Once a woman gets used to the feeling of the wind in her hair while on the run, the curve of her instep as she turns a corner, the feeling of that kick as she speeds up to the finish line, she is not going to look back. Lounging about in the sofa with her friends and eating snacks is going to pale in comparison to greeting the rising sun with a run with friends in the morning.
Running has the ability to add emotional stability - science supports this thought. We become more resilient, we are less ready to give up - be it on the race, or on a course of action, or indeed, our own hopes and dreams. When we run, we are running away from not just physical ailments, but also from stress, anxiety and depression.
The benefit of running for women is not just the much needed "me time", in the busy days that we all find ourselves in, but also a time to clear the head, to prioritise life goals, to let go of baggage, and to meet like-minded women, who have their own wellness stories to share. These stories multiply and become the bedrock for the next generation of fit, healthy, emotionally resilient beings.
When women take control of the wellness narrative within their families, within a generation, the lifestyle issues that plague our nation and its cities - cardiovascular disorders, diabetes, obesity etc. will all be brought under check. A woman never runs alone - she runs, cupping in her hands the wellness of her community.