KaRam Yokathon - Jan 2023

Trip Report

I recently had the pleasure of attending the 7th annual KaRam Yokathon, a long-distance race held in the small village of Kodaganallur, Tamil Nadu, India. The race is organized by the YOKE Society, a non-profit organization that works to promote education, employment, and health in rural India.

The founders of YOKE, Chitra and Vasudevan , are an inspiring couple. Chitra is a force of nature, with an infectious energy and an unrelenting enthusiasm for her work. Vasudevan is the yin to her yang, calm and collected, with a keen eye for detail. Together, they are a powerful team, and their passion for their work is evident in everything they do.

The YOKE Society is made up of a group of dedicated and talented young people from Kodaganallur and the surrounding villages. They are passionate about their community and eager to make a difference. The race is a key event for the YOKE Society, and it provides a much-needed boost to the local economy.

The KaRam Yokathon is a special race. There are no fees to run in the races. Each participant gets a prized shirt with a message, and a finisher's medal. There are a total of 80 prize categories that the participants are vying for. This makes the race accessible to people of all economic backgrounds, and it encourages people to come out and participate.

The race is held on a scenic route through the countryside. The scenery is beautiful, and the weather is usually perfect. The race is a great way to experience the local culture and to see some of the beautiful countryside of Tamil Nadu.

I highly recommend the KaRam Yokathon to anyone looking for a unique and challenging running experience. The race is well-organized, the people are friendly, and the scenery is beautiful. It is a great way to support a worthy cause and to experience the local culture.

Key Points

• The founders of YOKE, Chitra and Vasudevan Vasudevan, are an inspiring couple.

  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  

• The YOKE Society is made up of a group of dedicated and talented young people from Kodaganallur and the surrounding villages.

• The KaRam Yokathon is a special race with no fees to run, and prizes are awarded to all participants, regardless of their finishing time.

• Families of Kamala and Ramalingam of Kodaganallur, Saraswathi and Balasubramanyam of Goplalasamudram fund the event in entirety. It's called KaRam Yokathon in to honour their sponsorship

• The race is held on a scenic route through the countryside.

• I highly recommend the KaRam Yokathon to anyone looking for a unique and challenging running experience.

• This trip was made possible for me by my dear friend, Coach Ranga, Andal Akka and my dear Appa who chaperoned me here. I experienced the personification of the expression, it takes a village.

  
  
  Indians for Collective Action (ICA) has funded the school grounds that was the staging area.
  
  
  

• I got to run with my friend Bhargav after a long time - met with the celebrity couple of led by Srividya Badri.

I am grateful to everyone who made this trip possible for me, and I hope to return to Kodaganallur soon. 

Chitra and Vasu embody Vasudaiva Kutambakam - fortunate to have had a chance to meet them. “Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam” is a Sanskrit phrase from ancient Indian scriptures that means the whole world is one (my) family.

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This report written with help from bard.google.com

Giving, that was Raj in a word for us

Sunderrajan, aka Sunder and Raj - he escaped on Dec 10, 2019, having fought a good fight against Glioblastoma, 5 months and 10 days  - he came true on his mantra, lived the Big picture.

I am one of the villagers in his village. And this episode is a dedication to our Raj bhai.

He has shown us during his lifetime and in the aftermath what human connections are, a much loved and cherished member of the extended family. And I have had the good fortune of calling him my big brother -we grew up together as one does in middle-class India of 70s-80s and then transitioning to the USofA. During his treatment I got to spend some good weeks and I cherish them. 

The idea of joining Swim it Forward germinated then.

I resolved seeing Sunder in the Swim It Forward hat, that I would come out with him to this swim the following year, that was Oct 2019. And then there was the Dec 10 when he was relieved of his pain in this body.  Following that the pandemic - that has been in our lives. So the opportunity didn't come until now - to pay it forward with Team Swim It Forward. For the life he lived where every connection was important. Raj had a special gift to make you feel like he was there for YOU. And as a result his village had a footprint wherever he had been. This is his village in Cleveland, a circle of love during his visits to the Cleveland Clinic.

