Skip to main content

Is Running a Religion?

For some like me…YES…almost a religion. Let’s explore its tenets.


1.     Discipline: Come what may, step out almost daily and run. Regular sleep hours and no erratic work hours. No excuses!

2.     Self-Denial: Avoid the ‘sin-foods’ fastidiously, moderate the alcohol and avoid late nights.

3.     Self-improvement: Through running become a better person. More positive, healthier, more humble and more helpful.  

4.     Contentment: Be happy with what you have and thankful to God for giving you enough.

5.     Sharing: Share your experiences, your learnings. Give back and make a difference to your family, friends, co-runners and community at large. 

6.     Peace and Harmony: Be at peace with yourself. Learn to be happy in other people’s happiness and achievements.

7.     No ‘One Upmanship’: Be competitive without creating rivalries.

8.     Acceptance: There will be others better than you. Instead of grudging them, strive to emulate them.

9.     Earth is the Ultimate mother: Be more respectful of nature, more caring for the environment.

 

I am sure there is more to it. Feel free to comment and add to this discussion.

 

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Enough sleep, anyone?

One common myth, which I have almost convinced myself in my case too, is that you can acclimatize your mind and body to do with less sleep without any negative effects. As a doctor you pride yourself about this. However, as the years roll by and you listen to your body more and analyze yourself with detachment, one reaches the conclusion that you DO need MORE/ ENOUGH sleep. That gets us to the question of how much is enough sleep. The answer is pretty straightforward, no ifs and buts: 7-9 hours a day for ages 18-64 and 7-8 hours for age 65 years and above. And why: Because it is linked to your emotional, mental and physical health, quality of life and safety. Inadequate sleep leads to irritability, poor concentration, anger and depression. Sleep is important to process new information and remember it. Sleep deficiency is linked to higher incidence of obesity, diabetes, heart disease and strokes. Not to forget lower immunity, making you more prone to infections, especially virals. Sleep...
4 comments
Read more

Simple Joys

It's a battle between the Joy of Running and Joy of Achievement    Technology has 2 sides to the coin, doesn't it? No doubt it makes life easy and makes things possible that we could never have even dreamt about. On the flip side, it complicates our lives. We hardly realize, but the present world is a prisoner of technology. Take away all the technology for a couple of hours and we are at a total loss and panicking....the proverbial 'fish out of water', thrashing about and almost asphyxiating.    How does this rant have a connection with running? My humble submission: Recreational running was supposed to be all about unconditional fun, to enjoy; not worry about targets or goals, not be controlled by technology.  Let's face it: The vast majority of us are not even close to the elite level or international competition class. And the fancy shoes, sports watches, running apps and motivational talks are not going to get us there.  If you just want to be better t...
4 comments
Read more

‘Beat the Lockdown’ Run/ Walk

My apologies to the civic minded and upright, law abiding citizens 🙏 This post is neither a call to arms nor an instigation to break government-mandated lockdowns in this COVID19 pandemic. Rather it is kind of a survival guide for the running junkies (and indeed the hardcore morning walkers community too) who can't do without their daily fix  🤗 .  How best to get your fix without upsetting too many people or getting hauled up by the patrolling police. Here goes: 1.            Start real early in the morning 🌃 Preferably around 5 am, before dawn. Not many neighbors are up and about (and neither your family members!), so less people to castigate you 😝 . Running or walking incognito (hopefully!) in the receding darkness of the night lessens your guilt also 😜 . After the night's patrolling, the police waalas also tend to be at the nadir of their alertness and enthusiasm. What to say of the stray canines, they too deign that ti...
3 comments
Read more