Retired cabin crew, 78, Mumbai

 
On the run!

30 years

The beginnings

I was persuaded by my friend’s son who loves running. I got shoes and other sports accessories for him whenever I went abroad.

First marathon

10-km race at the 1987 Bombay Monsoon Marathon

No. of marathons

5 half-marathons and 2 full marathons

Personal best

06:14:49 at the 2015 Standard Chartered Mumbai Full Marathon where I came first in the veterans’ category. I have recorded better times, but I am answering in accordance to my age and distance.

Running means….

I have always been outdoorsy. As I was cabin crew at Air India, I have always travelled. The first thing I did after catching up with my sleep in a new town was to explore the town by running in the streets. I have run in Tokyo, Amsterdam, Germany….

Motivation

I do it now because I still can. Running is a passion and I want to continue with it for as long as possible. I never did it for the medals or recognition. I don’t listen to music when running, while many have their earphones on. My focus is only on my run and nothing else.

Training

I run everyday. I wouldn’t call it training. But I run from Bandra to South Mumbai and back, some days I go and explore the Kanheri Caves, sometimes I run on Juhu beach or Bandstand.

The challenge

These past three years, I have been running in the afternoons when the sun is at its highest. I have attracted the scorn of some dear ones, but it dies down after a while.

Diet

Sweet potato and boiled egg 30 minutes before the run to keep me on my toes; I have the same right after my run. And an extra dose of calcium daily to keep the bones strong.

Health issues

I was recovering from pneumonia when this year’s ‘Mumbai Monsoon’ caught hold of me, and I had a relapse. I am still convalescing. Also my dog, while on a walk, got scared and dragged me over 10 m. I injured my back and knee. So I have been advised not to run this year. But let’s see!

Top gear

Any Adidas shoe with boost technology. They are so comfortable that you don’t need to break them in. I have worn them straight out of the box for my runs. Also, the Motorola MOTOACTV GPS sports watch and the Garmin 410 Forerunner GPS watch.

Marathon moment

Mumbai Runner’s Choice Awards 2010. I was inducted into the Hall of Fame for lifetime achievement by the Mumbai running fraternity. Another highlight was giving tips on running and exercises to Miss India contestants in 2008.

Advice for runners

Water and some stretching take care of the cramps. It’s the blisters that can get annoying… Vaseline is the answer.

The age effect

I feel more disciplined but it has slowed me down… I’m weary.

My goal

Full marathon at 80 years of age, and then at 90.

Photo: marathon-photos.com
Featured in Harmony — Celebrate Age Magazine
November 2017

• VINOD KAUL
• ELSIE NANJI
• P K N NAMBIAR
• PERVIN BATLIVALA
• KAMAL KALRA
• NISHA SUTARIA
• MAHADEV SAMJHISKAR
• PREMANAND RAMANI
• ASHOK KALLA
• SUNEETHA PRASANNA
• KRISHNA AGARWAL
• MOHAN NATHANI
• RAKESH MITTAL
• JAYANT DAVDA