We will not be talking about ODI Cricket World Cup 2023 final. We will not be talking about how easily one can throw their back. We will not be talking about teenagers enjoying a mosh pit. We will not be talking about our recent experience with Covid. And we will certainly not be talking about low metabolism rates!
Hope you find the rest of this note a glimpse into the Menons’ lives in 2023.
Bambi
Sep 15, 2023: The birthday boy!
After 11 dog years on this planet, I have come to love home even more. Not sure if it is my age, but I always want to be around my family. It is a pain when they are all working from different rooms. I keep visiting each one every 5 to 10 minutes. If you know my family, you would agree they all need constant supervision! And if you ask them, they blame me for being super anxious as I age. 🐶
This year was the first time I vacationed with a buddy. His name is Pompeii and he was very gracious in welcoming me to his lake house – Malabar Cove. I also got to welcome a new youngling to our court, Penny. She is smaller than me in size, but is a huge bundle of energy. Always happy, jumping and bouncing around.
I shall end with a joke that you humans could use…Q: Why do dogs like conjunctions? A: They just love buts!
Yash
Oct 7, 2023: Ready for homecoming
If I was forced to write a few paragraphs reflecting on the year (multiple eye rolls), it would center around queen hunting and magic. Don’t let the word ‘queen’ get your imagination to run wild, I have promised my parents “no grand kids, just grand puppies”. So my queen hunting was focused on the ‘formicidae’ types. And for common folk like you, I am referring to ‘ants’. I convinced my parents to start an ant farm in our house…yes!.. I see a bright future in sales for me!! Over this spring and summer, I spent time training my eyes to focus on tree stumps, sidewalk corners and lawn edges. Objective was to sight a queen ant and take it home. This was a different kind of learning and I have to give credit to my dad for joining me on these excursions. We did finally manage to get home two queen ants and today they are both growing separate colonies in test tubes. I would sure have more to write about this topic next year, when they transition into their larger ant farm apparatus.
Unlike David Blaine, I can’t spit out a dozen frogs, but I can enthrall you with my card tricks. I have performed on the streets of Naperville, in Costco, in restaurants, parties, airports and at homes. Some of my “best” uncles and aunts invited me for short gigs at their events, where I earned some crisp dollars. Here’s a BIG thank you to those “best” uncles and aunts. To others who are vying to get into this “best” circle, it is super simple…just text me your event details!
Chitra
Oct 20, 2023: Enjoying a beautiful day out on the patio
I will remember this year for making it back on my yoga mat, watching Yash start High School (HS) and Suresh start a new job.
My community played a key role, in supporting and nudging me back on the mat. First as a student and then as the one conducting the practice . It is hard for me to put into words my gratitude for each of these beautiful souls – You know who you are! My resolution in life is to keep paying it forward. ❤️ I also want to thank every student of mine who joins me on the mat. With every class, I learn, I grow and I also see my true self more clearly. You inspire me!
Watching Yash start and be himself in HS has been fun. He has a good circle of friends and made it through his first semester finals. Like every child, he has unique gifts to offer to the world and I love witnessing his journey as he finds himself . I am proud to be a “shrimp” (his nickname for me) as he towers over me.
Suresh got offered a new opportunity some months back which he decided to accept. I think he has made the right call. He’s someone who performs under fire and right now, is getting just that. I will neither confirm nor deny that the fact that he is no longer going to be working from home has anything to do with my excitement!!😍
New additions to the family – an ant farm in the making and an axolotl on the way!
Suresh
Dec 4, 2023: Needed a headshot
Pride. That’s what comes to mind, when I reflect on the year.
Witnessing Chitra getting back on the mat and watching her teach again, has been one of my proudest moments. Many of you know, she is my Editor in Chief and I did notice how trimmed this section has become.
Yash started his wrestling season with a bang, 2 – 1, in his first HS meet, and was later moved up with the JV team. In his first JV match, he was the underdog, but battled through all the 3 periods, trailing heavily on points. Only hope was for him to pull off a ‘fall’, which did not happen, instead he ‘fell’ just before the bell of the 3rd period. I observed him wince, shake hands with his opponent, slowly walk over to the opposing coach, shake his hand and then to his coach. I saw them talk, he was gesturing to his left hand and then I saw him walk over to the medic. He came back to meet me, with an ice pack on his hand. He had jammed his finger to his opponents knee and was in pain. After 20 minutes, the medic walked over and suggested pulling Yash off the meet, and take him over for an X-ray. After our visit to the clinic, it was determined that Yash had a two point displacement fracture on his 4th meta carpal. The nurse and the doctor remarked “your son is a trooper, I would have been screaming all this while”. Reflecting back to that day, and having seen his match video multiple times, I could see when the jamming of the finger took place, when his hand again comes under his opponent’s knee and he continued to fight. Yes, that is my boy! He will work on improving his skills, but he has a tough mind and I am super proud of him.
This year also gave me the opportunity to spend good time with my professor from college, catch up with my first US customer and host my mentor from my first job. All these people are special to me and spending time with them was a blessing. I sincerely hope to have made them proud with my conduct and actions. Having lost my mom and dad, there is a void in my life and these folks have stepped into it. Too bad they are stuck with a 48 year old, adopted son!
Sharing the Menon family love
We experienced and explored in 2023. We took knocks to our chins and got back up to fight another day. We laughed and rejoiced. We treasure those who have been around for us and those who share their positive energies with us. Life is short and we are going to focus on what brings us joy.
Wishing each of you, a big dose of “ease”. Ease to be making healthy choices, ease to be positive and ease to focus on what brings you abundant joy. Happy holidays and have a memorable year ahead.
Jan 9, 2023: 3D Pen Creation – Inspired by Avatar
Jan 15, 2023: Spiderman spotted in Naperville
Jan 29, 2023: Sullivan’s Steakhouse, when Mom is in India
Feb 14, 2023: First time on the mat after 1+ year
Feb 9, 2023: Ant mania is gripping the household – “Thanks” Sonu Mama!
Mar 16, 2023: Wai Wait Don’t Tell Me
Mar 16, 2023: Meeting Alzo
Mar 18, 2023: Yash 14th Birthday
Mar 25, 2023: Clearwater Beach, FL
Mar 26, 2023: Safari Wilderness, Lakeland, FL
Mar 26, 2023: Meeting a 84 year old Tortoise
Mar 26, 2023: Feeding Ring Tailed Lemurs
Mar 28, 2023: At Twisted Indian
Mar 28, 2023: Mural galore in St. Petersburg, FL
Mar 28, 2023: The pier at St. Petersburg, FL
Mar 30, 2023: What happens in Clearwater, stays in Clearwater!
Apr 16, 2023: 23 years and counting!
May 5, 2023: A colorful world
May 10, 2023: Second year in a row!
May 19, 2023: Brotherly love
May 26, 2023: Middle School Graduation
Jun 2, 2023: Mommy love
Jun 18, 2023: Happy Father’s Day card
Jul 1, 2023: Exploring wildlife in Malabar Cove
Jul 1, 2023: Malabar Cove, the best lake house in Gladstone, MI
Jul 30, 2023: The Queen is in the house!
