Run. Because You Can.

I owe my new found love for running to two young boys whom I do not even know. Last year around the same time of the year I went out for dinner to Poona Club with my husband. Those who are familiar with it know that the main dining area overlooks a huge cricket ground. As we settled into our super comfy chairs for a long evening of drinks and rounds of snacks I noticed two twenty something boys who were running together along the circumference of the ground.

During the next hour or so while we downed two drinks each and polished off three plates of delicious kebabs and tikkas the boys were yet not done. I think if even I had come back after breakfast they would have been still been there!

For keeping myself fit I have tried brisk walks, strength training, aerobics, yoga and even bollywood dance classes at various stages depending upon on my mood and feasibility. Though I have tried I have never been a gym person and find them very claustrophobic.

For the next few days I could not get the two boys out of my mind. Out came my pair of running shoes n tracks. Googled and downloaded the RunKeeper app on my phone to help me track my progress. It was time to hit the road. With a five decade old body and a bad pair of lungs I barely managed three hundred meters the first day. But then day after day I kept pushing the limit both in terms of the distance and time. My stamina and speed both improved over the last year. I am lucky because I also have this wonderful Running Group of young boys and girls who help newcomers with tips and keep them motivated. Running has now become my meditation time. My-time where nothing else and no one else matters.

Now when I run for one hour or sometimes more I thank those boys for unknowingly inspiring me. I may never match their pace or distance but I am as dedicated as them. And to stay inspired my daughters have gifted me this t-shirt which I wear with pride.

The RunKeeper app tells me that that I have already run from Mumbai to Jamnagar or from Mumbai to Ajanta caves. Here is hoping to add many more kilometers to that number this year J

I can also tell you that nothing is impossible if you really want to do it and there is no right age to start to do something new.