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Running to Duathlon

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Author -  Ramyesh Senniappan I wanted to begin by saying that the year 2023 is all about novelty, as it is my 50th year of life. Instead of regretting what I hadn’t done in the past, I wanted to see what I could do now and in future... Triathlon is one such multi-sport event that interested me, but I lacked swimming skills. During my debut marathon Arizona RnR on Jan 15 2023, I got introduced to my pacer Carlos Mendez, he is a skilled athlete and shares the podium in many Triathlon events. He introduced me to Duathlon, which is a form of Triathlon where there is no swimming. So essentially it is run - ride - run race. I was skeptical and scared, but Carlos encouraged me that if I can run a marathon, then a Duathlon should be possible. Cycling was a kind of secondary endurance activity for me. I used to go for rides infrequently if I needed a change. I remember participating in TourdeCure Phoenix in 2017 for 25 miles dash, which is my only race event. I was keen on mountain/trail biking
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Breaking Barriers: The Power of Belief and Persistence

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Author - Sunil Kumawat In the history of human achievement, there are moments that stand out as testament to the power of determination and belief. One such milestone is Roger Bannister’s historic feat on May 6, 1954. For years, the four-minute mile was an elusive barrier in the world of running. Many believed it to be an insurmountable challenge, a limit of human capability. Yet, Bannister defied the odds and shattered this perception by clocking in at 3 minutes and 59.4 seconds. Bannister’s achievement wasn’t just a personal triumph; it was a paradigm shift that redefined the realm of possibility for athletes worldwide. His success ignited a wave of inspiration, proving that what was once deemed impossible could be conquered with the right mindset and perseverance. Following Bannister’s groundbreaking run, the floodgates of possibility opened wide. John Landy swiftly followed suit, further lowering the record to 3 minutes and 58 seconds. What seemed like an unassailable barrier had s
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Location: Arizona, USA
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Choosing a Path: Lesson from the Bhagavad Gita and Duryodhana's Self-awareness

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Author - Sunil Kumawat The Bhagavad Gita, a respected text known for its wise teachings, shares timeless lessons. While it mainly discusses Lord Krishna's conversation with Arjuna during the Kurukshetra battle, there's a lesser-known talk between Lord Krishna and Duryodhana. In this crucial moment, Lord Krishna imparts profound knowledge from the Gita to Duryodhana, but Duryodhana refuses it. His response, captured in the verse below, shows a deep understanding of his own nature and choices. जानामि धर्मं न च मे प्रवृत्ति र्जानामि पापं न च मे निवृत्तिः । केनापि देवेन हृदि स्थितेन यथा नियुक्तोऽस्मि तथा करोमि ॥ "I know what is right and wrong, yet I struggle to follow what's right and avoid what's wrong. O Lord of the senses, you dwell in my heart, guiding my actions." This sentiment reflects a common experience in our lives. How often do we wish to change those around us, hoping to improve our lives or theirs? But the reality is, we can't control others'
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Heart Rate: A Proxy for Good Health and Wellness

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 Author - Ravi Kulkarni On February 5th 2023, my body felt very hot after my daily exercise. My heart was racing and it would not stop even after several hours. As far as I can recall, I had not done anything different that day – it was the usual 40 minutes of resistance training, 10-15 minutes of cardio, 15 minutes in the sauna. As you see from the screenshot above, my resting heart rate (RHR) on that day was 99, alarmingly high. In those days it was normal for my RHR to be in the higher 60s. Subsequently it came down and I have not experienced such high rates after that. Unfortunately, I don’t really have an explanation for this event other than to say that I may have over exerted myself. But that got me thinking: could heart rate be a useful metric for keeping track of one’s health? RHR is defined as the number of heartbeats per minute while at rest. For most adults, a normal RHR ranges from 60 to 100 beats per minute. Athletes or more active individuals often have lower rates, typi
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My Living Room - A perspective!!

