Walk and Run with your Parents
At Lofoten Islands, Norway, in June earlier this year.
Unedited unabridged version of my column Run&Bee in meant for Hindustan Times
A couple of days back I was picking my mother’s bones. Yes, you read that right. I was at the cremation ground picking up her remains. The day before that I was lighting her funeral pyre. The evening before that she had passed away and all the medical education and experience couldn’t get her back. I have often been told that my hands have a magical touch when it comes to treating patients with pain. I gave her CPR (Cardio-Pulmonary Resuscitation) for what seemed like forever. All night long I kept patting her forehead almost suggesting that I’m right there and would take care of everything. She simply refused to come back.
All along I kept mumbling sorry, apologising for not being there enough, not spending enough time with her. I had planned that I would start spending that high quality hour at least once a day. That tomorrow simply didn’t come.
The video below is dedicated to my mom by La Ultra team.
She started walking and exercising decades before it was fashionable. Both my parents' very active lifestyle played a role in making me a life long runner. Over last few years she had quit on her walking and exercising, the years I have taken my global fitness activism to a different level. I didn’t do enough for that one person who loved me unconditionally. My excuse to myself was that I was too busy. My mother never complained and told the world how amazing a son she had.
We need to reach out.
What I have narrated above is a common occurrence in today’s society. We all are too busy to help the ones who matter the most to us. Most who are reading this already walk, run or exercise on a regular basis. Some pass on this wonderful gift to their children and spouses. Hardly any of them help their parents to get moving.
“More than ever, your parents, no matter what the age, need to start becoming active now, and pick up walking and or running too. Your occasional company would help with a better relationship between you and your parents even if you don’t end up speaking a word.”
It is not about paying any dues. It should be unconditional.
You start to understand yourselves at a different level. I can speak about this because my children run with me when they are back in Delhi from their hostel in Mussoorie. We have a unique equation not otherwise seen between a parent and children.
Even if you only take out one day a week, lasting 30-60 minutes, is a great start. It could be your forced slow long run. This could give you discipline of not going off too quick. Your parents might not say thanks but they would appreciate having the opportunity of spending time with you. Soon enough even physical benefits would show. The simple rule is to start with small baby steps, gradually increasing time on feet and even slower in increasing speed. If pain seems to appear, back off, slow down. Let them have a few days off but then get back to it again. Pain almost always in such situations means that you or your parents aren’t yet ready for that much.
Our parents never hesitated to hold our hands and walk with us, then why should we!
You could also add basic strengthening exercises like half squats and heel raises in small numbers. Remember that strength training is even more important, more so as we age. Last year I used to do a squats challenge with my then 13 and 17 year old children.
“No matter how rich or powerful you are, nothing is going to get you to spend even one more moment with your parents. Start spending quality time with them, starting today. Tomorrow might just never come.”
On 5th January 2020, on the occasion of my mom’s 66th birthday, the very first worldwide movement is intended to start where you take out time to walk with your parents.
I’ll come out with a plan starting from 1st November where they can build up slowly. Going forwards, first Sunday of every month would be dedicated to walking with your parents. Follow #walkwithyourparents on
Print version in Hindustan Times on 19th October 2019.
