Why I run?

Tanya Datta
I've always been into sports from my school days. In fact, my father has always encouraged me and my sister to pick up a sport and get onto the field since our childhood days. I have been part of smaller marathons but never a full-fledged one. Last year was the first time I ran the dna half marathon and I enjoyed every bit of it. The whole experience of running with hundreds of women cannot be penned down to say the least. It is a different experience and till the time you don't do it yourself, you will never understand or connect with what I am saying. Running or jogging is something that I do to keep a check on my fitness levels; I feel it's the best way to do so.

Ramya Iyer:
Running keeps me happy; I run because it makes me a happier person. It is such a great stress reliever, especially for a stay-home mom like me. That is the only time in the day that I get to be by myself and just go blank; just look at the road ahead and think about nothing at all. Factually speaking, endorphins, the hormones, which create a sense of exhilaration, are released when you run. That's an all natural high for me!

Sangeetha Mary Jose
I would run when I was in school and college, even though it was just another sprint. But, since then, it was always my dream to be part of a long distance race. This year, I ran my first marathon, and I must say, there's a feel good factor associated with running. It is like accomplishing a set target; completing a marathon is similar to how great one feels about being able to reach a goal. Once I completed my 5 km run, I realised that I should have registered for the 10kms one. I have always liked jogging early mornings; it feels very refreshing and makes me fresh. For the marathon though, I did practice less; for just three days, that too on the treadmill. What is important about marathons is, one needs to find a constant pace which the body is comfortable with, and then run. If you decide to relax, take short breaks and jog again, it becomes very difficult. Again, running a marathon with friends is a great past time and it motivates you too.

Latika Payak:
Running is an activity that instantly changes my mood from grumpy to good. Yes, it was difficult in the beginning. But as I stuck to running, my lungs got used to it and the activity has became a stress buster for me. I run so that I can trek with ease, build stamina and don't lose my breath on the final summit climb. When I signed up for my first trek ever—a Himalayan trek—I didn't know if I would be able to complete it. The training involved running 5kms in 30 minutes. Initially, running even for 2 minutes took my breath away. But as the days went by, I think my feet got used to it, and fell into a rhythm. Breathing became less torturous. And slowly, I started enjoying this cardio.

Sunita Joel Fernandez
I am a fitness trainer, and fitness has become an integral part of my lifestyle. Running is my religion… I run because "strong is what happens to you when you run out of weak".
When I run, I feel the road listens to me…it keeps pushing me and motivating me to take that extra step.
Running has made me fit and I strongly believe that "fit is not a destination, it is a way of life". It has not just made me strong physically but also mentally and emotionally. Running is like a stress buster to me. It helps me uplift my mood. I love the sore feeling that I get post running as it keeps reminding me of the efforts I have put towards making my body fit.
I think anybody can be a runner. We were born to move…we were born to run!

Vasundara Singh
I've been running as part of my daily routine for almost 15 years now. I only started running half marathons about three years ago and I've run six up till now.
Running for me constitutes 'me time'. For me, it is that time when I reflect on my day, my thoughts and sometimes it's just about my music. It keeps me healthy, strong and most importantly, focused. And of course, not to forget, it gives me a high! What I love about marathons is the feeling of being with hundreds, sometimes thousands of people, who are working towards the same goal—the finish line! It is not about competing with others; it is about competing with your own self. I train on Juhu beach in the mornings; it's a beautiful sight to wake up to the sunrise with countless other runners who also jog along the shore. It gives me a sense of pride to be one among the many.

Sandhya Chandrasekharayya
Running always seems difficult before you actually start. But once you do, you end up feeling good. And after you finish, you feel even better. You feel 'you can'! Running is a great confidence builder as well. I started running for fitness, but later, when I set my eyes on covering some great treks in the Himalayas, it became a part of my everyday life. I aimed to run 4kms in half an hour before I set out on my first high-altitude trek. At 14,000ft where the air is thin, I noticed that it was the running that actually helped me climb. Now after doing more than 20 treks, I can't think of setting out on a trek if I don't qualify myself for it by reaching my running targets. Running gives me confidence to gain heights on the mountains. It is a part of life and every single run feels very good.

Malaika Sawant
Running clears my mind! I love running because it gives me a different kind of high; it basically sets me free from all the chaos and madness around. Not only does running keep me healthy and active, it is also a good way to exercise since I do not like going to the gym. I won't say it's easy to run, but it definitely is worth trying. If you want to be healthy, running is the best activity to get started with. It is free; keeps you fit and helps you lose those few extra kilos as well. Running also helps you concentrate better. It has a double benefit, gives you a healthy body and a healthy mind.

Pooja Patel
"It does not matter how slowly you run as long as you don't stop…" For me, running is something that I like. It helps me boost my level of confidence and also allows me to relieve stress. Believe it or not, but running is not only a great way to get into the shape but it is beneficial for almost every part of your body. What motivates me to run is the satisfaction that I get post running. They say one's body is a temple, and running only does good to the body. Pain is temporary; it will only last you for a few hours or a few months. But the benefit, which you get out of running will last you a lifetime.
If that's not convincing, here's another reason why women should take that sprint…the activity is said to reduce the risk of breast cancer by 30 per cent. I think, it is never too late to start over. It is important to try something different today. So, stop thinking and just start running today.