End of year Tag

I am tagged by my buddy Rajeev Patel. Though not much to write about my running for the past year but will share my other adventures.

1. What was your 2008 running highlight and running low?
As mentioned don't have any significant running accomplishments but my high for the year was Stok Kangri climb and low a DNF at Everest base camp hike due to altitude problem but it was very good learning experience and reality check for my future high altitude expeditions.

2. What race are you secretly planning on doing (or contemplating) for 2009 but haven't made it known to the public....until now.
hmm.. I don't want to do a 100M mainly due to time constraints, But secretly wish to do a probably Cascade or Headlands 100m.

3. Where would you like create and direct an ultra that (to your knowledge) none exists?
Surely there are lot of runnable sections in Ladakh and Sahyadri's in India. my dream event would be a 100mile run in the western ghats.

Another practical possibility would be a point to point 50 miler on bay ridge trail (east bay regional parks)

4. What is your "primary" race for 2009?
hmm.. I am most excited about a 1 week climbing class in Cascade mountains in Jul 2009.

5. What is the most exciting thing about your upcoming race schedule?
a new race Sonoma 50M

6. List your planned races for 2009:
Adam Blum's Fatass 26-mile run in Feb
Sonoma 50M in Mar
Miwok 100k(lottery dependent)
Ohlone 50K in May
Headlands 50M in Aug
Dick Collins 50M in October
A century ride

Tagging Padma/Kiran, Vinod Vishwanath, Nattu Natraj, Chihping Fu, Michael Kanning

Flashback 2008: A trip to Indian himalayas

A year primarily in India away from wife, but more time with parents and extended family. A time to explore Indian himalayas, re-live culture and traditions. A year to introspect and set priorities for the future ahead.

Last year same time when it was decided I will be working in India for the good part of 2008, my adventurous spirit kicked in and started planning events to keep it satisfied. After talking to Abhijeet, my main focus for doing fast everest base camp hike. It was very good experience visiting kathmandu, lukla, namche bazaar, spending good time amongst sherpa culture. Very reqarding and humbling experience. One of the best hikes in the world.

Though I did'nt make it to EBC due to altitude sickness, I learnt lot more from that experience. Once I got back. I had the hunger to go back and do a mountain climb in Indian himalayas. coincidentally came across Stok Kangri mountain and planned a trip with sufficient time to acclimatize for a 6153 mtr mountain. with all the learnings in EBC trip, ladakh trip was perfectly executed and it was a enriching experience learning about ladakhi culture and humble way of life. I am in love with this place and people, very humble and simple minded. I hope to spend much longer time in this beautiful place. Hopefully retire out there and organize ultrartunning out there.

Apart from the above events, did some of self organized marathons and 50ks, to keep myself active.

Now I am really looking forward to 2009! Back to more ultrarunning and some climbing. I am hungry for adventure.