some credibility..However parts of NJ are quite beautiful. I have had some wonderful runs there, and also met some really nice women there during my visits. While the latter did not result in great endings the runs are still in and on my mind.

Running....for Peace

Racing through life, with the attendant convulsions, potholes, ups and downs, is always fascinating for the intellect. Reflection is often necessary to gain some understanding of the human-environment interactions. The human-human romantic interactions are often the more difficult to get one's legs around...

Running a 5K

at Northwestern a long time ago was one of my great memories- it was really fast run that went around the lakefill and the Norris center. I finished among the top three- and did receive a prize. For someone who had taken up running relatively late in life, it was a highlight.

Hot Run on a Cold Day

It was cold this morning when I went out for a run, but I ended up putting in a fast time. Once the initial effect of the cold wind on the face burns off, the cold weather makes one run faster and the run becomes enjoyable...my friend in India, where the weather is hot on a 'cold' day, is working out on a treadmill in a gym.

Romantic Runs

My business travel took me to many places including San Antonio, San Francisco, Denver, Phoenix, and Miami. Running in all these places forms a big part of my pleasant memories.

Speeding slowly

I used to practice running fast and putting speed work on track. However distance running is still my preference, and running in the mountains as I did in Salt Lake recently is always near the peak of my preferences.

Running on Track

Back in the eighties, I ran outdoors for distance and then did speed work on track in the NW gym. Often I would follow this with a spot of basketball with friends and a bit of racquetball. That was another romantic period in my life- when I really liked a young lady DK. Unfortunately it was another case of being taken advantage of by a smart and beautiful lady. However optimism still reigns supreme.

A Running Battle

of wits with my brethren is the daily routine in our household- with each one trying to outrun the others.

Favorite place to run

Apart from the Hawaiian islands, La Jolla is a great place to run. One of my fondest memories is going to La Jolla with Vicki W. for a conference in 1994. It was gorgeous, and it was great fun to run by Torrey Pines and along the La Jolla shores.

Running Backasswards...

Sarah Palin in her running outfit...

Running and politics- Bush, Clinton, Palin... Those three running together can exchange interesting stories.

Running...into a Redbox

Redbox serves a useful purpose: it is convenient for picking up a movie when one is out running. Of late, I have always found a few people dropping off or picking up movies every time I have stopped at a Redbox.

Running...into coincidences

Coincidences, like the one I experienced today, remind one of the law of large numbers or of higher powers...Coincidences are perhaps not "purely coincidental..."

A nice run...

At 5:00 PM on a cool but not cold evening...a great way to clear the mind and think.

Running in the CIty

Back in 1994-95 I used to go to the city regularly, park the car near Northwestern and run up to the beginning of Lake Shore drive, or LSD. That was long but a very pretty and rewarding run, going through many interesting parks and providing a great view of the skyline.

One of my former students who graduated in May ran her first marathon in October and did it in 3:38. Her friend, Stacy, who I had met nearly four years ago, also did her first marathon this year and both of them plan to run the Boston next year. That is good running!

Run...past the Past..

I have students who love Jane Austen and Charlotte Bronte- and these are not Literature majors. Not all is lost...yet.

A Run-away train...of thought

Needs to be derailed...

Musical Run...

Looking for a great score for running- Vangelis did one for Chariots of Fire, but there has not been much since.

Heartbreak....ers

The WSJ has an interesting article about Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers.

I love their songs, especially "free falling" and 'I don't back down."

Running with the Angels

The days have become longer at work, and shorter in time. However some of the students are angels, and spending time with them is always so rewarding.

Wrestling...with tennis

I had two students come by my office today- one a wrestler and another a tennis player. Both of them gave up their sport because of shoulder injuries. They took it very positively and saw it as an opportunity to try new things.

It is great to see the talented youngsters get ready to tackle the real world, banged up shoulder and all.

Running a Food Race

A couple of students wrote to me recently about the changes they had made to their food habits as a consequence of a discussion section we had over three classes. We discussed the book 'In Defense of Food" and analyzed the hypotheses put forth by the author Mr. Pollan. The students got exposed to certain foods, we all tried yogurt in our sessions, and now students will learn to incorporate whole foods in their diet. A good run.

Picking up...

Getting back to running is not difficult, weather cooperating. Days seem to go by so fast...

A 'spirit'ed run...

The moderate weather has been a blessing for runners. Running brings up the spirits, grading assignments brings them down in no time.

Running forward..but pulled backwards

I had a good run today after a week of sickness. After coming back I started working on a presentation and a former romantic friend pinged me. I had assumed that we had gone our separate ways, and this brought me back to the past. Sometimes memories don't get erased, they get refreshed...

Running in Evanston

thoughts of my runs in Evanston bring back happy memories- of running with friends, and seeing the regulars who became acquaintances... good old days were always good.

Indoors...

Running indoors...on a treadmill.

Is that running?

Old time rock and run...

Just went through my old marathon certificates with the times...

Those days ran by fast...

Schedule Slips...

After three days of solid running, the past two days have seen none. While this is rationalized as being caused by work, the real reason is the short days in the winter.

Marathon Michelle

One of my students who graduated this year, Michelle, just ran a marathon and finished in a great time of 3:38 and qualified for the Boston. I am really proud of her, as she trained hard while representing the school in cross country, and maintained academic excellence.

A Warm Day...and a Warm Run

After returning from Salt Lake late last night, I went our for a run this morning. Chicago is experiencing very warm temperatures, and today the thermometer crossed 70 degrees. I had perhaps the fastest run of recent times, especially given my two-day training on the mountains. It also gave me the tired feeling I have not had in a long time.

A pain in the ...gut

Today, I ran again in the mountains in Salt Lake. This was a steeper climb than yesterday's run, but without all the food sloshing in the belly, it proved to be very enjoyable.

Running Uphill...

I have not had a chance to run up a mountain since March 2008 when I had gone to Phoenix. Today, after arriving at Salt Lake City and eating a big lunch, I decided to go running. A road going up the mountain, the Canyon Creek Road, was the recommended one. It was quite a struggle going uphill, with gravity showing its force, and a full stomach resisting jerky motion. Nevertheless, I ran for an hour, and went a lot farther than I had planned. Truly brought back the joy and pain of running.

Running...the Human Race

Running a Race that has no end

Memories of a Long Run...

Days when I used to run from 630 Hull Terrace in Evanston all the way to Lake Cook Road and back. Those were the days...when the body was in fine shape, and one had the time for long runs.

New Balance

I showed a video clip about New Balance to my students today- a snap poll showed that Mizuno, Nike, and New Balance were shoes bought by students.

Need Chariots...

After Chariots of Fire, there hasn't been a good movie on runners. It is time, given the tremendous improvement in the sport over the past three decades. For great drama a close marathon race is as good as it gets.

An inspiring event

After watching the beginning of the New York Marathon for a few minutes, I went out and ran farther than I have done in recent times. After coming back I watched the completion of the marathon. It was quite an event, with Derartu Tulu of Ethiopia winning the women's marathon ahead of favorite Paula Radcliffe by more than thirty seconds. It was impressive to see Ms. Tulu running the last mile at the fastest pace in the marathon. One needs to have tremendous inner energy to run the last mile the way she did. Congratulations, Ms. Tulu!

Running in Spurts...

It would be nice to get back to a consistent running scheme. Good luck to the NYC marathon runner tomorrow.

Can you run faster than Paula?

Was and is the question often asked of male runners in England.

There is a great story on Grete Waitz and Paula Radcliffe and the NYC marathon in the NYT.

...Waitz laughed when recalling a gratifying moment in 2005, when she was buying a cup of coffee before watching the Boston Marathon.

“Excuse me,” someone asked her, “are you Paula Radcliffe?”

Waitz, then wearing a blonde ponytail, responded, “Only in my dreams.”

She added on Friday, “That is the biggest compliment I’ve ever gotten.”

Eugene's Run

There was a nice talk by Mr. Eugene Robinson today- it replaced my run, but was well worth it..

