The Joy of Running – Celebration of Vitality of Life

For a change, I decided to write a short piece – neither about any development issue nor about any subject matter. It is the about the recent joy that I discovered in running in the morning. As a part of the mandatory physical exercise, the instructor makes us run for about 15 minutes in the morning. But out of the 5 days in a week when all 150+ of us fall in line for the whistle, we run only twice as rest three days are devoted to either horse riding, aerobics, yoga or a morning walk. Those two days that we get to run, I and Vilas (my batch mate from Pune going to Chhattisgarh cadre) run together as both of us run at a decent yet equal pace.

This Friday we realized that we can do it on Saturday and Sunday as well when it is not compulsory to wake up early. We reached the Polo ground (about 1.5 kms away from hostel) at 6.45 AM and ran in the calm background of Himalayas amidst chirping of birds. When it is forced upon us, we tend to have grudges about the ruthlessness of Rawat sir (our PT instructor). But, when we went on our volition, we enjoyed it to the hilt.

We ran 7 rounds along the track of 400 metres whereas Vilas continued for two more rounds. There is always a point when it looks that it is impossible to continue. But, when there is a partner and when we challenge our physical stamina, we reach new levels of performance. I do not know whether any other feeling can match the joy of finishing the unthinkable. It is truly satisfying to reach to higher levels of physical fitness and stamina by challenging ourselves continuously.

My joy doubles (actually it multiplies by an unknown quotient) when I am reminded of last two months of Foundation Course when I was limping all the while because of my ligament tear in the right leg. There were moments during those times when I used to wonder whether I will be able to run again or not. The day when athletics meet was held, I was watching everybody run, jump with disappointment. I do not claim that I would have won medals had my ligament been alright at that time. But, I missed the joy and fun of participation in all the track events.

I am thankful to Vilas for making me discover this new joy and celebrate the vitality of life. I am hopeful that I continue with this fun even when I move to work in the districts. A running partner makes us more committed to the time and the rigor of the exercise. Even otherwise, we can challenge ourselves and get to new levels of self discipline. The challenge lies in doing it continuously in later years of life when physical exercise becomes more relevant to prevent emergence of any lifestyle diseases. We can do skipping, yoga, gardening, aerobics, walking etc. as per our liking. God has given us everything to live a complete and fulfilling life. We can do our bit not to let it become incomplete in any respect.