Aug 6, 2023: Posing with Chachha’s new bike!
Aug 7, 2023: Prince of Wales Museum, Mumbai
Aug 17, 2023: Day 1 of High School (HS)
Aug 19, 2023: Before teaching her first class
Sep 15, 2023: The birthday boy!
Sep 16, 2023: Welcoming Penny to our court
Sep 23, 2023: Profiled in HS Newspaper
Oct 1, 2023: Boating with good friends on Lake Michigan
Oct 7, 2023: Mama’s boy
Oct 23, 2023: Morton Arboretum’s ‘Of The Earth’ Exhibition 1
Oct 23, 2023: Morton Arboretum’s ‘Of The Earth’ Exhibition 1
Oct 24, 2023: The Grand Canyon – Never disappoints
Oct 25, 2023: The Grand Canyon – Desert View Tower
Aug 7, 2023: (L to R) Me, Smitha Ma’am & Chitra @ Gateway of India
Mumbai, a city where I spent my youth, had many a crush, went on my first date, fell in love, popped the question, got married…you get the drift. It is a city I am biased about and often fondly say “Mumbai Meri Jaan” (Mumbai My Love). I lived in Mumbai during my high school, college and initial work years. My dad served in the Indian Army and we constantly moved across the country, finally settling in Mumbai, which happens to be my longest stay in a city growing up. Many fond (and some forgettable) memories are hidden in pockets all over Mumbai.
So during our August 2023 vacation, when I floated the idea of formally touring the city with a guide, my family (Yash and Chitra) was perplexed, but in agreement. I thought they were simply being nice or didn’t care much. I had been planning this for Yash, who was born and raised in the US and has only visited India for vacations. In prior trips, we would use Mumbai as a base and travel further to other cities in India. We typically gravitate to vacation spots that get us closer to nature and wildlife. So this “only” Mumbai vacation was a first.
As I explored options for the city tour, I got connected with Deepa Krishnan, the owner of Magic Tours Of India. Their team had multiple tour options for Mumbai and were consultative in their approach. Touring South Mumbai was a given and I added Dharavi to the itinerary. I’ve always wanted to experience Dharavi with a local and Deepa’s team did just that for us. Another motivation, was that 100% of the proceeds from our Dharavi tour, supported a non-profit, Dharavi Art Room, and some students focused on getting through college. The finalized itinerary was for us to experience South Mumbai Local and Spirit of Dharavi tours.
When I shared this plan with Chitra, she was sure about joining us for the first half (South Mumbai), but very averse to participating in Spirit of Dharavi. I don’t blame her for it. It was the monsoon season and perceptions of Dharavi are very hard to shake off. Drum roll please and enter Smita Krishnan or Ma’am, as I address her. She was my professor in College and someone we already had plans to meet. I floated the idea to her and she was super excited about spending her time with us, on both the tours. For those who don’t know ma’am, her excitement is hard to contain; whether in a classroom, in a train, over the phone or on WhatsApp! So with ma’am’s participation being a firm ‘yes’, Chitra agreed as well, with a caveat, “I can bail at any time”.
As we got closer to our tour date, we were assigned guides for both the tours. Parveen was our guide for South Mumbai Local and a tag team of Amaan and Adnaan for Spirit of Dharavi.
Part 1: South Mumbai Local Tour
Aug 7, 2023: The Taj Mahal Palace HotelAug 7, 2023: INS Vikrant Model On Regal CircleAug 7, 2023: Mumbai Muncipality HQAug 7, 2023: Mumbai UniversityAug 7, 2023: Prince of Wales Museum, MumbaiAug 7, 2023: Garden @ Prince of Wales Museum
We started our South Mumbai tour with Parveen, from Gateway of India, meandering over to Regal Circle, Prince of Wales Museum, Kala Ghoda, Mumbai University, Oval Maidaan, Municipal Corporation Office and Chatrapati Shivaji Terminal (CST). This we did on foot and taking the famous, and now vintage ‘Kala Peela’ (Black Yellow) taxi.
As we approached the Prince of Wales museum, we could hear a constant buzz, very different from the typical street cacophony. It took us a while to realize, but there were hundreds, if not thousands, of fruit bats just flying over the tall and large trees by the perimeter of the museum. They looked awesome and for any Christain Bale – Batman – fan, it was a treat. You simply had to play the Batman background music in your mind. Least to say, Yash and I were both enthralled, while ma’am (a Zoology professor and head of the department) was trying to understand why the bats were displaying this active behavior in the morning. As far as I was concerned, Yash already had his “paisa wasool” (worth the money) moment of the tour. During our walk, we also ran into Hitler, reincarnated as a cat, which was a good laugh for all. Getting out of Oval Maiden, we decided to take a quick pit stop, slurping up ‘Ganne ka Ras’ (Fresh Unadulterated Sugar Cane Juice). It certainly took Chitra and me down memory lane, when this drink used to be a treat and a welcome reprieve from the summer heat. Yash too enjoyed this experience and spoke non stop about how his parents were subjecting him to diarrhea. Just to be clear, the street vendor was clean and none of us had any unpleasant experiences during or after the tour! Before I forget, Ma’am did zero down on why the bats were super active in the morning…the municipal corporation employees were ‘smoking out’ areas adjoining the museum, to deter mosquitoes (I guess), and that smoke had disturbed our nocturnal friends.
Aug 7, 2023: Non Peak Hour Mumbai Local JourneyAug 7, 2023: Non Peak Hour Mumbai Local Journey 2Aug 7, 2023: Mumbai Double DeckerAug 7, 2023: The ‘Hitler’ Cat!
We took a double decker bus ride from CST to Churchgate and boy was it fun. This ride was not remotely similar to our experience while commuting in Mumbai for college or work in the 90s. These buses were fully air conditioned and our short journey was very comfortable. By now Yash was beginning to whine about how “tiring” and “long” our walk had been. He was the first to take a seat on the bus and ma’am sat next to him. Soon Parveen, our guide, pointed out that Yash was sitting on a reserved section for Senior ladies or Pregnant women. That triggered a banter between ma’am and him, leading to loud laughs and a few stares from other riders.
Aug 7, 2023: Quote Relevant for all Times @ Mani Bhavan
Next, we got into another Kala Peela and took a ride to Mani Bhavan, temporary home of Mahatma Gandhi in Mumbai. As soon as we stepped into the building, the temperature dropped (which was God sent) dramatically and a sense of calm pervaded each one of us. It seemed like everyone spoke in hushed tones of reverence while walking through this historical property. The restrooms were clean and we all freshened up there. Talking about restrooms, when we met ma’am in the morning, her first conversation with Chitra was about restrooms and how Chitra had used one, at the Taj Hotel, before the start of our tour. Upon hearing this, ma’am pulled out something called a Pee Buddy from her bag and gifted a few to Chitra. For ladies traveling to parts of the world, where finding clean restrooms is a challenge, this product is brilliant. More power and flow (OK, that was cheesy) to Pee Buddy.
