Run officer run

In the winter of 2009, something changed for Telangana IPS officer M. Ramesh. He got addicted to long distance running and hasn’t looked back since. As an IPS officer, he had always believed in staying fit, but running changed him completely. “I used to hit the gym and walk in KBR Park. My friends were into distance running and I wanted to give it a try,” says M. Ramesh, SP, Greyhounds, who is also SP Reorganisation Cell, DGP office.

Senior officer Rajiv Trivedi is an extraordinary athlete and a mentor to Ramesh. “His invaluable advice has been of great help. Rachel Chatterje, who has been consistently topping the Mumbai marathon, has also been an inspiration. I have been greatly inspired by the opportunity to represent and run for my force. In the Athens Marathon, I represented the AP Police, becoming the second serving police officer after Rajiv Trivedi, to run a full marathon overseas.  In May 2016, I ran in the New York Police Department (NYPD) Memorial Run. I was a key member of the organising committee which held the first Indian Police Martyrs’ Memorial Run in October, 2016,” says Ramesh.

Last year, the ministry of Home Affairs had nominated him to the International Police Cooperation Center at Rio de Janeiro and Brasilia from August 1 till the completion of the Olympics. “I was nominated to serve in the Special Team constituted to work in the International Police Cooperation Centre, during Rio Olympics, Brazil. I worked closely with police forces of 27 countries besides, the Interpol, Europol and the FBI. It was an amazing experience,” says Ramesh, who also underwent a five-week training in the US in 2005 in SWOT Team operations and Crisis Response.

So, how does he manage to take out time from his busy schedule? “While most of us think time is limited, it is limited only by our thoughts. If there is something we like to do, we will always find time for it. Soon after I discovered my passion for long distance running, I had to settle into a routine of early to bed - early to rise. Initially, friends and family were not too happy with me for not being around for  parties, but they later understood that for me the party starts early in the morning,” he replies.

The Journey
After he got into distance running, it was more about trying to raise the bar. “The year 2010 was the 2500th anniversary of the legend of the Marathon. I signed up for the Athens full marathon, and got the chance to run from Marathon village and finish in the Ancient Olympic Stadium in Athens, Greece. That was a historic opportunity and I gave it my all,” says the father of two sons and adds, “I encourage both of them to engage in sports and go easy on education.”

An uphill task
The biggest challenge was to break the myth that running such distances is not for someone of his age. “It takes a while to get used to the healthier choices, but once done, you won’t feel like going back to the old ways. Then the next biggest challenge is about the necessary lifestyle changes — time, diet, interests,” says the IPS officer and adds, “People of my age should understand that by making the right choices we are not only helping ourselves but are also helping those younger to us by setting an example. If each one can positively influence one person to lace up, it will soon have a huge impact.”

Fitness regime
Says Ramesh, “Early morning workout in the open followed by stretching exercises, healthy diet and always maintaning a positive attitude.”