reflections – Page 2 – Dream, Believe and Make it happen

Time travelled to my room in 2008

September 15, 2022 vidyasagar

I was cleaning and organising my room today with left hand only. Suddenly my mind travelled back to 2008 and i checked my photos of my room in 2008. I stayed away from my parents for the first time in 2008. It was in KPCL quarters at raichur. When i joined office, i was told there was a vacancy in quarters where no one wanted to occupy. Someone has committed suicide and people imagined the house to be a haunted one like they show in movies. The house was very close to main road, very near to our office mess, and close to a football stadium, helipad and swimming pool. Despite its strategic location, out of fear no one occupied it. When i was offered the quarters , i readily moved in. What a wise decision it was. I was too minimalist at that time, which i regretted later. I should have bought basic things and lived better. Now in 2022 i miss that big house which was spacious. It is not that i have too much stuff, i am living the best of my life now. Spending time the way i want to and Doing things i love too. Back in 2008 i had a big house for myself with a hefty salary, which i did not spend wisely.

Everyday morning i will wake up to this poster and think positive. It sure kept my day positive.

I did not even buy a bed with my hefty package. Slept on a mat without a cot. This went on for two years till 2010, when i became little wiser.

Due to mismanagement of time, i couldnt finish reading half of the books. Most of them got damaged when flood waters entered my home in 2017. Now i use kindle. Some of these books cannot be read in kindle and i want to buy again.

Back to 2022, I am determined to organise my room better than it is now. Getting used to commonly use left hand, dreaming of becoming ambidextrous. That’s how you have to see the current scenario.

Cheers.

reflections

Rebound time

September 13, 2022September 13, 2022 vidyasagar

Exactly one month back I fell down from my cycle and broken my collar bone after riding 1200 km . Falling at 300 km short of the end point, it was painful to quit at that point, especially your riding partner has to quit along with you, with so many dreams crashed. It was a moment of pain, suffering and agony. After seven months of hard work, an accident made you quit. There is no way I can ride the 300 km after the fracture. It took hours to accept that I can’t, though I realised it immiediately. This time gap between realisation and acceptance is very painful period.

Though initially no dislocation was observed in the first xray film, a month later showed contradictory. I had to undergo a quick surgery. A plate has been fixed inside my shoulder and I am under recovery mode now. Doctor has advised for two months rest followed by physio theraphy later. I cannot use my right hand for next two months. With lot of stories to write post my 25 day London trip, I couldn’t sit quite. So decided to type using left hand and tell my stories that happened in august in London.

With a positive mindset, I am able to manage a lot and with support from friends and family, feeling more confident to get back in the game, but without rushing soon. In the next two months I will be reading lot of books, write more blog posts, and time to do and plan for things which I neglected, ignored, forgot, avoided, feared. Its time to explore myself.

My apple watch broke two years ago during a cycle ride and recently my MI smart band also broke. So got myself a new MI6 smart band. Apple and garmin are on cards for next year, when i take my run more seriously, now that i cannot run my 100 km runs registered for october and november. But i am super confident of bouncing back.

I binge watched the korean series ‘I am not a robot’ just days before my surgery to avoid any anxiety. Now that i am getting used to wearing arm sling all the time and typing this post in left hand.

C u all in next posts.

experience, reflections, sightseeing

In search of a deer-park

May 25, 2020May 25, 2020 vidyasagar

Twelve years ago when I was staying away from my parents for the first time in life, I was already eager for exploring the new place. I was posted in such a place where nothing is available or so I thought at that time. My view is not he same now and I have posted in “The grass on the other side looks greener”. Over the course of time I have learnt many times, locals are not aware of the valuable things around them to see and learn. Even the so called explored places remains largely unexplored. No when I was posted in this remote place, I would ask everyone what are the places to see around. What is this place famous for. I would google around so hard that nothing would be available and we would curse the place for not having anything to see or do. Some people would say there is a park nearby. If you would visit the park, nobody will be there. You can have the park for yourself. It will be deserted after evening. Once when my room-mate was coming back from his hometown to this place, he saw a board with a picture of deer and some text on it. On reaching our room he told me of this and it would be approximately around ten kilometres from our room. So we enquired a lot about this deer park to so many people. No one would now of it.

