Newsletter October 2024

Fall is my favorite season of the year. The leaves change color, there’s an eerie excitement in the air with Halloween approaching, and the anticipation of upcoming holidays and celebrations grows. As you take your little ones out for trick-or-treating tonight, I wish you a night filled with fun, laughter, and magical memories.

Mark your calendars! COMA has announced the date for our annual Christmas celebration, join us on December 7th for the grand finale event of 2024! More details coming soon.

For those celebrating Diwali this weekend, may you and your family have a sparkling and joyous celebration!

— Smitha Nishant

A Rollercoaster of a Ride – Miriam Cherian

(Miram Cherian is a young author, who is the daughter of Dr. Jisna Paul and Dr. Mathew Cherian. She’s an 8th grader at Grizzell Middle School, Dublin.)

Snap. Ahh! The camera just beside the rollercoaster snapped a picture of us just as the roller coaster fell down the slope of Splash Mountain in Disney World. It was a fun time. Later, when we had finished the ride, my mom and I looked at our photo. She was closing her eyes and smiling, while I had a rather solemn expression on my face. I laughed. Why be scared?, I thought. I’m here for the ride.

* * *

My second cousins, Sophia and Sarah, had come for the weekend. Yes, second cousins (my mom’s cousin’s kids), since a lot of my family don’t live in America. It was a balmy and bright Saturday, and we were going to the zoo. I just expected a regular zoo trip, but of course, it was more climactic than that.

When we had finished watching the seals, they saw it all. They saw it all. They asked my mom if we could go on them, and I started to shift around. Of course, my mom, with her hospitality to other people, and also since it was Sophia’s birthday weekend, said yes. Why?, I thought.

You see, it had been some time since I had last ridden a roller coaster, and some of my feelings towards them had changed. I had quite a big case of vertigo, and I was afraid of downhills and loop-de-loops, basically everything that made the best rollercoasters the best. I don’t know how it happened, but something just clicked. Maybe it was because I was older now, since I was 10 years old. Still, I got some sort of, just a little, excitement when I saw roller coasters.

To go on the roller coasters, you had to get a wristband, so we waited in line to get it.

“Miriam, do you want a wristband?”, my mom asked when we were getting them. I said yes. Maybe my reasoning was that there were other cool things you could do with the wristband, like camel rides. I liked small wonders. Honestly, I don’t remember.

So then, Sophia and Sarah started fighting over which roller coaster to ride.

“Let’s go on the boat first,” Sophia exclaimed.

“No, I want to go on Tidal Twist!” Sarah complained.

I learned something new that day. It was… ta-da! My second cousins were obsessed with rollercoasters. Finally, we ended up going to the boat. It was that ride where you have a rocking boat that just happens to ignore the rules of gravity. How is it rotating 90 degrees? That’s probably against gravity! Everyone should just fall off and die!, I thought.

Along with that, a man raised his hand up. Why are you raising your hand up? Gravity! Gravity!

At that very moment, my mom asked me the big question, and I honestly, as you guessed, regretted what I said next.

“Miriam, do you want to ride the rollercoaster?” my mom asked me.

No, too scary, I thought, or maybe I should. My fear is totally irrational, right ? Everybody loves roller coasters. Maybe I should just try it. Maybe it will be so fun that I won’t believe I was ever scared. Maybe it will be that fun.

“Okay,” I replied, “Will you come with me?”

“I’ll try.”

I know, it was babyish, but I felt more comfortable doing this ride with her. We walked up toward the steps leading right up to the roller coaster through the iron rail path. I was doing this.

“Show your wristbands, please,” a lady commanded at a booth. We showed our wristbands to her. Then, she checked our heights.

“You’re good,” she declared. It probably would have been better if I wasn’t tall enough. Oh well, I liked being kind of tall anyways.

Carefully and slowly, I walked up the steps to the rollercoaster. Luckily, my mom was sitting with me. I sat in the middle, since I felt uncomfortable sitting on the sides. I was afraid of falling out.

“Please put your hands on the bar. We’ll be starting shortly,” the lady directed on an intercom.

I put my hands on the bar. It was metal. I did not like the smell of metal on my hands, like the smell you get when you ride on the swings.

“Please keep your hands and feet on the rollercoaster,” the lady instructed. “We’ll be starting now.”

It was going to start now.

