Run Madhuri Run

'Run Madhuri Run'  This is the comment of appreciation I hear from my family and friends when I complete my run for either 5k or 10k, which kept me motivated to run more and more. I never thought running can be so much fun and challenging too. I was a athlete in my school days and later ran one or two times in my degree college after that I stopped sports because of my busy schedule and lifestyle.But I use to jog or walk regularly. 

I started my run journey in August 2014 as novice which has changed my life style, social life and my identity. My neighbors (Ashish Maheshwari and Vandana Maheshwari) are my inspiration and mentors for my achievement today. They encouraged me and supported by all means along with my family from the day one which gives me more strength and energy to keep going.

I started my first run with Airtel Hyderabad Marathon happened 24th August 2014, that was my first 5km which I finished in 56 minutes and after that I couldn't stop participating in run events. After AHM 2014, I ran with SBI Pinkathon on 15th March 2015 (5km in 60 min), Womanathon on 8th March 2015  (10Km in 1 hr 20 min), Fitathon on 27th June 2015 (8k in 1 hr 30 min ) This run took long time for me as I had knee injury and doctor advised me not to run for some time. But I did strengthening exercises and keep it going. All the above mentioned run events happened in Hyderabad.

Fortunately, I stay in a huge community in Hyderabad called “Malaysian township” near Kukatpally and luckily have Ashish Maheswari as our trainer for couple of months. He started training us who are interested in running, he continued training under the program organised by Hyderabad runners called Coach to 5k for 2 months. It started in the Month of April 2015 till June 2015. I missed few sessions as I went to South Africa (Cape Town) for 10 days on official trip. There I climbed Table Mountain in 2 hrs and 15 minutes. This is was the first climb of my life to a mountain, which was an amazing experience. I was satisfied that my zeal to run was fulfilled by climbing that mountain:)

I am able to balance my run with my busy lifestyle, it’s a part of life and had become a regular habit now. This passion makes me to sign up for the run out of Hyderabad 2nd August 2015 at Durshet Forest run for 10k which I finished in 2 hours(my first out of Hyderabad run, which is near Pune Maharashtra). This was too hard for me as it was not on flat surface and knee was still hurting. Later I pushed hard for half marathon in Hyderabad AHM 2015 on 30th August 2015 which I finished in 3 hours 45 min.

Now my knee pain was on its peak so I have decided to train myself properly and recover completely. I took chance again and ran 10k in Hyderabad club run on 7th Feb 2016 in 1 hour 45 min. Two of my CIEE students from Spring 2016 semester (Michaela and Enrique) also ran 10k with me. Now I have decided to take a break for couple of months so I started volunteering instead of running to keep my spirits up. I volunteered for Pinkathon Hyderabad for visually challenged kids happened on 5th March 2016 . It was a different kind of experience in my life where I learned that visually challenged people are more strong, dedicated, determine than normal people. I was amazed to see their enthusiasm to take part in such events. Later I started walking and avoid running but couldn't stop to register for Hyderabad Desi Warriors (8th May 2016) which was 5km run with 20 obstacles. This was very challenging and fun until I slipped in one of the obstacles and got severe injury in my leg. I was forced to take 20 days off from office and rest. This was the worst experience in my life to sit idle and do nothing. Still today the pain comes and go which has stopped me to run or walk for a while. My inner voice couldn't let me stop from doing exercise so I have decided to learn swimming (btw I use be very scared of water) and started swimming coaching classes.Now I can say I can survive if thrown or slipped in water ha ha.

I also volunteered for RTP run in my township with a gang of enthusiastic people who initially I thought they know just to run crazily, but their excellent execution had made this event a grand success. I learned a lot from each and every person behind this. Kudos to RTP volunteers - Ashish Maheshwari, Abhishek, Vandana Maheshwari, Poonam, Vasudha, Anil, Harjinder, Saurab, Sayoon, Sushmita, Himanshu, Sandeep, Suchita, Neelima, Shiva, Vaishali and many other people who are directly and indirectly involved in this event. I am proud to announce that my mom (Kusuma Venkat), my sister (Mamatha Kannan) and my 6 years old niece (Anjana) also took part in this event and finished their first 3k run.

Now my next mission is to be part of as a Volunteer for Hyderabad runners biggest event Airtel Hyderabad Marathon 2016. Last but not the least I want to thank Hyderabad runners group who are encouraging people to run and stay healthy. Hyderabad runners group is a ocean of runners who are novice runners to comrades tough marathoners.

I am proud to be part of RUN :) and wants to keep this passion alive. My dad always use to say - Try and Try until you get it and never give up !!