Running has been on my mind lately..A LOT and so I decided to write about it. After all I am all set to run my 100th race this coming weekend. Growing up in India as an army brat meant a fun filled childhood full of outdoor activities and large spaces in small towns. I was never restricted to explore and my parents gave me the wings to fly. As a college student in Mumbai back in the 80’s, I explored sometimes alone and sometimes with friends. Going running on the beach was a favorite activity then and nothing could beat just walking in the rain for miles.

Coming to Pennsylvania as a student gave me a new level of exhilaration. Instead of the crowded streets or beaches of Mumbai, I had streets where I could walk for miles and not see a soul.  How could that be, and where were the people? How could they not be outside to see the fall colors or the snow or the icicles that formed as the ice was melting?  But compared to the crowded streets and beaches of India, I began to find the solitude of the quiet streets in a college town welcoming and loving every minute of it.  Even one person who wanted to come and explore with me seemed like a crowd. I would run sometimes or walk as I felt like, but nothing made me happier than being outdoors.  Moving to California was even better as the weather was great all year round.

I started running seriously around 25 years ago and would be out 3-4 times a week doing my thing. The feel of wind blowing in my hair, sweat pouring down my back and feeling my heart beat made me feel alive. I even ran during my pregnancies as the doctor said it was ok to do so and that did create a flutter among all the over-protective pregnancy equals disability thinking relatives, but I felt good and for once there was no one around me to tell me not to do so. I continued to run with the kids in the stroller and to hear a baby gurgle with laughter as the stroller hurtled down the street was pure joy! Life did get somewhat restrictive as the kids got older and day to day activities started interfering, but I had my treadmill to bank on. I would still go out for a run when I could and most times that meant running around 9 or 10pm at night. Night runs became my passion and I would look forward to those at the end of the day. It was only a couple years ago that I stopped running alone at night as I was spooked by a van that crawled alongside me for a couple blocks and the fear set in. I am still not sure if I should have stopped but I did for my own safety, although I still sneak a night run in with my 80 lb dog sometimes. I refuse to be scared to give up something I love, but somehow the reasoning of being safe and staying safe filters in.

I get asked constantly what I find in running or why do I do it and if my knees are ok 😀 The answer is yes my knees are ok.  They may be protesting a bit as I have been making them work non-stop but nothing like a little TLC to get them happy again. I usually get asked if I like running, and god knows, I hate the first couple miles when I start running, but I tell myself if I hate it after 15 mins of trying then I will stop.  It has never happened yet. So I guess I do like it. But do believe when I say that I am not that great at it. Running for speed or time are never my priorities, but finishing is whether I crawl across the finish line.  There are days when I do well and surprise myself and there are days when I have watched a sign on someone’s back saying “70 years old and if you can read this I am kicking your butt” and don’t ask me how many times pregnant runners have gone past me wearing t-shirts saying “Running for two”! But those things don’t bother me as I am not expecting to win a race but finish it.

Running 100 races was a goal I came up with 4.5 years ago as I was inspired by my bootcamp instructor who was about to run her 100th race then. Watching her train and move towards her goal and then eventually reach it two years earlier than planned was a phenomenal task and I was motivated to try. Actually to state the truth, 100 races seemed too daunting a task, so I started with 50 races because I had 18 races under my belt already.  My initial goal was to reach 50 races by the time I was 45 (old! I know) and I managed to reach the 50 with 7 months to spare.  After that I was addicted, obsessed, and blinded by the bling and swag.  Looking at the medals on the display rack was an elixir for the soreness and pain.  It took me about 5 seconds to increase my goal to 100 races before 50 years of age and so began the journey.

It has been a tough ride though as I have pushed myself physically and mentally in the last two years. I am running my 100th race almost two years to the date from when I ran the 50th race. What’s the hurry? Well, there are several reasons I think. Firstly, I am a goal-oriented person so I get fixated easily. Reaching the goal earlier than later was the plan especially as it is getting tougher as I get older and it is becoming increasingly hard to fit training with a hectic work schedule. Also, I didn’t want to struggle to finish if I waited. My goals are for myself and therefore running 100 races may not be that big a deal for many, but for me it is. I will get to check off the line from my bucket list.

I also try to run in every city I travel to whether it is on the streets of Mumbai or any place I visit in India or elsewhere in the world.  A couple of my favorite places where I have gone running in the last year have been Barcelona and Boston. I do realize that I am one of the lucky ones who has the luxury of going out on a run alone and not be worried about anything. I consider that as my gift and I am thankful for it. I am also thankful for my village of supporters who cheer me on and who run races with me as they are the ones who keep me going and are an integral part of my journey.  Their constant cheer of “you can do it” is the key to my success and even though I may be the world’s slowest runner, it is the only reason I am reaching my goal with 3 years to spare.