RUN THAT LIBERATES, EMPOWERS
METRO BRINGS YOU SNATCHES OF CONVERSATION WITH THE RUNNERS AT PINKATHON ON WHAT PROMPTED THEM TO PUT ON THEIR RUNNING SHOES
I have left behind men.
I have left behind my age.
I have left behind the world.
March 26: The women who ran this morning were asked to write on their back tags what they had left behind.
Their answers reflected a changing mindset. Women across ages, professions and economic backgrounds united for Pinkathon, in association with The Telegraph, which - to them - wasn't just another marathon.
"We devote our lives to our homes and families... it's time we start looking after ourselves," Tani Garodia, the Salt Lake homemaker who had "left behind the world", said.
Homemaker Rinku Agarwal from Salt Lake ran to prove her family members wrong. They felt she wasn't fit enough to run.
Vidisha Sonthalia, an entrepreneur, ran because she found it liberating. "It felt special to run with so many women. We have to look out for one another in this male-dominated world... I knew my friends would pull me up today if I fell behind."
Another homemaker said she could run today because her husband was out of town. "He would have said there was no need for me to come today."
Two others said their husbands repeated a dialogue from Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge: "Ja Simran ja, jee le apni zindagi."
Changing times
The run wasn't limited to the affluent. Tennis player Shivika Burman, who stood second in the 3K, was delighted she could bring along her domestic help.
"They deserve to be fit as much as any other woman. In fact, many of them are quite fit because of the work they do and the long distances they walk in their villages," she said.
Her sari-clad help, Aparna Naskar and Manasi Das, were equally excited. "I woke up at 3am... I loved running in school... can't believe I will run again after all these years," Das said.
Sonalia Pal, a fitness trainer and sports photographer who stood second in the 21K, said women runners still didn't get the respect from society.
"I know of women runners who get teased by bikers around Prinsep Ghat. If they complain, people ask why are they in shorts," she said. "Now that more girls are taking to running, such a mentality can be overcome."
Health high
Soma Hela, a police officer posted in Barrackpore and a breast cancer survivor, ran to inspire others.
"Early detection is the key. So, I keep telling everyone to stay alert to symptoms and reduce the risk by staying fit."
Rajashree Bose Majumder of Southern Avenue suffers from a nerve condition and medicines have made her gain weight.
"I have a toddler at home and the chores and my office keep me busy from 7am to midnight. I just don't know how to take time out for a run. But I hope Pinkathon is a turning point for me. I want to run."
One for the kids
Neetu Saluja works 12-hour shifts at a bank. But she squeezed out time for Pinkathon to inspire her daughter and niece.
"Tabs and TVs lure kids to lead sedentary lives, so it's up to us parents to lead by example," said Neetu.
Rijula Roy, who is taking her Class XII CBSE exams, said it was her father's idea. "He took the initiative and registered my mother and me for the run. I figured that I wouldn't be studying at 5am... so, I might as well run."
Rajeshwari Devi, a political science student of St. Xavier's College, said the youth had a choice to be or not to be fit. "Ninety-five per cent of the students in my department are unfit. And this is not body shaming but an urge to look after health. It's our choice whether we spend time on Twitter or in the gym."
Age is a number
For some ageing doesn't mean the end of fun.
"My contemporaries are too busy worrying about life to enjoy it," Shelly Barori, 65, of Ballygunge Phari said.
Her back tag read: "I have left my age behind. Keeping fit is a great way to stay happy."
Lily Khan, 74, of Topsia had injured her arm in a fall. But she was determined to run. "We women need to be fit so that we aren't dependant on others as we age. I came today to let young women see me work out." Khan won the "fittest woman" medal.