Naoko introduced me to Swim Across America in 2015-2016) when she was doing the swim in Seattle as a Cancer Fundraiser - fast forward to 2019, she dedicated her Swim it Forward swim to Team SatyaSunder honoring his fight. And I felt his presence in the waters by the Golden Gate Bridge

He sported that cap with pride, as one who believes in the power of the collective prayer he was at the forefront.  I was excited when the possibility of the swim became real as the covid vaccine came on. Preparing with remote direction from Naoko, training with  Coach Chris at Alma Masters and Tom Sosnoswki got me ready for this.

Here's another tip of a hat to Rajbhai.  

Today I pay it forward, as a grateful villager of His village.

Highlights

• Raj memorial ocean swim 2021 : photobook
• SAA Fundraiser raised $600K for UCSF Childrens' 
  
  
  

Thomas, Eyes for the blind runner

Thomas Panek, my hero

 Watching a blind runner's journey inspired this post - there's a fall every runner experiences and the journey of recovery for each makes us stronger. The feeling of these blind runners' is something we can all relate to - exuberance of coming back to our favorite activity after being laid low.

The project Guideline is an inspiring use of technology and was on my thoughts all the time i was running today - tech is not bad, it has the power to melt barriers, this is an exemplar.

• A smart phone
• a cloud
• Machine learning models that can guide
• thoughtful researchers who makes lives better
• a committed human, Thomas Panek - that's inspired to not accept the status quo

Thomas is my hero for this story. Salutations to single-minded perseverance .

Best wishes always 

Sachin's Mount Umunhum Trail Race to the Self

A longtime wish to run to the top was fulfilled today, July 19, 2020.

Having these two, the best of Omrunners meant this was a special journey in more ways than just getting to the summit. We have had many running years together which I cherish immensely.

Ranga has the whole Quicksilver  park mapped in his brain, this means he adapts the runs for distance, injury, temperature; his empathy for all is a gift we continually draw on, thank you Ranga.

Sachin, the smart, pragmatic runner and friend. The wealth of his experience– his  readiness to share, his speed and strength  (which is the best of all 3 of us). He puts it to good use by running loops to keep us together. And today was no different. He had a Paleo bar just when I was famished and a remedy stretch for my jelly quads, thank you Sachin.

The run had been on my wishlist for a little long time. I remember the times looking from Bulls run at QS longingly at the cube, Ranga calling out the date of the opening 3 years ago. Finally 2 weeks ago he declared we were ready to make the attempt.

But for my overambitious plan to start at a farther place we might have been there then. Better late than never.

Today we got birthday runner, Arvind leading us off under fog cover for the first 6 miles.  He is the superstar tri-athlete as I got to learn of his rigorous 3 days each of swim and run; he's lamenting he doesn't have enough biking time.

Note to Ranga: please add 3 more days to the week for Arvind, problem solved.💁🏽

This was a spiritual journey to the mountain of the hummingbird, final ascent was to chants of Govinda-Govinda, received by these Omrun sages

Scaled, at peace and a marathon in these times, feeling lucky😇

54 not out - Sunder Rajan - thank you for lighting our lives up

While there's sadness in the heart, there's also a sense of relief for Raj he is out of his pain. He fought a valiant fight and did what he said he'd - keep it short, don't prolong if quality of life is affected.

Satya moved mountains and spared no effort to ensure that he was in least pain. Her parents cared for his every desire through these months. And finally the village turned up; that's the enduring Raj legacy that I will forever cherish.


I am poorer for I will miss my brother, and richer for he's connected me to all of you all in his brief journey, *54 not out*

Thank you one and all

In closing borrowing his famous words,

• "no regrets, it s what it is."

