Firstly, I hope all of you had a
fun-filled and exciting 2017. This year has been more of a roller coaster ride
for me. some things went as planned, some others failed big time. Many happy
moments and disappointments were there. Of course, these are part of life. Let
me start with some good things which came through in 2017:
- Professional life hit a high as I have had a great feedback at work. All this after, being maligned by few unscrupulous fellows at organisation. This had planted doubts in many of my senior colleagues if I can deliver. All went smoothly in 2017 with some great support from my managers to excel at work. Hope it continues to be the same in 2018. Challenges await, but it shall be conquered, else survival at IT would be difficult. After seen 3 strong winds, let me overcome the 4th one.
- Running has had a high again. Even though my training rate went down to 3 days a week from 5 days. I had an opportunity to met some amazing people at running circuit at Melbourne. Oh boy, they simply love their sport. I can admit that I know very little of athletics and road running. GetitdoneClub, Run Melbourne, Nike Run Club, Hunter's and Track Tuesday's trainings were fun and it helped me to know more runners across Melbourne. Tim Crosbie's sessions were amazing. No wonder he has produced some amazing athletes for Australia.
- Had 2 podium finishes and back at Tan track to win was special. Coburg classic had my steam out where I was outdone by a very amazing runner. But all in all, a very good season. Now I can confidently run a sub 39 10K and a sub 19 5Km easily
- Pacing was as expected. Run Melbourne, GCAM, Sydney and Melbourne Marathon was covered. 2 moments to cherish, Running alongside Pat Carroll at GCAM was amazing. 1:40 was easily achieved. Sydney was another special as I skipped SoW to run there. Melbourne Mara was even special as I have had a wait of 3 long years before I could run and finish at the 'G'. Thanks to Greg C ( Sydney Striders), Tim Crosbie and Legend, Pat Carroll who had trust in me to deliver on the race day. Couldn't attend Brisbane event due to other commitments, 2018 shall cover it. Even more surprising was all races had the target met and Thank you's from runners were pat on the back.
- New area of officiating was never imagined by me. Accidentally a mail from Athletics Victoria had me to think, if I can do it? didn't think twice. Got trained in Photo Finish and now I am proud to say that I judged events which sent Athletes to Commonwealth games at Gold coast. In doing so, I have ventured into exploring another area at athletics which can be more beneficial for me in in coming days. Athletics Victoria surely has given me a break in my running career for sure. Senior officials have helped me to learn the dynamics of the game. Officiating at Zatopek and Shield events have been a great way to learn and spend some quality time at weekend instead of sleeping and wasting time talking unwanted things which our fellow citizens do.
- Volunteering was BAU, no major surprises in 2017. Worked at many events and majority were at registration desk. Lent my hand at major charity events at Melbourne and did my part to help charities as they get donations as we volunteer for them. It was great fun to meet some people there, but as always, running gave me more satisfaction than volunteering. But, This would still go on as time goes.
- Getting selected as volunteer for Carifta Games, Formula-1, Moto GP were a dream come true. But, work commitments and timings mismatch were there and couldn't make it to these world class games unfortunately. Hopefully, i can do my bit in 2018 for some world class events.
All good things have some low
things attached to them. They help you to learn and keep life going on. Some of
them leave a great mark on your life, taking them as a positive challenge would
definitely help us to grow in life. As always, i have learnt a lot from
failures and of course, they have been overcome with some sweet success. Some
of the sweet failures of 2017 includes:
- Application was not successful to Volunteer at Gold coast commonwealth Games and Winter Olympics as selection panel for organisers felt that my athletics experience was not fit for volunteering at the games.
- Applied for sponsorships for the brands- Adidas, Unived, Fast and Up in India. No Luck with the applications and it died in initial filtering phase. Lucky that Puma folks did not come back for 4th time after promising 3 times to sponsor. May be they wanted better personality ;). This has not dented my performance though. It has been moving at a steady phase.
- Tried to apply for Asics Frontrunner, Garmin, 2XU, Mizuno, On, Nuun Hydration, Adidas runners in Australia. No response apart from Garmin who said to send my profile. This will not stop me in trying with new brands and using their brands.
- Didn't make to IAAF world championships, 2018 European championships, Rugby league world cup and Confederation games as volunteer. But this was compensated with other pipeline applications.
- Lost few awards at my organisation as the panel felt that too much publicity and awards are in my cabinet ;). But the recognition i have there is more than any award. Let me apply once more and shall not stop trying.
As things move on, some things
have to continue as usual and some things have to see a change. As 2018 comes
and it moves forward, I personally have a challenging year ahead and hope to
maintain the same momentum as of 2017. Below are some of the things that would
matter most.
- Keep way from trouble makers, distracters and friends who ask loans. Initially, they tend to be friendly and later on i have no clue what might happen( Experience of others have the say).
- Work is what feeds you. like 2017, do diligent work and accolades follow. Learn new things and help self and organisation get more name, fame and business.
- Make new friends, great professional contacts and maintain great relationships with existing friends. May be some special friends are on cards for 2018! Age for friendships won't matter ;), attitude and wavelength matters.
- My second love, running needs some fine tuning. After staying back a long time to run a marathon, this year would likely to break the jinx. After meeting so many Auzzie's, i am feeling waste in front of them as many of them have broken the marathon jinx
- Volunteering, this needs a better planning this year. After i have a current offer to attend Ice hockey championships at Denmark in may, things are now somewhat unplanned. On cards are Russia for FIFA WC, Asian Games and i have to now carefully select events so that worklife balance is maintained.
- Finish certifications pending for officiating at athletics events so that i can be an accredited official of Athletics Victoria and do my bit for the games.
- Learn new technologies which are essential for survival in IT industry.
- Travel to new places and learn new cultures.
- Do my GCAM triple this year along with Sydney and Melbourne so that i can help other runners to achieve their goal.
- Try some more harder for sponsorship's. I am not that junk to be rejected.. Keep trying till they come to you.
There are many things to tell,
but let me not eat your time. Thanks for having your precious time to read this
post. Wishing you a very successful year ahead and let success follow you. 2018 shall be better and big as always.
Till next time, have a great time
ahead. Putting some snaps which were taken by amazing photographer friends.
They made me look good at-least in running dress.