We continued our tour, making our way to Swati Snack and were astonished we had never visited it earlier. Most of the snacks were unique (Parveen ordered for us) and we were also able to get nut free items for Yash. He has severe tree nut allergies and it is a constant fear in India. With full bellies, we made our way through a sabzi mandi (vegetable market) to Grant Road station. Hopped into a Mumbai local (train) and made our way to Mahalaxmi Station. Then a short walk to Dhobi Ghat (community laundry area). It was interesting to note, that the Shiv Sena government had built a small lookout point for tourists. We could get a good view of the Dhobi Ghat, along with Parveen’s voice over. Later we headed back to the train for another quick ride to Mahim station. This is where Parveen ended her tour and handed us over to Amaan and Adnaan for our Spirit of Dharavi tour.
For Parveen: You were great as our tour guide and such a good sport. It is challenging to lead a tour for people who are from the same city and yet make it interesting. We also got to learn about your life story and are amazed at how you have prioritized and managed your family. We are certain that your kiddo will grow up and celebrate your life. You are an inspiration!
Part 2: Spirit of Dharavi
Everyone living in Mumbai would have experienced Dharavi, from the outside looking in, during some part of their life. It was no different for me. We form a perception about a place and the people living in it. I was influenced by many popular Bollywood movies like Nayakan, Agneepath, Slum Dog Millionaire, Gully Boy etx. So when Amaan and Adnaan, who were our guides, introduced themselves and a gave a quick overview to Dharavi, all the hyperboles went out the window. They were both born and raised in Dharavi and were very balanced, grounded individuals. There was no dramatization of our surroundings or their experiences. We were also coached on photography, that it was OK in the industrial zones of the tour, and to refrain from it in the residential zones. This was not an issue at all, because we had already decided not to use our cameras. My objective was for Yash to experience Dharavi and how humans thrive in different ecosystems.
“Dharavi is a city within a city” remarked Amaan. He went on to state how Dharavi, the 3rd largest slum in the world, produced an annual accounted revenue of $1 Billion. Yes – USD 1 Billion. This came largely from four industries; textile, recycling, leather and pottery. He mentioned how Dharavi became a cluster of integrated people working in these industries. Religious and regional divides faded out, with a laser focus on industrial output.
We started walking from Mahim station and entered Dharavi. The surroundings were initially uncomfortable, but soon our focus shifted to life in Dharavi. Spread over approximately 500 acres, with a population of around 1 million, there were over 20 schools, multiple hospitals, dozens of clinics, banks, theaters, gyms, shopping centers and more. An out of state laborer can earn, spend, save and also transfer money, without leaving Dharavi. Hence it was ‘a city within a city’.
As we walked through various alleyways, the first major industry we witnessed was textile. Many major brands from around India sourced their products from companies with manufacturing units based here. It was interesting to observe their operations and how workers, largely single men, were given accommodations on the upper levels of these units. Amaan also emphasized how every byproduct (even shreds of textile cuttings) were recycled or reused within the industries operating in Dharavi.
Yash was born and raised in the US. His outlook of India is through a protective lens, from his multiple vacation trips. Also, he has seen Bollywood movies and definitely drew inferences. That was very evident to us, when he asked his first question outside a textile facility “Why do I see so many Pakistan flags?”. To my pleasant surprise, both Amaan and Adnaan, calmy answered, they were not Pakistan flags, but represented a muslim festival. In my American son’s defense, these were green flags with multiple stars and the moon! Phew…now I was beginning to worry what other questions he was going to spring on them.
Our next stop was the recycling industry. Apparently, 80% of Mumbai’s discarded plastic makes its way to Dharavi. We witnessed how a wall clock, a washing machine and music player were dismantled to their tiniest parts. Later handlers would, by touch, classify materials into various bins. From these bins they would be taken to further reuse or recycle. We also saw how a single use plastic water bottle is shredded, with a machine, into fine plastic thread and minute plastic balls, used in soft toys, mattresses and sofa cushions as filling. We have all seen videos, which talk about plastics never leaving surface of earth, but witnessing the volume in a small industrial shop is impactful. Unskilled laborers, would typically start their work journey in the recycling industry. You gain experience and move to higher skilled activities. Answering my question, I was informed that workers, who were doing the sorting of materials, including plastic, were highly skilled. Not everyone could touch and feel a plastic byproduct and know what type of recycle/reuse ability it had. The volume and velocity of this work is mind numbing.
The leather industry operations were vast and elaborate. We walked around giant washing and compressing machines. How they functioned, what would be the output and again how every byproduct was reused. On a hot and humid day, we visited an air conditioned leather products factory outlet. It was fascinating to see the final products on a beautiful display, especially, because we had just walked through the dusky and at times smoke and dust filled manufacturing facilities. Answering my question, tanneries were no longer located in Dharavi, they had been moved out to other cities and towns.
I almost forgot to mention that a bulk of the machinery that we witnessed were manufactured in Dharavi. A few exceptions were the giant washing and compressing machines. To keep these factories up and running,
a sub industry for parts and maintenance, has also flourished. As a business process expert, I would be very fascinated to capture, on a workflow chart the inputs and outputs from each industry and visually see how many of the flows would start or end within Dharavi.
Yash’s next fascination was with the number of goats he got to see. Adnaan was forthcoming, telling him they were being fed and raised for an upcoming Muslim festival. And to my surprise, Yash was not all gloom and doom. He took that information well and carried along. For most of this tour, he was walking ahead with Amaan and at times with Adnaan. He learnt how Amaan grew up and had over a dozen goats in his home. That, for sure, triggered thoughts of envy and how incompetent his parents were!!
We moved over to the residential zones and learnt how 5 to 7 people lived in a 100 square feet room. I have to mention, we never entered any home. We walked outside and understood how people managed their sanitation needs. Answering Smita Ma’am’s question, they spoke about how COVID-19 was managed during the pandemic. To my recollection, Dharavi was in the news for the protocols deployed to curtail the spread and how successful they were, given the population density. Having gone through the tour, I was amazed at how people survived and remained hopeful.
Our last part of the tour was the pottery industry. None of us were correctly able to guess where the textile scraps and cuttings were being used. To our astonishment, the pottery industry was its final destination. They were used as fuel in the baking process!
For Amaan: I never mentioned this during our tour, but you have an impressive personality. It came as no surprise, that you were disciplined in your workout routine. You took pride in your roots and what your family had accomplished. My best wishes to you, as you expand your denim apparel business to the international market. Your parents should be very proud of you.
For Adnaan: As Yash mentioned to you, your spoken English was great! He later also shared, that your written English was good and nothing to shy away from. He looks forward to interacting with you over WhatsApp. You are a well grounded individual and will do well in life. Also, in Amaan, you have a good mentor.
In closing, this was our first, only city vacation and my most memorable moments come from the two tours we participated in. No offense to any of our friends and family, whom we visited, but none of your homes had bats or goats! I want to sincerely thank Smita ma’am for investing her time on these tours, tolerating the Menons (all together). I am certain, during our next visit she will politely meet us for coffee! Until next time, Mumbai Meri Jaan.
I dream of you vividly, I think of you often, I wish we could talk, I miss you maa.
Your memories give me warmth, Your image still is strong, Your smile always shines, Your voice never lets me down, I miss you maa.
