Run Baby Run - Update

Its great to see some wonderful progress on the miles! Though i admit, I grossly underestimated the miles :-)

I bet many of the participants are going to zoom past the required 95 way before the end of the year!

So here are a few things to note -

• I have created a spreadsheet to make it easier to track your miles on a everyday basis. Here is the link to it. The link is also available below the label of Run Baby Run on the left bottom of the blog where the mile meter is. I will be checking the spreadsheet every Friday and updating the mile-meter.
• You can continue way beyond 95 miles and the mile meter would simply show over a 100%. I bet we all love that. So i am not changing the miles or requirements. Let keep the good work going!

I am thinking of adding a mini-challenge part of the mile meter. Since its possible to get weary of the treadmill and other such indoor recycled air workouts, we can aim to do an activity other than machines and play some games. Be it squash, BB, FB, badminton anything you dig. The challenge is to aim to be part of at least one sport activity every week. Let me know if you have other ideas to build towards the mile-meter...

Happy workout everyone!

The Snow Shoveler

A weird adaptation of 'the solitary reaper' 
;) :p

She loves the snow

And the peace it brings

Crystal white flakes

And the mellow it feigns

For it might last a fortnight

And never cease

Or tumble overnight

And dump a few feet

She loves it even the day after

With yellow sun and cold blue skies

Making the world a prickly bright

Roads lined a goo-ish brown

And walking makes a pulpy sound!

For she is but, well armed

With thermals, jackets and god knows what;

Bearing a shovel she completes her ascent,

Into the path of milky pleasant

Oh she digs, she digs!

Layers and layers of stubborn white sand

Sometimes wet, sometimes light

Almost heavy but yields midflight

  

Over the shoulder she throws

Powdery mass of water in guise

Until the dark tar is unearthed

Shiny, shimmery

And white washed

Under layers of warmers and more

She perspires a melancholy sore

Burning easy calories she does

Rowing, curling, crunching and all

Workout is what shoveling is

Care must be met when stepping on ice

For the back must be never arched

Bend only the knees

And keep working the arms

For many snow storms

She wait, she waits

To burn the unexpected calorie

And let the muscle tone

Snow is a lot of fun

She says

Love it, burn it, end up all fresh

The white world isn’t all gloom and squelch

And if you still hate the pallid spread

Fear not and head to my dwell

Give a helping hand

And shed a few pounds

Shoveling, panting, warming and all


-By Divya Durgadas

Workout in disguise

Ever played Ultimate (Frisbee)??? If not and if you have enjoyed playing Frisbee in India then ultimate is worth a try. I was introduced to Frisbee by my friend who mentioned about his game and was wondering if I cared about playing considering that I am this sports/adventure freak! My image about Frisbee when he used the word F R I S B E E was very close to Fetch since that’s the only version of Frisbee that we are exposed to in India. Least did I know what ultimate meant here and the moment I set foot on the ground, my first reaction – “S*** I am F***ed”! With time I learnt the ins and outs of the game and now I am addicted!! Here goes the game and some tips:

1.Pretty close to American football just that the receiver cannot run once the Frisbee comes into their possession! Alas….or else I could have sprinted!! Jus kidding. ;)

2.Each game lasts for 1.5hours – a total of 13-15 points to be achieved depending on the league you play in (Spring league- 15, Summer league – 13, Fall league – 13)

3.If you love the game and wish to win then you will end up running so much that you would realize it only when every part of your body hurts after the game – Neck to feet! AAAH….The sweet pain of a FUN filled workout.

4.7 players on the field at each time

5.Ideal situation: 4 men and 3 women. However, for ages women have been pretty lame about playing and hence many times you end up with either 5 men and 2 women or 6 men and 1 woman. Sucks, but having 7 players on the field is Mandatory (unless it is one of the nasty Chicago weather days and 50% of the players don’t show up)

6.While on Offense :
a. Disc has to keep moving and cannot stay with one player for more than 10 seconds
b. If a player is unable to throw it to his teammates then game is turned – disc given to the opposition team- I hate it when that happens.
c. Forehand throws are more preferred than backhand throws since the defense team tends to force forehand to screw you up.
d. Once you pass on the disc to your peers…..run ahead towards the goal , make a cut and help your peer to throw it to you…don’t worry someone else will make the second cut to help you out. And the vicious circle continues until the disc reaches the end zone.
e. It’s a B**** when there is a turnover at the end zone and believe me it happens 90% of the times.
f. If you are person in the end zone make sure you catch the disc or else hell is let loose on you – not really ….Its more like you let hell loose on yourself if you wanted to be the STAR!
g. Enjoy every moment of the game coz if you don’t enjoy you will never play it well.
7. While on defense:
a. One suggestion – Keep your eyes on the person you are guarding and on the disc – sometimes I wonder if having Looking London Talking Tokyo kinda eyes help???
b. Run like a watchdog that has been let loose. That’s what I do to intimidate my opponent…..ARRRRGGGHHHH!!
c. Try your best to be in the path between the disc and your opponent –You have done your job then.
d. Try and guard an opponent who doesn’t believe in running much for that lets you save up your energy for offense!! See my point???

Having said that I think I have covered all the tips that I followed in the 4 leagues I played in. With time and more experience I will fill you guys with more inside news and tips. Until Spring league I let you get mentally prepared to play an ultimate game wherever you are and inspire others too!! Trust me…Its lots of FUN and a workout in disguise.