Old time but a fast time

As I walked up the stairs today I saw my 1988 Marathon certificate on the wall...I had a time of 3:24 and a few seconds in my first marathon. That was not bad...for someone busy doing a Ph.D.

Running backward

One cannot help but go back in time to a romantic past as one listens to the songs of one's youth- Osibisa's Ojah Awake, or yeh pyaase dil bezubaan.

NY Marathon

is coming up on Sunday. It would be interesting to see how Paula Radcliffe runs.

During June 2007 I visited NY and my friend took me to Central Park so that I could run there. It was a great experience. Though the romantic friendship broke down, the run in Central Park still provides many enjoyable memories.

Running in an Indian Summer of Romance..

As I chatted today with a friend from India, I remembered wistfully the days I spent in Delhi this past summer. I used to run regularly, and met quite a few folks who walked during the time I ran. I also had romantic discussions with a runner from California, a romance which unfortunately did not come to fruition. Nevertheless, it was a hot summer for running and romance. Now the cold is back in Chicago, and both the Rs are dragging...

The Lake Effect

Running by the lake is quite a serene experience, and watching many others run, often alone, is also inspiring. It is not quite the same elsewhere.

A marathon effort

I read that our track coach ran the Chicago marathon in 2:29, which is extremely fast. I wish I could record a time like that. While I have had the potential, the inability or the unwillingness to train to the extent that's needed, has been my bugaboo.

Going fror a weekday runner to a weekend runner

Busy schedules are forcing this runner to do it on the weekends. Takes discipline to get up early in the morning to go out and run...

Memories of a lonely past...

thus begins a song by Los Lobos...titled the 'River of Fools.'

I remember the time I was training for marathons, running fifteen to twenty miles a day, and going out with some good female friends...those were the days of stress and strides.

sprinting ahead....

It is nice to see a student 'get it' once in a while. This becomes apparent as the student starts answering questions, then asking questions, and slowly starts putting the pieces together. When the grades start to follow, then everything falls into place.

Athletes...the Educated Ones.

This year I don't have any female athletes who are graduating, but I have some stellar male athletes ready to go on into the big world. Kyle, a footballer, and Vince, a baseballer, and Tim, a wrestler, are outstanding students and athletes- they will be sorely missed, both on the sports field and in the classroom.

Dancing in the rain...

It is interesting to compare the Lata Kishore song 'Ab Ke Saawan Mein Ji Darre' of RD Burman with the many Kishore Asha duets involving romance in the rain, like "aaj rapat jaiyyo toh hamein na uthaiyyo" of Bappi Lahiri. It an be argued that Lata did a better job of conveying the playful mood much better than Asha.

Running...into old friends

is always interesting and at times bittersweet- whether it happens physically or on the Net. Over the years people get into and out of relationships, and sometimes it is worthwhile just to engage as good friends.

A diwali run

Now's the time to go for the sparkling runs, before winter snows and slows usdown.

Running fast but gap keeps increasing...

The feeling that one gets when the goal post keeps getting moved as one gets closer...

Equivalence

How many stairs should one climb up and then down that equals a specific distance of running? A great number of variables come into play, but for those who are running short of time, and get their workout through taking the stairs this computation might be useful.

Speed bump...on the running path

Going to work at 6:00AM and returning at 8:30PM ensures the demise of one's running schedule...

Breaking a habit...through a new habit

I have run for three days in a row, breaking a habit of highly irregular running. I have also re-started my sit-ups and push-ups. Let's hope this does not got run over...

Hot Race on a Cold Day

The Chicago Marathon today produced the fastest time on U.S. soil. Kenya's Samuel Wanjiru posted a phenomenal time of 2:05:41 in rather cold weather. However the weather was dry, not very windy and not humid- quite perfect conditions for a fast run.

I went out to run in the evening and had to struggle with the lunch still stirring in my stomach...realized that I had to get back to doing stomach crunches.

Winning before the Start of the Race...

The Nobel Prize given to President Obama has stirred up a big pot of controversy. The Republican party and its supporters have been vocal in their criticism, never mind that Obama never asked or applied for the award. Ms. Dowd has written a hilariously satirical piece titled "Gandhi Wuz Robbed" in the NYT, in which the former Presidents Bill and W. are discussing this Obama-fascination.

There was a funny cartoon on this topic...

A cold one.

The past few years I have not the Chicago marathon but have gone out and put in a good run that day. I hope to do that this year too, despite the prediction of a cold morning.

Always running....

My students gave me a little insight into their eating habits- apparently they eat in a hurry and just gobble down food because they can use the time for something else...

Marathon in the air...

The Chicago marathon is coming up this weekend. While there are no "top" stars like Paula running in this marathon it does have a lot of interest for past marathoners like me. The race is always fun, and goes through some great neighbourhoods.

Running...ahead of one's thoughts...

At times, a runner experiences a stream of thoughts racing through his head, resulting in a perception of slow down. How does one slow down the thoughts, and focus on one? When that happens the runner does not feel the expenditure of any effort in running- a feeling of floating in air.

Running joke...NOT!

David Letterman used to make jokes about the 'extra curricular" activities of politicians, athletes, artists and everyone else- he got a lot of mileage out of President Clinton, Elliot Spritzer, and many others. What really runs counter to these jokes is that Dave himself was running through a lot of these activities. How he made those jokes about others while being a sleazeball himself...

Running on "Full"...

Running on Empty is a wonderful movie of Christine Lahti..

Running on a full stomach, or running after a few days of sloth (which makes the body sluggish) is far from a wonderful experience, as my body realized today...

Running down the memory lane, we watched the first season of the TV series, My Two Dads- a cute comedy starring Paul Reiser.

Running fast....down the wrong path?

A long time ago I was running a race in Evanston and was going at a very fast clip. Suddenly there was a fork and no sign to direct the runners. I veered left and found out after a few minutes that that was not right. As I debated the virtues of "consistency" with my brother, one who is well-versed in the classics and in contemporary writings, I began re-examining my assumptions about consistency- consistency in one's thought processes, consistency in one's deeds, and consistency in one's dedication to learning. When learning supersedes all other priorities, perhaps other actions fall into place. As one consistently learns more about the environment and then about oneself, then all other elements will be in harmony, even if they appear inconsistent to the external observer.

Running Out on Chicago

A runny rainy day in Chicago- a red-faced mayor Daley, accepting the fact that the 2016 Olympic Games went to Rio de Janeiro. This was clearly a good decision by the Committee, as the Olympics have never been held in South America, and Brazil as part of the BRIC group has seen significant development. Far more importantly, President Lula is head and shoulders above the U.S. leaders- he has the experience of working in a factory, and losing a finger. President Lula comes across as a gentleman who really cares. Another factor is Brazil's excellence in soccer, the world's most popular sport. While many Chicagoans might mourn the loss, this one is quite pleased with the Games in Rio.

Running down Texting...

One good act today-

"Federal employees will not be allowed to text while driving, according to an executive order signed Wednesday night by President Obama.

The order covers federal employees when they are using government-provided cars or cellphones and when they are using their own phones and cars to conduct government business.

Separately, the federal government plans to ban text messaging by bus drivers and truckers who travel across state lines, and may also preclude them from using cellphones while driving, except in emergencies.

Ray H. LaHood, the transportation secretary, announced those and several other measures on Thursday, aimed at curbing what he called a deadly epidemic of distracted driving."...

From the NYT.

In pursuit of consistency...

Should one focus on making that "once in a lifetime" performance, or should one strive for consistency? A philosophical question that always haunts athletes, runners, writers, and many others. It is also possible that one cannot exist without the other- i.e. consistency and an "outlier" performance are necessary for each other...

Running into Faces...

This evening, I was in a Trader Joe's when I ran into a person whose face appeared to be familiar. He turned out to be a colleague from one of my past occupations. Prototypical of these occasions, we caught up with our present lives and peeked into the past. Mark M. remarked that it would be interesting if we wrote a book on where our past colleagues were and what they were up to. A TITAN of an idea- one well worth writing about!

Running fast...to Old Shows...

These days, this runner is combining workouts with a healthy dose of Get Smart, As Time Goes By, Mary Tyler Moore, and recently the Dave Allen Show clips available on YouTube...

