Only a cancer patient can know the fatigue and pain of a chemo treatment.
So most people who take up running, never run more than 5 kilometers ever. They get bored, or think that running is needlessly hard and tiring.
Some poeple train hard to reach distances of up to 10 kilometers. Its true that running 10 kilometers is twice as hard as running 5.
Still fewer people train harder to reach distance of up to 20 kilometers. And it is also true that running 20 kilometers is twice as hard as running 10.
Marathon runners train their bodies to run 40 kilometers. But running 40 kilometers is not twice as hard as running 20, its a totally different experience. Somehwere around kilometer 30, your body starts "falling apart" regardless of who you are (Kenyan, or Pakistani).
The body has a capacity to store about 2000 calories of energy in the muscles. At around kilometer 30, all that energy has been used. This state of body (and mind) is called "hitting the wall" and most people including me dread the feeling it brings.
Your breathing rate doubles, your heart rate jumps, your muscles cramp, your mind clouds out, and you lose concentration. Your body is out of energy, and now it must "burn" itself to generate energy. If you have not run a marathon, you have not experienced this physical and mental pain.
Running after hitting the wall is the hardest thing I have ever done, and it is the most painful experience I have ever had in my life.
There is something similar but more painful. Its chemo. How do I know? I know because I keep my hair after hitting the wall, while a chemo patient loses it.
I hope you never hit a wall, or handle a chemo session. Please help those who are experiencing the pain of chemo at: Dana Farber Cancer Research
MV
Monday, February 27, 2012
Tuesday, February 21, 2012
First Attempt at Flying the Hudson River Corridor, Family, and NYC
I had 24 more hours to spend on the President's day weekend, and if the weather would cooperate, I would spend all my adrenaline reserves. That is what exactly happened, and I ended up mentally and physically sore. An unforgettable weekend that I will remember for as long as I live.
Flew to NYC with my sick family on Sunday in the NSAC Cessna, attempted to fly over the Statue of Liberty, stayed overnight in Manhattan, then flew back on Monday. All that after an 18 mile run on Saturday.
Took off from Beverly, MA on Sunday morning for a one and a half hour flight to White Plains, NY. Throughout the way I comforting Momina, who after eight years of absence from GA flying, was holding on the seat as if it would fly in case the plane wont. We did a diversion to fly close to George Washington Bridge, but no good pictures were taken as she was fighting nausea, and used both her hands to hold on to the seat when not holding a bag to her mouth.
Maheen, and Zain were sick with cold and fever (and they still are). But they behaved well by sleeping the entire way, TILL I was about to land at White Plains.
White Plains is a very busy airport with crossing runways, both of which were active when we arrived. Then Zain woke up and started yelling and crying in his microphone. No distraction more annoying. I was asked to make right pattern on Runway 34, and as I did, I found a jet, half a mile on my tail on the final (and Zain was still yelling). I did a go around on my own decision to let the jet land, the controller asked me to make an immediate left turn to avoid a helicopter, I did, and then followed another jet to land on the same runway in left traffic pattern. Another jet landed just before I landed on the crossing runway, and as soon as I landed, Zain stopped yelling.
I wish Momina was a pilot and could realize and record the unusual events as they happened (especially the jet close behind us). She thought everything was smooth except for the crying kid, who was unreachable to her in the back.
Panorama at White Plains airport is the best FBO I have ever been to. If you park your plane at Panorama, they make you feel like an executive. They gave us a ride to the Metro North Station, from where we took a train to the Grand Central Terminal. On the way, we met another pilot family, who had flown from Chicago in their Columbia 400. They had landed just after we landed. They told us that some kid was crying on the radio. I guess Zain was heard all over White Plains through my microphone.
We walked to our hotel from the Grand Central Terminal, relaxed a bit, then walked to Times Sqaure. The kids had fever, and my leg was hurting from Saturday's long run, so they took turn on Momina's back. Did the usual things at Times Square, then walked back.
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We were in bed by 9 PM. All night long, we were taking turns putting wet cloth on Zain's forehead to reduce his fever. And in the morning, Maheen started throwing up. I could not sleep enough, and all my desire to fly over Statue of Liberty was waning. All of us wanted to get back home as soon as possible. Took a train to White Plains, picked up by Panorama, pre-flight, then on our way back. Gladly, Momina had got some of her confidence back, so we were able to take some pictures, and make a video.
My second attempt to fly the Hudson River corridor will be in mid March.
An uneventful but bumpy flight back home over Hartford. It was Monday evening already.
Flew to NYC with my sick family on Sunday in the NSAC Cessna, attempted to fly over the Statue of Liberty, stayed overnight in Manhattan, then flew back on Monday. All that after an 18 mile run on Saturday.
Took off from Beverly, MA on Sunday morning for a one and a half hour flight to White Plains, NY. Throughout the way I comforting Momina, who after eight years of absence from GA flying, was holding on the seat as if it would fly in case the plane wont. We did a diversion to fly close to George Washington Bridge, but no good pictures were taken as she was fighting nausea, and used both her hands to hold on to the seat when not holding a bag to her mouth.
