by Vani Viswanathan
[box]It’s highly likely you have, in the recent past, come across a lone person on the road running, earphones on, pushing themselves forward with determination. Running is fast picking up in India, and many are signing up to run in various categories that are being held regularly across various Indian cities – and some venture abroad too. Many runners also choose to tie their runs to a cause they are passionate about. Vani Viswanathan gets talking to three such runners: Ram Viswanathan, founder-president of Chennai Runners, Ajay Gupta of Team Asha, and Jessu John, who, within seven months of starting to run long distance, is getting ready to run her first half marathon and raise funds for a charity through it. Spark is delighted to support them in their cause – please see the end of the article for the fundraising links of the three runners.[/box]In March 2010, when I was working, I got talked into participating in a corporate run organised by JP Morgan. I did my best to wriggle out of it – I was really not the running kinds, and despite my umpteen attempts, had never managed to sustain running as a regular activity – but there was no way out, and I had no choice but to start preparing to run – wait for it – 5.6km. Yes, I am that bad. I did manage, eventually, to run this distance on d-day in a grand 50 minutes, and I was beside myself for finishing it in under an hour. The Adidas tee-shirt I got for participating made it even more worth it. Nearly three years after that, I’ve made at least three attempts to get into running regularly, and my most recent attempt was on 3 December, when I thought managing to run 1.8km was a feat.
As such, you can expect what kind of admiration I have for people who run dozens of kilometres, or run marathons – 42.195km! – the very thought makes my eyes pop out. The sheer passion that is involved in keeping the body and mind going for the few hours that it takes to run these distances, is incredible and awe-inspiring. What’s even more remarkable is that some of them tie their runs to a cause they are passionate about, often setting a target amount of funds to be raised. I got talking to three people who are into long distance running, and who are also using their runs as a platform to engage with causes that are close to their hearts. Their stories are truly inspiring instances of how it is possible to engage in a hobby that at once keeps you energised, fit, excited and gives you the joy of empowering someone in need.
Ram Viswanathan, founder-president of Chennai Runners, started running ‘seriously’ seven years back – in his early 40s – when after returning to India, he was craving for some outdoor activity, and his son’s mention of a marathon made him revive his interest in running after his NCC days in college. Working full time in IBM, Ram took the initiative to found Chennai Runners in 2006 when he met another runner on the roads, and they discussed forming a group which promoted the sheer joy of running. Today, Chennai Runners has over a 1000 members who are passionate about running, train together and motivate each other – most of them want to run long distances and participate in marathons.
Ajay Gupta picked up running again after his undergrad days, in 2006. He ran his full marathon in 2007 to raise funds for Asha Chicago, the NGO he was volunteering with. In its Bangalore chapter, the NGO comprises a number of individuals who are runners and cyclists, together with mentors and coaches, who together help train people for various long distance runs while raising funds to educate underprivileged children in India.
Jessu John is a relatively new entrant in the world of running. While living in Germany, she wanted to participate in the 5km category of the renowned Frankfurt marathon, for a start. That didn’t materialise, however, and upon moving back to India, she began to work out at the gym to build her stamina and get herself up for running. In May 2012, she ran in the 10km category, clocking an impressive-for-the-beginner 1 hour 18 minutes. “Considering I started off wanting to just attempt a humble 5km last year, I am very pleased with how far I have come since then,” she says. She has been hooked – Jessu has run a few marathons since October, starting from the Bangalore Ultra Marathon, and is scheduled to participate in a couple more in December and the biggie, the Standard Chartered Mumbai Marathon coming January.
Loving the strain of it: Running as more than fitness
What keeps runners motivated enough to train for these or run these regularly, especially when they manage these alongside hectic work and family commitments? “Since I love running, making time for that is easy,” says Ram. Running means much more than a fitness activity for these runners. For Ajay, a run puts him closer to a great mood, and to him it’s a mirror to what life is: “you get so much more out of it than you put into it. It has given me so many great relationships and lessons.” Ram says that it melts away any stress and clears his head. For Jessu, it has helped her ensure that she does not let her job or familial commitments get in the way of staying fit. She also discovered that long distance running suited her personality, as she has high endurance levels and likes doing some activities on her own. “What I like most are the little victories while I’m on the course – like how I can keep pushing myself when all I want to do is stop. This happens multiple times during a 10km race. But each time I stop for a sip of water only after I’ve pushed myself a little further. Then I pat myself on the pack and keep going.”
It can be physically and mentally demanding to run distances such as 42km – or is it? “It can be gruelling but it can also be energising,” says 
Ajay. Moving past the initial hurdles of poor diet or injury, Ajay today finds running a positive experience that can pep him up and be the source of energy for a whole day. Ram says the key is to consider it a fun activity, and not as something gruelling. Talking about what motivates him to keep at it, he says “I try to be consistent and persistent in whatever I attempt to do and that makes running marathons easier.”
Running has been a life-changing experience for all the three. Ram and Ajay testify to how it has honed their characters, as it depends heavily on being disciplined – for one thing, in cities, one has to be up early in the morning to run the roads before they get laden with traffic. It involves cooperating with and motivating co-runners to push their limits, and increases camaraderie and sportsmanship. Finally, it has led to many new friendships with people from all walks of life, and all ages. “I now have friends from college kids to CEOs to IIT professors, all due to running. While running, it doesn’t matter what you do or how old you are… you are just a runner, and that’s it… and that trait alone builds camaraderie.” For Jessu, it has made her realise the power of taking her dreams more seriously: “Whatever I have achieved with the running so far gives me confidence to go further. It has also made me very comfortable in my own skin and I’m not looking for anyone to believe in me or approve of me. It helps me focus. Each time I run, I know dreams come true.”