We decided to explore on our own. Every Sunday we would go and search for this deer park and return home without finding any clue. We were not able to find the board with the picture of the deer. We would take lot of pictures, rare sceneries, seeing birds in natural environment. You can see the pics below.

After few months we successfully found the board with a picture of the deer. We didn’t know the local language so couldnt read the directions to the deer park. We asked the route for the deer park to the people nearby. No one knows about any deer park. We told them there is a board which shows direction. Still no one knows. Finally one man came along with us near the board and translated for us. The board didn’t show the direction to the deer park. Instead it read “ Deer crossing- Go slow”.

reflections

Is there a way if there is will?

May 23, 2020 vidyasagar

Runners all over the world are now using treadmills and some who don’t have like me run inside the four walls of home. Thanks to the social media and the many people who have run ultra marathon inside their homes to inspire us. Over a period of 60 days, I am now able to run an half marathon inside home. It proves you only need willingness to start and perseverance and hard work to anything. It was a terrible thought in the beginning, but now I am thinking of taking to the next level. Leading by example is a great way of motivation. Fitness freaks are able to identify newer ways to keep themselves fit. There was no complaint about the lack of equipment. Body weight exercises has replaced weight lifting due to non-availability of gym. Yoga and meditation are becoming norms. Early risers always rose early. More people are now addicted to workouts. Even the virus could do nothing to stop them. The sense of boredom by doing exercises and workouts alone was overcame by connecting thru video calls. Virtual events are on the rise. Those who adapted to this change are the people who find a way in all circumstances. Their willingness will bring the world to normal by building immunity. Apart from social distancing, building immunity is a better way of defeating the virus in the long run.

While runners found a way to satisfy their urges, cyclists are worst hit. We don’t have as many indoor trainers. We miss the morning ride to beaches, sunrise photography, that morning juice/tea with friends after the ride, that fresh air, that new place etc., Runners can run inside their homes. Cyclists can no way ride inside their homes not certainly their mountain bikes. It is not always “where there is a will there is a way”. There are dead ends too. No matter what you can go thru a dead end. You have to mend your route else get stuck up there to rot and die. Change is the only thing that doesn’t change. Endure till you find the alternate way, like you endure during endurance rides. Even if there is no way, if you will, there is an alternate way. Find the alternate way and move on.

fitness, reflections

Apple watch – The best gadget I used in my life

May 18, 2020 vidyasagar

Smart watches not only shows time, it saves time. The realisation dawned upon me while I was stuck in covid-19 lockdown. I have been using one for five year nearly until It was broken accidentally about which I have written earlier. I should have invested in a new one. I was in a dilemma. Its costing so much time now. You only realise the value of something only when you don’t have it. Anything can be replaced except time.

Step count – I was tracking my steps everyday for five years hassle free. I need not carry my hone with me. All the steps are recorded. Now when I realise that I have to carry my phone each time I take step it is mind boggling. Step count revealed whether I was active or not and I was improving well in 2020.
Also it tracked exercise minutes, distance, heart rate etc. which were very crucial in my weight loss journey, fitness activities.
Sleep – The difference between manual tracking and automatic tracking is vast. You will not know how many times you woke up in the middle of the night while using manual tracking. The combined tracking of Sleep timings and heart rate gave the following insights
- What time I go to bed and what time I woke. And also whether I am consistent in these timings
- How many time I woke up in the idle of the sleep. I woke up to a maximum of 8 times which I was not aware.
- Even after waking up, am I active or lazing around. This is measured by a term called readiness score.
- Duration of sleep, Duration awake in bed etc.,
Heart rate – The maximum and minimum heart rate, How well your heart rate is consistent , range etc are now missed. I have been consistently tracking these for many years.
Other advanced measurements like VO2 max, recovery rate after workout etc are also very useful insights
Apple watch is the best run tracker I have ever used. Its precision is very accurate than other devices I have used. Now during lockdown , I have to run inside home and I couldn’t complete some of the challenged solely because of not having it.
I am not complaining about other features like reading messages, attending calls etc., which can be done thru phone.