Maheen, and Zain were sick with cold and fever (and they still are). But they behaved well by sleeping the entire way, TILL I was about to land at White Plains.
White Plains is a very busy airport with crossing runways, both of which were active when we arrived. Then Zain woke up and started yelling and crying in his microphone. No distraction more annoying. I was asked to make right pattern on Runway 34, and as I did, I found a jet, half a mile on my tail on the final (and Zain was still yelling). I did a go around on my own decision to let the jet land, the controller asked me to make an immediate left turn to avoid a helicopter, I did, and then followed another jet to land on the same runway in left traffic pattern. Another jet landed just before I landed on the crossing runway, and as soon as I landed, Zain stopped yelling.
I wish Momina was a pilot and could realize and record the unusual events as they happened (especially the jet close behind us). She thought everything was smooth except for the crying kid, who was unreachable to her in the back.
Panorama at White Plains airport is the best FBO I have ever been to. If you park your plane at Panorama, they make you feel like an executive. They gave us a ride to the Metro North Station, from where we took a train to the Grand Central Terminal. On the way, we met another pilot family, who had flown from Chicago in their Columbia 400. They had landed just after we landed. They told us that some kid was crying on the radio. I guess Zain was heard all over White Plains through my microphone.
We walked to our hotel from the Grand Central Terminal, relaxed a bit, then walked to Times Sqaure. The kids had fever, and my leg was hurting from Saturday's long run, so they took turn on Momina's back. Did the usual things at Times Square, then walked back.
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| Grand Central Terminal |
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| Lights lights! |
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We were in bed by 9 PM. All night long, we were taking turns putting wet cloth on Zain's forehead to reduce his fever. And in the morning, Maheen started throwing up. I could not sleep enough, and all my desire to fly over Statue of Liberty was waning. All of us wanted to get back home as soon as possible. Took a train to White Plains, picked up by Panorama, pre-flight, then on our way back. Gladly, Momina had got some of her confidence back, so we were able to take some pictures, and make a video.
My second attempt to fly the Hudson River corridor will be in mid March.
An uneventful but bumpy flight back home over Hartford. It was Monday evening already.
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| Screeeeeach! |
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| Hands are still holding the seat, and its turbulent. |
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| Hartford, CT |
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| Please give up. Wait for next year's snow. |
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| What will happen when he wakes up?... Nothing! as this is on the way back |
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| Lakes around Framingham |
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| Back home, Beverly. No, there is no wolverine trying to climb up the wind shield |
Sunday, February 12, 2012
To Block Island
Block Island is a small island, 12 miles by 4 miles, and about 15 miles off the coast of Newport, RI.
Decided to fly there with Ali on a wonderful sunny day. The plan was to get there, bike for a few hours on the coast, then head back. Unfortunately the wind was gusting to 25 miles, making it a bit cold for biking, so we dropped our bike plan.
NSAC has a set of folding bikes that you can put in the back of the plane. They will come in handy for future trips, when the weather is suitable for biking.
We were at Beverly airport at 9 AM, and up in the air with N172EF by 1030 AM. This was Ali's first cross country in a small plane so I could feel the nervousness. But once we were on route, I could feel him getting more comfortable.
Flew through the Boston B airspace at 4500 feet, over Norwood (KOWD), Newport (KUUU) to Block Island (KBID). I gained some height before crossing the channel at Point Judith. I like to fly high over the ocean so I could get to dry land safely in case of an emergency. The flight was about 50 minutes each way.
The views were magnificent as always. The world looks much different from up there, and the pictures never do the justice.
My only concern when landing at Block Island was the gusting cross wind. It turned out to be a no factor since the wind was aligned with the active runway at the time of the landing, making it a very smooth touch down.
The Island was dead at this time of the year. Most businesses were closed. We walked from the airport to the center of the town, found a place to eat, ate, then walked back. However, this could turn out to be a great destination in summer.
We took off at Block Island at about 3 PM. Gained some height over the ocean to be safe, then headed back. Wanted to fly low over the Newport Mansions, but since I had climbed to 5500 feet to cross the ocean, decided to leave that plan to some other day.
On the way back, crossed the Boston B airspace direct to Beverly. We got so close to Logan, that we could see jets taking off under us.
We landed at Beverly at about 4 PM, fueled the plane, tied it up, and headed back. On the drive back home, I was lost in the beautiful memories of the day when someone honked and reminded me that I needed to concentrate on the road.
Ali did a good job helping me navigate. He took some great pictures as well. The pictures in this page are courtesy of Muazzam Ali.
I was going to fly this Saturday, but the weather had other plans. We were supposed to get a few inches of snow. We got dusting instead. I could have flown to Martha's Vineyard. But its better to respect the weather and be safe.
Decided to fly there with Ali on a wonderful sunny day. The plan was to get there, bike for a few hours on the coast, then head back. Unfortunately the wind was gusting to 25 miles, making it a bit cold for biking, so we dropped our bike plan.
We were at Beverly airport at 9 AM, and up in the air with N172EF by 1030 AM. This was Ali's first cross country in a small plane so I could feel the nervousness. But once we were on route, I could feel him getting more comfortable.
