Running helps relive wonderful moments and remain calm
Longer version of my column Run&Bee in Hindustan Times on 29th Feb 2020
Week 85: Running helps relive wonderful moments and remain calm
Running has been there for me through thick and thin, without judging me, understanding when I don’t want to run for months or at times run like crazy. It never gets too hassled by numbers, whether it be for distance or time. It just has been right there, each step of the way.
“It’s fascinating to me when others share their stories where running has helped them to overcome their biggest challenges, including ongoing suicidal thoughts.”
Yogesh Bhargav, 42 year old IT professional
Photo by Nik Shuliahin on Unsplash
Life has expected turns for all of us. During those tough periods our supporters often tell us this phrase - if god takes with one hand, he gives with the other and in huge bundles.
Somewhere in 2011 while I was happily married and enjoying a good business trip to the United States, physical activity was limited to occasional tennis or basket ball evenings with a buddy. I was fairly athletic in school as I had represented my school basket ball team for few years, but those were years way back in the past and had no reflection on those tennis and basketball sessions.
My wife decided to go back to India about 3 months earlier than the planned date to pursue a new course with University of Delhi. We decided to do a short trip back together and I was back in 2 weeks to US to complete my assignment. During next few weeks a buddy convinced me to go for a run with him for 3 kilometres. I say convinced because I had found running to be boring from a distance and had usually chosen to bicycle instead. I struggled to complete that distance even with walking included. He told he me was planning to run a half in next 4 months, hence he had to do a longer run of 8 kilometres that morning.
Photo by Priscilla Du Preez on Unsplash
In next couple of weeks my happy married life fell apart - my wife told me on phone that she wanted a divorce. I packed my bags and was back in India to persuade my wife and understand what has suddenly got us to that position. During the next 4 weeks I took a break from work to cope up. Unfortunately home was not the best place to sit and cry, as my parents draw strength from me. I decided to go out for morning walks and started to run briskly. It was much easier to let tears roll wide in open. I could cry loud and people would rarely hear or see anything. If they heard, it was often associated with tiredness of running.
“Soon I started to build my running mileage. I realised it was helping me at multitude levels. I was able to cry and release my stress, think without metal distractions and salvage some pride from the first 3 kilometre run with my buddy.”
In next two months I was able to run my first half Jaipur marathon in a little over 2 hours. While being in the divorce journey did not seem like a blessing in disguise, for my running it was just a measure to be with myself and release my mental stress. However from where I stand today and look back at those troubled 3 years, I look at it very differently. I divorced and found love again. I have a wonderful daughter. Running is now a regular activity. Yearly mileage has only increased with each passing year.
“Running continues to be my best buddy as I get the best insights into my life when I am in my running trance. It continues to contribute to my current married life also.”
Photo by Simon English on Unsplash
“After every run I am always calm, either having released my personal and work stress or having relived some of the daily wonderful moments. That hourly introspection helps me with having even more patience with my 3 year old daughter and enjoy the moments even more.
While life and death is such that time with loved ones is not known with certainty, however I do know with certainty that I will continue to run for the years I am physically able to.”
