Adrenaline rush!

Soon after college studies, I moved to Delhi.

Delhi was the proverbial land of milk and honey. Coming from a small town in Tamil Nadu, it seemed like the land of plenty.

It was winter when I went there and I remember afternoons sitting with a shawl wrapped around me in the balcony, enjoying the afternoon sun, watching the trees in the park across our house.

In my hands always something to munch on- either hot pakodas or cold ice creams or yummy kheer and hot tea.

When in Rome do as the Romans. So I ate.....loved the Mother Dairy ice creams, so fresh, creamy and flavorful.

Ate the varieties of pastries and puffs which were available at the bakery close by.

Fresh fruits and vegetables!! Chicken shawarmas and tandooris!!

And of course, it was too cold to do anything more!!

So I ate and ate and paid the price!!

When I did make the trip back down south to Goa, I weighed 10 Kgs more than what I had when I had moved to Delhi!

I felt the weight, looked the weight! And carried it all around!

So, I decided to lose the extra!

And that is how my running journey began.

Early morning, along the river Mandovi I started my daily run. Just enough to get me sweating.

I did lose the weight and felt good!

Then started my evening runs, up the hill, along with friends to the beautiful Chimbel valley.  

So I ran.

Soon life took over and I moved back to Delhi and the only running I did was to catch my bus to work every morning!

Moving to Hyderabad truned me into a party animal and running took a backseat.

Mumbai made me love life! The city kept me happy.

Moving to US was a big change! To a city where winters were longer than summers.

Where I first saw and experienced snow! It was cold and depressing. The white blanket soon turned to grey sleet!

I once again started eating and gaining pounds! And here I was in land of plenty

So running came to my rescue.

Once the weather was bearable to step out, I bought a pair of running shoes and ran!

I ran with the wind and cold beating down on me, the snow crunching under my feet as I greeted other morning runners!

I saw a whole new world through my running shoes!

Of course I lost the weight but continued my assault on doughnuts and ice-creams and chocolates and cheese!!

Babies and mommy hood slowed down my running but I still managed to sneak in a 2 mile once in a while around our lake.

But my current craze for running  stemmed from another cause.

Divorce is a painful thing! It’s not easy on you or kids!

Stressful and never ending!

Depressing.

I had to get all the pent up frustration out of my system. I felt myself being consumed by anger and hatred which were seeking outlets.

I did not see the purpose for my life.

So I turned toward the one thing which had never let me down when I needed it before! Running!

It helped!

Morning or evening when I felt the sadness engulf me, when I felt the anger erupt in me, when I felt the tears welling in my eyes, when I felt the music dying… I ran!

What was overwhelming now seemed to be in my control. What was once a feeling of depression was now a feeling of being in charge.
It helped me let go of what was not doing me any good!

It got me hooked and today I am a wholesome person. I don’t carry my sadness around my shoulders.

I have a purpose and I love it!

I live my life!

I don’t need any make up, I wear my smile on a clear face!

The after glow of a good run stays long after the make up washes away!

If running is not what gets you going, try another other sport or game!

It’s the endorphins which kick in once you start an activity which is followed with passion!

It lasts longer than a run!

Try yoga, badminton, swimming, squash, walking, cycling, anything which gets those body parts moving and heart pumping! And adrenaline rushing!

Do it alone, with friends,  or make it a bonding session with your spouse and kids!

Watch yourself smile more, stay sane longer!

Watch your worries leave you and turn you into a more calm, composed and fitter you! You deserve it!

The old lady walking around the block at 6:00 am

She must be 80 years old, she struggles to walk at a stretch and sits down every 3-4  mins

But she still does it! She still makes the effort to wake up, get out of bed and get moving.

I see her  greet others in the morning, cheerful, smiling. She has served her purpose well and held her great grandchildren in her arms.

She tells me,

“I don’t want to fall sick and cause trouble to my son and his family. I walk so that I may die healthy and naturally in my sleep”  

Yes, I continue running because it is now a habit.   

It’s my answer, my religion and my prayer.