From nowhere to 10K+ in three months

I grew up as a lazy obese geeky kid and would rather exercise my grey cells than to even head out for a walk. I shunned any kind of physical activity and I invented excuses to skip Physical Training sessions in school/college. Once I started working thanks to the free perks offered in my company I had put on over 25 kgs in less than a year and I'd developed a host of medical complications. I despised for what I'd got into and I vowed myself to lead a healthy life style: by eating healthy food and by working out regularly. Over the last two years, I experimented my workout schedule with early morning walks, aerobics, gymming, yoga and have significantly shed a decent amount. I still needed to lose that extra bit and that's when I discovered running!

On March 26th 2008, I'd come across an advert on Sunfeast 10K run. On a whim I went ahead and registered online for the event 53 days in advance! I was fairly confident that I couldn't run continuously for even a 1K stretch so a 10K run was Mission Impossible for me! Undeterred by the uphill task, I browsed the net for information on running and I pulled out a work-out schedule for 10 K run. I followed the schedule scrupulously and within a month I was able to run for over 5K. My association with Nike Run Club and Runners For Life during this time ensured that I kept my focus and I did not give up so easily.

I finished the Sunfeast 10K event with an average 1:13 minutes timing and it was a one helluva experience for me. Not too long ago, I used to weigh myself everyday (!!), be on a strict diet and used to work out (even if I was hopelessly bored with the schedule) only to shed weight. Running has changed my perception on working out. I now realize that breaking into a sweat can be fun! Running is ADDICTIVE and CHALLENGING. I simply love the adrenaline rushes I experience and I am at loss of words to express the sense of elation and joy I feel after accomplishing my targets. Setting up the alarm and waking up at 5, doesn't seem stressful at all and am always raring to go for a run. I intend to take part in the Kaveri Trail Half Marathon and Ultra Marathon later this year where I am hopeful to run for more than 26K.

I have come across many people who feel running is an arduous difficult task. Trust me, it is not! One just needs to listen to their body and trust their instincts. For those who feel that over-weight/obese people can't run, you just need to have a look at me :-D. In a matter of three months, I have graduated from a novice to a 10K+ runner and in that process I have also managed to knock off a few pounds!