Readers can now conclude why I called apple watch – the best gadget I used in my life.

reflections

The journey was more beautiful than the destination

May 17, 2020 vidyasagar

Trying new things gives lot of hope, energy, excitement and sometimes increases your enthusiasm. Last week was such a great time for me. I got my wish fulfilled. It was a dream come true for me. I haven’t heard the name of the book in my childhood and into my teens. When I came to know , I couldn’t afford to buy it and when I could, I was too busy with my life. Over course of time I even forgot. Once forgotten even when you could find time you wouldn’t do it. There are many such books which wanted to read but couldn’t. Life brings surprises. During the lockdown period, all the book shops and libraries are closed. Not all books are available in digital platform. And even if it is available I am not comfortable to use ipad for longer duration of time. I was a voracious reader. If I start reading a book, it will not last for more than a week. Smaller books last for a few hours. One fine day during lockdown I remembered one of the name of the book which I had forgotten for so long. It is none other than the historic tamil novel “Ponniyin selvan”.

I took a week for me to listen all 293 audios. The narration was good both due to storyline and way in which it was read. The joy of listening is so overwhelming, that when I completed listening to the full book, I am speechless, but word flow thru my heart to fingers to keyboard. The stories and incidents mentioned in the historic novel were so captivating, I forgot my daily routines, didn’t do any exercise, and my streak for non-stop step-count came to an end. I am both enthralled and excited. Different emotions raced through my mind. The characters still live in my thoughts. If appears to be true even after I opened my eyes. It may be because of the abrupt end of the story, the suspense built by the author was really appreciable. To keep you glued to one place, one thought, vivid imagination and satisfaction at the end.

It is an happy ending story. But the way in which story had been written, it cant say it cannot be described by words because it is already written and incidents in the story has happened a millennium ago. Details are taken from available inscriptions in copper plates. The characters visualized in my mind, portrayed by the author , were once real. They lived on the same country where I live today. It is is the history of my fore fathers. It is my history. The journey called life was sweet for some, sour for some, tasteless for some, delicious for some. My mood is not the same during listening the book and after finished listening. I feel something vacant. The silence is deafening. I felt that author could have extended the story. But in the conclusion he gave an apt explanation for the ending and I am convinced and felt I was more happy listening to the book and expected it to be never ending. I have been in many train journeys lasting more than 24 hours. I always enjoyed the destination. But this time, Listening to this book, makes me say “ The journey was more beautiful than the destination”

Note:

I could find an audio book of the ponniyin selvan. Yes all 293 chapters in the form of audio book available for free in youtube. Providing the link below and thanks to sathyan audio books for their efforts.

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCxFUANaEWB5Gd97Q5dFCK8g

experience, reflections

How lockdown is changing me?

May 13, 2020 vidyasagar

e-books to audio-books

In the beginning of the year, I had decided to throw away with physical books and go with e-books. I did throw away most of physical books. E-books are difficult to read for long time. The job of transferring the books from PC to ipad is annoying ever since my macbook air broke. Then I also wanted to reduce the screen time from digital gadgets. So thought of using audio books. I has been a week and I am nearing completion of my listening to second book. Though many books are not available in audio form, still I feel it is a good beginning.

Tracking food and nutrition

The biggest change in the lockdown period is I have not gained any weight and I am not starving also. I have started tracking my food and nutrition and built it as a habit. Each time I eat my mind raced to log it and I find it very useful. The insight gained i.e., low consumption of protein is to be addressed.

