Being healthy makes me happy and keeps me positive-Prakriti Nanda
We all do dream but some of us have the passion of turning our dreams into reality. Today I proudly look at myself as one such person and think it’s time I share my journey with you all- My journey towards fitness!
I must highlight that it takes a lot of determination, dedication, self discipline and effort to realize your dreams!
I had very commonly heard the phrase that the Rome was not built in a day, I realized is true meaning through my journey towards fitness. I had always been a runner and I used to run for 30 min every day, during my school days. I had also won many medals at school level during those days. However, post school days I did not take my fitness or running much seriously even though I used to run for 4 days in a week. But these were one of those casual runs than for fitness.
In December 2019, my very close friend, Gaurav Bal, motivated me to run a marathon. More than ‘motivation’ I can use the word ‘pushed me’ into the marathon with all his might because he believed in me! And what an amazing experience I had in that run, after all I was running with the pro! The experience of my first marathon is a memorable one and worth remembering as it opened my eyes to my own capabilities. I had partied whole night till 2 am in the morning with my share of beers down my throat, sleeping late hours, but I was determined to run the marathon and not let anything come in the way of me and my run!
I was highly motivated and knew that partying late night will not affect my performance. I had set my alarm for 4:00 am and stated my marathon at 5:30 am after some warm ups. And to my immense surprise I finished my first 10km run in 58.58 min which was considered a superb timings for a first time runner (Running 10kM) and specially by those who knew that I had a long and tiring night before. My first 10km was not a cakewalk. I ran in shoes that were not even fit for walking, leave alone the running, they were just a cool pair of good looking shoes! (Of course any sport needs dedication and discipline and that is what I have now incorporated in my life with my runs.)
However, there was just no looking back for me after that. After all, I was pushed in the vast ocean of fitness and high rush from it and I was at my peak after a long time! I again booked myself for another Marathon which was to be held in March 2020 and I did challenge myself of breaking my own record. But in March 2020 the Covid 19 Pandemic hit us and suddenly with the government announcing the curfew, my dream of running another marathon shattered because I had practiced enough to break my own record of 58.58 min for 10km and was looking forward to give my best. But my dreams didn’t stop and I also decided to run half marathon ( 21Km) and I kept imagining myself running those marathons.
But I was not alone in these dreams. I used to share with my husband how much I wished I could participate in the marathons as I have practiced so much and beating my own record would have given me a different high. I am so very grateful to my Husband, Deepinder Malhotra, who encouraged and motivated me that it was the best time to not stress about what I couldn’t do but to concentrate on our fitness and emerge victorious and maintain our good health and immunity in order to fight the Virus. Together we did had a caption which said “Roses are red , April is grey and we would emerge Victorious in May” .
Due to Pandemic no more Marathons happened but I took onto my own journey and myself motivated runs stated. Due to force lockdown and all the parks shut the area I used to practise running was our house L shaped garden measuring approx 51steps. Since then I have ran so many 10kms and broken many of my own records. As on day my best record for finishing 10km is 53.32 mins at the pace of 5’20/KM. I had during my various runs thought of giving up so many times but there was voice inside me that kept on telling me to not give up!
My husband Deepinder Malhotra ran 21km in January 2020 and he is not even a runner! He motivated me to run 21kms and on July 26 ,2020 I ran my first Half Marathon completing in 2 hours and 20mins at a speed of 6’47/Km. This is an achievement in itself because it was not easy it motivates me even more to look ahead and high.
Running is my treasure and passion. Running always brought a smile on my face through the tiring sweaty breaths. But I had during my world of family and work forgotten in somehow. Getting introduced to my own passion again at this stage of life where uncertainty and burdens have taken over, I feel highly blessed! It requires continuous motivation and I keep on training my brain to never give up on my passion and stay fit because if it is not running, I probably can’t do anything.
I can proudly list few things associated with running and me:
- Running is my passion, my religion. I find walks quiet boring.
- I won’t shy away from the high that I get when people call me their role model and inspiration!
- I want to Run because I want to be fit and I have received enormous health benefits in terms of physical health and losing weight too. Health is an investment and not an expense. Being healthy makes me happy and keeps me positive.
- I also enjoy my alone time running and away from the worries of the world.
- Running Fitness Regime has also helped me to stay focussed and mentally engaged during current Covid times.
So run and have fun my friends!
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