JC in India

Keeping fit here in India is challenging to say the least. The fluctuations between intense heat and terrible pollution make outdoor exercise pretty much impossible except for during the sweet spot between seasons. Though even then the roads are not conducive to merrily running along due to the traffic, people, and animals all sharing the way. That is not to say it is impossible, temperature and pollution aside, as some of the quieter roads in my neighbourhood are passable in this way. I have managed to find myself a little local mile long circuit, which I can lap around. Although realistically that is only possible in March.

So exercising is, for all normal intents, an indoor activity most of the time here. Even then, only when the pollution is effectively managed with air purifiers at full blast bringing the air quality to broadly manageable levels. I did such a treadmill session shortly after returning from my Christmas break back home, and I remember feeling my chest being tight which was a little concerning at the time. Only afterwards did I realise that it would have been simply down to the air quality impacting my lungs when breathing heavily. Even indoors, when it is in excess of 500 on the AQI scale outdoors, it is still pretty bad despite the purifiers doing their best to earn their keep.

I have seen ‘joggers’ here in Vasant Vihar though, so there are some hardy folks that brave it. This time of the year though it is all about the heat rather than the pollution (today for example it is the lowest AQI reading in a long time – 95 ‘satisfactory’). However, it would still be hard work and I have yet to see anyone really clipping along, instead more of a steady shuffle.

There is a local running club, the Hash House Harriers, which is part of a global movement who describe themselves as ‘the drinking club with a running problem’. From what I can see, and have heard, the club is much more about the social side with a bias towards walkers and the ensuing party afterwards. Feedback I had from Gordon who went along once was that it was akin to a frat party atmosphere, with some slightly unusual and ritualistic behaviour – all good-natured though. Apparently, they are keen to have more runners turn up and run rather than walk to boost that side of the club. They choose different starting points and routes (plus associated party spot) for most Saturday late afternoons. This time of the year though it is likely to be high 30’s C still at that time, so not really something I am that keen on doing. I may go along one day, when the start point is near to where I live, and if the temperature/pollution is lower, but I am not sure. Time will have to tell on that one.

Friends of mine play tennis, and others play golf. Tennis would be hard work in the heat, and likewise golf, although the stories I have been told tell of finding shade as much as possible and buggying around rather than walking. 

Personally, whenever I travel is the time to lace up my running shoes. Although each time I do so, I am cruelly reminded by just how unfit I am compared to before I came out here. I also can feel the few extra pounds which come from the constant carbs intake of rice, rice and oh let’s see, maybe some more rice! So instead of ‘Ostriching’ that (i.e. to bury ones head in the sand and ignore the situation), I am now on a bit of a workout drive and also trying to eat less fattening foods.

The workouts are courtesy of the Peloton app, and I am genuinely enjoying my 30-minute sessions focusing on strength building primarily which I am doing every couple of days now. I have never really done that sort of exercise and to say my core, leg and arm strength is poor is an understatement. So I am hoping that these workouts over time may help to improve that, and in turn that should help the running form and strength too, when I can get back to it. I have always known I am not that physically strong, so it is good to be trying to actively do something about it.

Also, it is time to shed those excess pounds. Ok, I know I am not ‘large’ by any means, but I have a couple of shirts that I refer to as my ‘am I fat test’ shirts, and right now they are a little tight…

Unfortunately, the combination of little exercise, and carb loaded diet, along with beers on occasion (‘something to do’), does not help with keeping trim. Plus, due to the environment there is little walking here, with cars being the means to get anywhere, and then sitting at a desk all day. Not ideal.

Frustratingly though it is not easy to switch to a much-reduced carb diet here. For a start, pretty much everything is based around rice, rice and more rice. The salads in restaurants carry the concern of water contact potential, and the usual alternatives of pasta (equally carb laden), and pizza (yep you guessed it), still carry the same inherent issues as the rice. So, I have just got a lot of salad produce from the local store and will focus on home preparation of such and just try and cut back where I can. The beer does not help either of course, so similarly the drink of choice is evolving to wine for a while. Need to get those shirts back on!

