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World's oldest runner Fauja Singh is an inspiration to youngsters everywhere

Tuesday, 9 September 2014

Fauja Singh – the eternal runner

Age is just a number. No one epitomises this better than Fauja Singh, believed to be the oldest runner in the world at 102 years of age. He has participated in nine full marathons since taking up running at the age of 89.

Talking about the routine he follows, he says, “I am physically active, walking, jogging and running for at least four hours a day. In the past, it was more running, some jogging, little bit of walking. Now it's a complete reverse. When I cannot do something, due to bad weather or travelling, I make up for it when I get back into my routine. It keeps my body and mind active”.

Final race

Fauja’s last race was in Hong Kong where he improved upon his previous year’s timing. “The last race I did was a 10K in Hong Kong in February during which I fell. I got up and finished five minutes faster than the previous year. I had the publicity, self-realisation, it was a fantastic race. As I crossed the line, all the claps and recognition gave me a lot of joy. I also realised it was my last race”, he says.

The Londoner acknowledges the fact that he is not getting any younger. “My body is not as strong as it was. People who don't run don't realise it's not just about turning up. They forget you need to be strong even for the travel. When I go abroad, people say: ‘Can we come?’ I say: ‘Yes but I don't think you will last a day’. I enjoyed being at peak fitness, although it wasn't easy to stay at the top. But I enjoyed that discipline. I went to my coach Harmander Singh's house recently. He was exhausted after running a marathon. I was pleased for him, but I thought: ‘I used to do that’.”

Running was a God-given gift

Running has made him stronger over the years. “Now I've come to terms with the fact that I don't race any more. I make the best of what I've got. I am still covering distances – although it might take a bit longer now. Running was God's way of distracting me from suffering mentally from the loss of my wife and son.”

“Running took over my time and thoughts, it was God's way of keeping me alive and making me what I am today and I'm grateful for that. I had no idea I would live this long and would achieve anything, it wasn't a plan. I bumped into people like Harmander who helped shape my life and got the best out of me”, he added.

Fauja credits running for leading a happy life. “I am still benefiting from the 14 years of running and am able to enjoy life. Since February, I've been to Australia, Las Vegas, Dubai, Denmark, Switzerland, France, and Luxembourg. At the Bournemouth Marathon festival, I was the celebrity starter for the children's races. I've been invited to Washington for an award, and I've been invited to New Delhi to start a sports tournament.

The struggle was worth it...

He enjoys running and does not believe it to be exhausting. “As long as people remember me, don't forget what I've done, and still there are things to do. It's more pain than gain, but that pain gives you happiness afterwards. I do not see it as putting myself through torture.”

Fauja is very particular when it comes to following a diet. “Whatever pain and suffering I've had, reaped benefits multiple times. Every day when I wake up I rub baby oil on my body to keep me supple. Every day I have linseed and a cup of tea. Before I leave home, I have plain yogurt and two glasses of water. Lunch is one chapatti and daal [lentils] made at the gurdwara with yoghurt. I won't touch a cauliflower, rice, or sweets made of rice as it doesn't do me any good. At home, I will have whatever is being made with my youngest son and his family. If I don't like what they're having, I'll have toast with jam or honey on it.”

“And before I go to bed I will have a glass of warm milk. I also have ginger curry at least once a week which cleanses the body. If I feel ill or different, I reflect on what has changed in my diet and routine. I am still active, in a better shape than those who are lazy. They are deteriorating, I am maintaining it so who is the winner? Being active is like a medication. I don't want to withdraw from that medication,” he concludes.

Raj Vadgama

Mumbai, Aug 14 (IANS) Indian marathon runner Raj Vadgama will attempt to create a Guinness record of running 10,000 kms in 120 days. Mumbai's Vadgama will start his marathon (called Bharathon) on Independence Day, Friday, and will cover more than 25 cities in his four-month run that will culminate back in Mumbai on December 12.

He will set off on his record-making run at 6 a.m. (local time) on Friday from the Gateway of India. The Marathon Man of Mumbai, Vadgama, will aim for the fastest 10,000 km run.

Vadgama's run is to promote health awareness in India. He plans to address the masses in small events in all the 25 cities. He also plans to raise funds during these events for treatment of children suffering from cancer and heart diseases. Vadgama will pass through extreme terrains and climatic temperatures, making the run the ultimate test of endurance and fitness.

