9 km 9 days 9 colors! Sounds daunting and exciting at the same time. While a lot of folks were honing their dandiya sticks or swaying to Garba, runners found a novel way to celebrate these 9 days. What better way to run a few miles every day wearing the appropriate color pertinent to that day? If it was too monotonous, one could opt to add variation to their workouts for these 9 continuous days.
Despite the fact that I barely landed in California after a whirlwind trip to India and despite the jet lag issue, the energy was buzzing high. From the first day, I was on the run literally speaking. After their workouts, runners had to post pictures of themselves in the particular color t shirt and write a few lines in relation to the color of the day.
For someone who had been focusing largely on triathlons, running had taken a back seat as I was busy working on my swim and bike. Running had received a rather step motherly treatment and this was a good occasion to revive my long-lost friend.
The first day was dedicated to a 9-km run wearing royal blue-a color that symbolized royalty and aristocracy. At the same time this shade being the color of the sky brought about a sense of balance as I realized that there were 8 more days to go.
The second day was again dedicated to a 9-km run followed by upper body strengthening adorning yellow. This was a color that was associated with optimism, youth, joy and sunshine. Being the color of lemons, it reminded me of the saying “when life hands you lemons, make lemonade.” The energy from this shade provided the necessary incentive to make the most of the given day and it turned out to be one where I achieved a double workout.
Day 3 was dedicated to green-the color that represents nature, growth, harmony and in other words a sense of balance. What better way to attain this than by cycling. Did 40 km. The sequence of continuous pedaling in a rhythmic manner felt like a harmony by itself, sort of a synchronized melody with nature and environment.
Day 4 was a color that was associated with moodiness and dullness. Grey was not a color that usually had me in high spirits which was why it was important to add a little variation to spice up things. The strength or ‘Shakti’ is showcased when your mind battles these inner demons to keep the spirits high. Ended up doing a 9-km run which was followed with a plank with my daughter seated on my back. It ended with taking a picture next to a bunch of red flowers.
Day 5 was dedicated to orange-a color that was associated with energy, enthusiasm, happiness and determination. Wearing this color created a sense of determination when you end up doing one of the toughest workouts and that which was essential for every runner. It was leg strenghthening day and at the end of it I was raring to go.
Day 6 was dedicated to white-a color associated with purity, peace and cleanliness. I personally identify with this color as it’s the meaning of my name. When your mind is pure and at peace, free from all the niggling doubts, you accomplish something really worthwhile. So, ended up doing a 9-km run.
Day 7 was dedicated to red-a color that symbolized action, heat, adventure, willpower and determination. The willpower and determination pushed me to do a 9-k run followed by 90 seconds plank. Such an action-packed workout generates heat and which was cooled down by doing a 1.5 km swim in the pool.
Day 8 was sky blue which was associated with stability, faith and freedom. Cycling gives that sense of freedom while core provided that stability. So, ended up doing 30 km cycling followed by bicycle crunches, leg raises and flutter kicks. Blue also produces a calming effect so ended up doing 9 sets of surya namaskars which soothed my nerves.
Day 9 was dedicated to pink-a color that represented care, compassion and love of oneself and of others. It reminded me of the saying ‘Love yourself first and everything else falls into place.’ Running and fitness helps to care for your mind, body and soul. Pink is also a color that represents our inner child so the 9-km run unleashed the inner child in me. Pink also represented sunset clouds which indicated that it was time to bid goodbye to this year’s Navrun edition which had come to an end.
Day 10 was dedicated to the selfless armed forces-our guardian angels who were sacrificing their lives so that civilians could get a good night’s sleep. It was the color of camouflage and patriotism just oozed out of our veins thinking about our jawans in adverse conditions.
It was interesting to see several participants express their interpretation of the several colors and how it reflected on their workouts. The energy was high this year with positive vibes flowing like a river. Participants kept supporting and motivating one another. It was an incentive to wake up every day in the morning, wear different colors and rush to run, swim or cycle. Every person inspired others to put their best foot forward. It was almost as though we were all swaying to the same tune from different parts of the world in a rhythmic manner that sure could have given a complex to the dandiya and garba dancers. 🙂
A hearty thanks to Mumbai road runners and especially to Bijay Nair for having come out with this unique concept. With the blessings of the Goddess, hope to see many more such successful editions of Navrun in the coming years. Jai mata di!