Age three, I jumped from a high wall, My first leap of faith, Missed landing on my feet, Hit my bottom with much ache, Ran back home, Tears down my chubby cheeks, You held me, You comforted me, You eased my pain, I miss you maa.
We took long train journeys, One trip had me sick, High fever made me hallucinate, Dark visions scared and kept me awake, I rest my head on your lap, You shut my eyes with your hands, I drift to a restful sleep, Waking up to a new day, Much energy in my play, I miss you maa.
In sixth grade, We live in a remote home, Playtime was limited, My high bottled energy, Needing much escape, You stepped out in our backyard, Clutching pebbles in your hand, I took guard with my cricket bat, Swung hard at every pebble thrown my way, With every good hit, I rejoice the cheer of a cracking six, We did this for long, We did this on many days, I miss you maa.
Monsoons in Mumbai, Some heavy, Some legendary, No roads or open drains, Rushing water all around, Forced to venture out, Buying medicines our aim, You fall into an open drain, Umbrella, bag and all, I follow right behind, Grabbing you with all my might, Teenage agility and strength on display, Bringing you to safety, Feeling proud of my action, Feeling strong for every morsel you fed me, Feeling accomplished for you, Feeling like a man, I miss you maa.
You are a master champ, The kitchen your gym and arena, I see you sweating it out, I see discipline in your routines, I see no excuses all year round, I see love as a constant ingredient, Somedays I walk behind you, Holding you by your arms, Giving you a playful shake, As you effortlessly move the heavy dishes, I compare your arms to Schwarzenegger, Bringing a smile to your face, I miss you maa.
Every academic exam morning, Every job interview I appeared for, Every important event I left home for, I think of our fun ritual, Reenacting the Mahabharat television series, I touch your feet and you bless me “vijayi bhava”(“may you be victorious”), Bringing a smile to my face, I miss you maa.
Being 8000 miles away, Gave us more reasons to talk, Every day, We talked, About many events, Health, family, work and movies, Some topics serious, Some topics light, I miss you maa.
All through my life, I share with you the crushes I had, I share with you the future I plan, I share with you the true love I find, I share with you my restless mind, This sharing I miss most, The listening I miss most, I miss you maa.
I dream of you vividly, I think of you often, I wish you were still here to talk, I miss you maa. I miss you maa.
This is my first attempt at poetry and like every post, my in-house editor in chief was Chitra. I also reached out to an in-house specialist, Yash. He is taking a break from his writing exploits, but obliged me with some edits. It was humbling to see my thirteen year old, with his inputs to my work and is a memory I will savor for long.
In 2021 when I started this tradition of publishing our annual family letter, little did I envisage living through such a forgettable year. Looking back, Chitra’s option of sending out a simple card now seems like a brilliant idea!
We celebrated and welcomed 2022 in Oahu, Hawaii which marked the end of an adventurous and memorable trip. Our first visit to a hospital this year, was on Jan 22nd, after Yash had a severe food allergy reaction. Little did we know then, it was a sneak peek to our year. For many of our friends, who may not be aware of these developments, we did not want to spread our distress around.
My saintly boy, Bambi, was attacked by a larger dog on March 4th. It was unprovoked and in a matter of 20 seconds, he was brutally mauled. We rushed him immediately to VCA Arboretum View Animal Hospital where he underwent a surgery. A prognosis was possible only after the surgery. He was away from us for a heart wrenching 14 hours. We went to see him the next day and despite being drugged up, he managed to take a few steps and walk over to us. We were all on the floor of the recovery room, holding back our tears and gently caressing him. That scene is etched in my memory as we all worried about him making it. Fast forward to today, he has recovered full mobility and is still the best behaved Menon!
This next part I am going to keep brief and sometime in the future, it will be Chitra’s story to share. In early 2021, Chitra was diagnosed with Glaucoma and underwent multiple treatment procedures on the Left eye. By November’21, her eye pressure had stabilized and vision loss was limited. However, in February ’22 her left eye pressure peaked, she underwent invasive eye surgery and a shunt was implanted. This brought her eye pressure under control, but she had acute vision loss. The doctor and surgeon have classified her case as ‘rare’, For folks who may not know, Glaucoma vision loss is not recoverable. Just when she had begun to turn the corner, her right eye pressure started rising. Between April and November, she underwent a few surgeries and now has a shunt implant in both eyes. She thought she had hit rock bottom, when she was informed that her mother (who lives in India) had a fall and a fractured vertebra. The guilt of not being able to travel to India, because of her eye recovery and treatment, was the final straw.
I assure you, that was the last depressing update you read. Given the experiences from the year, I was contemplating how to sugar coat this letter, then a realization, that we still have a lot to be thankful for. These next sections should give each of you some hope and joy.
Bambi
Feb 6, 2022: Contemplating a Bark
I have asked my dad to officially change my name to Bambi “Rocky” Menon. I was bruised and mauled, was clearly the “underdog” yet made a full come back. I wonder when my family will install a bronze statue of mine, that I can run to and back every time I train.
Dad wants me to focus on the thank you message. So, I want to thank my family, who took loving care of me when I was stitched up and back from the hospital. My dad slept with me on the floor of our family room, because I wasn’t allowed to climb-up stairs or get on the bed. Mom cooked hot meals for me, which gave me strength and quickly healed by injuries. My brother sneaked in treats for me and spent time gently cuddling close to my bed. Can’t forget the nursing staff, doctors and the surgeon who acted fast and with love.
Lastly, I miss Sox and Snickers, whom I no longer see on my walks. I am told they have joined the stars above and are keeping an eye on me.
Yash
Dec 10, 2022: Sherlock Holmes To The Rescue
I, Yash Suresh Menon, formally announce my deep gratitude and love to the best parents in the whole world – Chitra and Suresh Menon! Papa, now can you please give my phone back?
My top hits for the year; Sherlock Holmes, Sundance, Rosie, $10 an hour, crafting & Bolo Zoology and Willowbook;
I dived deep into the depths of Sherlock Holmes, reading all his books and being inspired by his skills. My wardrobe also took some inspiration from Benedict Cumberbatch. If you have an unsolved mystery, give me a call
Sundance was my horse to take care of, during my summer camp at Danada Equestrian Center. It was a fun experience, but it was over too soon
Rosie was the tarantula I got to hold in my hands during our summer trip to the Rockies. She came from the Atacama Desert in Chile, was very calm and gentle. She was not defanged and helped me debunk myths about Tarantulas
My time and services were up for sale this year and with my Indian genes, I come cheap! At $10 an hour, who could find a better baby sitter and dog walker? My most challenging gig was to entertain 13 kids in our house, as my parents partied all night!! Book me soon, these are tough economic times and prices will go up
Explored my crafting skills with balloons, whittling and content creation with my YouTube channel Bolo Zoology, please like and subscribe
This was my second year doing the after school program at Willowbrook Wildlife Center. I got to cut deer heart into small pieces, feed injured birds, turtles and also study a bob cat
Before I close, remember I’m babysitting and dog walking, and $10 an hour is for a limited time only 😉 . Call me!!
Chitra
Jul 27, 2022: Ford Park – Vail, CO
Taking Yash’s cue, words I would reflect on for this year are love, friends and courage.
