A bloody post.

For a long time (over two years), I wanted to write openly about the adoption of menstrual cup and always shyed away..
I'm sharing one of the instances when cup supported me to try my level best.
I was yearning to complete the Malnad ultra trail run 2019 edition 50kms with killer elevations within the cut off time of 9 hours.
A night before the run had period cramps and knee pain kicked in. Early in the morning, I knew it is going to be a heavy #Bloody day...
Yet, my menstrual cup helped to run for half a day (~11 hours) without rashes or discomfort..
I was running strong the trails for 8 hours, lingering Knee pain started at 42kms (lack of elevation training) and had to complete slowly by walking. Took 10 hours 17 mins to reach the end point and finish my race.

I also could endure day long (~20+hours) road and train return journey.
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Every women must have had nightmare or dreadful travel or outdoor experience with periods. Even I have had enough shares of such bad period stories. Now, I do not panic with leakage and stained dresses; instead, learnt to relax and let it go to reap the benefits listed in my previous post!!
http://dhanupriya.blogspot.com/2019/06/its-your-cup-of-tea.html?m=1
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This is just one of my experience with the cup and outdoor activities. I have already ran, hiked and trekked with the confidence of the cup;
To count and state,
Two ultra marathons (50kms)
Hiked for two to three days continuously in Eastern ghats and Himalayas
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You can go beyond comfort zone every month periods with few cups of water and a sterilized cup.
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Hope this helps you to adopt sustainable menstrual hygiene and support your female friend, spouse, daughter to go ahead win the world at any time of the month or day..
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Various studies on menstrual cups says that familiarisation (use continuously for many months) and peer support helps to adopt or accept menstrual cup.
https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lanpub/article/PIIS2468-2667(19)30111-2/fulltext
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I need to thank Thamizh, Aishwarya and Vanathi  who have spoken/introduced/inspired about menstrual cup.
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I purchased mine from online store and recommend you to choose right size for you.
It is difficult to find cup from medical/general stores in and around Chennai.
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I use menstrual cup regularly and recommend fellow women explorers to give a try to your cup!!
#menstration #womenhygiene #woman #menstrualcup #womanexplore #periods
#menstrualhygiene

Cloud9

Two days family run at Meghamalai

1100+kms road trip, 30 hours of travel and 30kms of trail hill run

I got a chance to travel to Meghamalai from Chennai for a weekend (before Deepavalli)..
Trip started with me, Mukund and Souresh from Chennai.
It was all men run crew and I was the only one 'woman'. It was twelve hours bus journey (as Chennai was jam packed with diwali outflux traffic) to Periyakulam. We refreshed in a decent hotel near bus stand.
I happen to arrange for a bike from a friend of friend of a friend, who is generous to borrow his bike for the weekend.
Then it took two hours of bike ride in drizzle and rain to Chinnamannur.
Cool climate and drizzling made the whole ride memorable and felt like floating thro cloud9.
Around three hours of bus and bike ride to reach Manallaru, where warm and wonderful village welcomed us with 'good food'.

Day 1: 
Lovely chill climate, hot food boosted my energy and insisted, I can do it.
Ultimately, when I started running the whole gang left me, to catch up following trail marks.
I just followed my body instincts and pushed few metres in the trails. Alas, saw few friends marking route for me. I was elated and pushed myself to keep up with them in the down and uphills.
I climbed, ran in the ridges and around the cold lake. I had my first meet with leeches.
Then, at last when whole crew took dip in cold lake. I was scared and not sure of wetting my body. I have many times swam in cold open waters, but still...

Suddenly, I got a good push on my shoulders that 'Do it and you won't regret that you have not taken a dip'. It was really a great feel that cold water touching all parts of your skin.

Felt lucky to enjoy that moment with clean, natural water, air and of course 'nice' people around to make you feel good and comfortable in a tough spot.

Day 2:
I took Mukund for 15km hill run, trek that turned into hike, following trail markings. It was an excellent experience to both of us, as we learnt how much we both can endure, tolerate each other and also enjoy nature in a natural manner (by foot).

Again, the return trip was over fifteen hours with refreshment breaks.
It is surely a great trip...
#Meghamalai #Love4hills

It's your cup of tea!!!

Menstruation and active lifestyle


You must have heard about "Menstrual cup" and this post is all about using it.

Menstruation is a topic sorrounded still with taboo, myths and beliefs.
Cups can turn your life from fear of periods to fearless of spots, overflows, stretching leg, sleeping in infinite positions, long travels and even physical activities.
Women, in general, avoid physical activity with pads, as it creates rashes, uncomfortable leakages, pad marks and ofcourse NO chance of water games or swimming.

