Indie's running adventures

(1) HSC (High sierra camp trail loop is God's wonder). Its 50 miles of pure bliss in eastern yosemite.  The trail includes 6 high sierra camps (luxury living, where you can get a cabin for 150 bucks for 2 people - if you are lucky enough to qualify in the lottery).  Camp provides bed, linens, breakfast, lunch, dinner.  Folks from around the world apply and make this a adventure of a lifetime.   A day pack is enough to get you from one camp to another. (2) If you are not as lucky to qualify (or think 150$ a night is too much), there are cheaper option of backpacking.  This trail allows you to be back on the road (if you want to refill supplies) in 3-4 days, so backpacking is an appealing option (ofcourse, you don't get to have any benefits of the camp but you are in the same natural wonder with pristine lakes, majestic mountains and valleys, and fresh air breathing through the pines at your disposal).  Compared to option (1) you are carrying 30-40 lb...

As I mentioned in my original  appeal , one sight every year at Lotus Petal Campus is dejected faces of parents and kids alike who can't make it to that school year.    Smaller kids lining up & appearing for their test. Students appearing for entrance exam You can see from some pictures from registration day - there are long queues first thing in the morning, each student is given an ID card, and he/she appears for a test, a few make it to final list. What gets me every time I look at these pictures are choices these parents are making.   Ready with ID cards People crowding around the school Shall I get my kid to help me with my day labor (for that extra cash), or do I let him/her be in a school where a better future awaits (at the loss of temporary income).    People and children lining up to collect forms While the school jerseys are great equalizer, come evening these kids will be either back in the...

Feb-May has been average 100 odd miles a month (give or take).  This was the exploratory phase, just keeping legs warm before the uptick in training. Starting June, program needs to pick up. Time to pick up a 100 mile-training program so I went and started looking at beginner level 100 mile training program. Found one at www.ultraladies.com (yes, I know!) - which had me starting a 6 month program, starting at 150miles first month, bumping each month by 25 miles, to end up at 275 peak month in Oct (that translates to roughly 75 miles per week). Team Asha 06.30.18 Thats a non starter, given life commitments. Sent a few queries out to friends and Anil Rao (legendary ultra marathoner who does western states as a fat-ass*) decided to help. [ Western states is the first 100 mile ultra in USA and a legendary one at that.  It starts near Truckee at Tahoe basin and comes down to Auburn, crossing over a rough terrain.  Admission being a lottery, Anil and a few...