The wonderful world of shows...

'Gut'sy Run...

One consequence of not running for a few days is that one's gut is gutted. So the next time the "gut"sy runner goes out he really feels the weight. Takes a while for the body to match the mind's pace.

Running habits..

Running is one habit I would like to keep doing, even though it is getting sacrificed more often these days. Picking arguments with my siblings is another habit I would like to keep going too- makes life fun.

Running Green...

Green is the new "in" thing...and runners have to be green too. We have been recycling our old shoes and other running gear.

Come September....

Usually means logging miles on long runs during the cool fall weather...right now it means listening to the wonderful Come September tune of Billy Vaughn and his Orchestra. This and Berlin Melody were two of my father's favorite tunes, and we used to play this record all the time in India.

Over-commitment to other things is forcing running into reverse.. something which has to be reversed shortly.

Running gags

Airplane has a non-stop series of gags- it is the most hilarious movie I have seen.

Today my brother pulled a "surprise" gag that ran remarkably well...

Brainy Food Needed...

Reducing the food calories, raising the brain calories...

Reminds one of Jeeves..who used to get his brainpower by eating fish.

Owner of a Lonely Heart...Yes!

This was a popular song in the early eighties...

Running seems to be a chore these days...the heart does not seem to be in it, and the legs feel like lead.
One can always reminisce and sing "Glory Days" courtesy The Boss.

Marathons galore...

The big marathons are coming up- it is exciting. In the Berlin Marathon on Sunday, the big dog Haile Gebrselassie of Ethiopia won for the fourth year in a row, but ran 2:06+, a little slower than his 2:03+ world record.

A "Ped"antic Runner's Romantic Summers...

This summer has been quite different from all my previous summers, even though there is a common thread of "romance" during summer time. In the summer of 2007 I visited a young lady in New York in a "budding" relationship that never opened, and in the summer of 2008 another relationship went awry. During all the past summers I have been able to log some serious running, especially distance running. This summer I was involved in one romance and had fun interacting with students in India. While I ran on most days, I never did any long runs, and now the season is winding down fast.

Memories..of a long run

As the Chicago marathon draws nearer, I am reminded of the many long runs I used to do. Some of these exceeded twenty two miles, and would take me more than three hours. I would be wiped out when I returned, but would have a great feeling. Getting a newspaper and a soda and sitting and watching sports afterwards was the way I spent many an afternoon after those long runs.

Back to the nineties,and the Svetlanas...

Back in the nineties, I was romantically interested in an interesting young lady who loved sports, especially golf. While I have played a few rounds of golf, I have no patience for this sport. One day, we discussed names that we liked. My favorite is Svetlana- I like the way the word sounds. When the word following Svetlana is Boginskaya, it is special- she was an amazing gymnast. I remember her performance in the Olympics. Her successor, Svetlana Khorkina was no slouch, either.

Freedom to run away...

Yesterday our first year students were engaged in a discussion on liberal education. One group brought up the notion of freedom and its importance. I asked the obvious question- what do we need freedom from? One student said we should be free from limits we impose on ourselves; another said that we should venture beyond the cultural norms and limits set by society and expand our horizons. One is inherently free- the only limits are what one sets for oneself.

Out of Step

Running is all about rhythm and movement. After returning from India my personal running has been sporadic, spotty, and consistently inconsistent. A good runner finds a way- I have yet to find mine.

The Delhi Runs

I look back at my time in New Delhi and Gurgaon and my running there. Despite the heat and humidity I managed to put in my runs most of the time, and it was fairly enjoyable. I remember the laugh that the seniors would practice, as a health measure.

Amazing run....

As MJ was inducted into the Hall of Fame this past week, my mind went back to the glory days of Chicago basketball. I was lucky to see MJ play. My friend Jeff and I were reminiscing about it yesterday- one game we went to was the one where Michael came back from a serious injury. It was an exciting moment.

After the crude and obnoxious tirade of Serena and Mr. McEnroe's defense of her actions, all a sports lovers should rewind their memories and watch a Mats Wilander or a Stefan Edberg or Bjorn Borg or Chris Evert to see an educated person play tennis.

Getting beat...and lovin' it!

When I visited Turkey with students a few months ago, one of my students would race me, and would beat me as well. Today I had a few kids in my backyard and all of them wanted to race me. I could not keep up with the 4 to 8 year olds. I can still run distance, but the sprints are a kid's game. At the end, good times were had by all, punctuated with a healthy helping of Häagen-Dazs.

Running...An Organization

A few of my advisees have started a new group on campus, the Greenjays, that focuses on sustainability. It is wonderful to see the energy of a few students who passionately believe in the concept.

Ingrid.. Kristiansen, not Bergman.

Ingrid Kristiansen is perhaps one of the finest runners in modern hostory. On her website, she has a lot of useful information and electronically guides you through the world of holistic e-fitness, -the Scandinavian Holistic e-Fitness Concept- which includes your mind, your spiritand your body.

Running....Gags

I have been watching a DVD of the Get Smart show. It is hilarious, with gags running at a furious pace! Fabulous entertainment, and a great spoof on the Bond movies....

A marathon wreck

The fall marathon season is here, and the Chicago Marathon is round the corner. At this time of the year I always feel a deep sense of disappointment because I am not running in the marathon. Ever since I got hurt in 1996, my knee has not been the same, and I am not sure it can take the training required to run the marathon. it is rather sad because I was blessed with good speed and reasonable endurance for distance running. But the bigger race is the one that we run every nanosecond of every day. That race is still going on and one can emerge a victor, with or without injuries.

Running....great for friendships, not enough for romance

This upcoming weekend will find me entertaining some of my good friends- folks who were my classmates during my PhD days. We shared many good times, and all of us were runners- some more so than others. To this day, I turn to them when I need some assistance or moral support. All of us have been running either to or away from something in life. I always believed that if I found a woman who was into running, it would be a great bond, but this summer proved the fallacy of that assumption. Running is great for friendships, but is not enough to spice up romance...

Eat, Run, Play

Went out for a distance run today for the first time after leaving for Delhi. WHile tiring, it was also a pleasant experience.

Getting the maximum out of the mileage

Running can be fun when one does not take it too seriously- perhaps that can get one the maximum benefits. One can and should be disciplined, but one can and should also have a lot of fun doing anything.

Res Hall Run

I ran into one of my unique students today. She told me that she lives on the 3rd floor of her Res Hall and has been taking stairs to be in good shape to beat me in a race.

A week later...

Who would have thought that one could run more consistently in New Delhi than in Chicago? The warm weather can be a blessing and a curse- one can get out early in the morning without having to worry about a lot of clothing, and one can find plenty of people walking or chatting. It was easy to go out for a run in India- it was harder to actually run a serious distance..

Sunny Outlook

A gorgeous day in Chicago - sunny, with light winds, low seventies, low humidity- was simply irresistible to runners. I went out to run for the first time since returning from India. During my eight weeks in the old country, there was not even one day where the weather was conducive to running. But it all depends on one's outlook- I enjoyed running even in the hot humid Indian summer.

A Running Recommendation

Today being the first day of class, I took roll call in my marketing course. During the session I asked students for an example of a corporation and one student Maggie said Starbucks. I asked her if she worked there and she replied yes. I then asked her if she know my former student MS, and she did. MS was one of my best students ever. She graduated this year. Like MS, Maggie was also a runner and was doing track. Apparently MS had advised Maggie to take my course. Recommendations from former students are always revealing.

Sleep-runner

When an overpowering urge to sleep collides with an overarching lethargy due to not running, which one prevails? So far, seems to be the former. Where is the inflection point? Research is needed.

Ran into Jet-Lagged Wall

Jet-lag can play havoc with one's running...When the body feels sluggish, it is difficult to get it to go out and pound the pavement..

A good run

Today I went to my College to meet with my freshman class. They had orientation this past week, and I had been away in India. The students gave me a warm welcome.They were very energetic.

I am looking forward to a good term.

out-run on my borthday

This was the first time in many years that i did not get to run on my birthday- usually that is the gift I give myself. However, this year, the students in India gave me a great treat and presents, my colleagues treated me well, and good friends called. Puts life in a retro-perspective.

