Naresh Kumar's life, a week at a time: long roads, food, books, films and family.https://iamarunr.com/https://iamarunr.com/stories/2026-01-first-sunrise/https://iamarunr.com/stories/2026-01-first-sunrise/Since 2013 I've welcomed every new year from a summit: up on New Year's Eve, a night under the stars, and the first sunrise of the year from the top.Thu, 01 Jan 2026 00:00:00 GMThttps://iamarunr.com/stories/2024-05-pedaling-4-freedom/https://iamarunr.com/stories/2024-05-pedaling-4-freedom/Coast to coast on a red tandem called Kindness, with an empty seat for anyone who wanted to ride against human trafficking.Sun, 19 May 2024 00:00:00 GMThttps://iamarunr.com/stories/2019-08-silk-road-mountain-race/https://iamarunr.com/stories/2019-08-silk-road-mountain-race/1,708 km and 28,000 m of climbing, solo and unsupported through the Tian Shan mountains of Kyrgyzstan.Sat, 17 Aug 2019 00:00:00 GMThttps://iamarunr.com/stories/2019-06-chennai-to-hamburg/https://iamarunr.com/stories/2019-06-chennai-to-hamburg/A tandem with an empty back seat, 13 countries, and 180 people who rode it with me against human trafficking.Fri, 24 May 2019 00:00:00 GMThttps://iamarunr.com/stories/2018-03-indian-pacific-wheel-race/https://iamarunr.com/stories/2018-03-indian-pacific-wheel-race/Solo and unsupported across Australia, from the Indian Ocean at Fremantle to the steps of the Sydney Opera House.Sat, 17 Mar 2018 00:00:00 GMThttps://iamarunr.com/stories/2017-01-freedom-seat-new-zealand/https://iamarunr.com/stories/2017-01-freedom-seat-new-zealand/Cape Reinga to Bluff on a tandem with an empty back seat, and 140 people who took it against human trafficking.Sun, 15 Jan 2017 00:00:00 GMThttps://iamarunr.com/stories/2015-10-black-forest/https://iamarunr.com/stories/2015-10-black-forest/A promise I made as a boy in Chennai, kept on the summit of Feldberg: a slice of Black Forest cake, eaten in the Black Forest.Fri, 02 Oct 2015 00:00:00 GMThttps://iamarunr.com/stories/2015-09-cliffs-of-moher/https://iamarunr.com/stories/2015-09-cliffs-of-moher/Sleeping on top of the Cliffs of Moher, on the Wild Atlantic Way. One of the highlights of my life.Tue, 15 Sep 2015 00:00:00 GMThttps://iamarunr.com/stories/2015-09-wild-atlantic-way/https://iamarunr.com/stories/2015-09-wild-atlantic-way/Cork to Donegal by bike along Ireland's Atlantic coast: 2,000+ km in 16 days, and a night asleep on the Cliffs of Moher.Mon, 07 Sep 2015 00:00:00 GMThttps://iamarunr.com/stories/2014-09-home-is-behind-the-world-ahead/https://iamarunr.com/stories/2014-09-home-is-behind-the-world-ahead/The verse I wrote in my journal before Te Araroa, and the shell I picked up on Ninety Mile Beach to carry with me.Sat, 13 Sep 2014 00:00:00 GMThttps://iamarunr.com/stories/2014-09-te-araroa/https://iamarunr.com/stories/2014-09-te-araroa/The length of New Zealand on foot, Cape Reinga to Bluff, running and hiking the whole trail in sandals against sex trafficking.Sat, 13 Sep 2014 00:00:00 GMThttps://iamarunr.com/stories/2012-01-skydive-and-indian-flying-monkey-flew/https://iamarunr.com/stories/2012-01-skydive-and-indian-flying-monkey-flew/This was probably the oldest item on my bucket list. Even before I got into running, I always dreamed about skydiving.Wed, 04 Jan 2012 00:00:00 GMThttps://iamarunr.com/stories/2011-11-natchez-trace-fall-2011/https://iamarunr.com/stories/2011-11-natchez-trace-fall-2011/Last weekend was a relaxing one. Rock climbing at Kings Bluff on Saturday (a post to follow on this) and fall photography on Sunday.Wed, 02 Nov 2011 00:00:00 GMThttps://iamarunr.com/stories/2011-10-big-dog-backyard-ultra-death-march-on/https://iamarunr.com/stories/2011-10-big-dog-backyard-ultra-death-march-on/Big Dog Backyard Ultra: I have never heard so many people swearing at someone all at the same time and in every profanity one can imagine (at this year's Barkley), yet they all return for his race.Fri, 28 Oct 2011 00:00:00 GMThttps://iamarunr.com/stories/2011-09-warrior-dash-5k/https://iamarunr.com/stories/2011-09-warrior-dash-5k/This event turned out to be more fun than expected. When