Two generations running in pinkathon...

17th December 2017.. 5am, Bandra Kurla Complex in Mumbai is buzzing with enthusiastic women runners.. me and my 12 year daughter among enthusiastic runners..this is my second Pinkathon but first Pinkathon for my daughter..

I have an experience of 10 k run but my cutie pie is running 10 k for the first time..my motherhood overpowers my reasoning capacity.. when I am helping her with warm up my instructions to her not ending..dont exert..drink water at regular intervals..if you feel tired dont stretch beyond limits..my daughter is too sweet to confront me and quietly but confidently listens to my instructions...

10 k run is flagged off by my all time crush- Milind Soman..me as well as my daughter start running. its little dark on the route. I am conscious of the fact that I am running after long break, am also worried about my 12 year daughter who would soon stride ahead of me making it difficult for me to keep watch on her. I try my best to keep my worries away and concentrate on my run.  

I manage to run 5 kms at my slow pace and at a turn I see my daughter running..ease at which she is running assures me..the moment I see her I suddenly feel lighter, my body picks up the pace which it had not picked so far. It makes me feel good to see that my daughter is enjoying her run, makes me feel proud of my bundle of joy which is now an independent runner, am glad that she is on the path of healthy lifestyle!

I suddenly realize that my last 5 kms run was marred by worries for my daughter. Even if my body was running at its pace, my mind was flying with my daughter. I ask myself, was it really necessary to worry so much about her? she is a smart child, she could have asked for help if she needed. She was enjoying her run. I should have left my worries and enjoyed my run as well. My run becomes more satisfying after this point. Am always happy to run in Pinkathon. It may not be a truly professional run but it is a run of women's never ending enthusiasm, it is a run of women's tenacity, run of women's strong spirits. I especially appreciate the objective of Pinkathon- spreading awareness about women's health related issues-especially breast cancer. We, women are known to be affectionate,caring, loving. But in the course of life, we kind of forget to take care of ourselves,  in our endeavor to care for all family members we start neglecting small and big things about our own health, we stop being kind to ourselves. My close family member has successfully fought a battle against cancer. Her fight against cancer continues to inspire me in all walks of life. When I run in Pinkathon I remember her gracious battle against the disease, many known and unknown battles against the disease give me a strength to run. My run truly binds my spirit to those fighting spirits. My run and other pink sisters running along with me remind me to be kind to myself. Remind me to devote some time to my well being. Remind me to start doing things which I truly enjoy. In Pinkathon 2017, a circle is complete which started with my aunt's battle against cancer, my wake up call and journey on the fitness path and my daughter's beginning on the fitness path.