A running reflection

Unfortunately I could not run on my last day here....I will miss the familiar faces, but will not miss the humidity.

One last time

tomorrow morning I will run for the last time here on this trip. Hopefully will be back when it is less humid. So much to run, and so much to see.

China run India off the running map

From Womens Marathon at Berlin World Championships 2009: Xue Bai wins

As results come in from the Womens marathon at the World Athletics Championships at Berlin, it looks like China has come out on tops overall with some great finishes to take up the team world cup, while Japan and Russia came second and third respectively.

It was Xue Bai who won the event, with a time of 2:25:15, and topped a strong performance from China, with as many as 4 Chinese in the top-13 results. It was quite a close finish, unlike the Mens marathon yesterday, with runner up Yoshimi Ozaki from Japan just 2:25:25 giving Xue a fight all the way.Aselefech Mergia from Ethiopia was third not too far behind in 2:25:32, and was infact leading T THE 40KM point of the race.

Interestingly, as many as 24 runners were bunched together at the half-way point, which was reached in 1:13:39, which included the other fancied runners Dire Tune and Bezunesh Bekele from Ethiopia. The much fancied Kara Goucher from the US was a dissapointing 10th placed in 2:27:48

***

Where are the Indian women athletes hiding? Chinese women are competitive with the best of the world.

Not breaking a sweat over the humid weather...

The weather is becoming very humid here, and running even at 5:00AM is rather challenging. However, the weather is par for the course, and no sweat, no gain is the motto here.

Bolt'in Radcliffe

Paula Radcliffe won the NY Half Marathon last week- she is one impressive runner. Usain Bolt set world records in the 100 and 200 metres races in Berlin. He is awesome in the sprints. But marathon running is a completely different challenge.

Runner's itch

After weeks of running itsy bitsy short distances, one yearns for that long run....to cover a good distance, come back, get a drink and read the paper.

Sex and Running....

An interesting story making the rounds of newspapers today..

Gold Awarded Amid Dispute Over Runner’s Sex. NYT.

By CHRISTOPHER CLAREY and GINA KOLATA

***Extract from the article ***

BERLIN — As an 18-year-old runner from a village in South Africa received her gold medal in Olympic Stadium on Thursday night, activity away from the track had put her at the center of an international dispute: doctors here and in her home country were examining test results to determine whether she has too many male characteristics to compete as a woman.

The case of Caster Semenya, who has burst to prominence this season, touched off a debate over whether she should be allowed to keep her medal and, more broadly, how sports officials are supposed to discern the fuzzy biological line between male and female.

Medical experts said assigning sex was hardly as easy as sizing someone up visually. Even rigorous examinations can result in ambiguous findings. Some conditions that give women male characteristics can be discovered only through intrusive physical examinations, and others require genetic analysis.

“We can get quite philosophical here — what does it mean to be male or female?” said Dr. Richard Auchus, a specialist in disorders of sexual differentiation at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center at Dallas.

“For 99 percent of the population it’s easy to determine,” he added. “But one percent of the population have conditions that make it not so straightforward.”

Some of Semenya’s competitors in the 800 meters considered the issue straightforward after Semenya romped to a commanding victory at the world championships Wednesday. “Just look at her,” said Mariya Savinova of Russia, who finished fifth. Elisa Cusma of Italy, who was sixth, told Italian journalists: “These kind of people should not run with us. For me, she’s not a woman. She’s a man.”

But the matter is anything but simple. The testing done on Semenya, at the behest of the International Association of Athletics Federations, track and field’s world governing body, takes weeks to complete. It requires a physical medical evaluation, and includes reports from a gynecologist, an endocrinologist, a psychologist, an internal medicine specialist and an expert on gender. The effort, coordinated by Dr. Harold Adams, a South African on the I.A.A.F. medical panel, is being conducted at hospitals in Berlin and South Africa.

It is unclear what the exact threshold is, in the eyes of the I.A.A.F., for a female athlete being ineligible to compete as a woman......

*****
The power of the human mind to create more complications...

Fast coincidence

I had written yesterday that "Going flat out may result in being flattened...."

As luck would have it, the WSJ had an interesting piece on American runners and on Kara Goucher, America's greatest hope in the marathon.

According to the article, "....In a bold move aimed at catching the Africans who have owned this event, Ms. Goucher has taken all the tactics generated by U.S. running experts in the last 20 years—the charts, the mileage recommendations and high-tech motion-sensing computer readouts—and stuffed them in a dumpster.

"I want to be one of the best runners in the world," she says, "and winning an event like this means that's what you are."

The glory years of U.S. distance running started in 1969 with the arrival of Steve Prefontaine, the charismatic runner from the University of Oregon who won seven NCAA championships between 1970 and 1973 and was known for his all-out style and fearlessness on the track. "Pre" as he was known, would jump out to early leads, race as hard as possible and wear out opponents. Before he died in a car accident at 24, he set U.S. records in every event between 2,000 and 10,000 meters....

Meanwhile, African runners began winning everything in sight. Since 1983, runners from places like Kenya and Ethiopia have won 28 marathon medals in 18 major international events, while Americans have won four. Some went as far as to suggest the Africans weren't just more motivated—they might be genetically superior. A recent study by Swedish and South African scientists concluded that the biochemical phenotypes of many Africans' muscles are better suited for distance running than those of western Europeans.

Jim Estes, associate director of long-distance running programs for USA Track and Field, says many American runners of that era (himself included) hated the rigors of training—but the Africans never seemed to care. "Their threshold for pain just seemed much higher," he says.

Tom Ratcliffe, an agent for several Kenyan runners, says Africans "enjoy the battle" in endurance running while most Westerners "race with anxiety." He says his runners usually have no idea how many miles they run per week, or how fast. They just want to win.

Felix Limo, a Kenyan runner who has won the 2006 London and 2005 Chicago marathons, says U.S. runners rely too much on structure and scientific programs—the sorts of things described in those books in the 1970s. They fix their minds on certain speeds, he says, and aren't flexible enough.

"I don't need a mileage like the runners here," he says. "I can push myself."

One of the first Western runners to figure out the Africans was Great Britain's Paula Radcliffe, who has won eight major marathon events since 2000. She's got some structure to her training, but she's known more for her relentless attacking and competitiveness.

Ms. Radcliffe's emergence coincided with the 2001 founding of the Mammoth Track Club in Mammoth Lakes, Calif., whose mission is to advance the naturally aggressive "run first, ask questions later" style the Africans run with....

Going flat out may result in being flattened....

The urge to run fast out of the gate is the bane of many a good runner. The big fast spurt can really bog one down in the later stages of a race. Controlling the temptation, and intentionally slowing down initially often results in a better overall performance. This holds true in other aspects of life as well- going too fast even in matters of the heart can result in a disastrous crash. But controlling the pace is much more difficult in these matters...

A Run for the Ages

As I went out for a short run this morning, I saw some of the faces that have become familiar to me over the past few weeks. Quite a few ladies and gentlemen walk regularly, and there is some acknowledgement. The Indian family unit is transforming, and it is interesting to watch it evolve. Younger people are striking out on their own, and many live quite apart from their parents. On the one hand, I see the parents driving their kids one block so that the latter can catch the school bus, and I see the elderly out for serious walking.

A runinterrupted week

During my visit to Chennai and Nellore, I did not get a chance to run, though I went to the beach a couple of times- a rarity for me. However, I did get to walk quite a bit, especially at IIT-M- a wonderful campus for outdoor enthusiasts. The amount of pollution in the city area is quite injurious- far more deadly than the swine flu virus. Yet people drive merrily and contribute more pollution while wearing ridiculous masks thinking that it is a good protection against the H1N1. Funny aspect of this swine flu reaction is that the flight attendants, who deal with people in close quarters on a daily basis, are not wearing these "protections."

It pays to pay attention...