Workouts

Everyday morning I would go to the beach and watch sunrise with my friends. Nothing can substitute that. However we still have to keep our body fit. Initially everyone tried doing exercises and workuts and finally decided to do in group video chat/meeting apps. Checked the cost of indoor cycling trainer and found it pricey but still worthy. May be I will get one soon.

Running inside home

Can’t run on the roads due to the present situation, many of the people started doing ultra running inside home. Inspired by these people, I too started running inside the four walls. Could have got a treadmill. Planning to invest in one after the lockdown is over.

Virtual events

Started participating in more virtual events. 5k global distance challenge, The latest one being 10k run inside home on mother’s day. And many more coming.

Time and mindfulness

Now I feel like I have all the time in the world for me and I am fighting to reduce the digital screen time. Have started practising yoga and feeling better.

Finding solutions

Stuck with a problem of importing and exporting data to apple health app for quiet a few months. Found solutions during this lockdown time. Thanks to the relaxed mind.

The lockdown has brought enormous change in me. Staying inside has given me the me-time. I am trying out new things more than before. It is turning out to be better for me.

fitness, reflections

How i lost 8 kg in 2020

March 26, 2020 vidyasagar

For me it is one of the goals set in the beginning of the year was to reduce weight and achieve body mass index below 25. I did by implementing the following things in my life

Cycling
Core workouts
Running
Reduce stress
Balanced diet

Cycling for weight reduction

Did regular rides on an average 40 km distance per day. Combined with short rides at good speed to long distance rides at average speed. Joined with young people helped me a lot for pushing the limits. And the endurance rides gave lot of motivation. My fitness level improved after each endurance ride- A fact verified by measurements thru self tracking. My body water content was low before six months i.e., less than 48% and now it is around 55%. Also did hill rides every week. There is a 120 meter high hill near my home. Indeed cycling gave good results when i start pushing beyond what i was doing earlier. Tracking in strava app helped me a lot to improve and connect with other like minded people.

Core workouts

Just a few stretching after cycling did’n’t help me. Had to spend more time for stretching to keep tight calf muscles and tight thighs. Once regularly done core workouts saved me from cramps, which helped a lot during endurance rides. Legs are strong due to regular cycling. But having a tough time to lose fat. finally brought regular fat within normal level. Visceral fat is still excess and i am working on it. I use an MI body composition scale for determining visceral fat. Core work outs brought it down from a scale of 13 to 11. Still 2 more points to get to 9. May take another 3 months to get there.

Running

I love running. Though i am running after a long time, i have already complete two half marathons this year. Now during weekly hill ride, i am including one uphill run too in the schedule. Running allows me for my occasional food cravings.

Reduced stress

This is one of the major factors in my weight loss journey. I just slowed down a bit in my life to re-assess myself and the direction in which my life is moving. Brought out a lot of changes in lifestyle. Taking digital detox more periodically. Considering minimalism as a way of life.

Balanced diet

Had a check over my sugar cravings. It was tough in the beginning. Alternate days i had my juice with sugar and salt. Reduced junk food usage to minimum. Started using Healthifyme app to track protein, fiber, fat and carb intake. I am using MI body composition scale to measure Protein and fat content. Protein content is increasing and fat is lowering for last six months though very gradually.

I think all of the above helped me in losing 8 kgs in a span of 85 days in 2020. What do you think? Will i gain weight during this lock down due to corona?

Cycling, experience, reflections

My fall at a hill top while cycling at malaysia

March 25, 2020 vidyasagar

India is locked down for next 21 days as a preventive measure to safeguard millions from corona infection. A great and bold move welcomed by all. Now this is time to think and reflect and write as many posts while sitting at home and pondering over good and not so good events that have taken place in my life. You cannot do all mistakes by yourself , hence got to learn from others mistakes and become wiser.

We rode to a small hill (Genting sempah) near kuala lampur, malaysia. The climb was not so steep but gradual for a distance of 20 kilometres. The route was visual delight to eyes and also a treat for cyclists. Covered with trees on both sides,A warning had been given by the organiser about rash drivers who can surprise us anywhere, in any of the numerous bends. Since it was a chinese new year day, there were no rash drivers.