After that, I started to freak out. I started crying. Tears ran down my cheek. I could see the people around me, and my head told me to shut my mouth. Sophia had told me to close my eyes if I was scared. Okay, relax, just close your eyes. It really wasn’t enough, but it would keep me quiet for the time being. These should have been signs, but I couldn’t decode it all at the time.

A few seconds later, I started to close my eyes. I took rapid deep breaths. The ride was actually starting.

It started off slow and low, rocking back and forth. I was okay for now. But I knew that feeling wouldn’t stay for long.

It wasn’t even a steady climb, though. One second, it was slow and low, in another, high and steadfast. I closed my eyes hard, and wondered why I had agreed to do this. I had a feeling of vertigo, like the seconds after you hit a bump in the road. Even weeks after the event, I still get chills, and I still feel the vertigo when I think of this ride. I would occasionally open my eyes, and then close them back quickly, since it was better just to not see everything moving.

I couldn’t see the others, but I assumed they were all smiling , screaming, and having fun, but I had one detail wrong. One little detail that was quite important.

“Mommy, I don’t like this!” my little sister Rachel cried.

“It’ll be okay, Rachel!”, my mom responded in a forced consoling voice. I knew she was worried, because I was too. I thought she was going to jump out of the thing! You might think I was exaggerating, but my sister was six. She didn’t have any real logic. I was still surprised, though, because Rachel wasn’t the scared type of person, like me.

I felt my mom’s arm reaching over me to Rachel, who was at the right edge of the seat.

“I don’t feel good!”

“I want to get off!”

Well, I wanted to get off, too. I could feel myself going up, then down, then up again. I could feel the 90⁰ rotation. This is why you need gravity.

I thought to cope with the ride, I would scream, since for some reason, everybody just screams on a rollercoaster. I let out a scream. Nope, still nothing.

“Rachel, don’t get off now!”, my mom pleaded.

See, I wasn’t exaggerating. My sister is one rollercoaster herself.

In a few minutes, the ride stopped, and my, was I grateful! We stepped off, and of course it was time to go on the next rollercoaster. Same whole process again, except, I didn’t come. Thank goodness! Although, I still had to hear Sophia’s, Sarah’s, and Rachel’s rambling about how great Tidal Twist was.

“Remember when we blah blah blah?”

“Yeak! That was so blah blah blah!”

I think Rachel was even trying to annoy me.

Later, sweltry and exhausted, I was waiting for the car to go home while the others went to ride even more roller coasters. I went home and had a time of no roller coasters. Ahh.

Still, that night, Sophia kept on talking about how I could get rid of my fear of rollercoasters. Sigh. This will never end.

But as I sat here, writing this, and replayed all these events over and in my head, and since as you know, I’m a “what if” person, I wondered about so many things, the “what if” questions swirling around in my head. Suddenly, the swirling stopped, and here’s my realization, my conclusion. Maybe the fact that I tried was all that mattered.

Mysterious Journey of a Lifetime! – Deepa Menon

(Deepa Menon among her friends and family is best known for someone who is always living on the edge, loves travel, adventure sports, trekking, and diving (underwater and sky). On a sunny nice day she can be found hiking, and is always working on her next bucket list item. She is supported and encouraged to follow her passions by her loving husband Jay and her son Adithya, and they live in Powell, Ohio.)

Anything we do has to have a motive. It could be for fun, love, learning, entertainment, adrenaline rush, relaxation, etc. What is the motive of those who want to visit the sacred lands of Kailash and Mansarovar?

20 individuals from Canada, the US, Russia, Australia, New Zealand, Romania, France, and Germany come together in the bustling city of Kathmandu. What could be their motive for undertaking this extraordinary yatra? Curiosity and religious belief were the common threads that bound this diverse group together.

The journey begins with a thrilling 6-hour drive from Kathmandu, braving heavy rains and crossing the Nepal-Tibet border. As evening descends, news reaches that the borders have been indefinitely closed due to landslides caused by the relentless downpour. Our spirits remain undaunted as we find solace in the town of Kyirong, situated at an elevation of 2700 meters, allowing us to acclimatize to the altitude.

After two days of preparation and acclimatization, we set forth towards Saga, an enchanting town nestled at an elevation of 4640 meters. The journey is nothing short of mesmerizing, with snow-covered landscapes unfolding before our eyes. As we hike through the town of Saga, our bodies gradually adapt to the high elevations, fortifying us for the challenges that lie ahead.

