"Why do you want to run..All of a sudden.."
"Do you get any money or prize for running?"
"Running ...it's difficult...Can’t breathe...Can’t join….."
"No time …Have to take care of my children..."
"Hey...it's awkward...."
"What...running...in Chennai…Where are the roads..!!!!"
"My husband told me one guy died while running a marathon....Can’t risk....!!!Sorry.."
"People pick up running only at or after 40..."
"Morning 5:00 AM!!I don't want to overdo myself dear...."
"Can't you be normal!!Like others!"
When everyone ridiculed the idea of me running, Google helped me and I found ChennaiRunners .Also found there is Wipro Chennai Marathon in December.
Now needed some guidance to start the run around nearby area...
So sent an email @Chennai Runners group in search of guide, company and road …
Two days pass and no reply......maybe I was just being crazy.....
But then I do see an email ...Someone running at KK Nagar...I take it as a Sign... :) ***
And immediately join him for his next run.....
I do first 500 meters just to realize that I have overestimated myself...
I can barely complete 3.2 kms ..with lot of walking and running.
I am completely breathless and tired and drenched in sweat...
After my first day’s run ...I sleep whole day...have headache....body ache...
Today it's been more than 3 months ... I am still working on my run but have run my first 10k in 71 minutes out of which 8k were non-stop.
I am in love with
...5 AMs...
...Sunday runs at Anna University...
...Breakfast for Rs15...
...Early morning smell n sight of flowers on the empty roads before it would be soon taken over by the dust and traffic...
...People opening and setting up their road side shops early in the morning...
...Simple morning chores like people sweeping houses, putting rangolis feel so positive and sacred.
...Some beautiful residential areas we pass through...
...Running @Napier’s bridge...
...sunrise at Marina & Elliots...
...IIT campus (though for marathon ;)) Deers around grazing lazily just in the middle of Chennai..
...Run in Rains
Now I know K K nagar , Anna university, Marina beach , Elliot beach , boat club area better than my husband.( He is tamilian and keeps boasting about Chennai …ahh ..ok not so bad :) )
Now a days I eat without guilt ....well most of the times.... :)
Lot of people came to Anna University on Sundays saying it's their first run, outpaced me showed better stamina and more consistency...
Sunday runs with other veterans are intimidating but awfully inspiring.
Though Practice runs make show days ....pretty easy....
Now a days when everything turns crazy for the day I still can count on my morning runs …
When I go out, i keep looking at shoes and feet...are they over - pronating /under pronating or neutral....
All I do is keep on running in my own cozy, homemade void, my own nostalgic silence. And this is a pretty wonderful thing. No matter what anybody else says.” ~ Haruki Murakami”
