Health hiccup and more running and cycling! Posted on September 18, 2008September 22, 2008 So I took myself to the doctor in office today since I needed a medical certificate. And then I find out. Everything else is fine with me – no allergies, no fits, no weaknesses – except one small problem… “Your BP is a little high,” he says. (130/90 for those who can decipher the numbers). “You should exercise, and try and lose some weight,” he adds. My friend V who is with me comes to my rescue and pipes in, “But doctor – she does yoga, and she runs every weekend.” The doctor gives me a “I-don’t-believe-you -can-even-run-a-mile” look and I nod my head vigorously to tell him that it’s the truth and nothing but the truth. “Well,” he says, “we’ll monitor your BP for about 4 weeks and take a few more readings to be sure.” So it seems like I have to check my pressure over the next few weeks just to make sure that I’m not veering towards a serious problem. Anyway, I did a google search and apparently, in the 130 range, it indicates hypertension and can still be prevented by taking a few measures. The irony however is that I’ve been trying to be health conscious over the last few months. I exercise more than I have in the last few years. I eat reasonably well (no diets for me!) but I ensure good portions of veggies, fruits and sprouts, nuts and drink lots of water through the day. No sweets, since I don’t have a sweet tooth. And after all that effort, my BP is now threatening to play spoil sport. Hmph! I might as well go back to junk food and my slothful days! Anyway, despite this minor hiccup, I am registering for the **Kaveri Trail (21K) and the Bangalore Ultra (25K) runs in October and November followed by a cycling expedition in December. While I had ambitions to run a full marathon this year, considering my preparations I did realise that I was aiming for too much. So I’m settling for 2 half marathons. Sathish told me about the cycling expedition in Goa and it sounded really exciting especially since I really enjoyed cycling in Pondicherry and Goa will be even more fun, I’m sure! So I’m all geared up now for the next 3 months – loads of activity to look forward to and to prepare for. I’ll just have to take extra care of my health and hope it doesn’t let me down! And take that cycle out a little more often 🙂 ** The Kaveri Trail is held near Srirangapatna and is a very scenic trail where you have the option of doing 10, 21 and 42K. The Bangalore Ultra is held at another scenic location – Hesaraghatta – near Nrityagram and Our Native Village. If you’re interested and want to register, do log into the websites mentioned for more details… And I ran my first long distance event at the Ultra last year in December so if I can do it, I’m sure anyone can! Share this: Share on Facebook (Opens in new window) Facebook Share on Reddit (Opens in new window) Reddit Share on X (Opens in new window) X Share on Pinterest (Opens in new window) Pinterest Email a link to a friend (Opens in new window) Email Share on Tumblr (Opens in new window) Tumblr Print (Opens in new window) Print Living Personal Running Sports & Adventure
Weekend trip: Hogenakkal Posted on September 17, 2007September 17, 2007 It’s a famous place. As soon as you land there, the coracle guy informs us about it’s claim to fame – it was featured in the movie Roja. I shall have to go back and watch Roja sometime, I make a note. The Hogenakkal falls itself is quite spectacular, with… Share this: Share on Facebook (Opens in new window) Facebook Share on Reddit (Opens in new window) Reddit Share on X (Opens in new window) X Share on Pinterest (Opens in new window) Pinterest Email a link to a friend (Opens in new window) Email Share on Tumblr (Opens in new window) Tumblr Print (Opens in new window) Print Read More
Take a jump! Posted on December 16, 2004 Everyone who’s been bungee jumping usually has one thing to say, “It’s better than —” (fill up with whatever gives you the greatest thrill)! If you haven’t tried it yet, go for it at the Palace Grounds. It’s on till December 19th. It’s a high you won’t get to experience… Share this: Share on Facebook (Opens in new window) Facebook Share on Reddit (Opens in new window) Reddit Share on X (Opens in new window) X Share on Pinterest (Opens in new window) Pinterest Email a link to a friend (Opens in new window) Email Share on Tumblr (Opens in new window) Tumblr Print (Opens in new window) Print Read More
What’s in a name?! Posted on April 26, 2006April 26, 2006 Tom Cruise and Katie Holmes had a baby daughter. Okay, that’s not so surprising. It was expected after all. But what I can’t understand is their choice of name. Celebrities seem to be intent on giving their kids the strangest names so that they have a tough time in school… Share this: Share on Facebook (Opens in new window) Facebook Share on Reddit (Opens in new window) Reddit Share on X (Opens in new window) X Share on Pinterest (Opens in new window) Pinterest Email a link to a friend (Opens in new window) Email Share on Tumblr (Opens in new window) Tumblr Print (Opens in new window) Print Read More
