52 years old, hyper tensive, unfit, problems with knee etc…not an ideal profile for taking up
running .So when I told my family and friends that I have joined a running
program all had only words of caution for me and discouraged me from
joining this program. But I am glad I just listened to my heart.
Frankly I also didn’t expect anything miraculous to happen
to me. I was hoping to lose weight-one issue I have been fighting against for
long now.
So the first day when Santosh said,” Do not expect Weight
loss “you can imagine how I felt then.
But once I got into the program all was forgotten. I was
just enjoying the routine and slowly coping up with it.
Finally came the decision making time for me when time was
nearing to sign up for TCS Run.
I felt it was too early for me to enrol into this at this
stage…my family of course agreed with me nowJ
But our RBR what’s app group didn’t give up on me. All of
them kept slowly encouraging me to sign up- “We are all with you. Come on.”
–They said.
This time again I am glad I listened to them and not to my fa
mily and my fears.
Then again after debating whether I should sign up for Majja
run or Open 10 k
(my ego did not allow
me to opt for senior citizens categoryJ)
finally I put my name down for 10 k.
The D-Day:
Just like facing board exams for the first time I felt
nervousness, anxiety and jitters when the D Day was approaching.
We got up early in the morning at 4 am ( I have never done
that even before my exams) and reached
UB city to see many people already there . I have never seen Bangalore
so active and abuzz with activity so early in the morning. There
was no time for fear any more. We were all extremely excited. As we approached Kanteerva stadium the thumping music and the RJ’s
cheering set the mood.
Finally the actual event started. We were at the start line
and celebrities like Carl Lewis and John Abraham were waving us off. By now I was
feeling like a professional runner myself. I wanted to shout out to John
Abraham-Johny boy with all the muscles and fitness why don’t you also run like
us…You Can Do It Man!! J
The music along the way, the volunteers cheering and the facilities helped a lot.
And after about 1hr 40mins I finished my first ever 10 k run.
I couldn’t believe myself …But yes I did it.
I did it without any injuries, without breaking out of the
race and more importantly- in time. The electronic chip would stop registering
time automatically if we went beyond a stipulated time.
Thanks to Runners' High for giving me all the hope and
encouragement throughout even during practice sessions. Once during the run I
suddenly had to jump to the left and put my foot in a puddle as the Fortis
ambulance was rushing. Not only did I not end
up with twisted ankle or fall but I
managed to continue running without stopping.. Thanks to the stretches of our feet at the end of our
sessions my balance was intact I think.
What can I say about RBR friends –my co runners? They are
the most encouraging and lively group I have come across.
There’s only one complain about this whole running affair-
My family and friends avoid me and my phone calls like
plague. They have heard enough about Running High and TCS and my self-proclaimed
achievements. They can’t take it anymore,. And I ‘m sure they have passed on
the message to others too as my phone has been quiet for some time!
I am changing my profile now- 52 years young, no
Hypertension problem, no knee problems fitness improving, and a running
enthusiast.
My family and friends agree with me this time!
