My Marathon Story
Bheegi...oops bhagi billi ki kalam se
Why run?...
The obvious reason is to keep fit but more than that it is some of the themes that underscore CATS...the challenge of doing it and the joy of being able to push oneself beyond what we think we are capable of. The idea is not to compete with anyone else but to strive for constant improvement.
The experience....
Unbeatable. The thrill of running with so many people on roads empty of traffic, people cheering along the way, music to pump you up, cheerleaders and bhangra dancers at regular intervals, a carnival like atmosphere, a cause in mind.
Why run?...
The obvious reason is to keep fit but more than that it is some of the themes that underscore CATS...the challenge of doing it and the joy of being able to push oneself beyond what we think we are capable of. The idea is not to compete with anyone else but to strive for constant improvement.
The experience....
Unbeatable. The thrill of running with so many people on roads empty of traffic, people cheering along the way, music to pump you up, cheerleaders and bhangra dancers at regular intervals, a carnival like atmosphere, a cause in mind.
Completed the Delhi Half Marathon today with a time of 2 hour, 39 minutes, 55 seconds.
Though I couldn't run all the way but I bettered my last years timings by 11 minutes. Ran non-stop for 1 hour 29 minutes for 13 kilometers(11 km last year) and walked/ran/crawled the rest! At this rate I should run all the way in 2012!! Feeling very happy and very tired.
Though I couldn't run all the way but I bettered my last years timings by 11 minutes. Ran non-stop for 1 hour 29 minutes for 13 kilometers(11 km last year) and walked/ran/crawled the rest! At this rate I should run all the way in 2012!! Feeling very happy and very tired.
Thanks to all of you who sent me encouragement and good wishes. As promised I wore the CATS logo proudly on my T-shirt.
Would I do it again?...
Definitely. Already waiting for next year. Hope to take some of the adventurous CATS with me this time.
More about the cause of "Ending Intimate Partner Violence":
More generally known as domestic violence, but I like this term better. Violence between two intimate partners can be very debilitating, and strikes at the very root of a healthy relationship since it comes from the person who you love and trust so much and who is supposed to protect and cherish you. It is more prevalent than we believe, and occurs in all kinds of homes, rich or poor, educated or not, in India or in the so called 'developed' societies of UK, Canada or US, amongst Indians and Westerners, and in a love marriage or an arranged marriage alike. Violence or abuse, whether it is physical, verbal or emotional can destroy a person’s self-esteem. The abuse could be of the female or male partner but given the traditionally patriarchal societies that are prevalent in most parts of the world, in an overwhelming majority of cases it is against the female in the relationship.
The victims either do not recognize that they are being abused, or if they do, they blame themselves for it. Even if they do wish to break out of the cycle of abuse, they are unable to do so due to fear of social ridicule, lack of adequate support systems, lack of financial independence and fear of an unknown future. As a result they remain trapped in their situation. Those who do manage to break free have to grapple with social consequences, emotional damage, fear of retribution, and the task of rebuilding a future with or without the additional burden of having to bring up children. At the same time the abuser generally moves on to the next victim, free of any baggage.
What made me run for this cause?...
Besides being the obvious reason of having encountered it closely myself, talking to several women(and men) who have faced it, the silence that surrounds this issue bothers me. What happens between two intimate partners both positive and negative, is generally not talked about. The abuser obviously has no reason to talk about it except perhaps amongst those who will encourage it. The abused if continuing in the relationship, is either in denial, or does not want to be embarrassed in his/her social circle, or is too afraid of the abuser. If out of the relationship, perhaps just wants to put everything behind and rebuild her life. As a result, the issue remains in covers, the abuser continues to move around in society as a 'respectable' person.
I think its time to speak up on this issue, because silence is precisely what allows this problem to perpetuate.
Would love to talk more about it whether over a cup of coffee or a broader discussion.
Meanwhile attaching my marathon pictures. One of them is at the beginning of the marathon complete with the running number and the CATS logo. The cause was at the back of the T-shirt so no picture. The other photo is much later in the race when thanks to all the water I was pouring over my head, the number and logo came off :-) and the CATS went flying.
Again thanks to all the good wishes of fellow CATS. Next year I won't be satisfied with just good wishes, I want CATS to be running as a group either for the 7 or the 21 km run.
More soon,
CAT Monica
Would I do it again?...
Definitely. Already waiting for next year. Hope to take some of the adventurous CATS with me this time.
More about the cause of "Ending Intimate Partner Violence":
More generally known as domestic violence, but I like this term better. Violence between two intimate partners can be very debilitating, and strikes at the very root of a healthy relationship since it comes from the person who you love and trust so much and who is supposed to protect and cherish you. It is more prevalent than we believe, and occurs in all kinds of homes, rich or poor, educated or not, in India or in the so called 'developed' societies of UK, Canada or US, amongst Indians and Westerners, and in a love marriage or an arranged marriage alike. Violence or abuse, whether it is physical, verbal or emotional can destroy a person’s self-esteem. The abuse could be of the female or male partner but given the traditionally patriarchal societies that are prevalent in most parts of the world, in an overwhelming majority of cases it is against the female in the relationship.
The victims either do not recognize that they are being abused, or if they do, they blame themselves for it. Even if they do wish to break out of the cycle of abuse, they are unable to do so due to fear of social ridicule, lack of adequate support systems, lack of financial independence and fear of an unknown future. As a result they remain trapped in their situation. Those who do manage to break free have to grapple with social consequences, emotional damage, fear of retribution, and the task of rebuilding a future with or without the additional burden of having to bring up children. At the same time the abuser generally moves on to the next victim, free of any baggage.
What made me run for this cause?...
Besides being the obvious reason of having encountered it closely myself, talking to several women(and men) who have faced it, the silence that surrounds this issue bothers me. What happens between two intimate partners both positive and negative, is generally not talked about. The abuser obviously has no reason to talk about it except perhaps amongst those who will encourage it. The abused if continuing in the relationship, is either in denial, or does not want to be embarrassed in his/her social circle, or is too afraid of the abuser. If out of the relationship, perhaps just wants to put everything behind and rebuild her life. As a result, the issue remains in covers, the abuser continues to move around in society as a 'respectable' person.
I think its time to speak up on this issue, because silence is precisely what allows this problem to perpetuate.
Would love to talk more about it whether over a cup of coffee or a broader discussion.
Meanwhile attaching my marathon pictures. One of them is at the beginning of the marathon complete with the running number and the CATS logo. The cause was at the back of the T-shirt so no picture. The other photo is much later in the race when thanks to all the water I was pouring over my head, the number and logo came off :-) and the CATS went flying.
Again thanks to all the good wishes of fellow CATS. Next year I won't be satisfied with just good wishes, I want CATS to be running as a group either for the 7 or the 21 km run.
More soon,
CAT Monica
Fresh as a petal... even though I 'knew' what lay ahead Don't miss the CATS logo... MEOW :)
Poof... Poofff... Just checking - the heart is still in the right place ;-)
Yeah I know the CATS logo is about to fly off... but see.. I am still running!
Kadam Kadam Barraaye Chal, Khushi Ke Geet SUNTE Chal !!Stop Not Till The Goal Is Reached :)
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