This story is from August 16, 2018

Milind Soman’s 72-km run on India’s 72nd I-Day

The actor and fitness buff says running 72 kms is not just to celebrate Independence Day, but also to spread the message of exercising the freedom to live in a healthy way...
Milind Soman’s 72-km run on India’s 72nd I-Day
Milind Soman during the Independence Day run in Delhi

While everyone celebrated Independence Day in different ways, actor, model and fitness enthusiast Milind Soman rang in the day doing what he loves the most — running. But this was no usual run. He did a 72 -km run in Delhi, in line with India’s 72nd Independence Day. “People mark August 15 in their own way. I thought, why not celebrate it in a way that would make people fitter? To me, running is the best way to do that,” says Milind.
He took off at 6.30 am from Lodhi Gardens and ended the run at India Gate at 4.30 pm. The idea for this run occured to him very recently. He says, “I thought of it just two days ago, but the turnout has been great. It’s nice to see people from 44-year-olds to youngsters too, who joined the run with me. I would like to urge people to take health and fitness seriously. Running 72 kms is not just for Independence Day, but also to spread the message of exercising our freedom to live in a healthy way by making a choice to spend 30 to 40 minutes daily on ourselves. Age should not be a limiting factor, anyone can and must adopt fitness in their way of life.”
‘It was too hot to run barefoot after 10 am’
For someone who always takes off barefoot on the streets of Mumbai in running events and on his regular practice runs, there was one difference in the Capital yesterday, though. Milind didn’t go the whole distance, sans shoes. “We started early, but I ran barefoot just till 10 am, as it got too hot for me to run that way. I then slipped into sandals,” he says. You can’t help asking him if not wearing sports shoes would impact his feet. “No, it doesn’t, actually,” he says and explains, “The impact is minimised by technique. My body understands how to lessen the force of the contact with the ground by running right.”
‘Saying you’re busy is no excuse to avoid exercise
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With fellow runners during the I-Day run

Has Milind been training every day for runs like this? He says that isn’t the case, “I don’t run every day — just three or four times a week — or whenever I get the time and I do the distance depending on that,” he states.
If you have often relegated fitness to the backburner owing to time constraints, Milind shares a few words of advice, unmincingly. “You have to be regular with some activity; it cannot be a one-off thing. I keep hearing people say they are can’t do so, as they’re busy, but being caught up is a mental thing. Anyone can embark on a fitness regimen at any time. Those on the lowest level of the corporate ladder to presidents of multi-billion dollar companies, all do it. Women who have to juggle with families, kids, husband and jobs are out running early morning in the city, every day. So, we only have excuses till the time we make fitness a priority. Being busy in a city like Mumbai is no excuse to say I can’t exercise.”

Is wife Ankita, who’s also a fitness enthusiast, joining him on the I-Day run? “Ankita did the run in Mumbai yesterday from Shivaji Park to Worli and back, along with my mother and sisters. Last year, mom did the 50-km run as well. She loves running and also does the half marathon regularly. Ankita doesn’t do the full marathon, yet either,” he adds. Have they taken part in any themed run together abroad? “No, but if we get the chance to, we surely will,” he enthuses.
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About the Author
Ismat Tahseen

Traveller, writer and foodie, not always in that order! Penchant for words, smart conversation and humour. Definitely humour. Grammar nazi, loves the newsroom and all that goes with it. Will write till I die!

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