February 2015 - Mom on the Run

#ThisGirlCan, So can we!

Fitness, Fitness related - Anupriya kapur - February 19, 2015

There is no perfect shape or size. Why should there be perfection at all? Who defines perfect in any case?

For the longest time I didn’t want to run because I thought I would look funny with my breasts bobbing up and down. I didn’t want to be stared at. I was intimidated by the idea of people looking at me and judging me specially after I had put on 20 kgs during my pregnancy.

But then I realised it’s about how healthy and fit I feel, looking good is only secondary. I felt weird running my first 500 mtrs but the overall exhilaration I felt was far greater than that. There was no stopping me post the initial hitch.

I chanced upon this beautiful video which shows how REAL women look and feel when they are striving to become healthier (not skinnier) versions of themselves. The campaign, called ‪#‎thisgirlcan, was created by SportEngland, a U.K. government agency whose research found that 75% of women want to be more active, but they don’t because of a “fear of judgment.” I’m sure this statistic would be at least 95% for Indian women, if not more.

I urge all women to take up fitness without caring about what others think of them. It really is about overcoming the initial hitch. It’s time to shed inhibitions, get out there and just do it.

Sweaty is pretty!

Deal with it 🙂

8 21

Why Mumbai?

Marathons - Anupriya kapur - February 6, 2015

I have always looked forward to running Airtel Delhi Half Marathon. I used to think its energy and vibe is one the best that such events can offer – until I ran SCMM for the first this year. In Mumbai, a city where I was told people are indifferent and “no-nonsense”, I was pleasantly met with folks in huge numbers, who had no reason for being there, come out and enthusiastically cheer for total strangers. It was heart-warming to say the least. In fact the overall experience of the event was so good that I didn’t feel the need to put on my head phones even once. Here is why I think every Delhi runner actually all runners should run SCMM atleast once –

1) You get to run 5.6 km on the scenic Bandra-Worli sea link.

image from Google

2) Only in Mumbai would crowds at the 5^th km mark shout out “only 37Km to go”. Only 37? Yeah, right! But love them for saying it.

3) For the two cool zones in the last 5 km stretch at 30 degrees with harsh sun shining down on you.

4) People of all ages offering food – dates, oranges, watermelon, biscuits, chocolates – and even ice; and cheering you during the entire stretch of 42km!

5) You get to distract yourself at the Peddar road incline by talking about the ugliness of Antilia with a fellow runner. And once again on your way back if you are running the full!

One of the uglier pic I got from google!

6) You will find kids most enthusiastic about giving high fives as you cross Mahim. And if you miss one of them and they shout – “Arre! Miss kar diya Aunty!!”

7) You get a glimpse of Siddhivinayak Temple, Haji Ali, Chowpati, Queen’s Necklace – all in one run. (And twice if you running the full!)

8) People hold up funny placards to keep you going…my favourite being – “Run fast! I just farted!”