Selfless love from my family is what has kept me afloat this year. All my boys played their parts to perfection. Bambi was by my side after every surgery, as if he knew what mom had gone through. He knew everyone in the family had other duties to fulfill and it was his duty to keep his body in constant touch with mine, while I recovered. Yash focused on his academics and positive reviews from his teachers gave me peace of mind and one less thing to worry about. If he was to read this, his immediate comment would be “keep it coming, don’t stop…just keep it coming!” What do I say about Suresh? He has been my rock through all the turmoil and in my late father-in-law’s language, “remained as calm as a duck in water”. At home and outside, he has maintained his calm, when I know for sure he was dealing with a lot. I love my boys!
Sharing a Dumbledore quote from Harry Potter; “Happiness can be found even in the darkest of times, if one only remembers to turn on the light.” I have been blessed with friends from my high school years my first workplace, my yoga teachers, guides & sisterhood, and my neighborhood. Each one of you have turned on the light for me. Actions, that were simple in your definition, meant a lot to me. So whether it was your thoughtful deliveries (food, recovery gift baskets, flowers), including Yash in the car pool, spending hours on the phone with me (you know who you are!), checking in on me almost every day (I’m looking at YOU!), listening to me cry (and crying with me), wiping my tears, joining me for trail walks, driving me for a tea date, visiting me at home (one crazy one flew from India!) and for all the prayers sent my way. I wish I had more profound ways to say this – “thank you” and I am forever in your debt.
Living in fear is not an option, I know that very well. But when faced with literal darkness, it was hard to fight, to be brave and optimistic. Suresh jokingly says that marrying him was the craziest thing I’ve done. And if I could pull that off for 22 years then I can have the courage to push through this. I have not harnessed this courage consistently through the year but this will be what I focus on moving forward.
Suresh
Jul 25, 2022: On Top Of The World – RMNP, CO
Wow! This is turning out to be a long annual letter, so I’ll be short and to the point.
The first thing I am thankful for is “me”! Yes, I will shamelessly be thankful to my body and my mind. They have both been fierce yet graceful in dealing with life.
There are a few friends with whom I have been open about my thoughts. These folks may not have realized it, but in the absence of my mom, they have been a huge support and sounding board. You encouraged me to continue working on my fun projects. Specifically want to call out two of them, who have regularly made me laugh loud and helped in releasing my pent up pressure. To all of you, thank you for being around and keeping a check on me!
Since 2005, I have participated in many running events, and Chitra has cheered for me, every single time; from the start line, on the course and given me a victorious hug after the finish line. No matter how I performed, her cheer, her smile, her hug and her encouragement was always through the roof! This year she was not there, and it felt like I forgot to carry an important running gear. From the start line, on the course and after the finish line, her “GO MENON” cheer was missing. My running buddy, on hearing this said, “that’s a good sign, your marriage will last a few more years!!” I’ll take that! I am definitely lucky & thankful for a few more years and into my next life!
Sharing the Menon family love
Wishing you all a Merry Christmas and happy holidays. May the new year bring your way good health and memorable moments with loved ones.
Feb 12, 2022: Waiting for the Snow to Melt
Mar 6, 2022: Recovering With My Elizabethan Collar
Mar 24, 2022: Excited to Watch Hasan Minhaj – The King’s Jester
Apr 9, 2022: Naperville Batman
Apr 16, 2022: Anniversary Dinner
Apr 23, 2022: Wordle Jackpot!
Apr 20, 2022: Whittling a Bird Body
Apr 25, 2022: Whittling 3 Little Piggies
Jun 10, 2022: Last Day of Camp with Sundance
Jun 10, 2022: Goodbye to Sundance was Tough
Jun 14, 2022: Muir Beach, CA
Jun 19, 2022: Happy Father’s Day
Jul 4, 2022: Independence Day
Jul 5, 2022: Snooze O’Clock
Jul 10, 2022: Home Chilling
Jul 24, 2022: Estes Park, CO
Jul 24, 2022: Estes Park, CO
Jul 25, 2022: Beaver Brook Trail- RMNP, CO
Jul 25, 2022: At 12,005 Feet – Alpine Visitor Center, RMNP, CO
Jul 25, 2022: Gandalf Pose – Alpine Visitor Center, RMNP, CO
Jul 26, 2022: Denver Botanical Gardens, CO
Jul 28, 2022: On Way To Lost Lake – Nederland, CO
Jul 28, 2022: On Reaching Lost Lake – Nederland, CO
Jul 29, 2022: Whitewater Rafting – Crystal River, CO
Jul 30, 2022: Holding Rosie The Tarantula – Butterfly Pavilion
Aug 17, 2022: First Day – 8th Grade
Aug 31, 2022: Exploring A New Sport – Flag Football
“We thought he was depressed!” remarked my batch mate Sanyo. This was over dinner with Chitra and me, in the early 2000s. In an evening filled with loud laughs, good food from Sanyo’s kitchen and old memories, that remark stuck with me. Sanyo was comparing my exuberance from that evening, to what she witnessed in our college years (1993-96).
Fast forward to Oct 2021, I was sharing a recent dream with another batch mate. In my dream, I almost missed a written examination and she was trying to help me out. My friend, Seema, commented, “You always took exams too seriously!”
Chitra knows me from our MBA days (1996 onwards) and can’t seem to associate me with either of these comments. She’s completely aware of my earlier life circumstances, but still finds it difficult to believe. She was able to express disbelief to Sanyo in person, and had a laugh after reading Seema’s message.
Was I depressed or just too serious? Who the hell cares! 🙂
I do have some stories to share from my college years and I’m using fictional names for my colleagues.
1992 to 1994 were difficult years for my family, financially. There were months when I knew my mom was grappling to make ends meet. I had large feet – size 13.5 and I struggled to find sneakers or sports shoes in my size. I relied on a maternal uncle, who worked in the merchant navy, to gift me sneakers that he acquired overseas. There were a few years when I would not get any shoes from him. As my luck would have it, one such year was just before I started at St. Xavier’s college.
Close to Crawford Market, in Mumbai, I had seen these Puma tennis shoe in a store’s window display. I walked in to check the price and see if they had my size. The largest size was the one pair on the display window, size 13. Mom managed to save up some money and I bought that pair a week or 10 days before college started. They were a snug fit, but I was thrilled and just too excited, to be wearing them to college.
My excitement was short lived, in 2 days there was a rip on the leather upper of the shoe. The leather was just breaking up (almost disintegrating) and we assumed it may have been on the window display for too long, in direct sun light. I went back to the shopkeeper, but he washed his hands off the issue. With no option, I took it to a local cobbler and he patched it up for me. Now, my new white sneakers had a black circular leather patch, right next to the lace area. In the next few months, I had two more patches and I put a fourth one just to balance the design!
Xaviers had an aura, where everyone dressed well and had some swagger. My confidence was down in the dumps and I was very insecure during the first year. My clothes were just about ‘OK’ and the condition of my shoes was the straw that broke the camel’s back.
Shane became my good buddy during my time in Xaviers. He was from St. Francis orphanage, in Borivali. I thought we had a lot in common (especially with regards to fashion, or a lack thereof). There were a couple of times, when he wore something really cool and I asked him where he bought it. He answered with a smile, “Donations, man. We had good donations yesterday.” Interactions with him balanced my expectations in life. We lost contact after college, but I would sure “thank him” for his friendship.