Each of us were moving at our own pace. at around 10 km, i had a flat tyre. We could not fix it because not having correct spanner for replacing tube or for removing the firmly struck iron pin on the tyre. I was so unhappy to give up. We have to fix the car rack and put my cycle in it. My friend who came that way gave his cycle for me to climb up. I was feeling extremely happy and pushed fast to join the riders who went earlier. Soon i joined them at genting highlands and lots of photos taken.

I lost my patience here. I was in a mood to cycle further. So i left the group and joined the one other rider who also wants to move further. Together we started. The road was splitting into two and joining again after a steep climb. Now there are two options, to make the steep climb or skip the climb and come thru the other way. We skipped the steep climb and took the smaller one. Since we are new to the country and relying on google maps, i had to take out my phone in one hand and watch out for directions. Suddenly there was a descent ahead and my bike was speeding. A car was being towed away slowed down in front of me. I applied brakes in one hand. Since i had my phone in the other hand , could’n’t have proper balance. I did not fall all of a sudden. The fall was gradual and sliding down the inclined plane. The rear wheel got bent. I could manage to save my phone. I had bruises in my palms and leg knees. There was a cut in right hand near the wrists due to the watch metal strap and my smart watch was completely damaged.

The one mistake on my part was to use the phone while riding. I successfully corrected my mistake and am not using my phone while riding now-a-days. Because of this one mistake what i lost is many. I could not join the next day ride and it was not my cycle i was riding but my friends. He could not join the ride next day. I damaged my precious apple watch.

The positive thing during the fall was that i did’n’t got panicked. Hence the damage was minimal. Even though i had phone in one hand i.e. right hand, i managed to bring the cycle to a halt with left hand while gradually sliding and falling downhill. I did not hit the vehicle which slowed down in front of me. We had a clear gap of 10 feet between us and that means i have successfully managed downward collision.

The year 2020 has brought me great joy and happiness. That’s why i am also writing about small incidents where i can learn, correct myself and move forward and in the process pass on the message to others.

The world is not going to end because of any virus. Stay strong. Stay at home. Stay isolated. See you in the next post. Cheers.

Cycling, experience, reflections

Failure is not a crime, lack of effort is.

March 20, 2020 vidyasagar

Last week i attempted a 600 km brevet cycling. I quit at 515 km due to mind games. That guilty feeling is still there. I have to use remorse as fuel and move on. I was not even tired when i quit. I had sufficient time to complete. My cycle was not damaged and i was at the forefront. I am still not able to justify why i chose to quit. Me and my co-rider felt sleepy. We rested for a while and then mind games begin to play. We talked into cheating, quitting etc., but the never talked about taking rest and starting again. These words perpetuated in to our minds and we lost our mission to achieve super randoneur title.

90 kms away our friends were waiting at finish point, hoping we would complete and celebrate with us. All crashed because of our momentary and sudden decision to quit the brevet and transport our cycles. Had we rested some more time, we would have been in our senses and completed the ride. The moment of celebration was within our reach and yet we chose to not try is more painful to think.

Had we tried and failed, we would not be feeling this bad. I have to endure all this and come up strong to complete my dream. Till then i will keep analysing and improving myself. My focus will be on completing this brevet as soon as possible. To compete again we would have to wait for three months due to the ongoing social isolation request from various governments to avoid corona virus infection and spread and as responsible citizens we have to abide by it. The long wait is going to torment us for sure. We have to move on and continue our practice which we are doing diligently.

My advice to all future randonneurs is that don’t give time for mind games to play. Keep moving forward. Plan well for your sleep. Go at your own pace. Do not match with others. They may endure sleep and you may not. Keep moving if you are a fast rider. To not feel guilty later always remember and keep saying ” Failure is not a crime but lack of effort is”