I was walking around the apartment complex this evening trying to get some outside air when an elderly gentleman said hello and asked if I was a marathon runner. We started talking and I found out that he was a retired Services officer, and he was a sprinter in his youth. He talked about the training, the running form, and so on. These little vignettes of life- people appear and disappear from one's life, but create little episodes that stay on. When the episodes are pleasant, as in this case, they are cherished for ever.

Marathon of Agony

The weather in this part of India has been brutal, and has been getting worse. Nevertheless, while running yesterday I met a young couple who were jogging along. Having seen each other over a few days, the lady stopped and said hello and we chatted. Found out that they are training for a December Marathon. Truly respect that effort.

Top Marathon Runners...A Nostalgic Look

I came across a ranking of top marathon runners and could not help reminiscing about erstwhile legends like Ingrid Kristiansen, Grete Waitz, and Rosa Mota, who was a phenomenal runner from Portugal. On the men's side, Carlos Lopes, DeCosta, Steve Jones, Ibrahim Hussien, and others also bring back fond memories.

No harmony without e...

E-Commerce is now mainstream in matchmaking- eharmony keeps sending me email...

Bur romance took a hit this past two days as Twitter was bought down by DDOS attack. The 140 character love note has many limitations...

WIthdrawal Symptoms

When a runner stops running, even for a short while, he or she experiences a loss- commonly referred to as withdrawal symptoms. Same is true in romance- when one suddenly stops, there are severe withdrawal symptoms, and as in running, sometimes time is the great healer.

Taking Risks..

A good runner learns to take risks- like running when feeling under the weather, or pushing oneself when the body refuses. Unfortunately, this does not translate to romance. One is afraid of things going wrong and the resulting fall-out, with the result that even prudent risk-taking sometimes goes out the window.

Running as a Motivatational Example

This morning, I went out running on my usual route through the gated community, and after running three laps took a break to do some stretching. A gentleman, Mr. Sahni, who I have seen walking on many days came by and said hello. After exchanging greetings, he said that he saw me running every day and this motivated and inspired him to walk regularly. We had a brief chat afterwards, during which I came to know he was 61 years old and retired as a mining engineer. it is nice to serve as an inspiration, both to the very young and the very wise.

Slowing down..

Folks here speak English at a rapid pace, so I find myself asking people to slow down....odd because I am a quick mover myself.

Getting enough Oxygen...

As a runner, getting enough oxygen is critical for a good run. There was a very interesting article in the NYT's Science section -

How Geese Get Enough Oxygen Flying Over Himalayas

By HENRY FOUNTAIN

For the bar-headed goose, migration is a high-altitude adventure. Spring and fall it flies between Central Asia and India, a route that takes it over the highest mountains in the world, the Himalayas. The bird has been known to reach altitudes of 30,000 feet.

At such heights, the air is so thin that there’s only about a quarter of the oxygen available at sea level. Yet the goose is able to sustain the level of O2 consumption — 10 to 20 times normal — needed for flapping flight.

How does it do this? In a paper in The Proceedings of the Royal Society B: Biological Sciences, Graham R. Scott, a doctoral student at the University of British Columbia, and colleagues show that it has a lot to do with the bird’s muscles.

Mr. Scott and his colleagues examined pectoral muscles from bar-headed geese and compared them to those from related species, like barnacle geese, that don’t fly at extreme altitudes. They found little difference among the birds in the amount and types of muscle fibers. But the bar-headed geese had more capillaries around the individual muscle cells, and within cells, more of the mitochondria — which use oxygen to supply energy to the cell — were nearer the cell membrane.“ The oxygen doesn’t have to diffuse as far,” Mr. Scott said.

He said the changes in the muscle cells probably evolved over a long period of time, perhaps as the Himalayas, one of the Earth’s youngest mountain chains, grew and the birds would have had to fly higher and higher.

Yet another humid one

There are times when a runner looks at heaven and asks for a break...on a really cold day, it might be a minute hope that there is no wind chill. Today it was praying to the heavens to reduce the humidity. Water is sorely needed, but on the ground...

A great run....

A student of mine who plays for one of our College teams told me that she was leaving the team to concentrate on academics. It is very difficult for a young person to spend many hours practising a sport and then study hard as well. Reminds me of one of my best students ever, Nicole C., who was a superb volleyball player and led our team to many wins and championships. She also graduated with a near perfect record, marred by just one B. To my credit, I paired her with Marcin W. for a project in my course- Marcin being the best student I have ever seen at EC. Two top students got to work together- hopefully something they would appreciate in the years ahead.

A "Concrete" story

More evidence that running can be very hazardous to one's health and wealth...one can modify that to say running on concrete...

There have been quite a few times when I have been running on concrete surfaces, including sidewalks and roads, and have taken quite nasty tumbles. The runner assumes that the surface is going to be level, but the great forces of nature and humans can make one slab of concrete slightly higher than the next. The unsuspecting runner promptly hits the raised slab with his shoe and promptly goes down. A fall on concrete is rather hard and painful, and takes a while for the runner to recover.

A friend of mine suffered the same accident recently. It is a bad thing that most runners are not too interested in filing lawsuits- otherwise the city governments would be busy coughing up concrete analysis and putting in decent engineering crews to fix the problems.

When distance is no object...

While distance is the main object of a physical run, it is irrelevant when one races the mind towards an accomplishment, like solving a samurai sudoku...

Running backwards...to Aandhi, Chit Chor, and Born to Run

Read a report recently that the Boss was going to do a concert in Chicago and play the whole Born to Run Album. Going back in time I realize how much I love the music of yesteryear, including the wonderful songs from Aandhi and Chit Chor and so many other gems.

Running Out of Time, if Not out of Luck

After a month into the course, a number of students came to see me today- the day before the mid-term exam. Each one wanted to know what chapters were going to be covered, and whether they could borrow my book, or if I could get books from the library for them. It is amazing and disheartening to see such supreme lack of effort, and the confidence that one can get away by just reading enough to get through the exam.

French President Nicolas Sarkozy'a jogging debacle has prompted the story-less writers to write about the dangers of jogging. BBC News has one on the topic. However, the writer does report good stuff..
"...

"The current advice is to drink only when you feel thirsty, because the body acts like a sophisticated sensory device and you'll get a dry mouth and feel dehydrated when you need to drink.

"And at the end of a run, rather than just stopping dead, it's better to run a bit more slowly and slow down until walking fast, allowing the body to adjust gradually back to rest."

BENEFITS OF RUNNING

Increased fitness levels

Good for weight control

Heightens sense of well-being

Reduces long-term risk of cardiac problems

Good way to explore a city or enjoy the countryside Source: Runner's World

A more common complaint among runners than fainting is the impact on joints, says Mr Dixon, although the risks should not be exaggerated.

"It's a high-impact activity but the more you do it, the stronger your joints get. There's a fallacy that it wrecks your knees and ankles but there's a long-term study that says the more you do it, it ends up strengthening them."

Dull pain

The so-called Big Five complaints are shin splints (sore shins), runner's knee (also called patellofemoral pain or PFP), plantar fasciitis (foot irritation), iliotibial band syndrome (thigh irritation) and Achilles tendinitis (lower leg irritation), he says.

"These are generally wear-and-tear injuries," says Mr Dixon, who says he has never experienced any of them himself.

RUNNING SAFELY

Don't overdo it - faster than a walk is sufficient for a beginner

Don't use an iPod when running in the street or road because you need to be attuned to your environment

Scan the ground in front of you to detect uneven surfaces Source: Runner's World

..."

(From BBC News)

Lack of Will

I have been asked to give a talk on India in October, and have been thinking about the picture I should be constructing for the audience. One striking aspect of India is that despite having nearly 1.2 billion people, a tough tropical climate, and interesting terrain, it has never produced any runner of world acclaim. On the other hand, Kenya, which has 1 person for every 20+ Indians, and has a GNI ($680, 2007) that is much less than that of India ($950) has produced many exceptional runners. In fact, Kenyans, both men and women, would be tipped to win any major world race. What makes the Kenyans run so well? Running, as a sport, does not take much investment- a good pair of shoes does it. Many Kenyan runners train barefoot as children. Over the past fifteen years, awareness of sports as an occupation has grown - the money made by cricketers is a good example. One is forced to draw the conclusion that at the core, Indians do not have the heart to put in brutal efforts over a sustained long term- especially when it comes to physical exertion. While there are many laborers working in hard physical and environmental conditions, the spirit to put in dedicated hard work now, with the hope of a payout much later, is simply not there. Taking a short-cut here and now, seems to be the motto/

A Run of Luck

Luck is essential for any runner. Good weather can make any run fun. Nice road conditions help too. Good runners can push others to better performances. A similar analogy can be drawn in romance- good luck goes a long way in pulling people together. However one concatenation of unfavorable circumstances can undo a lot of hard work too.