During my college years, we relocated from Borivali to Mira Road, to Ambivali, to Kalyan, to Nerul. A couple of these transitions were rough. On a lighter note, I may have been the only student to have studied in Xavier’s and commuted in all local train lines – Western, Central, and Harbor!
Every expense on my account (tuitions, clothes, travel expenses, etc), pinched me a ton. I was always thinking of ways to reduce any burden on my parents. It was then that I heard about Prof. Dara Munshi Scholarship. I don’t recall the exact amount, but it was under INR500.00 ($8.00). Back then it was enough to repay my tuition, and also address some other college related expenses. My big goal every year was to bag this scholarship.
I managed to win it in the first year, however I had competition in the second and third year. Samudhrika from my class, was equally motivated and she was also someone I got along with. She was kind natured and I enjoyed our talks. However, in class or during our exams I was obsessed with bagging that scholarship. I would treat her to a good dinner, anytime we meet next, because she nudged me to perform better.
Doing well academically was my coping mechanism, and one factor that kept me afloat with all the turbulence back home. I am grateful to being awarded this scholarship all through my graduation years.
As mentioned earlier, like many students, my commute to college was on Mumbai local trains. During part of my first and second year, I was living in Mira Road (a distant suburb of Mumbai). Vaman sir (Dr. Vaman Rao – then Department Head) lived in Dahisar, which was one train stop before Mira Road. There were many days we would end up traveling back home together.
During these trips I got to learn about his background, and life experiences. I was able to see myself in many of his earlier life stories. He instilled hope and the belief that I could have a life like him. Have a family, own a home and live respectably.
Back then I had not been introduced to the concept of counseling, but these were my free sessions! He became my idol and North Star. I could have very easily gone down a destructive or non-productive path.
This trend of train counseling continued for me, as I moved to the central and harbor line with Shinde sir (Dr. Rajendra Shinde – then Botany Professor). Sessions with him were more casual in nature, exploring life, politics and many social topics.
A big shout out to Mumbai Suburban Railways for my safe travels, and doubling-up as my counseling couch. To Vaman & Shinde sir, for their conversations, patient listening and coaching, you guys gave me the courage to take flight.
Our Zoology department organized a field trip to Ranthambore Tiger Reserve and Bharatpur Bird Sanctuary. This was immediately after the first term exams, in our second year. Many of my seniors (3rd year students), batch mates and juniors (1st year students) registered for the trip and there was palpable excitement in the air.
A week or so after the trip had been announced, Vaman sir summoned me to his office. He already knew about my family situation, so was confirming my decision to skip the trip. From his perspective, this was a great opportunity for me to observe and learn two very diverse habitats.
A couple of days later, he called me again to his office and announced that I had been registered for the trip. Looking at my confused face, he shared that Smita ma’am (Smita Krishnan – then Zoology Professor) had decided to sponsor me. I don’t recall my reaction nor do I recall meeting ma’am specifically on this topic. It’s hard for me to express my gratitude in words. The best I can come up with is “I will always be in her debt”.
For me, that trip experience was a life changer. I established some tight bonds with a few seniors and many of my batch mates. I got to see Vaman sir in a new avatar, he sang Hindi songs and was not lecturing us. Smita ma’am was at her crazy best, playing card games, cracking jokes and also pulling pranks. But knowing her, she did not need this trip to be in that zone!
I ended up typing a detailed report for this trip and drew all the 44 bird species we spotted in Bharatput Bird Sanctuary. My professors were impressed with the output, and Vaman sir had taken this report to BNHS (Bombay Natural History Society). Later, BNHS displayed my report for an exhibition they were organizing. I guess, it was my small way of expressing some immediate gratitude.
The original report sits in my home office and Yash – my son, who is a wildlife enthusiast, has asked me many questions. Some interesting ones…what is a typewriter?…why did you draw and color these birds, and not take digital pictures?…who is that girl?
This will be an interesting section and I hope there are no surprises for Chitra! 🙂
I was focused and driven academically, but was also dealing with my raging hormones. So here I go on record, stating that, I had many crushes in college – most of them ‘one way’! With all my insecurities in play, year one was a wash and looking back I am very thankful for that outcome.
The first explicit crush started during the Ranthambore/Bharatpur field trip with a senior batch mate – Cassie. We spent a lot of time together, on the 7-day trip, and I am not sure how evident it was to my professors and friends.
On our return back to Mumbai, we continued to engage, very “naively” to be precise. With my birthday coming up, I informed my parents that I wished to take Cassie for a movie. My dad, in his usual style, sat me down and shared his expectations. How I need to be respectful and ensure she gets back to her home safely. With their consent, I was super excited to pick her up from our agreed train station and start my official first date. We had a wonderful time and I ensured she got back home safely. I was on cloud nine and many hearts flying out of me. Got to admit here, those flying hearts soon popped and this brief excitement came to a firm stop. If I am honest here, the closure of that chapter was initiated by my good friend Suhana. She was convinced of my naivety (she may use the word “stupidity”) and that I was being taken for a ride. I do have to thank her for it, because Cassie soon started dating my good friend Bill! 🙂
We had many fun Botany department excursions to Khandala and in one such trip, I got invited to an adventure walk through an abandoned house. Four of my seniors (3 females and 1 male), one of our professors and I walked after dinner, on a trail leading to this old abandoned house. The challenge was to walk in and out of this house without using torch lights. Vandana, my senior asked me to accompany her, and two other seniors joined us. Our professor and the fourth senior waited outside. It was a crazy experience and that was the beginning of my second big crush. This lasted a bit longer and I can take some credit in improving Vandana’s academic scores.
There were a few more in our third year, all very sweet and innocent experiences. Some of them making it to my free counseling sessions (train rides).
My time in St. Xavier’s
After my Higher Secondary School (HSC) year, I lost my free medical seat by a few percentage points. I was quite devastated and lost for a few weeks by that outcome. I ended up accompanying two of my friends to apply at St. Xavier’s College. With barely any research and no big plans or expectations.
Sometimes, life has other goals destined for us. In my case, it was to study at St. Xavier’s and fly under the wings of some very inspiring professors.
Lastly, a big shout out, to all my friends from Xaviers. I have only good memories of my time there and if I was ever a jerk, please forgive me. Stay well and be kind.
Field Trip – Under the 2nd largest Banyan tree
Field Trip – At Fatehpur Sikri – Top of Panch Mahal
Field Trip – Group heading to the Tiger Preserve
Field Trip – On the Tiger prowl
Field Trip Report Drawing – Indian Myna
Field Trip Report Drawing – Redvented Bulbul
Field Trip Report Drawing – Jungle Babbler
Field Trip Report Drawing – Grey Heron
Field Trip Report Drawing – Sarus Crane
Field Trip – My first visit to Taj Mahal
Field Trip – Fatehpur Sikri – Darga of Salim Chisti
Mar 29, 2021: The Menons at Lula Lake, Chattanooga, TN
To our dearest friends and family,
This is a new tradition we are trying to start and hope to carry it forward in the coming years. This project has been brewing for a few years and it was the Northenscold family’s annual letter that got me to act. So, ‘thank you’ Northenscolds for the inspiration.
