This is the first audio post. I'm testing out audioblog.com . If this succeeds, then their chances of earning $5 everymonth is improved.

Now that's very encouraging, Hmmfff !! >:(


As seen on my friend's tshirt who joins us for the early morning training sessions.

Meeting Fresh Blood at the Runners Club

I got an SMS from Jacob yesterday telling me about a run planned at Anna Univ campus. That is all the extra enthu I needed to make a decision. It's always fun working out in a group rather than slogging it out on your own. I had planned to practice on my own for about a week before moving on to join the Chennai Runners Club.

The reason is because the regular runners at clock higher distance and I wanted to be in decent shape to relatively match their mileage. But the SMS turned changed my decision. To hell with solo practice. I decided to join the gang.

Today morning, I landed at the usual spot at the campus at 5:30a.m. I was surprised to find I was the first to turn up. Ususally the regulars are well ahead of time. I knew something had changed. After a short wait, i noticed fresh faces come over...Smitha, Subha, Jacob and Alwin. Not a single old timer. That really surprised me.

Great to see new blood. It seem to inject in new vigor and I could see raw enthusiasm amongst the gang. Something tells me that this gang is going to kick butt and could turn out to the the best marathon of all.

I did about 7kms along with Subha who also happend to be very careful about injury. Subha also clued me in the HIV/AIDS campaign for children that she so passionately works for.

After the run, the gang met up to discuss about a good cause to run for. We all decided to support the AIDS awareness campaign. Its a good feeling to know that our run can actually make a difference. My original intention was to raise money to plant saplings around my neighbourhood, especially adopt the playground and make it greener. So I've decided to pursue both the AIDS awareness campaign as well as Green-the-neighbourhood effort.

The coming days will be very intersting.

The practice for the 2004 Chennai Marathon began yesterday. It's strange that a 2004 race should be held in 2005. I wish the organisers had stuck with their initial date in december itself. Anyways, I won't complain. They have given me more to practice which has rekindled my passion.

Damn! I asked Vincent to give me a wake-up call and smartly forgot to turn off the vibratory mode on my mobile. Couldn't join the usual gang. Heard from Vincent they did the usual 21km run. Went a little late and did a short run. Found myself hopelesly breatheless. The four months of non-practice really showed. Gonna take me a week to get into the groove, I guess. Next run on tuesday.

What a co-incidence. Just yesterday, I had been seriously contemplating starting my marathon training. I figured the Chennai Runners Club members won't start training this early for the 2004 races and hence thought I have to train along. I thought wrong. Vincent had forwarded the Chennai Runners Club newsletter which really caught me by surprise. I learnt from it that the training had actually started on April 13.

I'm now glad that I'll have some solid company. Nothing like running alongside highly motivated and fun loving people. Looking forward to the Sunday morning run.

Should restart my practice from tomorrow (sunday) morning onwards. This time, I'll put on a lot more emphasise on proper stretching and warming up.