The rhythm of the run

They all run for a reason — for charitable causes, self-belief and self confidence or for the sheer joy of running! "I don’t know about other people, but I run with my mind. I get my mind in shape and my body follows. To me it’s the fun of running that counts. At times it’s a great meditative space to be in, where you zone out and let the rhythm take you forward,” half marathoner Behroze Mistry embodies succinctly the spirit of the sport!
Amidst the 38,000+ runners, half of whom take part only in the six km Dream Run, at the 10th Standard Chartered Mumbai Marathon (SCMM) on January 20, 2013, there were several Zoroastrians who successfully ran the grueling 42 km of the full marathon and the 21 km of the half marathon. They have proved time and again that they are game enough for cause and challenge ­­— be it located in Bombay, Delhi, Goa, Pondicherry, Ladakh or New York!
Pervin Batliwala ran 42 km at the SCMM, standing second in the women’s senior veteran category (50-59 years) with a timing of 4:48.09. It was the first time she attempted the full marathon — at the age of 58! Ariez Kharas, aged 59, completed 42 km in 4:22.38, obtaining a category rank of 17 (senior veteran, men). Dr Farhad Kapadia and Cyrus Mehta posted good timings for a 42 km distance, with Kapadia achieving a personal best. Ervad Jehangir Mobedji persevered to complete the distance in the senior veteran category.

Khurshid Mistry ran the half marathon, securing third place in the women’s veteran category (40-49 years) with a time of one hour 53 min. Dr Aashish Contractor, Fabian Katrak, Hanoz Sukheshwala, Cyrus Sidhwa, Cyrus Contractor, Darius Billimoria and Hormuzd Mulla all posted timings of under two hours. There were many more — Hormuz Mehta, Yozmaity Doctor, Byram Dhalla, first timer Zarir Baliwalla, Carlshen Wadia (whose parents Firoze and Rashna and brother Farzad ran too!), Saroosh Dinshaw, Ervad Yazad Mobedji…
"For me, the 42 km was easier than the 21! I had really practiced well. It was a breeze. There was no tension of timing. My target was to finish between four-and-a-half to five hours. The aim was to complete easily, without struggling,” says Batliwala who works fulltime with Hindustan Unilever Limited. Two years ago, she ran 21 km in Ladakh. "That was really exciting. It was a challenge (because of Leh’s altitude, which is 11,562 ft), but I completed it easily, pulling myself back, in fact, so I could admire the scenery! The Auroville run too was very enjoyable — there was sand, mud, trees, it was so beautiful.” Batliwala expresses appreciation for the support she receives from her husband Khushru, her mother-in-law, sister-in-law and other members of her family. "Every time I run in Bombay, Khushru in fact comes halfway to take me through! He runs with me as he is very fit.” Renowned coach Savio D’Souza is a mainstay. "He is one trainer who will not sit and give orders. He runs with us, saying ‘run to enjoy!’”
An accountant with a leading shipping company, 59-year-old Kharas says he has been running the full marathon at the SCMM for the last two years. "Yes, 42 km does seem a lot to run, but if you have practiced enough long runs and trained well all the year round, it is quite doable. It is really amazing how the human body behaves and responds to the mind. Nothing is impossible and no distance is unrunnable,” he asserts. Starting on the treadmill at the office gym, Kharas took to road running thanks to the encouragement of "my wonderful friend and coach D’Souza.” He has taken in his stride "five half marathons in Bombay, a couple in New Delhi, the Kaveri Trail Marathon, the Auroville Marathon in Pondicherry, as well as the Thana, Vasai-Virar and Borivli National Park marathons.
Last July, Kharas ran the half marathon in Ladakh. "The air is rarified, with very little oxygen. The most difficult part is acclimatization. Even walking, forget running, is an effort at first but once the body gets used to the rarified air, it’s okay. Timing goes for a toss, because of the ups and downs.” Kharas believes all runners should enjoy this "once in a lifetime experience” for the sheer beauty of the place. "I had a lovely run, though I got my worst timing ever for a half marathon!” As far as training is concerned, getting out of bed in the morning, he believes, is the greatest difficulty, the rest are all minor ones! "Injuries can be a problem, but they are part of the game and once repaired, the body grows stronger. Good health and a strong body are the greatest rewards. The good friends you make are a bonus!”
