Getting to Run...

Even as awareness and complexity seem to be increasing around running, it still remains a natural activity which we learnt while as a kid! Running to catch a bus, Playing police and the thief, Running behind a ball…the list seems to be endless! Fast forward 20 or 30 years, and apart from the physicality of the subject due to the advancement of age, the topic seems more complex than what it seemed years ago. While barefoot running was a norm, today it has become a science where people are initiated into. While drinking water and having salt was constantly advised by teachers and parents, today there is a definitive guide to it! Even something as mundane and basic as eating food which has nice nutrition along with carbohydrates like Rice and Dal is now reduced to ratios! The effect of this has been in many cases to build an aura around running, to newcomers. In this quick blog, which incidentally I am writing after almost a year, I wanted to address some of the new comers who want to run.

First and foremost Running has not changed in essence. You still need to put your legs and lungs to good use. Mostly it will lead to the sensation of panting for anyone who starts doing this after a long break! This remains the fundamental aspect of running and as most of us have found out, this is a moment of realisation about our current state of fitness. In my case, around 3 years back, I had difficulty completing 3 km without stopping. As with anything which has not been put to use, the body too recovers smartly and after a few months, one will realise that it is not too difficult after all.

For me the biggest factor, is the likeability of running as a form of exercise or activity. Many of us including myself found it quite boring to run. Some of us out grew that phase and started enjoying it while others still find it difficult. Many a time that leads to quitting the activity itself. Along with likeability, when you add discipline, you have the framework of a runner with a long term potential! As in studies or art, practice matters, and matters more than anything else. Everything else including type of shoes, the nutrition mix and the like can wait!

When you have evolved into being a regular runner, is the time when one should address the peripherals which has unfortunately become the core of today’s running craze. Till that time if you can walk try to jog, if you can jog try to RUN!

(This certainly does not underplay the importance of peripheral activities or subjects around running, but is an attempt to let new runners know its simplicity. Over a period it is interesting and essential to learn newer things which makes one a better runner.)