We started 2021 under COVID-19’s dark clouds and have been blessed to be staying healthy. The year was a rollercoaster ride with many laughs, tearful goodbyes and moments of introspection. Sharing short perspectives from each one of us;
Bambi
Mar 29, 2021: Bambi at Lula Falls, Chattanooga, TN
Did you know my father has been experimenting on my teeth with an electric tooth brush? At the end of every 60 second routine, he presents me with a treat. That immediately wipes out any trauma I suffered. Hope the ladies enjoy my fresh breath now!
This year, I visited Tennessee and with this visit, I have now travelled to 14 states in the country. Have to admit Chattanooga was a very friendly city, they welcomed me in many stores, restaurants and I also got to enjoy a full bowl of dog friendly ice cream!
I entered the senior citizen club by turning 9 this September and got introduced to new varieties of senior dog foods. My walks are a bit slower these days, however, when excited, I manage a good sprint.
I will like to end by welcoming Cash (I haven’t met him yet), Mili and Bruno to my cul-de-sac and remind Sparky that he needs to keep his nose out of my food bowl!
Yash
Sep 25, 2021: Yash riding a camel into battle
Do I really need to do this? Why? You guys always force me to do things!
The above sentence pretty much summarizes my year, but since dad is typing you’re all in for a long & boring read (sigh)!!
I celebrated my 12th birthday this year and like my 11th, we did not have any big gathering…”thanks COVID-19″. Mom certainly went out of her way to pamper me and I ended up having a great day. Loved all my gifts, so thank you again, if you sent me a gift and if not, I graciously accept extremely late gifts too! Just kidding (NOT).
It was great to be back at middle school in person and interact with my friends and teachers. Academics have been going great and this year I got to experience tennis, fencing, cross country and wrestling. Whined equally with my parents about all four, but I do like wrestling. Now, if only my parents listen to me and not register me for additional (outside of school) club wrestling! It messes with my video game schedule…after all, my thumbs need their focussed workouts.
I will call this year “creations galore”. Paper and pipe cleaner creations have been my forte, but I ventured into cardboard and 3D pen models. I continue to write and post poems to my website www.yashmenon.com. Feel free to visit it and praise every word!
Reviewing this 2021 summary, I seem to come across as an angel! That is not a good look for me – I better stop right now.
Chitra
Jul 4, 2021: Chitra in a new dress
I wanted to send out a simple card…there, I have officially recorded my statement (eye roll).
This year has been a mixed bag. I started my 300 hour yoga teacher training with the goal of completing my 500 hours by mid next year. The schedule has been taxing but my teachers are super inspirational. They also set a very high benchmark and that has kept me going.
Yoga, running, long walks and my yoga community have kept me upbeat, but there have been days when the pandemic blues had me down mentally. My family and few good friends have supported me all along, which is always a blessing.
I lost my mother-in-law to Cancer and the most difficult decision was to stay back with Yash (the Delta variant was raging in India then). It is something that continues to weigh on me and I bring it up with Suresh often. She was a kind person and I cherish my moments with her. It may sound funny, but every time Yash wins on the mat, I know she is smiling over him.
The year is closing on a much better note. I was able to visit India in November and meet my parents, my brother-in-law and his family. Got to celebrate my parents’ 50th wedding anniversary and get back to the US safely. Had a nice surprise from Prairie Yoga, to be invited to join their teachers circle. I am truly honored and delighted with this news, now looking forward to a much happier 2022.
Suresh
Oct 17, 2021: Me at the finish of Naperville Half Marathon
If you have survived reading this so far, let me be brief. 2021 has been a challenging year with mom’s passing. I was fortunate to make it to India and conduct her last rites with my brother. Being the youngest one in the family, it was different to be there for my brother. Mom and I had spoken about this outcome, a long time back, and I had promised her I would communicate with my brother, like I did with her. Now, Ramesh bhai (my brother) has to deal with my almost daily calls! There are occasions when he has asked me (jokingly…I think!?) to stop this torture and call someone else. Too bad, he will need to deal with it till the end.
Compiling a short video to celebrate my Mom’s life helped me a lot, so did my new job at SAP and running the Naperville Half Marathon. Chitra has been the rock in my life and having the openness to share our vulnerabilities is a blessing.
Sharing the Menon family love
Wishing you all a Merry Christmas and happy holidays. May the new year bring your way good health and memorable moments with loved ones.
I ran my first half marathon (13.1 miles) on May 1, 2005 with a 2:10:41 run time. Back then, I was 29 years old with a body that was more resilient and definitely lighter. On Oct 17, 2021 I ran another half marathon with a 1:59:06 run time. Now, I am 45 years old with a body not as resilient and weigh around 200 pounds. To my delight I was 11 minutes 35 seconds faster and finished strong.
Sharing a few tools/techniques I deployed, which might benefit other amateur runners like me.
Setting context: Not a born runner
Growing up, in school and college, I competed in many sports. However, distance (>3 miles) running was not fun for me. It was a punishment that my dad or my cricket/soccer coach imposed on me! I am flat footed (very low foot arch) and mentally carried all the negative connotations associated with it. I started distance running after moving to the US in 2004 and never been formally coached or trained.
After training and running two full marathons, I was aware of my left tibial tendons being susceptible to injury. However, I never took any professional help. This year, when I started running 7 miles, I could feel the onset of discomfort, some tenderness accompanied with light swelling in my left inner ankle area. Thankfully, good sense prevailed and I reached out to my general physician – Dr. Alin Abraham – who sent me over to a sports doc – Dr. Brian Babka. After assessing my situation, he was confident that I had not developed any acute injury and would be able to complete my race. He did say “I don’t promise a Personal Best (PB) finish”.
My therapist for this recovery was James (Jim) Beitzel (ATC, PES, CI), a sports therapist. He was highly recommended by Dr. Babka and with 30 years of experience in the field, he brought to table deep knowledge and calm confidence. During my first session with him, he wanted to assess strength for 8 muscle groups which help us run. These were; Quads, Hip Flexion, Hip Internal Rotation, Hip External Rotation, Hamstrings, Hip Adductors, Glute Medius and Glute Maximus. The medical assessment of my injury was Left Medial Tibial Stress Syndrome, Initial Encounter & Left Tibialis Posterior Tendinitis. So, on day one, Jim had determined the following:
With 10 weeks to race day, he was confident I will cross the finish line
My strength scores for 3 muscles were not at par with others and we needed to focus on them – Hip External Rotation, Hamstrings and Glute Maximus
I had to commit to carefully following his instructions at their center and at home
He assured that I will run stronger (may not happen in my immediate race, but by 2021 Winter for sure)
Screen Grab from Jim’s Medical System
Looking back, the work Jim put into me certainly paid dividends. I will like to now call him the ‘Run Whisperer’. He had a very unique working style, of getting in close proximity and almost whispering his instructions. Not sure if any of his patients have ever mentioned this to him or not, but that close interaction style and his calm confidence got me to listen carefully and follow through. I want to formally thank him and others (Scott, Sam and Max) who supported and encouraged me – 2 sessions per week for 10 weeks.
