DATED – 10th August 2014
Ever since I have heard about this man – Fauja Singh, a few concepts of my life have dramatically changed. He is passionate about running and says, “I am very fond of my running shoes, I absolutely love them. I wear them for pleasure. I can’t imagine my life without them.” He has completed 8 Marathons, 3 half Marathons, and several short distance runs. In one single day, he set eight world records for running in 100 mts, 200 mts, 400 mts, 800 mts, 1500 mts, 1 mile, 3000 mts, and 5000 mts. He bettered five previous records and set three new, which were not attempted before. He was featured in an advertising campaign for sportswear manufacturer Adidas alongside David Beckham and Muhammad Ali.
Hold your breath as you read this (in case you have never heard of Fauja Singh before) – Fauja Singh began training for running Marathon at the young (!) age of 89 years. Singh shot to fame when, at the age of 93, he completed the 42 kms distance in 6 hours and 54 minutes. This knocked 58 minutes off the previous world best for anyone in the 90-plus-age bracket. All the eight world records were set when he was 100 years old. The moment I read about him – I was wonderstruck. “WOW” is what popped out! I was stunned to know that at the age of 100, someone can be so fit. For fitness, he immediately became my inspiration! He is about 103 years old now and still going strong!
Once a reporter asked him, “Don’t you feel pain when you run for so long at this age?” A valid question, isn’t it? But his reply was brilliant. Without pausing for a single second, he replied, “When I run every morning, my body aches. But if I don’t wake up, it will ache in the hospital. I prefer my body to ache on the run, rather than in the hospital. My choice is very clear!” (Re-read this paragraph if it hasn’t seeped in yet)
There are innumerable of us who make a resolution on every 1st January that “I will exercise consistently from now on!” But within a week, it dissipates. The excuses are similar with just little tweaks here and there –
- I have too much work. Though I want to, I have no time to exercise.
- I have to drop my kids to school. When and how to exercise?
- I have lots of household chores to take care. Isn’t that exercise enough?
- I am too young right now. When I become 40 years, I will start. Right now is the age to eat, drink and chill.
- I don’t get enough sleep in the night; hence waking up is an issue.
- How much ever I workout, there is no effect on the body. What’s the point of taking so much effort?
- Anyway, God has decided my lifespan. Me working on my fitness can’t change it at all. So, why exercise?
- I have no company. Exercising alone is so boring.
The issue is that we give fitness the last priority and not the top priority. Everything else should be done. If there is some time left, then I might workout. We are too casual about it. We think everything will go fine. Let’s forget everything else. I want each one of you reading this line to think – “What will happen to your family / loved ones, if you are not there?” If possible, do close your eyes for a couple of minutes and imagine the scenario. Will they miss some lovely moments you usually give them? Will they miss your presence? Will they miss the laughter you create? Will they miss you on the dinners and movies you went together? Will they miss your warm hug? Would they enjoy seeing me on that hospital bed?
I know these might be a little emotional questions. But, I really wish that each one of you who is reading this article, but doesn’t exercise regularly, imagine the possibilities if (God forbid) something happens to you. The intention is not to scare anyone or become negative, but make aware how important each one of us is in the lives of our loved ones.
Vis-a-vis my life –
Fortunately, I have always been a regular fitness freak. I love being and feeling fit. I don’t need external motivation to workout. In fact, my mother says the opposite, “At times, you can sleep. Don’t exercise so much!” I never want my loved ones to miss me just because I was casual about my health. Hence, for the last 15 years now, I have been exercising very regularly.
I would like to conclude by relating to this interesting comparison shared by my teacher Naren – We send our cars to the garage for denting and painting. But it is not as good as the original. Similarly, when we go to a hospital for a major illness, the doctor does some ‘denting and painting’ inside our body. But it is never as good as the original. It is always repaired!
Fauja Singh is truly my inspiration for fitness. The moment I feel lazy about working out, I just have to hum …. Fauji Hi Fauja!!!!!!