Making dreams come true – for the less privileged
Talking about dreams coming true, these runners put their sweat and time into helping change lives too (see end of piece for links to their fundraiser pages). A concept that was popularised in the West, the idea of raising funds through runs is slowly taking root in India too. The idea of running to support and raise funds for a cause was, in fact, what prompted Ajay to take up running. He has been associated with Team Asha for seven years, and is currently raising funds for the Auroville half-marathon that he will run next year. However, he says that the concept is still evolving in India and both fund-raisers and potential donors are sometimes hesitant to adopt a cause.
Ram Viswanathan is delighted that he can tie his running to benefit someone. “Our human eco-system is built around two fundamental traits (or lack of it): love, and share. These two form the foundation for almost all of the good stuff people do. In my case, I love running and if I can leverage it to share then I am doubly lucky.” He has been running for charity since 2010, and is preparing to run the 2013 London marathon to benefit Cheshire Homes, which works with differently abled people and has a few projects in India.
Jessu is taking a big step with her plan to run the Mumbai marathon early next year – not only is she running twice the distance she usually runs, for she plans to participate in the 21km category, she is using it to raise funds for a cause close to her heart: benefitting women, children and their education. She hopes that the friends she has made across the world will help her raise a sizeable sum to benefit Apne Aap Women’s Collective (AAWC), which works to help brothel-based prostitutes and their children achieve an education and eventually find alternative forms of employment.
As such, it is no doubt that all three are excited in their own ways that more people are picking up the sport in India – Ajay thinks this is happening because it’s a ‘democratic’ activity that can be done solo, allows anyone to join in, for all one needs is a good pair of shoes, and almost any place serves as a running track. “Show me any other sport which can match all that!” he quips. Jessu thinks running could be a great way for people to get through some of their tough moments in life. “Someone who takes up an endurance sport may really just be looking at gaining victory over their own negative mindsets that result from very difficult circumstances. Sometimes, though, it is all for the love of running. Nothing more and nothing less,” she says.
Ram, as the founder-president of Chennai Runners, is happy that running is picking up but believes India still has a long way to go. He dreams of a day when Chennai embraces running as no other city in the world, and celebrates it in full spirit. “I dream of a day when more than half of Chennai’s citizens discover running – and themselves – along the way. I dream of a day when Chennai has pedestrian and joggers track all over the city. I dream of a day when Chennai allows its women folks run without having to fear for their safety or modesty. I dream of a day when Chennai hosts a world class marathon event. “
What goes on in their mind?
Getting to interact with these runners was indeed a humbling experience. They have all picked up (or re-started) running in their 30s or 40s, and have managed to put in dedicated hours of training to push themselves to explore new horizons, rediscovering themselves and their potential along the way. They tie their passion to a cause to motivate themselves even further. To wrap up, I asked them what goes on in their mind when they run. The answers are as interesting as the people themselves.
Ram Viswanathan: “It depends on what I am seeing or the conversation I am having with the fellow runner or the music I am listening. When I run through Marina service road and see a bunch of families who perhaps call the beach their home, I think of the kids who are invariably present in the group and think of their health, education and future. When I see a man pulling a cart, stacked to the hilt with wooden logs and inching through RK Salai in his bare feet, I think of his sweat and the family that depends on his sweat. The bigger question that runs through my head when I see these things is what we as a society are doing about it – perhaps very little – and dismiss the uncomfortable thought and scene. What did I do in either case? Very little, except in the latter case, I paused my running and pushed the wooden log laden cart for a few hundred meters and continued my running… perhaps feeling both a little heavier and lighter.”
Ajay Gupta: “I have, at times, wondered why I do this. I have wondered what was I thinking when I signed up for a race. But then, sometimes while the run is on and often, after the run is done, I realize its true worth and value. Running can be quiet and meditative; it can be loud and boisterous, but is almost always joyful. That is the runner tribe’s big secret. We may look and sound crazy, but few things in life match the sheer joy of a really good run.”
Jessu John: “I feel great when I set off, but tire quickly if it’s hot or I haven’t managed to sleep too well. (Unfortunately, I am full of nervous excitement before a race and keep waking up the night before and wondering if it’s time to get up!) However, I try to keep going till the first water station, grab a bottle and then run for a little more before I take my water break. During the course, there are times when I feel low and tired or pumped up when I get my second wind. The low times are always perfect opportunity for me to decide I am not going to finish the race. But I somehow push through that and get to enjoy the highs. To be honest, when you get to the finish line the entire race is a blur! When I finished my first 10km run in May, I found myself thinking, ‘That’s it?!’ :)”
Spark is delighted to have had a chance to interact with these passionate runners and is proud to support them in a small way by encouraging its readers to visit their fundraising links:
Ram Viswanathan: http://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/fundraiser-web/fundraiser/showFundraiserProfilePage.action?userUrl=RamViswanathan
Ajay Gupta: http://www.ashanet.org/bangalore/marathon/runners12/Ajay_Gupta.html
Jessu John: http://www.unitedwaymumbai.org/1384-jessugoodfellow.htm
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