Vadgama, a 47-year-old interior decorator, had applied to the Guinness World Records in January this year for attempting to complete the fastest 10,000 km by running 85 km every day. He is not new to ultra-running. He took up running after readingabout the Mumbai Marathon in 2004 and has participated in the event every year since then.

Vadgama will be accompanied by an experienced long distance runner and a team of Fortis doctors in a vehicle. The medical team will conduct medical check-ups at regular intervals every day and at Fortis hospitals in Mumbai, Jaipur, Amritsar, Chandigarh, New Delhi, Kolkata, Bangalore and Chennai.

Geoffrey Mutai

With the focus on defending his New York Marathon title, world's fastest marathon runner Geoffrey Mutai will be keen to test his speed in Czech Republic on 6th September.

Though Mutai's fastest time of 2:03.02 was not ratified by the International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) because the Boston Marathon had steep start and finish points, the New York Marathon champion will be eyeing a fast time when he returns to the United States after poor run in London where he finished fifth.

But there is a small matter of a sprint road race Sep 6 when he comes up at the RunCzech Running League, is the Birell 10 km in Prague.

"I have done enough training and will be keen to assess my speed. Winning is important but the crucial thing will be to test my body and see how it responds in such events with top stars around," said Mutai Friday.

The race will see the fastest marathoner of all time, who holds a 27:19 in 10 km against a relative newcomer to the international running scene Geoffrey Ronoh.

Ronoh has two half marathon wins under his belt this year -- a 60:17 in Olomouc, Czech Republic, and then a 59:45 personal best time in Klagenfurt, Germany, last weekend.

Another top contender is Daniel Chebii (27:35) who looks evenly matched with Mutai in the 10 km. Helah Kiprop (31:19) of Kenya and Esther Chemtai Ndiema (31:27) have run under that mark in the past.

In yet another effort to promote running, Nike has a brand new, super-exciting challenge lined up. Known as the #RunHimalayas Challenge, participants of this event get a chance to win an all-expense trip to run in the absolutely picturesque Himalayas. Yes, you heard that right – you actually have the chance to run the Himalayas!

This is a very exciting opportunity for runners to enjoy a fitness-themed holiday at a destination which is - there’s no other way to put it - absolute heaven. From high altitude training which helps the lung capacity, to the sense of absolute freedom in the untouched trails of the gorgeous mountain range – this is a fantastic opportunity that I believe every runner should take maximum advantage of.

You can get all the details of this event here.

Select top runners that clock the maximum mileage in this challenge will be deemed winners of the challenge. For a determined, hardcore runner, that may well be the easiest way to go away for a holiday where you do what you love, in maximum style!

You can sign up for this challenge by following five simple steps:

1. Download the Nike+ app on your phone

2. Send friend request to ‘Nike India Official’

3. Wait for the request to be accepted

4. Once that happens, you are officially in the challenge

5. Start running!

So what are you waiting for? Sign up already! Contest period ends August 27, 2014.

Life is short, run a Marathon!

Apart from the fact that after conquering those 26.2 miles, not only you know that you are absolutely amazing and can achieve anything under the Sun, you envisioned; but also you become an inspiration and somebody else’s reason to not give up. Seasoned runner or a beginner, here are some of the things all the runners can relate to during a marathon:

1. Registering for a marathon while planning a holiday around it.

2. Expo’s – Ah! I love ‘em.

Not only do you collect your race day packets, but also pamphlets(probably never read), hopping from booth to booth, trying out the new range of running centric products Plus the awesomest part - you are surrounded by the runners and some of the best ones across the country, who you have just read about in FB or elsewhere.

3. The night before a marathon is about loading up on carbs.

Pasta, Dal-Khichdi, Potatoes, yum yum..And there is a difference in fuelling up for the race and over eating leading to feeling bloated and throwing up.

4. Hands on your BIB.

A night before the race, laying out the clothes, and fastening the BIB on it. And taking many pictures. Oh, C’mon we all do that.

Buy clothing for running here

5. Fix your feet – Taping for blisters!

6. Bloody nipples and thighs due to chaffing.

Who said running is easy?!! Its your Blood, sweat, lot of hardwork and a sweet pain. BodyGlide and NipGuards make an entry as Avengers to combat chaffing.