Watching the mountains in the distance and traversing through the countryside, we pass through the small town of Zhongba before reaching Paryang. And then, a sight that takes our breath away – the awe-inspiring Mount Kailash majestically revealed, accompanied by the serene and sacred Manasarovar Lake, whose turquoise waters shimmer in the sunlight. This is a moment that will forever be etched in our memories.

Spending a night at the Manasarovar Lake, something unexpected begins to unfold within me. As I got closer to the calm freshwater lake, I could feel a rising heart rate, increasing body temperature, and unstoppable tears. I felt I had no control over myself and felt like I was in a mystic place that had some strange impact on me, making me vulnerable. I cried, or I could say tears were flowing down without knowing the reason. I wasn’t upset with anything or was not thinking about anything, but somewhere in my subconscious mind, something strange was going on. I felt heaviness in my heart but lighter on my feet, I was strong, yet I felt very weak. I was not myself. After I went towards the lake and dipped my leg, took water in my hand, and performed “Tarpananam”, a profound sense of calm washed over me, allowing me to find solace and tranquility. I woke up at 2:30 AM the next day to experience the magical phenomenon that I have heard about as a child. Standing near the shores of the lake during the mystical Brahma Muhurta, I am greeted by a breathtaking sight. A clear sky with millions of stars, as meteors casually streak across the heavens. And on the opposite end of the lake, mysterious lights shine, seemingly defying the laws of gravity as they ascend toward the sky, unable to comprehend the science behind this spectacle.

After the magical experience of the lake, we proceed to reach Darchen, the base of the majestic Mt. Kailash. The next day marks the beginning of Parikrama, a challenging three-day trek at an elevation of 5600 meters. My Everest base camp experience was similar, with 5300+ meters and it did not feel so difficult compared to Mt. Kailash. It was not high altitude; it was the aura surrounding Kailash that calls into question our very identity, pushing us to our limits. This place is considered the epicenter of the universe worshipped by four religions, however it welcomes everyone who has the mental strength to take up any challenge.

Our return journey was another challenge with desert-like mountain roads in the jeep driven by 15-year-olds for 10 hours since the borders were closed. We took the other side of Tibet to reach a small town called Hilsa, completed immigration formalities, and took two Himalayan 15-seater flights to reach Simikot to Nepalgunj and then Kathmandu.

To conclude, and for those who would like to visit Kailash and Mansarovar, I would say, be prepared for a journey that tests your limits and rewards you with transformative experiences beyond imagination. It’s a trip with transformative experiences that can lead to personal growth, a change in perspective, and a profound sense of purpose and accomplishment.

For religious ones, it can be a connection to the divine, and for others, a chance to forge lasting bonds with fellow adventurers; Kailash and Mansarovar will leave an indelible mark on your soul. This voyage can help you brace yourself for hardships, embrace the transformative power of this sacred land, and emerge as a changed individual, forever enriched by this unforgettable journey.

From the (super comfy) couch to running 5K in 90 days – Hari Narayanaswamy

(Hari is a former COMA President and Trustee, and lives with his wife Meera in Dublin, Ohio.)

When the suggestion came that we (meaning, yours truly and family) participate as a group in the Nationwide Children’s Marathon to show support to the charity event, the excuses were plentiful enough to not give in.

“I have never been a runner”

“Running is bad for knees”

“I got to protect my knees; already getting some pain in them”

“Is there any point in running a 5K or Marathon; might as well do the regular exercises and stay put”

“Many doctors say walking is better than running; Humans were meant to walk, not run”

There was an incessant flow of reasons as to why this was a bad idea. However, ultimately in a weak moment, the excuses were put away, the compulsion to stay put on the couch was overcome, and we signed up. The compromise made was that Meera and I will try to run / walk the 5K and Shraddha will run / walk the half marathon at the Nationwide Children’s Marathon event scheduled for Oct 19th & 20th.

(Of course, part of the reason was also the pictures from Capital City Marathon that happened earlier in spring and there were a number of friends in there who I would have bet would never run a marathon. Some friendly competition did settle in, though I won’t admit.)

