I chased the dream of becoming a long-distance runner all my life but I only caught up with it after I retired. I began running while schooling in Jabalpur. I began with the 100-m dash and gradually worked my way up even though I never won any medals. When I was 14 years old, I gave long-distance running a shot.

I graduated as a mechanical engineer and as work took up most of my time, I could not run. Before I knew it, I had turned 35 and was in need of a fitness check-up. My doctor had warned me that I was prone to diabetes and had to exercise every day. I began walking in the mornings and built up my stamina till I could walk for as much as three hours a day. Through the Internet, I learnt about ‘race walking’ and incorporated it into my morning walks. My hunger for speed and distance pushed me to start running again. However, on the very first day, my legs felt leaden and I couldn’t proceed. So I went back to race walking. But something was still missing in my life.

I retired as additional general manager from BHEL in 2005, after 37 years of service, and shifted to Chennai. Around this time, I came across an online forum called Chennai Runners. I religiously followed their conversations, which revolved around running injuries and treatment, running form, gadgets available in the market and running schedules. The runners used to narrate their experiences and I was very inspired even though I was not running at the time. Then, one day, I received a phone call from a classmate from school who had retired from the Army and participated in several marathons. I took it as a sign and thought, if he could do it, so could I!

I was 62 years old when I started running again. I built confidence by first jogging at home and graduated to jogging in the park and finally running on the road. My first big event was running my first half marathon, the East Coast Run, in 2009. I took roughly four hours to complete the 30-km distance. By the time I was 68, I had competed in the Auroville Marathon, Wipro Marathon in Chennai and Standard Chartered Marathon in Mumbai, several times.

Over time, my legs began to hurt and I also developed leg injuries owing to lack of muscle strength and flexibility. I was advised to stop running. But, after coming this far, I wasn’t about to give up. Relying on the Internet, I intensified my training at home and signed up for yoga classes to increase my flexibility. I’ve heard that cross-training—engaging in different types of sports at the same time—increases muscle strength. Maybe I will take up swimming next. Some of those who have followed my journey tell me I could qualify for the Boston Marathon but Mumbai is my Boston. I look forward to next year’s Standard Chartered Mumbai Marathon.

I am now 70 years old. I eat well, sleep well and feel great. My only challenge is the reaction of my family and friends, who have often asked me to stop running. They mean well and I truly appreciate their concern. But I love running and will not stop.

—Venugopalan Arunachalam,Chennai

Photo courtesy: Venugopalan Arunachalam
Featured in Harmony — Celebrate Age Magazine
September 2016