“Running is a simple activity where one needs to place one foot after another,” says S Balaji reassuringly. The seasoned marathoner declares that the hesitation people have towards running is mostly in their minds. The inhibitions he encounters as a running mentor is the newbie’s fear of ridicule, unwanted attention ... and, of course, the apprehension that they may finish last. “Get started and you will rid yourself of these apprehensions,” he urges.
Coimbatore Runners (a voluntary group of recreational runners) is going to be there for anyone who wants to begin running with mentors across the city. With the Coimbatore Marathon scheduled for October 6, they say it is a great opportunity to prepare.
Seconding Balaji’s words is 54-year-old Saraswathy Natarajan, who has been running since 2013. “Training is not just to ready one’s body for doing the distance — be it a 5 km, 10 km, 21.1 km, 42.2 km or even more. Training regularly also helps ready one’s mind to face the distance, helps us stay injury free and makes us excited enough to sign up for the next race as soon as this one is done and dusted.” Training and running in a group, she says, “ensures you keep up with the training, no matter what your excuse! It is not just enabling but hugely motivating.”
- The free training programme is for anyone interested in running as a means of active lifestyle. It is not to win prizes.
- The aim is to help people train and run their 5K or 10K without any injury.
- Please note that running is not a panacea for any medical ailments. Those with health problems MUST consult a medical practitioner before starting to run. Children under 18 years are best accompanied by their parents.
- Training happens on Tuesdays, Thursdays, Saturdays and Sundays at 5.45 am from Race Course, Codissia, Sai Baba Colony, GV Residency, Saravanampatti, Kovaipudur, Singanallur and Thudiyalur
- If you need to be persuaded or need your doubts cleared, call 8939801188 for details or write to info@coimbatoremarathon.com Or follow the Coimbatore runners at Facebook.com/coimbatorerunners
Balaji describes his tribe thus: “Our trainers are ordinary people, from millennial to septuagenarian who have done extraordinary things — from running ultra marathons (beyond 42.195K) to running 100 days in a row — across the world. Together, they all would have run the distance from the earth to the moon in their lifetimes!” Now, they will be running with you, shoulder to shoulder, even while you take those first faltering steps.
Thirty-nine-year old Haripriya Rangarajan is a convert from being a reluctant runner who could not run 100 meters without gasping for breath to someone training in right earnest for a full marathon. “Words cannot describe the feeling of achievement of completing a run and it is the entire training journey where the fun lies.” She says the best thing she ever did was to stick with the training. “Consistency is key,” says Haripriya who mentors a bunch of runners in her colony. “I started with all the usual excuses of why I couldn’t run — a sedentary lifestyle, low energy, work pressures, health problems but, ever since I began running consistently, my health, fitness and pace have all improved.” Those who run with Haripriya every morning have often heard her say, “Whatever be the fitness level, regular and consistent training can make anybody a great runner. And you will be undeniably healthier and fitter.”
Whatever level of running, the idea is not to be better than the other, says Parvathy Ramesh who swears she is more focussed in everything ever since she began running. “Group running has been my motivation to get up and get out of the front door,” she says. The structure of the training with the pre- and post-run stretches has kept her injury-free. Forty-eight-year-old Parvathy began in 2012 and has been running ever since. “Every run is special to me as it has taught me something about myself. Perhaps the 21K Auroville trail run is a little more special than the rest.”
Registrations for the Coimbatore Marathon 2019 are open. Register at coimbatoremarathon.com