First things first, need some new shoes. I jumped on to Amazon to order when Meera stopped me. She, as usual, had a better idea. Maybe we are wearing the wrong shoes and that is causing some of the knee pain we feel from walking. Let’s go to a professional running shoe store and see what they have. So, we did. Walked into the Roadrunner store in Worthington. In 30 minutes, the smart sales guy convinced us that we had got everything wrong from shoe sizes to arch support to the socks we use. Though we walked out with a hefty damage to the credit card, this turned out to be critical as the new shoes and inserts made it much more comfortable to walk in them.

Next was to see if I can run instead of speed walking on a treadmill. I was of course hesitant but then my daughter Shraddha convinced me to take the help of the Nike Coach app. Though I cheated the Nike Coach about running outdoors, the app and the coach were very helpful in slowly turning my speed walks into slow jogs. The confidence curve had started slowly taking off on an upward trajectory.

Two weeks in and I was now running (jogging) for 20 to 30 mins without stopping and not gulping down half a bottle of water. It started to feel good and I was like, ok Shraddha, let me run with you outside on the trail at Glacier Ridge Park. I made a very confident start, with a full bottle of water in hand, and at the same pace as Shraddha. It lasted for about 100 meters. I was by then panting like a dog, my calf muscles were burning, and my mind started saying “what is wrong with you.. just walk”, and I did declare to myself, “you can’t run outdoors”. The confidence curve dipped down.

However, I didn’t give up and continued to run on the tread mill, and by then Austin announced the practices at the running trail behind the Hills market in Worthington. And, I showed up in full gear, armed with a full bottle of water, ready to walk instead of run. Austin said, no worries, walk a little, run a little, do what is comfortable. Pradip who was also there said, “I will stay with you. Go at your pace, don’t rush”. And, we started. To my surprise, I didn’t stop until after a mile. Walked for few steps, drank some water, and we ran for another mile, and then for another half mile after that. That’s when I found a nice stone on the river side and told Pradip, “Thanks. This is good. I have gone way past my goals for the day. You please go ahead”. Meera and others who were walking, joined and I walked my way back. The confidence curve was up again.

From this point, all I had to do was just show up every week and take the cues from other runners like Austin, Thomas, and Valsan who were experts in running at a steady pace. A few more weeks in and Shraddha was back from college. And, I told her, let’s go for this practice run. She said, “I am going to run 4 miles”, and I said, I will try to keep up. Though slower, I did run the 4 miles and at the end of it, I was still running strong and not panting! The small bottle of water I carried was still in my pocket.

The best part of the practice runs was that they were not mere exercise but also an immersion into nature. There is so much natural scenery on the trail to ease our minds. And we happen to come across folks from different walks of life and of all ages. I would listen to a book on my air pods but at the same time take all this in for a most refreshing start to the weekend. Though very experienced, Austin, Thomas, and Valsan showed up every weekend to encourage starters like me and that was priceless.

And, finally the days of 5K and Marathon arrived. Many beginners like me were in the crowd and there was so much encouragement from the festive atmosphere. While running the 5K, a few folks who looked much older to me passed me so comfortably. There were also a few, much younger, who were struggling. I kept my pace and finished at the fastest time I had run anytime. Meera also surprised, finishing not too much after I had done, and looked as if she had just taken an evening walk! And, I knew for sure we can run at least a quarter marathon the next time. We had made our journey from the comfy couch to running 5K in 90 days time!

The next day, the scene at the Half and Full marathon was just electrifying. 7000+ runners from all over the nation had assembled at 6am in downtown Columbus, lightly dressed in the morning temperatures of 40 degrees. I was concerned about Shraddha who had not run any distance farther than 6 miles. We found her 4 miles into the race running as she had just started! She and we were so proud to see her finish in good time, without having to walk even a meter of the course.

The emotion around the Marathon was indescribable. The children recuperating at Nationwide Children’s Hospital had come over and stayed at every mile to cheer the runners. There were some folks participating in the race, walking on their prosthetics. There were folks who could hardly walk a mile, pushing themselves through the 13.1 mile distance. I had no excuses anymore to be not a part of this.

We have the next Marathon coming up in April, 2025. If you are like me a few months ago, sitting on the side lines, I would strongly encourage you to try this out. Be assured, if I could do it, you are a sure shot! If you are an experienced athlete, come and join to encourage others. Let’s do it as a community, together! The trail is beautiful and the rewards are amazing!