Nomadic Pixels by Sam

The solitude of a long run is the best way to set up the weekend.

This was a proper Rahul Dravid style long run. You can be slow, you can be steady, but you simply cannot get out. When the legs get heavy, you just dig in and play the long game. 🧱
SteadyReady MarathonTraining

God only knows how much I had to push myself and convince myself that it was just a day I was taking off, considering the time of the year. 🗓️🏃‍♂️
But when you have a serial planner at home and a reliable team at work, you think that one day in the year might just take care of itself if you go. 🤝✨
And what a power-packed pause it turned out to be. 🔋
Got to know about the fascinating history of Kangra Fort and the amazing legacy of the Katoch family, whose ancestors date back to the age of the Mahabharat. 🏰📜
Got to see a sea of yellow at the revered Brijeshwari Temple. 💛🙏
Hiked more than 1000 ft on the Birni Mata Trek, in the lap of the majestic Dhauladhar. 🏔️🥾
Some amazing food at the Off Road Cafe, run by the folks at Himalayan Adrenaline (GHAS). 🍝☕
Visited the ancient Baijnath Temple, known to be Shiva’s abode, with an interesting backstory of its own.🛕🙌
Saw and soaked in the beautiful vistas at the landing site in Bir. 🪂☁️
And at the heart of the trip was the pretty, quaint homestay at Darang Tea Estate, with a wonderful host. 🍃🏡
Sometimes, a pause is also progress, in experiences and perspectives. This was one. 👣✨

This run was not about timing. Between a poor finish at NDM that had been playing on my mind and not feeling physically sharp for a few weeks, there was more doubt than anticipation prior to this event. However, all the advice and reading up on fueling really worked, and I held up physically to have a decent finish. So, even though my time didn’t improve, I felt much happier at the finish line. Also, thumbs up to the organizers for a very well-managed event.

It’s seldom that you get a lovely day to be out in Gurugram, where both the temperature and AQI have mercy on you at the same time and being out doesn’t feel apocalyptic. 🌤️
Last Sunday was one of those handful of days we in Delhi NCR get, and hence, the choice to be at One Horizon Center was just right for the day. Even better was the impromptu walk-in to a newish place there which literally means “New” in Kannada. 🍴
So glad that we went in; we loved the modern take on South Indian cuisine, complemented by the innovative mixology the bar had to offer. 🍸✨
WeekendVibes Mixology GurugramFoodies NewInTown

Of course I had to run today, but the context and mood for this one were set almost 5,000 km away in the British Isles. It began last night with my beloved Arsenal FC delivering another one of those games where cortisol levels go off the charts. Then came those final seven minutes: first the mask came out, and then a 16-year-old magician made the 60,000 erupt with joy and relief.
In a matter of minutes, the cortisol vanished, replaced by pure adrenaline. The match ended at 1:00 AM, and naturally, I had to dive into the reviews and comments, pushing the night even later. At that moment, it looked like the week’s long run was a lost cause.
Then came this morning: waking up to thunder, lightning, and a poor Garmin sleep score—surely the run was gone. But a quick peek at what happened in West London provided another adrenaline rush. It was enough to overcome the lack of sleep, the doubts from the overcast weather, and the urge to stay in. With Arsenal, it’s always fingers crossed, but today was a good day.
Now, onto celebrating the day with the ones who make it all worth it.

Just like that, we walked into Khi Khi today—the well-known cocktail bar perched above PVR Priya in Basant Lok. True to its name (which means “giggle” in Hindi), the space is cheerful, warm, and cozy, featuring vivid faces popping out from one of the walls.
We spent some time flipping through the KhiKhiZine, their carefully curated menu of imaginative craft cocktails. Each one was more alluring than the last! Paired with their remarkable food platters, it’s easy to see why this is ranked among the city’s top bars. One visit definitely won’t be enough. 🥂✨

In life and long run you gotta have incentives. Today it was a Bagel at ❤️✔️😏

In Sanatan Dharma, there are four divine nights which are supposed to be the windows for spiritual awakening. The night of Holika Dahan or Darun Ratri is one of them. 🌙
The fire that burns also purifies. 🔥✨
Happy Holi.