My RunKeeper...

I have experimented with numerous fitness app ever since i had my first android phone… Whether it is for running or walking or working out, i always trusted some of them, especially the ‘endomondo’ which was the first among the many used…

What was cool about endomondo was we get to see the route map even after you share them in facebook or twitter… The speed, the distance, the calories burned looked almost accurate then… But, every app when they grow will come up with some bugs or drawbacks… What happened with endomondo for me was it made most of its services under premium (paid)… and other services needed lots more storage space which made my phone running slow…

So, i had to uninstall endomondo and then started my experimentation with other apps in googleplay… some apps, keep accurate fitness report… but when you keep the phone in your pocket, the report will be something else… some apps wont even show the running route map… or cals burned…

After reading many online reviews, i came across this app called ‘RunKeeper’… Almost perfect compared to the other apps i used… I can even keep my phone in my pocket; it wont affect in getting the proper gps… Pace, calories burned, distance travelled…. route map, everything looking accurate for me…

The awesome thing about the app is it update your distance, average pace and all every 5 minutes… For me, preparing for the marathon, it is a reminder every now and then… another cool thing i found was the data it keeps in website… endomondo, i could never open in my laptop and check my progress…

So, i am planning to stick with this app for a while… it keeps me motivated and gives me a record of my activities…

The need to take a break...

So, finally good news!!!

The Airtel Delhi Half Marathon (ADHM) organisers accepted my application… My first real competitive marathon is coming… My past efforts in ‘marathon’ were only charity based or occasion based… Even last year’s 6 km run in ADHM was just testing the waters…

The training has been going on in full swing… With the new job and the timings, i get only an hour in the morning… to increase the pace and distance covered… That part of the training is going fine… my run app is congratulating after every run on the new achievements… I was excited on this…

But soon i realised, in the effort go faster i am ignoring the injury scare… a couple of minor scares last week… Also, the anxiety to do always one step more… yes, i was pushing myself way beyond my strengths… So, then i came up with this new plan… a break… Take a day or two off in a week…

Train hard for 3 days… take a break…. that day can be used to warm up inside… rest the over-worked feet… then come back to road stronger next day…. It worked wonderfully yesterday after a break… Also, the break is good in some sense, i am sure i wont get tired of this run schedule… There is always a possibility that our tired body with the run and work schedule force us to abandon the plan altogether after getting bored of the daily workouts!!!

So every now and then, a break is needed… It is not just a rest to the body, but also the mind… After a break, i always look forward to my day’s run/workouts… Also, i am working on new routes to run… the same old route bores me sometimes…. new plan, new route always challenge me… and i tend to do better when challenged….

So far so good at my end… working on other factors like diet and sleep hours as well….

Home, new home....

Finally, I am back to my space… After a phase of uncertainties and confusion, Delhi again…  So from West Delhi, to Gurgaon and now to East Delhi; the city is not leaving me….

I can proudly say, I have the many painful phases of shifting successfully:

The tedious house hunting phase – check

Moving the stuff – check

Cleaning up the house – check

Arranging the stuff – 75%

Setting up my study space – 90% (i am not satisfied)

Arranging my books – 0% (yet to figure out how to)

The house hunting was crazy, moving stuff was scary… cleaning up the house and arranging the stuff was painful… All i can think when i sit back now and type this blog: IT’S OVER!!! I am back to my shell… a new shell… but i am loving it…