This stasis though is all part of the overall journey of being in India for a few years. I am focused on the goal of achieving this section of my life and career, and while I am not wishing the time away, I do firmly have my sights set on the day it all ends. Similarly, I know this lack of fitness is temporary and I am keeping my focus on the fact that one day, when this is all over, I will do my best to get back to a reasonable fitness level again and rebuild the mileage. The idea of running the equivalent of a marathon a week in annual distance (something I did in 2021) seems so alien to me now, but equally it is exciting to know that, save any unforeseen events, I will be getting back in that figurative saddle again in a short 18 or so months from now.

I am though looking forward to watching the live feed from the Western States in a months’ time. It is a 100-mile trail race in, you guessed it – the western states of the US. I have a real affinity to long distance ultra-running. I am not naturally fast and given my maturing age unlikely ever to change that. When I am fit though, I can go long. I hope to focus more on that style of running when I get back. Endurance missions such as Endure 24 (5-mile laps for 24 hours, start and stop as you please) which I have done a few times now, will be beckoning as my target running goals again.

I also very much miss the social side of running. When I joined my local club in Knaresborough about 7 or 8 years ago, I finally made friends that were not work connected. It genuinely was one of the first times in my life I became a local in my local town. To this day whenever I am home there, I get a real joy from seeing people I recognise and being recognised too. The casual ‘hello’ across the street really makes you feel at home. I have a real deep affinity to Knaresborough now, and that is mostly down to the connections I have made with my friends at the running club. I very much look forward to immersing myself back in that life again one day I hope, as that lack of local friendship en masse is one of the toughest parts of this journey.

The last week here in Delhi has been relatively calm, and next week looks to be the same. I took the chance to work from home today, which also gave me an opportunity to see Sushmi my cleaner for the first time in a while. She does not speak much English as I have said in previous posts, but she knows enough to be able to complain – in a very exaggerated manner – about all the dust and dirt that keeps settling on the patio!

Additionally, I have found Penny 2. Last year I had ‘Penny the pigeon’ nesting outside my bedroom window. However during a rather ruthless ant extermination session earlier today I happened upon a new nest hidden out of normal sight. Low and behold, there are two eggs laid and Penny 2 is doing her thing sitting on them. I hope that the more hidden nature of this nest may afford it more security and that she sees success this year, unlike last year’s unexplained egg vanishing situation…

I have also received pictures from Vikas’ wedding, and it looks very elaborate as I thought it would be. He looks particularly chuffed with himself. His bride though…

While he is away the temporary day guard is proving himself entertaining – if that is an appropriate term for it. After he carried up my heavy delivery of dumbbells a week or so ago I actually gave him a little tip, just to keep him sweet. Since then, every chance he gets to come up and interact with me he is taking, and I can see the yearning look in his eye at each moment he is leaving hoping for a repeat of the tipping experience. He reminds me a bit of my late Bailey who used to try and get treats with a right performance of random sits, rolls, and paw giving in the hope that he would unlock the right combination to get a treat. This guard reminds me of the same, in his quest to find what it is he can do to get another tip. Hilarious on the one hand, but sad on the other that his need for just a small amount is so great. I will of course tip him again at some point, but I do not want to teach him that any old dance gets a treat/tip!

Working from home today, Friday, has meant that I go into the weekend with some of the normal background jobs done. The laundry is sorted, the house is clean, and the shelves are stocked. The weather is changeable, with a belting storm last night (which caused havoc with flight diversions at its peak), and forecasts changing regularly for a possible repeat. It will be a peaceful weekend therefore, something I am perfectly happy about. I am quite content like that and enjoy making the most of the calm periods between the proverbial storms.

Plus, I have a salad to look forward to. I need to start preparing for those races again!