A runner speaks: My experience at the Pune Pinkathon 2015

“The miracle isn't that I finished. The miracle is that I had the courage to start.” John Bingham, No Need for Speed: A Beginner's Guide to the Joy of Running

On the morning of 15th of November, at 5.30am, I walked into the campus of IISER Pashan. Every sign of winter in the air, the stars shone bright in the dark as dozens of women poured in, in twos and threes and more – in their pink and white best. The event area made its presence felt from kilometres away. We entered to see Milind Soman on stage, fit as a fiddle, ready to flag off the Pinkathon 21km run.

As the sky shed its dark tones, the women present increased in number as did the energy and anticipation around. The compere and a troupe of enthusiastic dancers took the stage and had everyone grooving to some desi hits as they mimicked his steps, ensuring a fun warm up to the run. All this at 6am (and we were just getting started)!

I couldn’t help being highly motivated. Scanning the venue, I found there were a number of men there too, to cheer on their wives, sisters, daughters, mothers, girlfriends. On a Sunday morning, at its earliest hours, now that’s a sign of support!

As a rookie marathon runner and new to such experiences, it was interesting to note how well organised the event was. There were changing rooms, baggage counters and refreshment centres for the convenience of the runners; but staying true to the intention of the even there were also recovery zones, bone density check centres and other kiosks.

Mini trampolines were set up and were quite a hit with young and the old alike. Not being able to resist, I got on it and as I was gleefully defying gravity, I noticed the hue of the entire sky had changed. I looked up to see pretty pink tones against the blue skies as the sun spread its light. It was so fitting - pink skies at pinkathon!

After shying away from the dance moves being directed from the stage for the first half an hour, I took to joining the enthusiastic all-girl crowd. Once I did, it felt like we were all part of a flash mob! I thoroughly enjoyed the dances and felt my body loosen up. It was a prefect prelude to the run.

Soon after, the 10km and 5km races were flagged off. The crowd was kept engaged as expert specialists and doctors spoke about the importance of a healthy lifestyle and the perils of breast cancer.

Some hard-hitting facts and statistics about the disease were discussed to bring awareness to the crowd, many of whom had seen it firsthand, or watched loved ones go through it. We also celebrated, on stage, our ‘cancer sheroes’ – women heroes who have fought and conquered the deadly disease.

They had trained for the 5km run and were beaming with good energy. Their words of courage and inspiration were applauded by one and all present there.

As we stood at the start line for the 3km stretch, many girls who completed the half marathon stretching 21kms, came sprinting through the finish line, toned torsos, flushed faces and jubilant. I felt slightly embarrassed and inspired in same moment and vowed to myself to keep training and raise my own bar, slowly but surely. We started off to the sound of the dhol playing, cameras clicking and words of encouragement from onlookers.

Once we were on the road, there was an empowering community vibe - running together amidst early morning commuters. Volunteers were directing and cheering with much gusto and fathers were running along with their little ones! I sprinted the last 500 meters and reached the finish line where the pinkathon team was urging on all the finishers.

I smiled, feeling the heat on my cheeks, sweat cooling my back as a great high rushed through my body. We walked to the recovery centre and performed some cooling-down stretches which helped to a large extent to soothe our ‘in-shock muscles’ - a term, we were taught, that describes what happens when you decide to randomly sprint one fine sunday morning!

Runner Sonia M (L) and a friend with their finishers’ medals

Women scattered in groups took selfies with their finisher medals; marathon buddies in arm. They posed on stage as the shutterbugs happily clicked away. Accomplished faces everywhere, it was a start to some long lasting fitness routines and healthy lifestyles, I could tell.

As we collected our refreshments, Milind Soman took centre stage and applauded all the pinkathon runners. He called upon women above the age of 70 and handed them their medals.

Kudos to all of them! Also, on the other side of the age spectrum, the tiny tots were called on stage. There were 15 and 18 month olds trotting along with their mothers, a rare but endearing sight.

By then, I was famished and looking forward to a sumptuous spread for breakfast. We walked out, ready to take on our Sunday, full of good vibes and energy. Glad about being a part of Pinkathon 2015, I thought about how Pinkathon is symbolic of womanhood; it is more than just a marathon, without a doubt.