Why the Mallu in ‘If I can run, you can run, too, Mallu”?

It seems like the culture of running is catching on in Kerala with a growing number marathons organized throughout the State. Mallu’s also seem to be participating in ‘marathons’ in increasing numbers wherever they’ve spread outside Kerala as well.  Just a quick word on language – it does appear that the word marathon is being used for races of all distances, although in strict terms marathon used to be applied only to runs of distances 26.2 miles or 42 KM.  I was initially confused by people saying that they ran a marathon in one hour and someone else ran another marathon in 40 minutes as such times would make these people as fast as superman:-)  I quickly realized that they were referring to ‘marathons’ of shorter distances such as 10K and 5K.

Unfortunately, people who would most benefit from an aerobic activity such as running are simply standing on the sidelines, due to perceptions that running is beyond them due to various factors. I do think a big part of it is the social upbringing. Yes, while there are some excellent values and habits that our malayalee culture imbibes in each one of us, there are also some bad views, opinions and mindsets that our social setting injects in our head that stop us from realizing more of our potential. The deeply ingrained notions about who is ‘fit’ to run and who is not, is one of them.  I myself grew up in the same cultural and social environment and I can see some of these artificial barriers people erect.  No, one doesn’t need to have been a great athlete while in school in order to run.  One doesn’t even need to be in perfect health now.  And yes, you can be having some aches and pains as well. 
That summarizes my condition when I began – and to some extent even now!  I think these conditions are typical of a lot of people from where we come from.  

Hence, if I can run, you can run, too, Mallu!


(No running today. 20 minutes of stretching. Stretching is very important.)