Running up - Laziness

Several interesting spectacles abound when one goes running here in the morning. It is common to see moms and dads loading their precious ones on to the school buses that come to the gated communities. Every day I do see quite a few people who drive their not-so-little ones from the apartment to the bus stop- all of one or two blocks. Our parents expected us to walk a kilometer to the bus stop- no questions asked. If we were late we missed our regular bus and had to take a later one. Parents- too much attention can result in too little values in your tots.

Runnin...in the Rain

Today started off as a run-of-the-mill day in Gurgaon - hot,s steamy, and sunny at 7 AM. However anyone stepping out at 5:00PM would have seen dark ominous clouds overhead. It then started pouring heavily. As I got ready to leave, our admin assistant got a car to come around to take me to the guest house. As one who does enjoy getting drenched, I walked to the car, to savor this rare occasion of rain. However a few others ran fast to avoid getting wet....perhaps the few situations where they run.

The streets got flooded, even though it rained for just half an hour, and pumps were used to take out the water...Into every life some rain must fall...

Running against the wind, in all directions

A puzzling phenomenon for this runner is that on cold dreary Chicago days the wind always seems to be in the runner's face- whether the runner is heading out or turning back. Either the wind changes direction just to annoy the runner, or there is a deeper physio-psychological phenomena at work. Even in life, it appears that one is always going against the wind, no matter which direction one goes.

Sprinting..to or away from the finish line...

A key part of running is to finish the run. In a race, the objective of every runner is to keep enough fuel in the tank to put on a big sprint towards the end of the race and hurtle past the finish line. In romance, the race is never so simple. As one feels that the race is developing well and the runner feels good, the fear factor sets in...should he/she sprint towards the finish line or get scared and run the other way? No guts, no glory, as one friend aptly put it!

Running Hot....

New Delhi and Amritsar have been boiling hot recently, with extremely high humidity levels that makes life very draining. Any kind of physical activity outdoors looks very unattractive. After having had many "sweat showers" over the past twenty four hours, a break in the weather is being eagerly sought after.

A thoughtful runner

Needs a challenging vista every day - people, scenery, or a situation. I found plenty of those the past few weeks, mostly disturbing ones.

running to catch a moving bus...

WHen I was in school, running and catching a moving bus was the mark of coolness- many a time did I do that. On one occassion I was on the footboard when the bus was fairly empty- the conductor came by and said that "hawa khane ka hai to bus rokenge" Now, there are very few buses on the roads- cars are the overwhelming majority of vehicles, and no one even tries those stunts.

Hauling oneself

In this warm and humid weather running feels more like hauling one's body....not a pleasant thought. The moment one stops to stretch, sweat runs like a river.

5 to 8...

Nothing is more frustrating to a runner than getting up early in the morning to go running and finding that he is locked inside and cannot get out. When the runner eventually gets out a few hours later, he finds that the environment is quite different that what he had planned for, resulting in a rather hot view of the world.

A runny delight...

The other day I had wonderful mango ice cream at a friend's place. The host made sure I had seconds and thirds and fourths...

If only one did not have to worry about how many more miles to run to burn off the ice-cream....

Inspiring others

I have been running regularly for the past two weeks in a gated apartment community. Every morning I encounter quite a few walkers, some of them in large groups. Of late, I have seen a couple of people attempt to jog...I hope I had something to do with that.

The classic Indian contradiction is evident here too...Indians are very hospitable and sociable, but within their circle of friends. The same people can be cold and callous towards others. When I run, I am used to saying hello or smiling at people I encounter- I have made several nice friends out of these encounters. But here, folks try to avoid looking at another person, and a smile is not returned, especially when the other person is of the opposite sex.

Running after Peace and Quiet

Went to the Lotus temple today with a friend VI. It was very peaceful. The whole area is well-kept and clean. A great way to meditate.

Running Out ...

Running indoors or in a closed area can easily make a person feel caged. Doing loops around a track is extraordinarily boring. Unfortunately, running in a foreign place with poor infrastructure means running in a small area and running many laps.

Hea(rt) of the Run

Finally stretched my running to 45 minutes this morning. Happened to run into another runner. He said he was training for a marathon, which is good.

No "Soon" in Monsoon....

Everyone here has been waiting for the monsoon rains but after a few sporadic showers the heat is back up and the humidity is sweltering. Water is still being used liberally- the question is the long-term effect of water exploitation. Running in this climate is challenging, even if the runner gets up and gets out at 5:00 AM.

Doing a UofC...

University of Chicago undergrads maintain an old tradition- streaking for a few hundred metres in little or no clothing, in January- when the weather is bone-chillingly cold. Here, the temperature is more than heart-warming, it is heart boiling, and one is tempted to run in little or no clothing- except that it is a sure way to get arrested.

Car Crazy..Run Lazy

The sheer number of cars on the road and the traffic gridlock here in New Delhi is just mind-numbing. Going sixteen kilometres (10 miles) takes more than an hour. Pedestrians have no place to go- there are no sidewalks, and crossing the road is a high wire high risk act. The advent of the Nano will only worsen the situation. Indians should have learnt from the west, that road infrastructure development will never keep up with traffic growth, and it is proving to be the case in India.

Why can't people walk a little distance? Why doesn't the public ask for investment in good sidewalks and walking paths or cycling paths, especially with so much new construction going on? It's no wonder there are no runners- there is no place to run to, and many places to run away from.

Burning while Running

is how I felt today while running in very hot humid weather..

A warm run

Running in 41 degrees C weather is not for the faint of heart. It took a toll on me today- even though I was out only for thirty minutes...The humid air makes it a challenge for the lungs.

In the Heat of the...Run

Got up after a hot night and went for a run, but I forgot to take my apartment keys and found myself locked out. Had to wait for a half hour to get somebody to let me in. When it is hot, it pays to be cool....

No Track for track

Having watched TV here for a few days, I am surprised by the scant coverage sports gets, outside of cricket. Track and field events are certainly nowhere on the radar screen.
It's time these events are organized, and promoted- they can contribute a lot to the overall health of the population. And also serve as the springboard for long-running romances.

Walk Don't Run

Seems to be the motto in these parts. I encountered quite a number of early morning walkers, some of them quite serious walkers, but no one interested in running. More male walkers than female walkers too....

A "wait"y question

In India, there is a line for almost anything. But Indians do not form a disciplined line, everyone tries to get around everyone else to move to the front, usually trampling the elderly and the kids.
One place with no wait is the exercise room in the complex I am staying. Not particularly known for gym exercises, Indians are not beating a door to these rooms.
When one cannot run, due to weather or another reason, the indoor gym looks quite attractive.

Virtual Run

Visualization, from all accounts, has a lot of power. Great athletes visualize how they perform, before they execute. As a runner, I am visualizing right now, because the weather puts a break on execution.

"warm"up

I went out to run at 5:30AM this morning, and it was steamy. The daylight had appeared, and the streets were slowly seeing activity. Fair number of walkers. Lots of cars- noticed more Hondas than any other make in the complex.

Running takes a holiday

I went out in Delhi today and it felt like a boiling cauldron. Running in this weather is going to be extremely challenging.

Too Hot to Handle

With the night time low temperatures in the 100s running in Delhi will prove to be a challenge. Survival first will be the motto.

Unearthing the Runner Within

Running is an easy sport, with very little hand-eye-foot coordination needed. Not much in the way of technology is needed as well- just a pair of decent shoes does the trick. The key is to get started and going out for a short distance on a routine basis.

