Snowfall in Houston!!!

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24 Weeks Later: A running Saga

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Tomorrow marks 24 weeks since I laced up my shoes and decided to run again—starting from early March. If you compare my first and most recent runs, the difference in conditioning is like comparing a rusty bicycle to a well-oiled machine. The Numbers: 6th March : 4 km non-stop | Avg pace: 7:00 min/km | Avg/Max HR: 161/176 27th March : 5 km non-stop | Avg pace: 7:25 min/km | Avg/Max HR: 146/152 15th August : 4 km non-stop | Avg pace: 6:29 min/km | Avg/Max HR: 145/152 That first run? Felt like jump-starting a tractor that had been abandoned in a field for months. My heart rate was screaming, “What are you doing to me?” But I was determined to make this comeback different. So I ditched pace obsession and embraced heart rate training—hello, Zone 2. By 27th March, I was running strictly within Zone 2, resulting in a leisurely 7:25 min/km pace. Fast forward to 15th August—24 weeks and 880 km later—and I cruised through 4 km at 6:29 min/km. My heart rate barely broke a sw...
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Reflections at 20 Week progress mark: Good & Bad both

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The Good: One should give credit where credit is due even if that credit is due to you. Congratulations on completing 20 weeks streak of not missing a single week with 95 total runs in 20 weeks averaging close to 5 days/week running. After a long hiatus from proper training, this wasn't easy for sure. This also wasn't flawless and indeed needs dissecting for learnings. So, let's get to it.   I made the decision to run most of these runs at slow easy (zone 2) pace and I was able to diligently follow it. Running fast without being in good shape was painful so sticking to easy running in summer months made it tolerable. I wasn't very sore/fatigued from these runs but I was stiff like a stick.  There is no hiding of my disdain for stretching pre/post runs. I have mostly avoided it so far in my running and I got away with it when I was young and reckless (Thank God) but at 40+ (42+ actually), my chickens have come home to roost. Right around week 15 of the program, I began t...
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Running Scene in India Vs USA: Random Thoughts

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Running scene in India is growing at an explosive pace and every weekend there are tons of races across various towns. I ran/race quite regularly in Houston for many years and observed the running scene very closely. I can't help comparing running in India Vs Running in US in my mind. Moreover I have noticed some socio-economic trends which are peculiar to both countries.  In USA, the running scene exploded in 70's where it became mainstream to run marathons. However, the runners were motivated by almost "Rocky" type self-motivation and grit and it wasn't much later when corporate houses like shoe/apparel/nutrition companies became a dominant force in running. In India, however the explosion of running scene is happening with clever and active drive of these same/similar corporate houses trying to entice upper middle class to lighten their wallet for the glory that comes with running.  For the following socio-economic analysis, I have made the following assumption...
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