Hyderabad Runners Newsletter Vol 1 . Issue 5 . April 2017 COUCH TO 5K ODE TO THE VERSION 3.0 ULTIMATE EVENING WHAT’S IN ! 3 Running Matter 4 On the Move 5 Glimpses of the Quarter 6 Couch to 5K - Version 3.0 12 Expertalk 15 Ode to the ultimate evening 19 Stay hydrated in all times 21 Healthy kids - Healthy nation ! 22 Country Cousins 24 #thisgirlruns 25 Good Run Great Runner 28 Never Say Die 29 My Home Jewel (MHJ) Runners 30 Club run 2017 32 Quarter ahead 33 Contact us 34 Run with Hyderabad Runners 2 Rundezvous April 2017 Running Matter Dear Runners, The heat is ON! All this, plus, our “Features” section, where, we There are only two seasons in a year – running and cover our signature event “The Club Run” which was summer. As the sun beats down relentlessly on us, made even more special was, for the first time the it’s time to go easy on high intensity running activity presence of differently abled participants, who fin- and taper down into cross training like swimming ished the 5k on wheelchairs! Read about Version 3 of or yoga. All in preparation for the next season, of the now-immensely- popular “Couch to 5k” program course. and “This girl runs…” – a HR initiative to encourage The “RUNdezvous” first came out last year when more women to run that was launched this quarter. we were on the threshold of stepping into the 10th As a prelude to the scorching summer, our runners, year. With this issue, we also celebrate the completion literally, turned up the heat on the Annual Runners of the maiden year of “RUNdezvous” - our very own Evening – our awards night. Clad in designer togs, newsletter and platform for guidance, sharing ideas the ladies and gentlemen of HR could easily put and of course, great stories on running. showbiz folks to shame as they sang, danced and We celebrate ten years of Hyderabad Runners in walked the ramp – we feature an eyewitness account 2017. From starting small to growing into a move- of the evening that was! ment, in a microcosmic manner of speaking, we are “The old order changeth, yielding place to the all part of the HR mission statement – “to make run- new…” – thus goes a line from Lord Tennyson’s ning the most preferred form of fitness activity”. The poem. And so, this quarter also saw a change of guard basic philosophy of a marathon that every finisher in the office bearers committee of the Hyderabad is a winner has seen many taking it up as a fitness Runners Society. The team at “Rundezvous” wishes activity first and then progress to participating in a them all the best. marathon. In pretty much the same way, we have seen 10k runners become Half Marathoners, Marathoners Till the next issue, happy reading about running! graduate to Ultra Marathoners etc. Making their presence felt world over, Hyderabad Runners were Sagarika Melkote here, there and everywhere – almost afraid of missing Editor a run. Our folks were present at marathons across the country from Mumbai to New Delhi to Auroville, making the most of the end-of-season runs. At inter- national events, HRs were seen at runs in the USA, Europe and Asia Pac. The second quarter of 2017 will see a global run and other celebrations to mark the occasion. In this issue, learn more about staying injury free and the importance of staying hydrated from the experts in our guest columns. Bond with our coun- try cousins from Patiala and read about what makes them tick. A teenager speaks about the importance of staying active. 3 Rundezvous April 2017 On the Move Dear Runners It gives me immense pleasure as I write to you at a in the past decade. I extend my advance congratula- moment when the most exciting season featured tions to all of you for trailing a path tough and rough, diverse action from running to reveling. A quarter steep and deep and unending and unpredictable. of the year has already been consigned to history In May 2017, when we celebrate 10 years, let us books and the summer has set in with full fury. But remember we ran our way through several question the excitement and action went hand in hand, and we marks and left behind footprints of answers that are were able to reap most memorable moments together. a key to future running societies and endeavours. Being together has always been our strength, but Of course, it by no means, makes us complacent and this season was special since, apart from our regular cool. As Hyderabad Runners, we have a long way to running fare, our spirits culminated to celebrate go together in setting new benchmarks and strategi- being runners and being Hyderabad Runners. cally cementing several gaps in our mission. The Runners Evening was a stunner surpassing the I wholeheartedly commend the efforts of