Arun
Featured runner of the week: Arun
Asthma may have brought several people to their knees – certainly not him! Yes, here’s someone who stood up, and literally ran to chase the suffocating wheeze away! Meet this Bessie flyer with a “run” even in his name – Arun Kumar Duraiswamy for you.
A job with an established business house brought Arun, a qualified engineer from Erode to Chennai in 2009. Clichéd as it may sound, early morning walk along the beach in BesantNagar during his early days in this city, is what steered his thoughts towards focused running.
As has always been the case, Bessie beach has its way of spreading magic among all morning risers, runners and walkers alike! “Doubtful that I was of my medical condition, my temptation to run only grew with every passing runner!” says this young asthma conqueror. Progressively, the same newbie walker along the beach started running shorter distances. Little did he realize then that this could actually be a solution to the nagging ailment.
The transformation however appeared short-lived in the beginning, given his medical condition. Well, running actually seems to have aggravated his wheezing episodes initially. Unwilling to give up, the persistent youngster decided to challenge himself by ignoring the discomforts, while judiciously planning his running range, and gearing himself with adequate precautions. To his surprise, his health improved, and so did his confidence and run distances! And then there was no looking back.
Starting with a 10K debut for Dream Runners annual event in 2013, this resolute runner has 4 half marathons and many 10K runs to his credit, with a PB of 58 minutes for a 10K run. Putting it in perspective, this is a guy who just started running last year against all odds, forced by a medical condition that many would simply resign to!
Arun’s penchant for going beyond himself and helping co-runners in the group reflects his love for the activity. Any newbie with the Bessie Flyers group would be able to relate to this steadfast running partner’s help in initiating them into longer runs. It’s undoubtedly a skill to nurture and sweep the first-time challengers to punch through the distance! A quality that this unassuming, seasoned runner has in abundance.
Having always set high benchmarks for himself, this relentless runner is now determined to push himself even further and is all set to take up the challenge to complete a full marathon this December. As he puts it humbly, this maiden attempt of his will be a dedication to all chronic asthmatics, and to spread a message of hope. However, adding a word of caution, he recommends seeking professional medical inputs before embarking on a similar journey.
Come, run with us, and meet this simple and self-effacing champion…