Running is liberating, therapeutic and all sorts of wonderful for those who enjoy doing it. But running for a cause is a different high altogether. And there’s no better person to vouch for this than entrepreneur Arun Ostwal, who is running to raise funds for an organisation called MSF aka Doctors Without Borders. “I saw an ad on their Facebook page and got in touch with them. MSF has been providing medical care for the needy across the globe. Be it natural calamities or man-made conflicts, their team of doctors and volunteers will be there to provide healthcare assistance to those in need. Their work struck a chord with me and I decided to run for the cause.
I will be running the TCS World 10k on May 27,” says Arun.
His first run, which was in 2014, was an emotional experience for the zealous Bengalurean. “I was always running keeping my personal best timing in mind. But I found the whole pursuit of running too boring and self-centered, so I thought of doing it for a cause.” While a lot of people spread the word about raising funds, not everyone clicks on the link and actually donates, admits Arun. “I want to tell people that you can sacrifice one movie or just one beer and donate that amount to the cause,” he smiles.
Taking us back to his early days as a runner, he reveals that his interest in running was sparked off, thanks to a New Year challenge amongst four friends. “We were discussing who amongst us would run the first 10k eventually I was the only one who got serious about it,” says Arun. Over the years, the avid runner faced quite a few injuries, but over the past year and a half, his running has become more structured and mature. “I’m part of a group called Runners 360. I’ve improved drastically as a runner. I did two full marathons this year and I’m planning to do my upcoming 10k in under 45 minutes,” states Arun, who trains six days a week.
His training includes three days of running, two days of strength and conditioning and one day of yoga. “I wake up by 4.30 am and I’m at Cubbon Park by 5.15 am. I finish by 7.15 am, come back home and head to work,” he reveals.
How has running changed him as a person? “It’s made me extremely disciplined. When you start running, you automatically start filtering out things which aren’t important in your life. You become more focused as it helps you unclutter and you become more decisive. My eating habits have changed and I now follow clean eating. Running makes you more aware of your body I’m now more mindful about what I’m going to do,” he answers.
Along the paths he has tread as a sprinter, Arun has encountered a plethora of intriguing people. “I’ve met 70-year-olds who are running 100 km, working mothers, grandmothers and grandfathers, and even cancer survivors who’ve taken up running,” says Arun, who wants to run in Malnad next, and steadily head towards trail running. The businessman reveals that he’s also a keen pacer. “A pacer in running is someone who helps others run better. I’ve been an official pacer at runs before where I run with a flag and people follow me. It’s a very fulfilling experience,” he says.