Groupon had a discounted entry for this race, it was too difficult to pass it up.Thu, 22 Sep 2011 00:00:00 GMThttps://iamarunr.com/stories/2011-08-runwalkeatsleep-last-annual-vol-state/https://iamarunr.com/stories/2011-08-runwalkeatsleep-last-annual-vol-state/Some adventures transform a man.Thu, 11 Aug 2011 00:00:00 GMThttps://iamarunr.com/stories/2011-06-last-vol-state-500km-road-race-im-in/https://iamarunr.com/stories/2011-06-last-vol-state-500km-road-race-im-in/Ever since Diane told me about this race, I have had it on my radar. Things have finally fallen into place and I will be running the Last Annual Vol State 500KM Road Race this year.Thu, 30 Jun 2011 00:00:00 GMThttps://iamarunr.com/stories/2011-04-fall-creek-falls-spring-tour/https://iamarunr.com/stories/2011-04-fall-creek-falls-spring-tour/The spring tour for this weekend was Fall Creek Falls. I have been to this place twice but never really had the time to stay there and enjoy it; besides that, the weather sucked on both occasions.Tue, 12 Apr 2011 00:00:00 GMThttps://iamarunr.com/stories/2011-03-maniac-3502/https://iamarunr.com/stories/2011-03-maniac-3502/Yes!! I have been accepted to the Insane Asylum, at the Iridium level for my 21 races in 365 days streak. Thanks to Bjorg, Kino and Steve.Fri, 18 Mar 2011 00:00:00 GMThttps://iamarunr.com/stories/2011-03-land-between-lakes-ultra-50-mile/https://iamarunr.com/stories/2011-03-land-between-lakes-ultra-50-mile/It just feels like yesterday. I ran this race in 2010 and it was my second Ultra marathon then. I have come a long way.Tue, 15 Mar 2011 00:00:00 GMThttps://iamarunr.com/stories/2011-01-dirks-fat-ass-50k-1111/https://iamarunr.com/stories/2011-01-dirks-fat-ass-50k-1111/I came to know about this race during a runners’ meet organized by Jeff at Pizza Perfect.Mon, 03 Jan 2011 00:00:00 GMThttps://iamarunr.com/stories/2010-10-nashville-ultra/https://iamarunr.com/stories/2010-10-nashville-ultra/I am exhausted and in pain now. I know running an Ultra is painful, but I just tend to forget how painful the last Ultra was and still end up signing up for a couple more.Wed, 20 Oct 2010 00:00:00 GMThttps://iamarunr.com/stories/2010-10-winchesters-southern-tennessee-plunge/https://iamarunr.com/stories/2010-10-winchesters-southern-tennessee-plunge/Oct 2, 2010. I was thinking about running the Stump Jump 50K, but decided to do the Plunge Marathon along with Diane and Kim.Mon, 04 Oct 2010 00:00:00 GMThttps://iamarunr.com/stories/2010-09-my-first-volunteering-experience/https://iamarunr.com/stories/2010-09-my-first-volunteering-experience/It was time to be on the other side of the shore. Volunteers can make or break any event and so it is in running. No runner can cross the finish line without the help of the volunteers.Tue, 28 Sep 2010 00:00:00 GMThttps://iamarunr.com/stories/2010-09-bartlett-park-ultras-50-mile/https://iamarunr.com/stories/2010-09-bartlett-park-ultras-50-mile/I still remember the day when I signed up for my first 50 miler and finished it. Here I am, signed up and all set for my second 50 miler.Wed, 15 Sep 2010 00:00:00 GMThttps://iamarunr.com/stories/2010-08-chennai-runners-ecr-half-marathon-2010/https://iamarunr.com/stories/2010-08-chennai-runners-ecr-half-marathon-2010/Chennai Runners ECR Half Marathon 2010.Fri, 20 Aug 2010 00:00:00 GMThttps://iamarunr.com/stories/2010-08-blister-in-sun-marathon/https://iamarunr.com/stories/2010-08-blister-in-sun-marathon/Thanks to Josh for putting together this awkwardly painful yet fun race. Dallas Smith has said it all about this race here: http://dallasfallsforward.blogspot.Tue, 10 Aug 2010 00:00:00 GMThttps://iamarunr.com/stories/2010-04-country-music-marathon-race-against/https://iamarunr.com/stories/2010-04-country-music-marathon-race-against/It was a race between several marathoners and the tornado that was to hit Nashville on the day of the Country Music Marathon (24th Apr 2010).Sun, 25 Apr 2010 00:00:00 GMThttps://iamarunr.com/stories/2010-03-land-between-lakes-50-mile-ultra/https://iamarunr.com/stories/2010-03-land-between-lakes-50-mile-ultra/This