List of cool things possible with cup:
1. Swimming
2. Running marathons and ultra runs
3. Long Travels inside and outside India
4. Gymming
5. Sleeping in Infinite positions, with legs stretched like wings
6. No pollution and trouble of waste disposal (NO dogs hunting blood soaked pads)


Using cup is surely a 'guilt-free' experience that you are not suffocating nature with synthetic pads (often!) and helping environment pad by pad.

Every woman should feel the freedom to live, travel and binge on their periods with menstrual cup of their color, size and of course brand.

Give a try and share your experience. 

Are you still in comfort zone?

As we grow up, typically by trying to become adult and as a responsible (?) person, most of the things in your life get changed from being adhoc to routine.
Routine may be boring, yet it saves lot of time.
First, it is tough to create a routine or be a part of it. Next, to make others stick to it or follow the routine comfortable for you.
Most important and dangerous thing now is, becoming more comfortable with the routine, which leads to deleterious effect of losing the chances of trying all the interesting and thrilling experiences such as last minute rush to an event (which is common and yet annoying habit), unplanned trips, etc.,
So, the question now lies before us is to have a routine and a comfort zone? or to get out of it and try new things?
Always pasture at the other side is greener, so, as it is greener and not anywhere different from the same grass chewed.. Is there any harm to move yourself to the other side and look how green and tasty the new pasture is.

It comes with the expense of moving from a well accustomed place to a new, unknown or sometimes exciting (and learning) experience.

So, always have an open mind to try and experiment new things, like modified breakfast (healthy ragi dosa!), early morning walk and sure, there are lot of things yet to experience.

Give a try and step out of your comfort zone!

With sweat comes the sweet moments, with commitment, dedication and being your true self.

Cause & Effect theory..

Life has given me few experiences after crossing important milestones like graduation, job search, love, marriage, pregnancy, growing baby, balancing family and career.. :).. uff... 

"Experience is the GOD"

I believe the legend Kannadasan's lines.. Experience can teach u, punish u, kick u or even raise u to the peak.. u decide wat to do with ur experience.. use it and abuse it.. :)

Starting as a student for 20 years (2 +12+4+2), i thought learning is what i get as education in schools and universities... but i have never understood that life has more to teach than from books and texts.. :) (thanks to my teachers)

Yes, as said priorities keep on changing.. from studies, friends, career, lover, husband, kid etc... 
It is upto YOU to select your choice..

It is the ADAPTATION and survival of the fittest.. ie. Darwin's theory reminded me that try hard to prove your best and live your best.. life for the moment.. just leave time pass by and enjoy the happyness in that specific point...

Sometimes, i hope for a rewind time to repair the mistakes but that is never useful or for good.. keep it in memory and name it as "Experience".. and DO Not repeat the same mistake...

Ignorance, Ignoring and Forgetfullness are the greatest boon of God for a happy life....

At last, attitude determines myself.. I am ME.. 

Everything that has happened is for good and that is gonna happen is also for good.. 

Never regret for the decisions that was taken in past.. 
Because life has lot to serve us, never ever it is late to start from scrap..

If you have a reason and person(s) around you to live then the whole thing is getting blissful meaning.

Having and being as a family, spending time and getting older with loved ones and silly, lazy, silent, crazy, useless and stupid moments once considered will become the most wonderful times in memories...

Life has so much to offer.. Everyone has unique gift and be ready for your moment to open and relish it.. :)

Link for OLd tamil songs

Hello..
This is one more link for old tamil songs..
hope u ppl enjoy for this season..
http://www.4shared.com/dir/jzwcGY9N/Tamil_Old_Songs.html
Thanks for the contributor :)

Yours,
Dhanu..

One more place not to miss in Chennai...

               This is one more place not to miss..
St. Thomas mount church..
A religious, holy and lovely place to visit to relax and calm down the mind..
The arial view of chennai is marvellous and the seconds when aeroplane flights near us is enjoyable and thrills us unexpectedly..
The medidation hall and prayer hall are well maintained and really divine..
Here are the snaps of the place... 

Steep and slopy way leading to the church..

Statues of the GOD all on the way narrating the history or story:

Arial views of chennai from St. Thomas mount:

The marvellous piece depicting the story:

The lambs resting on the foot of GOD...

The visit to the mount left me a feeling of "long way ahead to travel before i rest"..