It’s been too long, I have posted anything on this blog. But, I don’t want to miss-out my favorite writing “Year in review” as this not only
helps me investing my time going back reflecting on things, but also helps me give right direction for the coming year. It is not necessary for me to stick to what is in plan, but direction gives clarity and confidence that I am chasing the right things at right time.
Before I proceed, here are the links for my previous year-in reviews:
2018
2017
2016
There are always lot of things to cover, but starting the post is always challenging. Hmm, but title can help me here.
Year of roller coaster, what does this mean ?
2019 was the year of emotional roller coaster for me. And it took so of my courage to write this in public space.
There were many events happened back to back that drags the emotional game ON.
First, my relationship break-up that just happened past December was on hype, followed by lay off from my job and then the biggest hit – ITBS, a running injury that still has effects on me.
When nothing else works, running works. But, injury was so hard that I am not able to recover from this by today even.
Plus being from an Indian family, unusual pressure for being married was like cherry on the cake for creating more pressure in mind.
To snap all, this year was not like enjoying lot of moments but living a life like real shit. And this was great as well, really.
In the journey, I learned the power of being vulnerable and how being vulnerable helps you build real connections with people and brings clarity in mind.
To have connection, vulnerability need to be seen. It’s not comfortable but necessary. And fundamental!
Being vulnerable involves letting yourself feel all the things — the good, the bad and the not-so-chill — and then also letting someone else see it all.
Mostly, people relate being vulnerable with being weak, which is not true. We look for it in others, but hide from it in ourselves.
This TED talk gives more insights to this fundamental concept.
So, anything of these events changed ?
Not all, but yes – and to a lot extent!
I now have better relationships with less people but more deep & intimate.
I now have job that I always wanted to be in, really loving this – rather it’s not a job or task, but something I enjoy the most.
Not fully recovered from running injury, but a great lesson from this – Everyday is not your day, so understand the thin line between pushing yourself hard and being on verge of injured.
This lesson will help me achieve my Mission 2022, now what is this ? (Abhi shaant rho 😉 )
So, coming on as per review template, it’s time to see what I thought to do this year and where I am..
No allopathy medication: I took lot of time, and decided not to follow this as I learned it’s worth taking sometimes than to suffer.
Fasting for 24 hrs: Hell Yeah! I have done it finally. In chilling December, I fasted for exact 24 hrs. It was not so challenging as I thought it would be, just a thought.
No phone day: Yo Yo Yo! done this as well.
Mindfulness practice: I started practicing meditation and it really helped. I was able to meditate for 20 mins easily, and followed this practice for so long. But, from last few weeks I am doing it less (no specific reason).
Running: I planned to finish 1 ultra-run in 2019 without getting injured. I have finished it but got injured that was a big low moment for me as I was not able to continue my training further. Hence, failed in achieving targets for HM, 10k & 5k as well.
Journaling: I can confidently say that I have all 365 days journal with me. There were some days when I was occupied, but made sure to pen down next day.
Self-improvement: It is lifetime practice, but yes I can say I have become a lot aware about myself and improved in lot of areas.
Physically: Not so improvement, but having injury brings so much awareness about seriousness & technicality of sport.
Mentally: No improvement as such in 2019
Financially: This was not a focus in 2019, but my new job comes with more satisfaction and bigger paycheck than before.
Emotionally: Hell lot of awareness & improvements. I become more aware about my emotions that really helped.
Spiritually: Being mindful & vulnerable helps here a lot.
Professionally: Exponential fun & learning!
So, what I have accomplished this year ?
Running:
Let’s start from my love itself. I become an ultra runner officially and earned the half Tuffman title with pride .. Hurrayy.. not only this but also got first runner up by running 58.54 Kms in 6 hrs stadium run (including barefeet for around 4 hrs). This was indeed a proud moment for me and is very close to my heart. It helps me believe that I am capable of doing lot more with grit. Also, I have targeted to lower down my marathon timings from 4:42:24 to 4:21:59 hrs but brought that to 3:48:45 which was itself a big accomplishment. I have only done 3 events this year – IDBI New Delhi Marathon, Tuffman 6hrs stadium run and one Super Sikh 10k promo run in Amritsar. Oh I missed something great, I finished running streak of 428 days (minimum 3km running everyday), after injury took over the streak :pBooks:
Following books I have finished reading in 2019:
Collaborating with the enemy (Working in collaboration)The great Indian diet
Influence – The psychology of persuasion (Psychology)
The Subtle art of not giving a F*ck (My book of the year – must read)
Endure (Endurance in sports)
Running with the Kenyans (Ultra running)
How to Fix the broken heart (Recommended by TED speaker)
Events:
Very few events was part of this year, but that was okay as it was not even in focus list of 2019. I did attended few Toastmasters meetup, few Scrum masters meetups, Mindfulness meetup, open mic event in Mohali (Ik pyar ka Nagma hai) and Chai with Social house Delhi at time of IDBI marathom.
So, mix of flavors this time 😀
Travel:
I was waiting for this area to write about as I went on to my first solo trip to McLeod Ganj and it was really awesome. No itinerary known, no travel or accommodation booked, just packed the bag and went like on fun-filled refreshing adventure. Apart from these, CatalystOne make me travel to few places I never visited before – Jaipur & Chail. And thanks running again for making me travel to Delhi & Amritsar.
Others:
What else I have done past year, let’s figure out:
- Learnt to drive 4 wheeler (It is indeed an achievement for me)
- Cooking: Started with making chocolates at home, I also cooked delicious Poha, Pasta, honey chilli potato & peanut butter. This is the new habit I built and will continue to cook more dishes in coming time.
- Pool: Very badly played the game of pool.
- Gym: After being away from running, I started to gym in last quarter of 2019 and I realized it’s really fun.
- Major thing I have done is learning how to being more vulnerable and living a life like a kid.
What’s in plan for 2020 ?
Running:
Understanding the long term career of endurance sports, this year major focus will be on healing my leg injury by means of strengthening, gyming & stretching regularly. Going to gym will play big role in strengthening my legs and core as well which will be base for future training. I am also including Cycling as part of my training. For Goals, I am targeting almost same timings for most distances like last year.
Marathon timings (42.2km): Reducing time from 3:48:45 to 3:39:59 hrs
Half-Marathon timings (21.1km): Reducing time from 1:41:45 to 1:37:00 hrs (Want to enter into sub-100 club first)
10k timings: Reducing time from 46:30 t0 44:00 mins
5k timings: Reducing time from 21:13 to 20 mins
Cycling: 100Kms (No defined time as of now)
And, injury free 6 hrs run targetting 60+ Kms
Nothing much is in plan for this year. I just wanted to focus on me & present moment going with the flow and see how things turn up. Having no goal, doing nothing is something biggest gift you can give to yourself.
Maybe, this year will bring blast :p