was the fourth race in the list of races that I signed up for in one shot a couple of weeks back.Mon, 15 Mar 2010 00:00:00 GMThttps://iamarunr.com/stories/2010-02-black-warrior-50k/https://iamarunr.com/stories/2010-02-black-warrior-50k/Recovery is all in the head at times. I have no choice. I need to recover because I have committed to run an Ultra the weekend after my Mercedes marathon.Mon, 22 Feb 2010 00:00:00 GMThttps://iamarunr.com/stories/2010-02-mercedes-marathon/https://iamarunr.com/stories/2010-02-mercedes-marathon/It was a long drive, but Diane's Lexus made our travel really comfortable.Tue, 16 Feb 2010 00:00:00 GMThttps://iamarunr.com/stories/2010-02-frost-bite-half-marathon/https://iamarunr.com/stories/2010-02-frost-bite-half-marathon/This is going to be one hell of a weekend, I told myself on Friday night. Just like the header image I created a couple of weeks before, after signing up for four races.Sat, 13 Feb 2010 00:00:00 GMThttps://iamarunr.com/stories/2010-02-hill-training-percy-warner-park/https://iamarunr.com/stories/2010-02-hill-training-percy-warner-park/Diane and I decided to do some hill training on Sunday while returning from “Trail of Tears”. We started a bit late, but we were glad we could make it.Sun, 07 Feb 2010 00:00:00 GMThttps://iamarunr.com/stories/2010-02-trail-of-tears/https://iamarunr.com/stories/2010-02-trail-of-tears/7-mile race on the ‘Trail of Tears’ trail. It was supposed to rain a bit this morning, but the weather appeared just fine. Diane was right on time, 6:00 am at my apartment.Sat, 06 Feb 2010 00:00:00 GMThttps://iamarunr.com/stories/2010-02-my-five-fingers-keep-stuff-out/https://iamarunr.com/stories/2010-02-my-five-fingers-keep-stuff-out/I got my hands on my first Vibram Five Fingers – KSO. w00t! I have been eyeing Vibram Five Fingers for quite some time and wanted one for my crazy trekking.Wed, 03 Feb 2010 00:00:00 GMThttps://iamarunr.com/stories/2010-01-running-in-snow/https://iamarunr.com/stories/2010-01-running-in-snow/It was snowing all Friday and until early Saturday morning. Gossssh!! It was so gorgeous outside. Looks like we are going to get a lot of snow this weekend. Sweet! I love it when it snows. w00t!!Sat, 30 Jan 2010 00:00:00 GMThttps://iamarunr.com/stories/2010-01-half-full-50k-and-50m/https://iamarunr.com/stories/2010-01-half-full-50k-and-50m/After Flying Monkey, I had been looking for my next marathon. That’s when one of my colleagues introduced me to Diane Taylor. What a breath of fresh air she turned out to be!Tue, 19 Jan 2010 00:00:00 GMThttps://iamarunr.com/stories/2009-11-flying-monkey-marathon-11222009/https://iamarunr.com/stories/2009-11-flying-monkey-marathon-11222009/"Can someone living by Hermitage give a ride to a flying monkey from India?", I posted on Monkey Chatter a couple of days before the race. It didn't take long to get a response.Tue, 24 Nov 2009 00:00:00 GMThttps://iamarunr.com/stories/2009-10-flying-monkey-marathon/https://iamarunr.com/stories/2009-10-flying-monkey-marathon/While I was looking for races around Nashville, the next one was on the 22nd Nov 2009. But the name of the race lured me to register. Flying Monkey Marathon.Sun, 18 Oct 2009 00:00:00 GMThttps://iamarunr.com/stories/2009-08-my-first-marathon-w00t/https://iamarunr.com/stories/2009-08-my-first-marathon-w00t/And finally...I completed my first full marathon. Aug 30 2009, the day I'll remember forever.Mon, 31 Aug 2009 00:00:00 GMThttps://iamarunr.com/stories/2009-07-registered-for-my-first-full-marathon/https://iamarunr.com/stories/2009-07-registered-for-my-first-full-marathon/I am in Maryland, US, on business now. I don't know what I was thinking when Ram asked me to register for the Hyderabad Marathon on 31st August 2009. A full marathon.Wed, 08 Jul 2009 00:00:00 GMThttps://iamarunr.com/stories/2009-06-obsessed-with-running/https://iamarunr.com/stories/2009-06-obsessed-with-running/Have you ever gotten obsessed with something overnight? You think about it all the time and you talk about it to others in your conversations.Sat, 20 Jun 2009 00:00:00 GMT