Week 8

Had to move, so did not go for practice today.

Day 18

went for the Wednesday training, could finally run to the field easier. Started on the strides today, now it feels like training :) Strides seemed simple, but are hard, not sure if I got the technique though, I was trying my best. Looking forward to Saturday run. This week ran only for 2 days, so may again go for 2 outer loops around the lake, or if found company, then on bruke-gilman trail.

Day 17

Ran in the Grasslawns park with new shoes for 20 - 15 min. The run was ok, but I was very tired, either because of lack of sleep or because the new shoes are not good!

Day 16 Week 7

Saturdya carpool with Palani and Aparajita. We started running around the greenlake, I was undecided if I should go for 2 rounds, 6 miles or not, basically was trying to give myself reasons why and why I should not. Luckily first time I missed the meeting point and started on the second round without noticing :), that was some motivation, finally finished 2 rounds, last mile was as usual hard, but I could do it without collapsing !!

Sammamish Ridge nightmare

I cannot believe this is happening, or maybe I can, this apartment has been a problem for last one year. I think I had found out quite early that the management is very rude and not at all helpful. But they are also mean and expert in cheating you out of money. Now suddenly I have to pay $1200 rent for August month because I did not send a piece of paper. Does not matter you talk to them, let them know but before they will not say anything. Right after your deadline is passed, they will happily inform you that you were suppose to give a written notice, and now you have to pay some huge rent. I guess that is how these big corporates make their huge profits.

Day 15

Ran for 2 miles (25min) @ 5:0, no breaks required this time, and could have gone on, but was bored. I think I am getting better.

Day 14

Wednesday, finally I went to a wednesday practice. I did not do much, just ran to the track, ran twice rounds on the track and then back from the track, but it was a start. It was good workout. There were even more people from Asha, some new, some veterans. It was fun and relaxing to go out there, was feeling much better after the workout.

Day 13 Week 6

Saturday training, a lot of Asha junta showed up today, it was great. I planned to run 6 miles. After running 4 last saturday and 6 (with breaks) couple of weeks before, I thought I can make it, but guess what, its hard!! The weekday practices are a must to keep you in shape. Our route was really good, nice shaded trails going through the university, it did not seem very difficult also. But running 6 miles at one go was really hard, I think I gave up somewhere little over 4 miles, then it was all walking, running, stumbling, crawling.....
Will try the same next time.

Day 12

Ran for some 20 minutes on the treadmill at 5:00. It was easier than before, but lack of time.

Apartment hunting again

I cannot believe that I am back to apartment hunting. It was such a pain last time that I had decided not to move, but now again I have to move and to a much smaller place. This apartment, Sammamish Ridge, is totally not worth living at such high rates. But I am going to miss the space, open air, especially since I am moving into a basement. I cannot imagine how I am going to pack up everything again. But its probably for the good, I will get rid of lot of stuff and then moving will become easy again. At least I am slowly getting rid of all the furniture.

Day 11 Week 5

Finally after recovering from long weekend trip, apartment hunting spree, I decided to run at the washington lake by myself. I start the trail at 1&1/2 mile marker and then run to start of the trail and back, then I run another 1/2 or 1 mile to the next mile post and then of course back. This running back and forth is helpful, then I am back from the first leg, its a feeling of achievement that 3 miles is done, and then I can run further along.

The mid-week practices have totally stopped since I started apartment hunting, what a tension!
Hope to get back on track starting next week.

The grand Jupiter

Yesterday was a telescope day again, Rahul and I went to Phantom lake to have a look at Saturn. It was so scary in the beginning, all sunsaan, dark. It was a no moon night. First we set up our telescope in the parking lot itself. There were a bunch of bright stars, none of which though really looked like Saturn. The first thing we pointed to turned out to be Mars. Then to a bunch of other bright stars. Now that we were accustomed to the dark, the place was looking less scary. We moved a little into the Park, and there it was really bright planet. Once we pointed the telescope to it, it turned out to be Jupiter with all its glory and its moons. We could clearly see at least 7 of the moons, and with some patience, some colour was also visible on the planet. It was just a amazing site, seeing Jupiter after such long time! Finally we failed to locate Saturn though, guess it was already set.

Day 10 Week 4 amazing Rahul

6 miles, yes! I ran almost 6 miles today, and all the credit goes to Rahul. He was there in sun all the time, running or just waiting for me to get back. We ran on the Sammamish River trail again, it was of course very hard, and I had to take a couple of walk breaks.

moving time again!

I can't believe that its moving time again, and I just hate it, it was only yesterday that I opened all boxes and put up all posters. But well, you cannot control circumstances. Thinking about selling / giving away all my stuff and go back to the nomadic light weight life. Its obviously very economical. I wonder if that is the best way to live, all those people buying houses, buying all stuff for their houses, are simply ignorant of what's coming.

Day 9

Had planned to run at least 3 miles at 5 today. But ran little under 2 miles at 5 though, no walk breaks.
why - lack of motivation, it gets boring to run on treadmill all alone
todo - get a interesting book, run outside, sammamish river trail?

Day 8 Week 3

Today I was thinking of running around the green lake again, but that was not suppose to be. 520 bridge was closed, and going over I90 was too much effort. So Rukmani and I decided to run on the Washington River trail. Its a nice trail, running along a stream, best thing is that the trail has mile markers. We ran for about 5 miles, and it was a stretch.

2001 A space Odysse - Arthur C. Clark

As ironic as it sounds, the vision of 2001 is good :). I have mostly read Isaac Asimov's books in SciFi and his main theme about space travel is hyperspace etc. This book introduces another concept and its quite interesting, though its still very limiting and does not allow intra-galactic travel. I enjoyed reading the book, it starts out quite slow. You know something is coming, but you turn pages after pages waiting for it, and then there it is with a bang! One thing I found annoying with the book was that it just alludes over the mystery, secret, adventure, without really getting into depths of the mystery. The last few pages are quite action filled though.

Day 7

Wednesday training day. Went to Everyday Athlete for training (great neighbourhood BTW). Unfortunately there were no beginners to give me company, and I did not want to hold rest if the group, so I just ran little uphill by myself, 1.8 miles only. It was good weather and 30min. just passed without even realizing. Could have ran a little more with more persistance or company. Route map -

Day 6

Regular treadmill day, ran 30 min @ 5.0 with 2 min walk bread @3.5, covered 2.5 miles. Seems to be getting better at it :)

Day 5 Week 2

Today we met at the Spiritridge Elementary School in Bellevue at 7:30. It was easier to get up and go today. Thanks to Tarun, Yogita and Rukmani's company, I managed to run 4.6 miles. The last 0.6 mile felt like another 4 miles! But it was a good run. Took me a little more than an hour. It will get better :) Here is the route we took today -