“It’s not that diabetes, heart disease and obesity runs in your family. It’s that no one runs in your family,” – this is one of those many quotes about fitness that is doing the rounds.
But if you look closely, the benefits of bending your back to tie those shoe laces and go run in open air are endless. Understanding these benefits and encouraging more people to take up this fitness regimen is the Hyderabad Runners Club (HRC).
Informally started by around five running enthusiasts in 2007, the club gained in popularity and today has over 14,000 registered members with the group.
“Random people running at KBR Park met, bonded and then started running together. More people joined them and then they travelled to other cities to participate in marathons,” begins Sandeep Raj, one of the coordinators of the group. “They thought why not have a group back home and the Hyderabad Runners Club officially formed in the year 2011,” he adds.
An outdoor sports enthusiast, Sandeep has been associated with the group since the same year. He tells us how HRC is not merely about people running together, but also a guide and support system for those who wish to become professional runners. If not this, they are company for those who just want to run.
“We follow an expert training plan called Run Less, Run Faster that was created by a super coach, Bill Pierce. It is a combination of a number of physical activities and also what foods can help you run better and so on,” explains Sandeep, adding that finer technical aspects like the kind of shoes that are apt for running are also addressed.
The best part is that the entire package offered by the group is free. “We have a coach in place informing and educating people about all things related to running. How to run with minimal injuries, things to keep in mind for beginners etc. When we host a marathon, we ensure that aid is available at strategic points to help people with whatever they may need. They are ambulances, drinking water and quick bites,” explains Sandeep.
“They take special care for women and elderly. Seniors in the group help those who just joined too,” he adds.
All of these are taken care of by group members on voluntary basis. “We have Google group where we discuss what we need depending on the runs we are hosting and people come forward to do take responsibility,” Sandeep informs.
The club is so much more than just a run-of-the-mill, traditional institution. A formal training ground and motivational space for beginners and a getaway for professional runners – it attains significance as a place of special meaning for every individual.
“Say we are travelling to another city for a marathon, someone takes the responsibility to book tickets. Someone else finds us suitable accomodation. We travel together and stay together, so it becomes like a fun trip,” he elaborates.
They also experiment with the training regimen every week so that the members in the group are not bored and are motivated to train regularly.
Running helps in...
Strengthening muscles
Lose weight and maintain it
Increase metabolism
Build mental strength
Relieve Stress
Prevent disease
Strengthens immune system
Strengthens lungs... all for free
Sprinting past odds
Kiranmai, a mother of two girls, joined Hyderabad Runners Club three years ago and has completed 10 half marathons and four full marathons till date.
“I started running only after I joined the group and it was a time when I couldn’t finish even one km. I went to KBR Park every Saturday. In the next six months, I was able to finish four and five km,” shares the 44-year-old. In the year 2012, she ran half marathon in two hours and 58 minutes and by 2013 she completed the same in two hours and 28 minutes.
“It gives you a lot of confidence and HRC’s training programme actually helps you become a professional runner, that too for free. Today, I train with the group three times a week – Interval, Tempo and Long Run training,” Kiranmai tells us.
She completed her first full marathon at Leh, Ladakh in the year 2013 in six hours 30 minutes, that an average runner of the same age can complete in five and a half hours. “A professional can complete the same in four and half hours. I then completed the Mumbai Marathon. This year at the Hyderabad Marathon, I secured the second position in the 40 plus category and beat my personal best at five hours and three minutes,” the teacher reveals. “It is a lot more challenging because I train and then go to school and teach,” she signs off with a smile. Kiranmai is currently training for 50km Ultra Run, which is set to take place in Bengaluru this Saturday.
About the Group
HRC members meet through the week at 6 am
The location varies depending on the kind of training
For the past six years, they have been doing long runs inside the University of Hyderabad’s campus, generally long runs – 21 or 42 km.
The group is also flexible, if one wants to register with the group, avail their services and train in their own locations
Marathons in various cities take place at different times in the year and the Hyderabad Marathon takes place on the third Sunday in August
Training schedule
Tuesday — Interval training –that focuses on one’s pace
Wednesday — Cross training — where you swim, run, or cycle along with running for muscle strengthening
Thursday — Hill running —up the Hill
Friday — Tempo Run — that focuses on one’s speed
Saturday — Beginners run
Sunday — Long run