2017 - Run Run Run !!

2017 has been a year with various runs spread across different months. Recently we had a chance to run The Wipro Chennai Half Marathon of about 21.1 Kms in 3 hours and 13 minutes. Running 10 km is an easy task but 21.1. Kms definitely needs lot of practice, endurance and fitness in the body. After running 10 Kms, there is lot of dehydration in the body and one has to take lot of water, salt, bananas, energy drink. Good thing about these runs are one has a good eye on the food habits, regular practice sessions during the week and the satisfaction one gets after crossing the finish line. This has been my second half marathon and full marathon is a distant dream for now. Running is indeed a great sport for IT professionals who rarely move their body anytime in their work.

2017 Running:

1. Wipro Chennai Marathon (Postponed from Dec 2016 to Jan 2017) – January 

2. Tamil Nadu Marathon – June

3. Dream Runners Half Marathon – July

4. Give a Brick Run – August

5. Terry Fox Run – September

6. Chennai 10k Challenge – September

7. Alertathon – October

8. Wipro Chennai Half Marathon – December

Run when you can, walk if you have to, crawl if you must, just never give up – Dean Karnazes

Cheers,

Sathish Kumar S

Sachsen, Germany

Recently I had a chance to meet one of my best German friends Angela and Torsten in their hometown in Chemnitz, Germany. It was so nice that they also planned their vacation exactly the same time and we explored the different places in Sachsen for a week. I landed in Frankfurt from Dubai and took the train to reach Leipzig and they picked me from Leipzig. We had a chance to visit Leipzig Panometer. It is visual panorama displayed inside a former gasometer, accompanied by a thematic exhibition. Next day we went for a short walk to Totenstein with in Chemnitz. It was autumn time and it was so colorful to see the leaves in the tree and at the top of Totenstein tower gives a panoramic view of the city of Chemnitz. 

Then we went for a wonderful trekking to Saechsiches Schweiz which is a hilly climbing area and national park around the Elbe valley south east of Dresden in Sachsen. The Bastei is a famous point in Saechsiches Schweiz and we went to Stammstein which is a pretty decent trek to the top. One gets a panoramic view of the city of Dresden from the top and the beautiful landscapes along with the Elbe River. We went to Dresden for a day and went to the top of Frauen Kirche. It is situated in a valley on the River Elbe, near the border with the Czech Republic. It is indeed the cultural, educational and political centre of Germany and Europe with really artistic buildings and architecture. 

We had a chance to visit Freiberg which is a University and mining town in Sachsen. The Freiberg City and Mining Museum is one of the oldest publicly erected museums in Saxony. Then we had a great feast of buffet with Noetzold family in Greek restaurant hosted by his daughter. Last but not the least, Torsten and I went for a swimming in a very big Swimming Hall in Chemnitz. Thanks to Torsten who suggested a sports shoe in Chemnitz which helped me to complete the half marathon without much pain. 

Torsten and Angela has always been a great friends for us for a long time now. We made it a practice to visit them in Chemnitz once in summer and once in winter when I was in Germany and they visited us in USA. It’s always very nostalgic to catch up with nice friends and well-wishers after a long time in their backyard. Thanks to Angela and Torsten for a wonderful holidays in Sachsen, Germany for a week which will reside in my memory forever.

Ich liebe Deutschland!

Sathish Kumar S

Dubai, UAE

Recently I had a chance to meet my school friend Damo in Dubai. Infact this is the third time I am visiting Dubai on my transits to Europe. Always a place to be during the transits and especially in November, December, January, February when it’s not too hot and mild temperatures to hang out. We went to Dubai Mall, the famous mall in the heart of the city and to Burj Khalifa the tallest building in the world. Since I already went to the top, this time we just stayed near it and watched the spectacular colorful waterfall show next to it. All in all, wonderful times spent with Damo, his son and daughter and thanks for showing a great hospitality. A trip to remember and will stay in my memory for long time.

Cheers,

Sathish Kumar S

Temple Tour in Thanjavur District

Recently I had a chance to visit lot of temples in Thanjavur district. Thanks to Periappa and Lal Aunty who accompanied me in this temple tour. Really amazed with the huge artistic temples spread across various places in Thanjavur district which clearly shows the rich cultural heritage tamil culture had before some centuries. The tip of the iceberg is always the Brahadeeshwarar temple known as Thanjai Periya Kovil named as UNESCO site heritage. Below are the list of temples which we covered in 3 days in Cauvery Delta District

1. Anjaneyar Temple, Pachavadi
2. Natarajar Temple, Chidambaram
3. Vaitheesvaran Kovil, Sirkazhi
4. Thirukadaiyur
5. Thirunallar
6. Thirupampuram
7. Uppuliappan
8. Thirunageswaram
9. Swamimalai
10. Thiruvalanchuli
11. Kumbeswarar
12. Chakrapani
13. Thirukarugavur
14. Brahadeeswarar Temple
15. Punnai Nallur Mariamman
16. Mailam
17. Adi Parasakthi

Service to Mankind is service to God!
Sathish Kumar S