the usual excitement quotient. It goes into the portfolio RUNdezvous team and congratulate them on com- as most riveting with adrenaline flowing all through. pleting the maiden year. I am happy to see a steady The performances were incredible and we were all in increase in participation, contribution and interac- awe with the variety that was dished. I congratulate tion. Today, RUNdezvous is a platform to be together, all the members for their participation and thank the a bond to feel together and a resource to learn special guests who, yet again made us feel proud of together. My appeal goes for more participation. our contribution to the communities. In any mission, Finally, I congratulate all the winners both on the commitment is always the first and foremost contri- running side and on the Runners Evening. bution. The outcome comes second. Being runners My special thanks to volunteers, stakeholders, part- and the torchbearers for a decade, the society’s ners and well-wishers. outlook towards us has been overwhelmingly special, Be wary of summer and take best of precautions. and I thank one and all for setting an exemplary track record in guiding communities. This year too, our Rajesh Vetcha Couch to 5K lit up sedentary souls and woke up feet Founder in slumber, helping the enthusiastic learn the art of running. This year too, the fading chill of pre-sum- mer period was witness to the increasing heat of motivation and inspiration. Couch to 5K eventually got bigger and better. Thanks runners for consistently breaking our own record in relentless training. Kudos to mentors and welcome aboard new runners! The Club Run had its share of memories and it was good to see growing enthusiasm. Dear Runners! It has been an adrenalin rush since last May that was the curtain raiser to our ten year celebrations. This year is equally resplendent with glory and stories of success that we scripted together 4 Rundezvous April 2017 Glimpses of the Quarter Club Run - 19th February 2017 Couch to 5K - 05th March 2017 Runners Evening - 26th March 2017 My Home Jewel Anniversary Run - 12th March 2017 5 Rundezvous April 2017 COUCH TO 5K - VERSION 3.0 When the city ran to learn and learnt to run BY SHWETA PAROPKARI For Hyderabad Runners, the first quarter of the year marks the tapering of Marathon training period. But it is also the time to build runners out of beginners, train and tune them and above all, add wheels, apply gears and infuse fuel to lift them from sedentary lifestyles to the running oasis. Hyderabad Runners takes grand pride in driving Couch to 5K across the city aimed at training the energetic and enthusiastic who have the intent but are searching for a window. This year too, 30+ mentors and their indefatigable dedication made Couch to 5K a great success. From fitness to diet, running tips to relaxing methods, this initiative saw energy levels gushing like a monsoon brook merging with the splendid sea of experience and mastery. Across the city from the western IT origins to the serene eastern corridors, from the northern industrial districts to the southern thresholds, downtown to uptown, the grounds were abuzz. Heartening was the increased participation from cross section of people cutting across demography, genders and age groups. Into the third year, as the legacy continues, Rundezvous decodes the initiative and the reason behind its popularity 6 Rundezvous April 2017 What is Couch to 5K? Hyderabad Runners’ Couch to 5K Training is an eight-week program, designed for beginners who want to embrace an active lifestyle through running, walkers who want to complete their first 5K, runners who have run a 5K, but want to improve their skills, families who want to run together in a structured environment to name a few. Furthermore, under the leadership of experienced mentors, runners will be introduced to proper running form, warm ups before and cool downs after runs , appropriate clothing for running, hydration, static and dynamic stretching etc. The third edition of this initiative was run at 18 locations across the city with more than 400 participants and 35 mentors handling the training. The groups met five times a week – thrice for running and twice for training. Meet the Mentors A mentor is your trainer, guide, and counselor all rolled into one. A mentor doesn’t just train you to run, he/she supports you to get fit, be a better person and help you rediscover yourselves. The powers that be at Hyderabad Runners choose people who personify all the above qualities to be the mentors for the Couch to 5k training programme. Here are the profiles of some of the fantabulous mentors for the recently concluded edition of Couch to 5K.