I’ve always been a pretty active person. Since childhood. Dance classes, playing outside, and doing random performances in front of relatives (even when no one asked). But running? That was never it for me.
I legit used to wonder, why do people run? Why are they willingly spending all their energy like that? Bro, you could’ve built a rocket with that much effort. Running made zero sense to me.
Then life changed.
Cut to 1.6 years back, I had just moved to Bangalore. Suddenly, I wasn’t moving at all. Just sitting. Long calls. Back pain. Feeling like I’m 60 at 23. That’s when I forced myself to join a gym.
But sticking to it? That was a whole circus. One week I’m going regularly, next week something happens, some stupid cold, long work hours, mood off, whatever and boom. 3 weeks gone. I had phases where I’d show up 5 days a week and then ghost the gym.
Also, I wasn’t ready to give up my food. Dude, I want to eat ice cream and biryani and all the good stuff without doing math in my head. Why should fitness mean punishment? That was always non-negotiable for me.
So yeah, obviously no results. I was stuck.
Now, back to the running bit.
It wasn’t some inspiring story. My friend used to run, and I was like, “What’s this guy doing so seriously for some marathons?” And then Insta started throwing me reels about runs, medals, and finish lines. And I won’t lie, the medals looked kinda cool. So I thought, okay fine, maybe I’ll try it once.
Did my first 5K last year.
It was exhausting. My legs screamed, my lungs gave up halfway, and by the end, I felt... nothing. No magical transformation. Just wanted to crash on the nearest patch of grass. I thought, “Okay, cool. Done. Never again.”
But somewhere around April-May this year, something in me shifted. I don’t know what exactly, maybe it was a need to feel stable, maybe I was just tired of feeling off-track in life, but I told myself I need something that keeps me moving and grounded at the same time. I didn’t even plan it, it just happened.
Started going to the gym again, this time with a bit more focus. Started fixing my food, not dieting, just being mindful. Trying to make it part of life instead of this “thing I have to do.”
And somehow, I started making it work. I got weirdly into micro-planning. Like, I book my auto at 6:15, leave office at 6:45 (or at least try to), reach home by 7:30, change, and hit the gym by 8. If that fails, I go to the 9 PM class. Sounds chaotic, but it works 80% of the time. And if not, I guilt-trip myself into making it work the next day.
Okay, okay, now finally getting to the part I wanted to talk about from the beginning…
Last month, I randomly signed up for a 5K again (with some colleagues) after doing a few practice runs.
AND BRO IT WAS SO GOOD.
The run, the energy, the crowd, the finish line moment, this time it hit. I was like, okay, maybe this is why people are addicted to it. After that, I did another 5K, alone this time. Put on my shoes, started my playlist, and ran. Felt that same rush again. This time with better timing and pace. Progress!
And today? I did my first 10K.
Let that sink in. TEN. KILOMETRES.
I still can’t believe I did it. Already signed up for another one next week. I’m not even in it for anything other than that feeling of being in flow. Of zoning out completely. Somewhere in the middle of that run, I realised my playlist had switched from “Namo Namo” to “Naina”, and I was literally smiling like an idiot.
It’s weird how running turns into a mini therapy session. You start with tired legs, and by the time you hit 3K, you’re solving life problems. By 5K, you’re rethinking your career goals. And by the time you hit 10K, you’re just vibing, high on endorphins and planning your 5-year roadmap.
That’s been the best part for me: the clarity.
Running hasn’t just made me fit, it’s made me feel more like myself.
So yeah, if you’re someone who thinks running is boring or hard or pointless, I get it. I was there. Still feel that some days. But if you ever feel even slightly curious, just try it. And then try again.
The first run might suck. Second one too. But that third or fourth one? Might just change something.
And even if it doesn’t, you’ll get a sick playlist and maybe some random life clarity out of it.