Best wishes always
Bala/Raj's younger cousin


Dates:

1. Jun 30, 2019 - Scan and diagnosis
2. Dec 10, 2019 8:05 - left his mortal body - 5 months, 10 days
3. Dec 11, 2019 4pm - cremated in the Hindu tradition blessed on the journey onward by Priest Ramachandra Bhattar
4. Dec 14 - Satya, Suchita, Sushmita left for India for the next and final phase of the journey, to unite his moral remains with his guru Pujya Swami Dayanand Saraswati at Hrishikesh.
5. Dec 19-22 - Remaining rites will be at Bangalore. The shubham function in on the 13th day, Dec 22.

The circle of love for Raj grows - across to Alcatraz

Swim it Forward (part of Swim Across America SF )  - my friend Naoko Watanabe team swam across to Alcatraz for Sunder - this is the first jump into the water from the #TeamSatyRaj village - ever so grateful to have a friend like you, @Naoko. The exhilaration from what you have done is so very uplifting. The universe is colluding to make this a wonderful outing for the fight against Glioblastoma.

Raj is doing his part - my brother of 50 years, says “It is what it is - let’s go out with a party.”

We continue the dedication to him. 

Clinical update: After the MRI scan on Sep 26, the oncologist has recommended continuing chemo treatment for 6-8 weeks. During the month, Raj has had a setback starting with seizures and a loss of physical strength - making doing things harder now due to that. After intensive 2+week rehab regimen involving speech, physical and occupational therapy, Satya’s managed to get him out of the wheelchair. He’s a falling risk now so needs someone at his side. 

With Satya as his taskmaster - there’s no giving up here. Go #TeamSatyaRaj.

Satya has an appeal, please consider adding your support towards her goal of $100K

https://www.gofundme.com/f/support-the-rajan-family?member=2580824

With gratitude.

#TeamSatyaRaj

Dedication from Omrunners - 543 miles of strength

Team Om Run dedicated their miles to #TeamSatyaRaj

End of week tally: 543 miles

Ananda started the dedication and others followed. Thanks to Ranga for the clarion call to dedicate week’s runs to Raj. #TeamSatyaRaj.
And the tally at the end of the week a whopping total of 543 miles !!
This is the power of satsang demonstrated - I am humbled and touched by the support that the Team Omrun has poured out. The wishes, prayers are all worth their weight in gold - in these times #TeamSatyaRaj and the family just needs the positive wishes on the way to a miracle. Each breath is a miracle and that we already have in Raj. 

