Fitness Year 2022
~Amit Kalekar
31st December 2022 (Do like and comment!)
In the worst ever pandemic of this century, I contracted Covid 19 infection twice in a span of one year. This impacted my stamina and my lung capacity. I was feeling low, both physically and mentally. I therefore decided to choose the year 2022, as my 'fitness year' to boost myself up.
Cycling:
I started off 2022 with cycling. I cycled 73 km on 26th Jan, my longest ever ride. (73 km to commemorate our 73rd Republic day). My ride route was from home in Kothrud to Bhor road and back through Pune- Satara highway, making it 36 km one way. Passing through the new Katraj tunnel was a thrilling and fulfilling experience!
The kick-off cycle event was then followed by many more cycling rides with good consistency till May 2022. I rode with two popular and enthusiast cyclist groups and enjoyed even more. One memorable route this year was from my home (Kothrud) to Sinhagad base and back – a 50 km ride.
Another route that I love riding on, is the necklace route. It is Kothrud-Paud road - Chandni chowk - Bavdhan - Panchvati - Yashada - University - Chatushrungi - Balbharti - Nal Stop - Kothrud. I also cycled to some of my friends and family’s places in Pune in various areas on a few Saturdays. E.g., to Pimpri, Kondhva etc. I even cycled to my office in Hinjwadi a couple of times which is a 20 km ride one way.
Running:
I started running consistently again this year – I had discontinued running due to the pain in my left knee. I ran 15 km which was my longest ever single-stretch run😊. It was awesome, and the best part was that I didn't feel fatigued after the run.
It did a few 10Ks, and many 5Ks later, especially on ARAI hill. This May I had a wonderful time running a 5km stretch in Amboli. I didn't participate in any of the official running events this year and focused on my practice. I am planning to participate in running events in 2023.
Walking:
My doctor suggested me to have an early dinner (by 8 p.m.) and a walk after it, to help me with digestion. So, I started daily walks after dinner. In addition to these, I even walked in the morning for 30-60 minutes at least two days a week. I completed my longest single-stretch morning walk of 10 km in 1 hour 40 minutes! At the end of June 2022, I walked as a part of the Wari procession on the Pune - Saswad route. Even though I couldn't reach Saswad, I managed to walk 17 km (till Uruli Devachi).
Swimming:
Unfortunately, I couldn't swim much this year. However, I did manage a 2 km single stretch swim during our office picnic arranged by me for the team of @65 members in Kunjwan resort, in the scenic Bhor area.
Trekking:
Trekking has always been my passion. This year I re-started Sinhagad treks May onwards. Since then, May to December, I conquered this beautiful fort 18 times. I met and befriended a few great people during my treks! I just regret not starting this awesome activity earlier. Why did I wait till May??? Now I do it almost every Thursday, as there is a bus from near my home, till the Sinhgad trekking base and is really very convenient for me. I start from home by 4:55 AM and reach back home by 8:45 AM in mere 100 rupees! On the last day of the year, I trekked Sinhgad again, to celebrate the year end in a wonderful way!
On the 1st Saturday of November 2022, I trekked the dream fort, Rajgad. It was with my office group, dedicatedly formed for fitness related activities. It was very nicely arranged! I wandered on this huge fort and enjoyed the place thoroughly.
I managed to take a look at fort completely this time, which I had missed during my last Rajgad trek way back in 2009, mainly the Bale-killa. Apart from Sinhgad and Rajgad, this year I trekked Malhargad (or Sonori fort), the last built fort in the Hindwi Swarajya of the great Shivaji Maharaj. The fort is in Saswad, an easy and scenic trek that was made even more wonderful with the company of a couple of enthusiast friends. The trek ended with a delicious plate of misal, Shakuntala missal (very popular), for breakfast.
To support all of my activities, I started morning yoga at home. Without that, you just cannot sustain the long rides and treks! I have a good habit of sleeping by 10 PM since childhood, owing to my mom. I just continued it.
And yes, very important, the diet part. I soak a handful of almonds-groundnuts-chana dal every night, to be consumed early morning. Also, 2 boiled eggs are a must every morning. I reduced on sugar intake, started having less oily and outside food, and consumed more fruits.
The outcome? The cruel weighing scale that was touching 80 kg, is now at 74! Friends now call me leaner than ever. I consider 2022 as a much fulfilling year towards my fitness. Hope I'll keep up the same in 2023 too, with even more and consistent long routes for cycling, running.