"I went to New York for the marathon in November last year but it got cancelled due to Hurricane Sandy. Many runners like myself did a 42 km run in Central Park on that day to make up for the disappointment of the late cancellation,” narrates Kapadia. Before that, he had taken part in the Masters Athletics national competition in Bangalore last June, winning silver in the 400 m and gold in the 4 x 400 m relay in his age group (50 and above), demonstrating his versatility. Watching the track and field events at the London Olympics was a special thrill. "I had a good run at SCMM 2013. The timing of 4:10.41 is my personal best,” says the marathoner who is a consultant physician and intensivist at Bombay’s leading hospitals.
"This was my seventh full marathon. It is a truly exhilarating experience to run on the Sea Link early morning. The cool sea breeze envelops you at the start and daylight begins to break just as you come into Bandra Reclamation,” describes veteran Cyrus Mehta. Ten days before the SCMM, Mehta had injured his left hamstring. "There was a great deal of uncertainty about my participation but a course of anti-inflammatory tablets and an earnest prayer found me at the starting line-up. Eventually I completed the distance in four hours 16 min. Not the kind of timing I had trained for, but given the circumstances, it was not a bad effort. The sight of the elite African runners at a hand-shaking distance along the way is among the unforgettable moments.”
"Khurshid Mistry is my only student who trains for both sprint running and marathon. The training routines required are very different. This alternating training brings its own risk of injury, but Khurshid is extremely focused, determined and hardworking,” says coach Dinanath Maurya. "She approaches the most strenuous training sessions head-on and overcomes limitations and setbacks, which have been many, to emerge a winner.” This is the second consecutive year the seasoned athlete has stood on the podium in third place at the SCMM, having won that distinction last year too. Two months before that, she had represented Maharashtra in the Masters Road Races, standing second in the 10km run. "Sports has made me physically and mentally more active,” says the lady who works with UTI Mutual Fund. "My father, who is now with me in spirit, has been my driving force,” she explains. "I always lacked self-confidence and was nervous by nature. He is the one who always encouraged me in any endeavor. There was never a harsh word. My only regret is not having achieved all this while he was around.”
"I am almost 48 years old now and have run all 10 SCMMs so far, as well as five in other cities. Of these, 14 have been half marathons and I attempted the full marathon in 2012,” narrates Byram Dhalla who is in the road transport and logistics business. For him, running is not centered only round the Mumbai Marathon. "I run, swim or workout on an average of five days a week. Running has become a lifestyle, year-round activity. The running group I am part of is nicknamed, believe it or not, Savio’s Slaves and we meet to run three to four days a week.” His personal best so far in the half marathon is one hour and 50 min, "which is no great achievement when you compare it to D’Souza’s recent 1:36 at the age of 59 years!”
"I have always enjoyed short, exhilarating runs along the Queen’s Necklace. It was during one such run in 2012 that Dhalla suggested that I attempt the half marathon. Initially I thought that 21 km was well beyond me, but in the enjoyable company of Savio’s Slaves the runs became easier and hugely enjoyable,” narrates Zarir Baliwalla, director, Baliwalla and Homi Private Limited, one of Bombay’s leading opticians. Considering himself privileged to run with "legendary bawa runners — Batliwala, Kharas, Dhalla, to name a few — and get advice from my running guru Cyrus Mehta,” Baliwalla appreciates "these wonderful folk and the support from my family” that ensured he posted a good timing of 2:15.51, not bad for a 52-year-old making a marathon debut!
"This is my fifth year and the timing keeps getting better. This year it was 2:08:19. I run early morning at Marine Drive and do this as a discipline for exercise. Unfortunately, I can’t train with a coach as I have to be back home by seven and the timings don’t suit,” says Dinshaw, a former investment banker who now looks after several trusts and investments.
"Preparing for the half marathon with my coach (D’Souza) and my running buddies was an experience in itself. The small talk and the jokes eased the pre-run tension. The incredible camaraderie of my running mates and the cry of the crowds urging me on was another high,” adds Behroze Mistry, who is a great fitness enthusiast as well as a great animal lover. She completed the run in 2:12.35, obtaining a category (veteran women) rank of 17. "I need to mention my favorite (four-legged) morning buddies who show up day after day. They trot beside me like outriders for the last km or so, as if egging me on to the finish line!” Her wish, says Behroze, is that she keeps running and that "my mind and body stay good friends and my heart be filled with passion.”