Here’s the honor roll -

1.  Ananda #the-rabbit: 25 mile 3000’ elevation at a stupendous pace; 17miles/3h22m/2080’ + 8.01miles/1h17m/886’; “+24 miles this morning for #teamSatyaRaj chanting Gayatri Mantra. Love and good wishes to Raj and his family for a complete recovery”
2. Subra #fastest-omrunner 8/21 - 6m48s 5K - PR ; tempo run 1mile warmup dedicated to Raj”; “8miles x 2 hike for TeamSatyaRaj; Sending good vibes for a speedy recovery”
3. Srividhya Venkat #fiercely-competitive “Did 3 miles run..yesterday night for ur brother prasanna.” “3 miles just done for #Teamsathyaraj”; "18 miles with Ankur+Rasika"
4. Karthik Raju #graceful-runner, “I did Fremont Older this morning.  Praying for your brother's fast recovery”
5. Ranga #ZenCoach  “7.75 miles this morning running with Raj (Prasana’s brother)”; “6.25 with Raj this AM”; “Satyaraj Run today 14 Miles”; “My run with Raj 12.5 miles, day has not ended”
6. Gopal #smiling-always, “Yesterday did 26 miles bike trip with my son & his friend. Fisherman wharf to Sausalito to at&t park via golden gate park.  Fun ride.”; “3.2 miles this morning for Raj, Vazhga valamudan”
7. Rasika #rockstar , “Two 4 miles run this week for your brother’s speedy recovery." ;"18 miles with Sri+Ankur".
8. Ganesh #super-coach: “9 miles from my end for dear Raj”. “9 miles on Jamnmashtami Vishnu Sahastranama chanting for #TeamSatyaRaj”; “50K Mt Diablo Girivalam for Raj”
9. Anil #fast-anil - “10.26 miles from my end”
10. Sachin #herman “Two back to back bike to work 9.5 miles x 4. For Raj’s speedy recovery.” “6 miles for Raj”
11. Vinod “5.15miles #TeamSatyaRaj My best wishes for his speedy recovery “
12. Revathi Iyer #backfrominjury-thecoolone “I managed 3 miles and my son did 4 miles and sending good vibes for your brother!”
13. Madhu Ram #madhu-efficientrunner “#TeamSatyaRaj with chanting of “Sri Rama Ramethi”...  Wishing him speedy recovery…”
14. Rajaram #always21 “4.75 miles with Raj this morning”
15.  SanjayB #theceo “3 miles, but not in the Subra league”; “3 miles for Raj” “+5 miles chanting Mahamrityunjay mantra and Dhanavantari mantra for Raj’s health and family’s 
16. Vijay #fast-vijay “3.1 miles for Raj’s recovery”; “11 miles this morning for #teamSatyaraj”
17. KarthikRaju #graceful-omrunner “+5.5 this AM for #TeamSatyaRaj”; “13.6 miles for Raj”; “finished the week with a mission peak hike this morning, 7.5miles for #TeamSatyaRaj”
18. AnilC #blazing-the-trail “10.02 x 3 miles for #teamSatyaRaj”
19. Vinay #blame-the-mochi “6 miles evening run for Raj. Wishing a speedy recovery”; “+8 miles for #TeamSatyaRaj”
20. SenthilV #idly-happyhour “I just did 4.25 miles run for Raj's speedy recovery.”; “13.1 miles for #teamSatyaRaj”
21. Ankur #man-behind-rasika “18 miles x 3 with +Sri+Rasika“
22. SatishS #intercontinental-runner “5.5 mile run/walk dedicated to #TeamSatyaRaj; prayers and best wishes for a speedy and complete recovery”
23.  prasana “26.2miles bike ride for #TeamSatyaRaj”; “13.6 miles at Quicksilver chanting gita dhyanam, purushottama yoga and vishnu sahastranama for #TeamSatyaRaj”
24.  Ram V #theRAM “taking over the 200 mark, Hurray for Raj”
25.  Ravi #thebestalladi - “4 miles on the treadmill for Raj
26.  Parag #rishis-wisdom Ran, walked 2 miles today.  Wearing running shoes for running after a long time. #TeamSatyaraj
27. Ram V #coolmeyyappan-mybrother “10 miles x 3 for #TeamSatyaRaj”
28. Vinod “8 miles for for #TeamSatyaRaj”
29. Venky #iyengar-withbigwords “6.5 miles for #teamSatyaRaj”
30. RupaN #yogguru “sending my heartfelt prayers and good wishes for your brother’s speedy recovery. Sending you and the family strength and fortitude to be there for him”
31. Ram B “10 mile run for #TeamSatyaRaj”
32. RenukaA “2 miles morning run dedicated to #teamSatyaRaj; prayers and blessings”; “4 mile run for #TeamSatyaRaj”
33. Meyyappan #smiling-always “5 miles after a very long time for #TeamSatyaRaj”

Request: Please add any pics you’d like to share of this for posterity to to the shared album at https://photos.app.goo.gl/2EMZhWNxqfYJoLbF7.

In humbled gratitude to the village. 🙏
Clinical update
End of week 5 (of the 6 clinical trial): Raj is stable with some speech and cognitive deficits.
All things considered, he’s in a very good place. Thanks to all your wishes and blessings.