Jayanthi
This week’s featured Runner: “Jaguar” Jayanthi
At the break of dawn, it’s all but a familiar sight to see regular runners going about their routine warm-ups and getting ready to start yet another run, another day! Regularly weaving into the Bessie Flyers group with a pleasant smile is a focussed runner – Jayanthi Gunasekaran, one of the earliest members of the group. A casual fitness aspiration that led her into tracing this group through Google, has now earned her a sporty identity. “What started as basic, regular running led me into active participation in races.” says Jayanthi, who has signed up for her maiden full marathon in TWCM this year.
A mother of two, who gave up her job for family reasons, has set her running goals for the year – a sub-2 finish in half and completion of full by the end of this year. She believes that the intense, goal-oriented workout plan drawn out by her expert trainer will boost the much-needed muscle power and stamina to meet the December challenge.
Being one of the fastest runners of the group, she adorns the nickname “Jaguar”, and owes all her run related progress at each stage to the Bessie Flyers group. The group that motivated her to run often, challenged her to set new goals, advised on strength training, and most importantly, instilled the confidence to sign up for the full marathon.
A natural runner, she has managed to complete 4 half marathons so far, improving her timing in each passing race. Besides her focus and determination, it’s her excellent display of sports (wo)manship that sets her apart. Whether it’s accompanying an injured runner to the finish line at the risk of her own timing or getting new runners on track into the comfort zone, she exudes an intrinsic love for running.
Like to know more about running amidst family commitments? Come, run with us and chat with Jayanthi, the Jaguar!