moving to blr

Flatmates / New Friendships

I moved in with someone I knew from college - we never talked much but we have common friends who vouch for them (+ another dude that I don't know). I had a very skewed sense of what flatmates are like based on what I heard from others. I was under the impression that they are just acquaintances that are other people living in your home - you don't interact / care about the other people.

I am very glad that my assumption was out of the window my first day in Bangalore. All 3 of us seem to have developed a super good bond and friendship - I can happily say that these guys are family now. This was something very different from what I've seen happen here - a lot of people don't love their flatmates - I do.

Saw People from All Over India

Throughout my interactions with random people (some of who I call friends now), I think no one in this city is here by mistake. Everyone here has something that they want to do / get done that can be done only in this city. Gives me NYC vibes for some reason. Very fun.

Met lots of people from all across India - from college friends, old colleagues and random pani puri bhaiyas.

Good to see so many people from different communities - some surviving, some thriving and some in escape velocity, changing their and their family's future.

Lots of Events Happening Around

There are lots of events happening here and for some reason it seems like everyone is welcome (except South Park Commons - they hate me lol. I got in none of the events that I've applied for).

I was there for a fireside chat with Mr. Sridhar - he is a 69 year old triathlete. Has completed dozens of Ironman events (both 70.3 and 140.6) - I would have never met someone like that in Delhi. I would say that just knowing that there are people like this in my general vicinity helps me when I break my body while working out.

My Triathlon Prep Grind

Midway through the year, I registered for an Olympic distance triathlon (Bergman Kolhapur 2025).

Wasn't sure that I could do it, was very scared (especially of the open water swim) - exactly the reason I registered (Navy Seal David Goggins would be proud).

For those who don't know, an Olympic distance triathlon is:

• 1.6km swim in open water
• 40km bike
• 10km run

I did my first 2 marathons this year (Hyd Marathon in August and BLR Marathon in September).

Prepped hard for the above (by September, I've already clocked 1000km on my legs).

Moved here back in September (a day before the BLR Marathon - don't ask about my first week here - rule of thumb is that you should never ask my BLR friends about the marathon night). In October, I went back to Delhi for Diwali and the New Delhi Half Marathon (I did 21km only).

I get my US visa and I am back in BLR with a few days to spare in October. So with 50 days left before my triathlon, I start my grind. I get a Wahoo Kickr Core indoor trainer (add picture here) - this cost me a fortune.

But good news, I can do long rides in Bangalore if there are no group rides (I don't feel safe riding on Indian roads on my bike).

I've been doing more than 1km swim everyday (swim is my weakest leg in triathlon) for prep (I did my PR: 3km swim on 9th November - lesgo).

The next 30 days will be life changing for me. I have to push my body to its limit - all the while avoiding injury. I hope I am able to do pull this off.