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Author - Ravi Kulkarni Let me tell you a story. In my little town, I was known for my charming but quirky home. One day, a small leak developed in the ceiling of my living room. At first, the leak was just a drip - a tiny nuisance. I placed a teacup under it, amused by the occasional plink of water. But as time passed, that drip became a constant stream. I turned my living room into a maze of bowls, cups, and pots to catch the water. It was a sight to see, and my friends found it amusing. The real trouble began when the water started damaging my furniture. My favorite chair, a relic passed down from my grandmother, was the first casualty. Its fabric bloomed with damp spots, and the legs weakened. But I was too caught up in my solution to see the problem. Instead of fixing the roof, I threw a party to unveil a new, expensive armchair I bought, thinking it could simply replace the old one. Unfortunately for me the new armchair didn’t last long either. In addition, several other issue
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Want vs Need: Reevaluating Health Priorities

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Do you want to lose 20 pounds?  Do you want to lower your bad cholesterol?  Do you want to maintain a consistent workout routine?  Do you want to enjoy better sleep and wake up feeling refreshed?  Do you want to adopt healthier eating habits? At first glance, these may seem like personal desires, but what if they're actually fundamental needs for our health? Lets consider few simple scenarios to clear this a little bit. Often, we sacrifice sleep and stress over work to ensure our loved ones' happiness. We grew up believing the idea that Food, Clothes and Roof over our heads are the basic needs. What if there was more? Think about this:  If you had a pounding headache, could you give your kids quality time?  If you had a stomach ache, could you be affectionate with your spouse? If you have a bad back ache, what quality of work can you produce? Now let's pause for a moment and think deeply about another scenario:  You're battling a terminal illness. Would you be concerned
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Harmony in Complexity: The Symbiotic Symphony of the Human Body

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Author - Ravi Kulkarni  Ceiba trees in Costa Rica are ecologically significant and complex components of the rainforest ecosystem. Towering above the canopy, these trees are biodiversity hotspots, supporting a wide array of wildlife including birds, mammals, insects, and a variety of epiphytes like orchids and bromeliads. All of them and the tree live in total harmony; supporting and nourishing each other while not dominating or exploiting each other. Human body is similarly a large ecosystem consisting of thousands of species of bacteria, viruses, fungi and many other microorganisms. They colonize pretty much every part of the body but largely congregate in the colon. They play a vital role in digestion, extraction of essential micronutrients from foods and even synthesize certain vitamins such as B12, which the human body is unable to do by itself. Most major diseases are associated with some known or unknown disturbance somewhere in this complex system. Humans disrupt the ecolog
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Spiritual Dimension

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Author - Ravi Kulkarni   At its core, spirituality can be equated with connectedness — the profound sense of being linked to something greater than oneself. As social beings, humans have an innate desire to connect with others, forming relationships that go beyond mere companionship. These connections are vital in cultivating a sense of belonging and purpose. Connectedness is not limited to human relationships alone; it extends to a broader understanding of our place in the natural environment, and the world itself. This interconnected worldview fosters a deeper appreciation for the intricacy of existence, promoting a sense of unity and harmony. This web of connections often leads to the discovery of purpose. Feeling connected to others and the world around us gives rise to the belief that our existence has meaning. This sense of purpose acts as a guiding light, directing individuals towards goals that contribute to the betterment of society or the world at large. Purpose-driven
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The dose makes the poison!!

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Author - Ravi Kulkarni   This principle is the cornerstone of modern toxicology practice. The idea is that even harmful substances, such as poisons, are safe to consume in very small doses. For example, many heavy metal poisons such as Arsenic or Lead are ever present in our environment. Therefore, they are also present in many foods we consume in minute quantities. Toxicology experts have studied their effects on the body and that knowledge has been incorporated into the regulatory guidelines such as those provided by the FDA for foods that are marketed in interstate commerce.    But this principle is not only about poisons. Even harmless substances such as water can become poisonous if consumed in large quantities. Our diets have gone so far out of whack with our nature that most people end up suffering the consequences of overdosing on foods that become poisons.    Since I have been wearing a continuous glucose monitor (CGM) for a while, I have noticed how the dose does make the poi
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Insulin Resistance - A Slow Motion Train Wreck

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Ravi Kulkarni (kulkarnr@gmail.com) Editor: ChatGPT Disclaimer : This is not medical advice and I am not a medical professional. Please consult a board certified physician for your personal health issues. Introduction Insulin resistance is a basic mechanism of the body that, while it exists to protect the body, can end up damaging and destroying it. While insulin resistance is extremely common, it hardly gets any attention unlike its bigger cousins, pre-diabetes and diabetes. This article is an attempt to spotlight insulin resistance, explain the terrible damage it can eventually cause, and what you can do to prevent, slow, or reverse it. Confronting an Impending Crisis Dialysis Machine Imagine the challenges of living with a missing limb or the constant worry of monitoring blood sugar levels and restricting oneself from enjoying favorite foods. Millions of individuals worldwide who suffer from type 2 diabetes (T2D) live this nightmare. According to the US National Diabetes Surveillance
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