Shoe'd in..

Today's NYT has a number of interesting pieces on running- there is a good interview with Bill Rodgers. One of my friends once compared my running style to that of Bill.

Picking the right running shoes is one tough job...

In the Heat of the Race

A day like today, with high humidity and muggy temperature, calls out the brave runner in all of us. Unfortunately by the time I came home and got ready it was close to sunset, and I ended up circling the block. Wilted under the heat.

Faking it but raking it in

I have run a few marathons but the last one I tried was in 1996- more than twelve years ago. So I cannot claim, within reason, to be a marathon runner. However, years of practice have made me run efficiently, so observers get fooled by the style. This morning, as I was running a little uphill, an older gentleman who was bicycling was behind me. Eventually he came near me and said hello.
The conversation went as follows:
He: Are you training for a marathon?
I: No, I have done my share of marathons. I am just going out for an easy run.
He: You do look like a marathon runner.

And then, this encounter ended, like others, with each one of us going our own way.

Chasing Miss Humidity- getting soaked in the process

A short but violent storm hit our area last night causing a lot of damage including trees with broken branches and power supply interruptions. Today humidity was reigning supreme- however I went out to run at noon and managed to put in my usual distance .Running in warm humid weather is always a challenge- the effects are experienced later. But enough rest and fluids do the recovery trick.

Bent But not broken

Today there were fierce winds in Chicago area- a number of trees have fallen branches. The enxt few days will be cleanup days. Running will not be broken, though one would have to get around the fallen trees and branches. Sad to see big trees being hurt by the big wind.

Not washed out...yet!

It has been raining almost every day in Chicago, and this morning was no exception. However the weather cleared up by 10:00 AM but it was quite humid. However, neither humidity nor rain stops the runner for long, and I had an enjoyable run, after which I felt quite energized and accomplished quite a lot.

Water, Water everywhere but ....

One aspect of distance running is that a runner needs to drink plenty of water. One solution is to carry a water bottle, but for serious runners it is extra weight to carry, especially over many miles. Another alternative is to run on a path where there are water fountains. When I first moved to this town and was running near my home, there were no water fountains anywhere- but I was younger and could last quite long without water. Recently the City has put up water fountains at two places along with rest rooms- this really makes a runner's life much easier. Tax dollars at work for a good cause.

Is running an anti-depressant and an anti-appetite therapy?

Running lifts the spirits for most runners. It would be interesting to see if runners experience less depression. Should people suffering from depression be put on a diet of running? Further running can potentially reduce the amount one eats, by making the person eat smaller portions. Time to investigate whether studies have been done on this topic.

Dragging one's feet

There are days when a runner really feels like returning home a few minutes after starting out because the legs feel like lead and the body is sluggish. The key is to keep pushing forward, letting the body warm up. After some more time, the legs start moving more easily, the body feels lighter, and the experience becomes more enjoyable.

A summer of Sun, Fun and Run

So far this season Chicago has had a lot of cloudy and cool days, and quite a few rainy days. However, today was a gorgeous sunny day with low humidity- perfect for any outdoor activities. If people spend less time with gadgets and more time with Nature, there may be more happiness all the way around. While out running, I saw several folks out for a walk, but with a cell phone glued to their ears. Perhaps they were talking their "tweets." Getting the exercise is good for the body, but it is important to observe and participate in Nature's experiments in order to grow spiritually.

A garden romance

Today, we hosted a little garden party for a half dozen of our good friends and their spouses and children. Even though it rained in the morning, the day became much better over time. A lot of fun was had by all, and the cognoscenti among the visitors appreciated the great romance in the garden- it is truly a remarkable garden, an outcome of more than nine years of slavery.

What a Run!

Just read the following piece!

MANGALORE, India--43 groups, singing one after the other with 1,711 singers, sang 645 songs over 40 hours and set the new world record for the longest singing marathon by multiple singers. Mandd Sobhann went past the Brazilian group’s record at 6 pm on Sunday when the 39th group from Jeri Meri Mumbai gave its performance.

It was Eric Ozario, Gurkaar of Mandd Sobhann, who was leading his own Mandd Sobhann team, the last and 43rd batch on the final stretch of the record attempt. Pullin, in a brief interaction with the press persons, he said the event was well organised.

Teams from different parts of the nation, including Mumbai, Goa, Bangalore, Mysore and Mangalore took part in the venture to break the historic record at the Kalaangann in Mangalore.

Running..in fits and starts

Is it better to run x miles every day, or 2x miles every other day? These types of trade-offs are confronted by every runner routinely. If one is running for specific benefits, like losing weight, the issue is identifying a running strategy that maximizes the benefit. A few scientific studies to evaluate the benefits have been conducted, with no one conclusive result. This runner's experience is- do it for fun, and the benefits will follow.

Running..in the rain

The tough decision for a runner is whether to go out to run when the weather appears to be suspect and there are all indications that the clouds might erupt into rain. After having gone through this situation many times, I have learnt that the best decision is to go out and run- and the a priori probability of rain coming down during the run is 50%. I did go out today in such conditions and I ran into the 50% chance that the rain would come down. It did, and I ran to a place where I could take shelter until the rain slowed down to a drizzle.

Run down

After a busy day that started at 5 A.M. and ended at 8:00 PM, the body feels run down. And without running the body does not feel fresh.

Music - running through the veins

Music moves me the same way running does- takes me through ups and downs, makes me float and run. It was humid and damp this morning when I ran. I don't run to music- too distracting for my thoughts. Tonight, I am listening to some magnificent compositions, by the all-time greats- Salil Choudary, Madan Mohan and Shankar Jaikishen. Kahin Deep Jale Kahin Dil- what a song by Lata for Madan Mohan! And Andhe Jahan Ke- a brilliant SJ song for Talat. What a gift these musicians have given us!

Best praise....

Today I was out for a casual run when I saw a young couple running in the opposite direction. We say hello and continued on. After a few minutes, I stopped at the water fountain and then was doing some stretching when the couple, who had eventually turned around and were going back, also stopped for water. The young lady came up to me and said that I had a fine running form, and that my running style was very efficient and smooth. I had never thought much about my running form- one of my friends, Mr. Good, had remarked a long time ago that I had the style of Bill Rodgers. The young lady then revealed that she is a triathlete and a very good runner herself. It is nice that someone actually is observant enough to notice a person's running and then take the trouble to comment on it. Thank you to the fine young lady and her companion.

True Friends

Yesterday while I was out running I saw a familiar person running in the opposite direction. We both waved and acknowledged each other and I said something like "Long time.." We both see each other daily during the summer months as we run during the same time, and then in the winter we don't see each other at all. One of these days I should find out her name...on the other hand, it might just be my mystery friend.

Getting the firma of terra firma

After a strenuous run yesterday I went out and did the same course today, at a slower pace. It takes practice and mental confidence to get the body to feel comfortable pounding the pavement. The key is to decrease the exhaustion at the end, and to speed up the recovery. Running does defog the mind.

"Gut"ting a run

Running affords one time for reflection, and for reminiscing about the past. As I went out running today I remembered that two years ago I was out running and looking forward to meeting a nice young lady later in June that year. Last year, June was the time when a very nice female friend and I moved in different directions. It was a nice day today- sunny and cool, and with these thoughts I ran a fast pace and having done no sit-ups in a while, my stomach was really hurting towards the end. Made a note to start doing sit-ups and push-ups again.

Run-up to a Run-Down

Pushing oneself really hard, as I have done the past year, is bound to run one down. Time to pick up the pace, and let go of the Internet-ace.

