Feb & March 2017 – Club run, Volunteering for VI in Pinkathon and 30 kms cycling with Hyderabad Bicycling club

Club run - 19 Feb 2017

My wish to run inside the HCU campus was fulfilled at the Hyderabad Club run organised by Hyderabad runners club on 19^th Feb 2017. I missed the campus club run in 2015 because of my weekend MBA classes and always want to attend the event inside my University (HCU) campus. I planned to finish my 10 km run in 1 hour 15 min to qualify for SCMM, but I could not, instead finished my walk/run at 1 hour 39 min. I was down with bad cough and throat infection and was feeling uneasy to run or jog a lot so decided to walk. Vandana, my neighbour, friend and motivator was also down with throat infection, cough, and decided not to run. Upon my request, she joined me just to support me throughout the run without caring about her timing. We ran couple of times in between our brisk walk and finished the race. Main target was to complete the run without having any discomfort. It was a nice atmosphere with many known faces from campus and Hyderabad runners club and finally I was happy to see my cousin’s husband Hemanth and couple of my MBA classmates (Dilshaad, Rahul, Niha and Kaushik) at the finish point.

Learning: If you have a wish, do your best to full fill it, no matter what trouble comes on your way or what time you took to finish it. What matters is your accomplishment.

My MBA classmates Rahul, Dilshaad, Kaushik and Niha 

Me and Vandana at finish line 

Volunteering for Visually Impaired (VI) girls – 26^th Feb 2017

A week later, I decided to volunteer for Visually Impaired (VI) girls at the Hyderabad Pinkathon on 26^th Feb 2017. I tied up to go with a group of runners from my township on 26^th morning at 4 am. I slept at 11 :30 pm and checked time twice at 2 am and 3 am and overslept past 3 :45 am. Suddenly got a call from Ashish (my neighbour) asking if I am ready to leave with them and it was 4 am, I realised I was still sleeping and rushed to join them in literally 3 min. we all reached the venue at 4:45 am and I was much ahead of my reporting time 5:30 am at the venue. I met couple of the organisers for the VI group and waited to get my run partner. These Visually Impaired kids are from Devnar School for the Blind. I ran with them last year in pinkathon too. These kids are amazing with high spirits. Most of them are completely blind and couple of them are partially but no one can beat their will power. However, loved their innocence, purity and zeal to do whatever they can. I saw each one of them coming out of their comfort zone and pushing hard to do something exciting for their life. It was just amazing no words to describe, it can be just felt. My run partner & I, Vennela (She was in her 10^th class and loves Telugu and Science. She cannot see with both her eyes but was having a sweet voice and strong determination to study hard) finished our race at 7: 45 am i.e., in 35 min. Later we picked our medals and breakfast. I and the other volunteers handed over their run partners to their schoolteachers. However, the worst part of the event was The VI girls wait until late in harsh sun and ran last after all (10km, 5km and 3 km run) categories left. It was hard to take them in such a huge crowd and make them run, because when these kids run they do not know who is in front of them and we cannot make everyone to move aside fast. I felt that they should not be made run in such a huge crowd where there is a big scope of falling down by colliding each other. I hope it they will consider this next year. However, I am happy to be part of the volunteering and vennela was happy too that she finished her race.

Learning: Every person teaches you a lesson in life either good or bad. There is definitely something good to learn from each one of them. Keep learning and growing. Never underestimate anyone’s ability by looking at his or her disability.

Me and My run partner 

VI volunteers on run day 

Women on wheels ride for 30 kms – March 5^th 2017

After finishing successfully both events, I decided to go for cycling. Meanwhile a surprise came to me that my brother gifted me Author Thema bicycle for my birthday in advance. Gokul Krishna & Krish recommended this cycle from The Bike affair’’. The Bike Affair is a nice store in Kondapur and Jubliee hills that recommends you bicycle according to your height, weight and utility. I got my new cycle and took test ride for 10kms before the event. Women on wheels ride for 30 kms was organised by Hyderabad Bicycle club on March 5th 2017. I was supposed to reach Hyderabad Bicycle club near Biodiversity junction by 4:45 am. Therefore, I decided to ride my bicycle to the start point, as I did not get any auto to carry my cycle. I reached their by 5 am and got my kit and was all set for my ride. Before the race begin, Hyderabad Women randonneurs Vanitha Datla, Brunda Obulam and Sharnya motivated by sharing their experiences. The event flagged off at 6.05 am and all women were on roads with their cycles.  I followed the lane and moved ahead at my own pace. Just like last time I did not stop at any water aid station until 15kms. I got my BIB stamped at 15kms stop, had a banana, drank some water and energy drink and started peddling back to finish line, but at the appa junction I got lost and went ahead one km in wrong direction. Another cyclist also followed me she thought I was on right direction and she ended up in incorrect direction. Instead taking a lane that goes to Gachibowli I took another left, somehow I realised it and came back in correct direction. I saw couple of cyclists back and confirmed that I was on correct track. Heat started picking up and I planned that I will finish this race before 2 hours and kept moving forward.

I reached the finish line and was happy to learn that I was first lady to finish 30 kms cycling among 40 other female cyclists. I was very happy and stood separately to wait for others to finish. I finished my race in 1 hour 50 min. There were 2 categories – 13kms and 30 kms cycling and in both categories top 5 women were given prizes. March 2017 started with a nice surprise for me and I was able to give myself a good advance gift for my birthday.

Learning: Believe in what you do and work hard, success is at your doorstep.

Achievement 

Came First among 40 riders YAHOO !!

Gift vochers and certificate 

I sincerely thank all my family members for all support for the person I am today. I also want to thank Hyderabad runners group members, RTP runners and other fellow runners and friends who motivated me.

Albert Einstein – Life is like riding a bicycle. To keep your balance, you must keep moving.