The table below lists the exercises and tools that helped me improve my strength and stability scores.
Exercise
Tools Needed
Hip External Rotation Stretch (Piriformis Stretch, Quadruped Figure 4 Stretch)
None
Kneeling Adductor Stretch with Hip External Rotation
None
Posterior Chain Stretch
None
Side Plank with Clam and Resistance
Band
Modified Side Plank with Hip Adduction and Resistance
Band
Side Stepping with Resistance at Feet
Band
Lean on Wall Single Leg Raise – Run Position
None
Balance Pad Lunge with Weights – 3 positions
Balance Pad
One Leg Raised Lunge with Weights – 3 positions
Dumbbell/Kettlebell
Hamstring Curl
Glute Ham Roller
Highlighting Exercises that I was Weak to Begin
I did buy resistance bands (with varying resistance levels) and a balance pad to continue these routines making it part of my home workouts.
2. Cadence Monitoring
I had never paid great attention to my running cadence, even though all running watches record and highlight them. Running cadence is recorded as SPM (Steps per Minute) and my average was 157 SPM. There is NO ONE SIZE CADENCE for all runners, because it depends on height, body weight, running form and much more. If you Google the term, many posts will suggest a 180 SPM cadence as a good benchmark.
Jim set for me a 165 run cadence goal and we trained to progress toward it. He also suggested that I invest in a ‘metronome’, which a small device you can strap along for your run and it emits loud ticks. I swiftly progressed from 157 to 160 to 163 to 165. The objective is to get your feet off the road/trail quickly so your entire body weight is not absorbed by your feet and legs on every step. In my case, this would reduce the wear and tear (stress) on my tibial tendons.
For me, this was a new chapter in my run routines. It certainly helped my feet and also got me to run a bit faster, mind you, that was not our stated goal. You do have phone/watch apps for metronomes, however I don’t use any headsets during my runs, hence bought a physical metronome which I would strap along. Depending on the surroundings you can adjust the volume if it makes you too conscious.
On race day after crossing mile 8, I could feel (a bad tingle) in my left tibial tendons and a sense of dread was beginning to creep in – ‘was I going too fast and would I have to stop on account of my still recovering tendons??’ Thankfully, I shifted my attention to the ticking of the metronome and focussed on getting my foot strike in sync with it. Soon that dreadful feeling was lost and I was back in the moment enjoying the race, supporters and cheering.
If you have an SPM <170, I would highly recommend using a metronome. My personal goal is to have a 175 SPM cadence in the next 12 months.
Metronome – Clip On Type
3. Running Buddy
Talking on the run is not my forte, I use my runs to unplug and declutter my mind. So I have seldom run with a regular running buddy. Chitra (my wife) and I have run a few times, however she can’t stand my habit of spitting on the run and “may have” “punched me” in the chest as a reflex act!
Enter Rob Fascia, who lives in our cul-de-sac. We had interacted in a limited capacity. I had, however, seen him running a few times. In one of our block parties, I asked him if he was open to tag team on some runs. He immediately agreed and we did our first run on the morning of May 12, 2021. No, I don’t have an awesome memory, just referred to our text messages!
Thankfully Rob is a talker, I am a better listener and more importantly he was fine with my spitting on the run. As a matter of fact, he deals with a sensitive sinus and my spitting was complemented with his nose blowing, making our run a wonderful sight or as Chitra would say “yikes!!”.
When working towards race day, I get very disciplined and planned. However, having a run partner only added to my enthusiasm, even on those ‘OFF’ days. We both are early to rise, would get done with our runs by 7:30 AM and ready to take on the remainder of our day feeling awesome.
Rob is a BIG CHICAGO BEARS fan!! – Photo by Connor Martin on Pexels.com
I have to admit, being a first generation American citizen, I have peppered Rob with many questions on cultural nuances and his open/honest responses only encouraged me to ask more. So Rob, if you ever this read blog, you are to blame yourself!
When I was running solo, I had many of my routes mapped out and the mind gets into a steady rhythm. Rob helped me explore newer routes and that kept my runs fresh. More importantly I have stopped planning my route, because I always ask him “which route” and just follow along. That means my brain has little time to sync and prepare. This may sound silly, but honestly it helps when you are running multiple times in the week.
I want to formally thank Rob for being my run buddy and helping me clock PB race time.
4. Trail Running
We are blessed to be living in a neighborhood where, in a 1 mile radius, we can access multiple trails. Most of these trails are paved and open to cyclists too. Last winter, after reading about the advantages of true trail running (unpaved and a bit wild), I invested in my first pair of trail running shoes – Salomon, and located a trail route close to home.
My Salomon Speedcross 5 GTX
I start my run from our cul-de-sac and after a mile enter this unpaved section where I can clock around 4 to 8 miles. As soon as I enter the trail, a tree canopy swallows me. In the summers, the temperature would drop a few degrees and so would be the case in the winter with wind gusts. My senses (sight, hearing), general awareness and feel for the ground jumps up. Every foot strike is different, engaging various parts of your feet and legs.
You are constantly looking for roots that are jutting out, branches that may be in your way and at times finding a way around fallen trees. The unpaved surface and relative (in this trail) up and down slopes gets my heart rate beating faster and I have to better control my breathing. I am no longer on “cruise mode” and my body is working differently.
I have been doing this trail for a year, across seasons, and loving it. Sharing a compilation of few GoPro videos to get some of you excited for exploring true trail running in your Neighborhoods.
If you are someone who spends a decent amount of time on self introspection and is a tad more critical about self performance, you will relate to this section. I do fall into this category and it is something I am not very proud of. Yes, I want to prepare and plan well, but once my action for the event/goal is over, I want to move on quickly.
Last year when the pandemic (COVID-19) was at its peak, we educated ourselves about Naperville Education Foundation (NEF) and its work in our community. We were impressed to see how NEF operates, supporting students in need, so we made our first donation to them and added them to our family’s annual donation list. During my Naperville Half Marathon registration, I had the option of running for NEF. For the first time I selected to be a charity runner for Naperville 203 School District. The goal was for each Charity Runner to fundraise a minimum of $203.00. Chitra decided to sponsor me with the minimum donation cap and I reached out to a few families in our community who have or had their kids in the district.
With Chitra’s contribution, I had zero pressure nor did I want to follow-up or send reminders to people. To my surprise, I reached out to 14 families and 11 made very timely and generous donations. In a few days we had raised $1,106.50. It was humbling to witness this generosity and I was more motivated (at times under pressure) to finish strong.
During my injury phase, I would constantly think about this generosity and it created enough positive pressure for my body to recover fast. Since these were folks from our community, I would see them often during my training runs and with every wave or smiling nod, there was good energy exchange. There were a couple of the families who also kept tabs on my training schedule…ensuring their donations were being “run” well!!
So thank you to each of these families and I take the liberty of naming them below (in alphabetical order):
Families Donating for NEF
I write this post in early December and many of us will be making resolutions for a new year. If running a race is on your list, I wish you a memorable experience and hope this read can inspire you to a better finish. Happy running!
SHANT ATMAN 