Walk And Run

An interesting article in the NYT on walking and running- "Better Running Through Walking" in which Mr. Parker-Pope writes "To train for my first marathon, I’m using the “run-walk” method, popularized by the distance coach Jeff Galloway, a member of the 1972 Olympic team. When I mentioned this to a colleague who runs, she snickered — a common reaction among purists. But after interviewing several people who have used the method, I’m convinced that those of us run-walking the marathon will have the last laugh. Contrary to what you might think, the technique doesn’t mean walking when you’re tired; it means taking brief walk breaks when you’re not. Depending on one’s fitness level, a walk-break runner might run for a minute and walk for a minute, whether on a 5-mile training run or the 26.2-mile course on race day. A more experienced runner might incorporate a one-minute walk break for every mile of running. Taking these breaks makes marathon training less grueling and reduces the risk of injury, Mr. Galloway says, because it gives the muscles regular recovery time during a long run. Walk breaks are a way for older, less fit and overweight people to take part in a sport that would otherwise be off limits. But most surprising are the stories from veteran runners who say run-walk training has helped them post faster race times than ever..."

I take a few breaks while running, to let my legs recover. The question - whether to run every day or to run just a few days a week- is the tough one.

Still in the Running...

Back during 1993-1998, I used to run from the Tellabs Lisle office to the Arboretum. It was a good distance, and the arboretum was a great place to run in. Running in good locations, with foot-friendly running paths and natural beauty, is great food for the soul.

Running Out....of tolerance for incompetence

Based on my observation of several serious runners I can say that these folks tend to be fairly competent people who are willing to put in the work to make stuff successful. Therefore I find myself becoming less tolerant- of incompetence and laziness. Unfortunately, the blasted bug of laziness bites us all, and even I succumb to it- nevertheless it really bugs me.
Running forward, with more miles to cover- that's life.

Legging it...

One benefit of not running long distances is that the legs recover and have some energy in them- which is very good if one intends to do some speed work. Relaxed, fresh legs can put on quite a pace.

Googling Out the Loneliness of the Long-Distance Runner

Running for me is a lonely sport- something I like to do alone, for the most part. I am reasonably disciplined, but will take a day off from running every now and then. However, running groups and clubs are the rage and norm, and certainly serve a purpose for many. Google along with its Maps is handy for locating these clubs. Running with others takes on a social aspect- a different feeling than that of the solitary runner taking the time to be by himself or by herself.

A Running Conversation

This evening I had dinner with some of my colleagues and the conversation turned to running. Two of the folks had run a marathon and had sworn not to run another one. Another person commented on the "painful" look on runners' faces at the end of a race- apparently her father said that he would take up running when he saw a runner finish looking happy.
The funny thing is that runners are very happy upon finishing a race, though the body might be tired. Running is about understanding one's body and mind, and overcoming the fears and doubts- about the capacity to last the physical race as well as life's race. It is truly a joyous activity, filled with introspection and insight.

A fast run, and a fast fade

For the first time this year, I went out and ran fast today. Though I ran only six miles or so, I was exhausted by the end- I was in quite bad shape. Need to do a lot more crunches and push-ups to get ready for the long runs.

A fine run

Today I had dinner with four of my advisees who are graduating this Sunday. I have seen all of them transform from the freshmen state and become fine human beings. In addition they are all excellent students. I consider myself lucky to have had this group to work with- it is a rather rare event.

Growth in Running

One of my favorite memories is running the 8K Shamrock Shuffle in 1986 or 1987. There were only a few hundred runners, and I could break free and run a fast pace after just a few minutes. Nowadays, more than 13000 people run the race, one has to crawl from beginning to end. Yuk!

Need for Speed

When I got out to run at 12:30 PM today it was quite warm and I was quite hungry- a great combination for speed work. The need to finish quickly meant that I had to put on some pace. Running fast after a layoff is never easy.

Time to run up

With warm weather in place and school almost over, the time is right to pick up the pace and the distance. But summer is also the only time for good gardening and easy reading...so many things to do, and running like crazy to do all the things!

3 hours of fun

This week has gone by without any running on my part- perhaps for the good. My mind is Star Trekking back to 1988 when I used to go for 3 hour runs Saturday mornings. I would start around 7 AM and come back around 10 AM. I would go all the way up to Lake Cook road and back, in Evanston. It was one heck of a run. Being on the road for three hours really hurts the feet, and for the rest of the day I would be at my desk drinking tons of soda and reading the newspaper. A feeling of absolute tiredness would be combined with one of relaxation and one of pain- an interesting amalgam.

A Bull Run

While the equity markets are experiencing a bull run these days, it gives me much greater pleasure to see my students get some good opportunities- a truly Bull Run. Even in this tight market, smart managers are recruiting and using smart talent. If only my physical running kept up with my academic running!

One of my inspirations and favorite memories of running is the 1985 Chicago marathon, which I saw on TV. Steve Jones ran a spectacular race. There is an interesting interview with him about the race.

A true legend in the sport, Welshman Steve Jones ("Jonesy") won the Chicago Marathon twice--in 1984 and 1985. The first time his 2:08:05 was a world record. His next crack at it (2:07:13) came up just one second short of Carlos Lopez's standard. Known as "The Fox" for his ferocious running right from the gun, Jones was also a pioneer at slightly higher altitude distance training, running 90 miles a week in Park City, Utah, at 7,500 feet, a good 2,000 feet higher than many of his contemporaries who trained in Boulder, Colorado. We caught up with Jones Saturday at the Reebok booth at the Expo.

Runner's World Daily: Tell us about the world record run in 1984.
Steve Jones: I didn't even know what the world record was. I just came to race against people like Deke (Rob DeCastella) and Carlos. I remember people shouting, getting excited around the 20-mile mark on the press truck. But it didn't mean anything. I didn't have a watch on. I couldn't equate the time on the lead clock to how fast I was running really. I knew it was fairly quick. But I just didn't know what the world record was or how it was going to affect me at the end of the race. There was drama in that there was a bit of an accident. About 18 miles, Gabriel Kamau cut across Jeff Smith and myself on a corner and took himself out. He fell down. Jeff almost went down behind him, but I caught Jeff by the arm and held him up. Then I thought: It's getting too crowded. People are getting tired. Reaction times are slower. So I just bogged off. And at about 19 1/2 miles I left Carlos and Rob. I won by over a minute.

RWD: Tell us about 1985.
SJ: I had the world record for six months and then Carlos broke it. I came back to Chicago, but I didn't have any strong thoughts or ideas about going after a world record. I just wanted to beat Deke. Even though I was the defending champ and former world record holder, I felt that Deke was getting the publicity. He was still the superstar. That was fuel to the fire. I just wanted to beat Rob. He's a great guy and a great friend, but I wanted to show him that it was my race. And I should have been where he was.

RWD: The gun goes off...
SJ: Carl Thackery was the pacemaker. He was supposed to go through about half-way. We got to the mile in about 4:50. And he said: "Is this fast enough?" I said, "Yes, just keep it like this and it will be fine." Then I picked it up, though. I wanted to get away, and by four miles Carl had dropped out and I was all by myself then. We went through 10 miles in 47:20, and the half-marathon in 61:40.

RWD: Is that the fastest half-marathon split ever?
SJ: It was for many years, and still might be pretty close. I was out there and I didn't turn around. I just kept focus. You can watch the video now and see I was just focused on forward. In 1984 when I was with a group I was looking around, at the helicopter above, but when I was by myself I was focused. You can shut everything else out when you are by yourself. No one is going to trip you and you're not going to fall down.

RW: 1:01:40. That feels painful just saying it. When did it start hurting?
SJ: I don't know. It's something that sets in pretty quickly. It's not like you get a little tighter and more sore. I remember going through 18 miles and my good friend and manager Allan Warner was at the 18-mile point, where, the previous year, Gabriel fell down. Allan was getting a bit worried because I had gone off so fast, thought I was going to overcook it. He shouted at 18 miles: "Jonesy, you okay?" I just winked at him. I just carried on. So he knew I was fine. I wasn't in any pain, but I do remember the last couple of miles. I was actually slowing down. My legs were a little sore. I was still running 5-minute miles.

RW: One second off the world record. That must have hurt a little.
SJ: I didn't wear a watch. And there was a bone of contention about the timing. Chris Brasher was writing for "The Guardian" at the time. And a couple of other reporters that were here made a fuss about the press truck leaving me at 23 miles so I didn't have any idea with no clock there. But they had to get to the finish so they could get off before I finished. Everyone seemed to think that if I had that clock there, I would have got that one second. But I just ran as hard as I could for as long as I could.