Running for fitness and fun

This weekend, I ran the Hyderabad 10K race in about sixty minutes. Not something to crow about, I know. Further, the clock timing could, in actuality, have been either more or less than an hour as I had asked two independent runners for the time before and after the race. Waking up early in the morning, proceeding to the race venue and running amidst a sea of Hyderabadis was truly a fun-filled experience. For a while, it seemed as though all I had to do was to stand still and let the surging wave of runners carry me to the finish line. Alas, life is not so simple. My friend and I ran at a steady pace for the first five kilometres, after which we walked briskly for the next two kilometres before running the final three to finish the race with a flourish.

Some of the runners carried with them flags representing their company logos, whilst other groups chanted the names of their employers in a sound that mirrored some sort of a war cry. It was amusing to see this level of enthusiasm amongst the participants. There were also tiny kids on roller-blades, guys running in a pair of jeans and some others who seemed as though they were dressed for a dance party. The race itself and its aftermath painfully reminded me that I still have miles to go in terms of fitness. Nevertheless, I am extremely satisfied for having raced with so many members of my community and for having successfully completed my first-ever long-distance run. Overall, it was a well organized event and I was left with no doubt that the spirit of Hyderabad was well and truly alive. Hyderabadis! You Simply Rock.