Wow, the Goa cycling expedition sounds really good. Are you able to manage 6 hours of cycling everyday? Curious, because I was wondering if I could do it. Anyway, it all sounds like you are going to be having a lot of fun. Reply
Anita, Reduce your salt intake. That will help you a lot.Drink plenty of water to flush the sodium out of the system.Sodium is the culprit. Reply
Hi Anita, “Rich man’s best friend is health”. In your case however it should be “Rich woman’s best friend is health”. Good article. Thanks SP Reply
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@ Banno: yes! now that you mention it – 6 hours seems like a lot 🙂 i have no idea how i’m going to do it but that’s why i mentioned that i need a lot of preparation now! @ Poornima: i drink quite a lot of water. the salt – yes – everyone’s told me about it. i actually don’t even have too much salt but i guess i’ll have to keep a strict watch now! @ SP: did rich? 🙂 that wouldn’t be me! but your’e right about the health. thanks for the link! Reply
Hey Anita, Thanks for the comment on my blog page 🙂 I can see you’re preparing for the Kaveri runs…I contemplated being part of it but its too close to Mumbai January….which is where I intend running the marathon! 🙂 Nice blog. All the best for Kaveri and if ever you want to exchange running notes here’s someone who’s “hitting the wall” so often now that running seems more like climbing a bloody wall! Cheers Abs Reply
Anita, I often end up with a low BP, and a few admonishing words from the doctor to eat better but a high BP would leave me slightly concerned but then take care and keep meeting the doctor. Reply
Hey anita hope your doing good. BP huh, im fit as a fiddle and i supposedly had high BP too, so did the doctor say, guess they have to say something and not let you go without a worry! I wonder if that is the case. Well, I needed to ask you something. In the month of november, would you know of any exhibitions on photography in bangalore? If you do, could you kindly let me know. My brother is a photographer and is visiting us and was asking. my email is at arvinddwarak@gmail.com Cheers! Arv Reply
Hi! I would worry about the “90” part rather than the “130” part. to tell you the truth, considering the busy lifestyle, sometimes 130/90 is considered normal. It is not good but it is not bad either. Take care GBU Arti Reply
@Abs: so true! hitting the wall is a very common occurence! i’m also participating in the mumbai event – but half marathon again. that’s the most i can think of as of now 🙂 @ Manasa: thank you! @ Mridula: i shall have to make a few regular visits now! thanks 🙂 you take care of your health too! @ Arvind: as of now, i don’t know of any. but the best way to find out is the check the events listing in the papers, they would have any major exhibitions happening listed in their columns. @ Arti: really? i have no idea what it means. let’s hope it was just a one off and i get back to normal this week! but thanks 🙂 Reply
nice to know that you also have a packed schedule for nxt few months… btw, my blog id is sathishk not ksathish!! 🙂 Hoping that by Oct 10th Shiok would be re-open… the only weekend i might be in bangalore for next 2 months & with no activity… Reply
Yes. The “90” part in the long run leads to heart ailments. “130” part is Systolic, which can change during anxiety, exercise etc. [Too high systolic is not good either] “90” part is diastolic, which the real concern. I guess you are in the safe zone. It might be just a one off, like you say 🙂 Avoid too much papad, achaar etc. I’d say,though. Take care GBU Arti Reply
It’s high time for me to start preparing for long runs… will talk to you offline for details 🙂 anyway I’ll be there for Kaveri trial, at leaset as a spectator since I’ll be in Mysore in that timeframe… Reply
I can see that running seems to be a thing for u – just read a book that you may find interesting What I Talk About When I Talk About Running: by Haruki Murakami. Check it out. Take care of your health. Reply
You could even check out the TFN – Tour of Nilgiri. Try www dot tourofnilgiri dot com. With all due respect to your hero, hope you have upgraded your Cyclone to something better. Reply
Hiya, Don’t know how I arrived at your blog, but just wanted to say that there is such a thing as ‘white coat anxiety’, when you are in a doctor’s office, which shows a higher reading than normal. A one-off reading is of little use anyway. Borrow a portable BP meter, and take a dozen measurements throughout the day. Sit quietly for about ten minutes, no talking, before you measure each time. Then take the average. Happy cycling. Reply