Flew through the Boston B airspace at 4500 feet, over Norwood (KOWD), Newport (KUUU) to Block Island (KBID). I gained some height before crossing the channel at Point Judith. I like to fly high over the ocean so I could get to dry land safely in case of an emergency. The flight was about 50 minutes each way.
The views were magnificent as always. The world looks much different from up there, and the pictures never do the justice.
My only concern when landing at Block Island was the gusting cross wind. It turned out to be a no factor since the wind was aligned with the active runway at the time of the landing, making it a very smooth touch down.
The Island was dead at this time of the year. Most businesses were closed. We walked from the airport to the center of the town, found a place to eat, ate, then walked back. However, this could turn out to be a great destination in summer.
We took off at Block Island at about 3 PM. Gained some height over the ocean to be safe, then headed back. Wanted to fly low over the Newport Mansions, but since I had climbed to 5500 feet to cross the ocean, decided to leave that plan to some other day.
On the way back, crossed the Boston B airspace direct to Beverly. We got so close to Logan, that we could see jets taking off under us.
We landed at Beverly at about 4 PM, fueled the plane, tied it up, and headed back. On the drive back home, I was lost in the beautiful memories of the day when someone honked and reminded me that I needed to concentrate on the road.
Ali did a good job helping me navigate. He took some great pictures as well. The pictures in this page are courtesy of Muazzam Ali.
I was going to fly this Saturday, but the weather had other plans. We were supposed to get a few inches of snow. We got dusting instead. I could have flown to Martha's Vineyard. But its better to respect the weather and be safe.
Monday, February 6, 2012
Flying Safely
I recently started flying again, and I feel more concerned as compared to when I used to fly in California. I did not have kids then, and most of my passengers had similar family situations. I have two wonderful kids now, whose lives depend on me. While I am not afraid of dying, I cannot be selfish enough to leave a family behind. And I cannot kill a passenger who has a one year old kid.
But, is flying really that risky? Isn't driving risky too? I need to know how much risk I am taking, and how I can reduce it to a "safe" level.
"Life is about managing risk, not elimination of it".
I find myself reading through accident reports, and statistics at the NTSB and AOPA websites. Facts are that travelling in a jumbo jet is unbelievably safe. If you were to travel in a commercial jet for every single second of your life, the risk of dying from old age is far greater than the risk of dying in the commercial jet accident.
Statistics are very different for general aviation planes. Small single engine planes are much more risky. While there is no general agreement on how much more/less riskier than driving a car, some statistics indicate that flying a small single engine plane is five times more likely to get you in a fatal accident as compared to one in a car! I simply cannot take this much risk. But how can I reduce my risk to a level at which it is safer to fly than to drive? Or is it possible at all?
A closer look at the accident statistics of general aviation reveals that 60% of all these accidents occur when pilots enter instrument weather inadvertently. These accidents are almost always fatal. JFK junior died when his small plane entered low visibility weather at night, and he became disoriented.
An additional 20% of all general aviation accidents occur due to problems that could be easily detected through proper pre-flight inspection.
This means that 80% of all accidents in general aviation are EASILY avoidable by the pilot.
If I can avoid bad weather, and do thorough pre-flight inspection, my risk factor goes down by 80%, and I can be as "safe" as being in a car.
These are my flying safety principles for life (regardless of my experience, and ratings):
1. I will fly for pleasure, and not for commute
2. I will never fly at night
3. I will never fly near clouds
4. I will never charge my passengers, nor be obliged to do anything for them
5. I will completely evaluate the condition of the airplane every time I am away from it
But, is flying really that risky? Isn't driving risky too? I need to know how much risk I am taking, and how I can reduce it to a "safe" level.
"Life is about managing risk, not elimination of it".
I find myself reading through accident reports, and statistics at the NTSB and AOPA websites. Facts are that travelling in a jumbo jet is unbelievably safe. If you were to travel in a commercial jet for every single second of your life, the risk of dying from old age is far greater than the risk of dying in the commercial jet accident.
Statistics are very different for general aviation planes. Small single engine planes are much more risky. While there is no general agreement on how much more/less riskier than driving a car, some statistics indicate that flying a small single engine plane is five times more likely to get you in a fatal accident as compared to one in a car! I simply cannot take this much risk. But how can I reduce my risk to a level at which it is safer to fly than to drive? Or is it possible at all?
A closer look at the accident statistics of general aviation reveals that 60% of all these accidents occur when pilots enter instrument weather inadvertently. These accidents are almost always fatal. JFK junior died when his small plane entered low visibility weather at night, and he became disoriented.
An additional 20% of all general aviation accidents occur due to problems that could be easily detected through proper pre-flight inspection.
This means that 80% of all accidents in general aviation are EASILY avoidable by the pilot.
If I can avoid bad weather, and do thorough pre-flight inspection, my risk factor goes down by 80%, and I can be as "safe" as being in a car.
These are my flying safety principles for life (regardless of my experience, and ratings):
1. I will fly for pleasure, and not for commute
2. I will never fly at night
3. I will never fly near clouds
4. I will never charge my passengers, nor be obliged to do anything for them
5. I will completely evaluate the condition of the airplane every time I am away from it
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