50.31

Exercise! Shed those pounds! Strive for fitness! Take a good look at your physique!

These words have been a constant refrain from my parents, a few friends, and some well-wishers. It's not a novel message; I've heard it countless times. I made an attempt back in 2005 when I joined a local gym. After rigorous workouts, I successfully shed 9 kilos in 8 months. However, when my work relocated to a new (farther) office location, my commitment waned, and I never returned to the gym after 2005. Cricket remained my sporadic physical activity, along with occasional sports like table tennis at work, creating cherished memories with colleagues from my project.

Fast forward to November 2010, and positive changes began as I moved to London. The initial six months, marked a period of so-called healthy eating. Limited breakfast options led to a routine of toast and muesli. Cricket and tennis became occasional pastimes, and walking became a significant part of my daily routine. Without the convenience of a car like in Chennai, I found myself walking more, gradually shedding a few grams here and there.

In May 2012, I finally enrolled in a gym. The routine included a 30-minute treadmill walk, 20 minutes of cycling, and an upcoming challenge—the J P Morgan Corporate Challenge 5k run. Despite being waitlisted initially, my training intensified. The gym trainer introduced modifications, incorporating 8 kmph runs followed by 4 kmph walks in intervals. With the JP Morgan run as my goal, I increased my running sessions from 3 turns to 5, aiming for peak performance.

As the run date approached, I focused solely on achieving a 5k run on the treadmill, abandoning other exercises. The series of attempts culminated in the following times:

  • First Attempt (July 3rd): 46.41
  • Second Attempt (July 5th): 45.32
  • Third Attempt (July 6th): 44.06
  • Fourth Attempt (July 9th): 44.05

On July 11th, despite rain before and during the initial stages of the race, I persevered through slippery tracks, running and walking with determination. Crossing the 5k mark, my timer read 45 minutes—an achievement for my first outdoor 5k attempt. Pushing harder, I finished the race (5.6 Km) in 50 minutes and 31 seconds—50.31!

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