Eswari
Every runner has a story to share. A story of grit, determination, hard work and commitment. After all running is not easy, is it? Then how about someone who runs, swims and cycles like a champ? What sort of a tale is that? Read on as runner Vanitha Shankar is in conversation with super mom and triathlete Eswari Andiappan on her journey to the road of fitness….
“Let’s see… get into the pool and start swimming. Only then will you know how difficult it is …” retorted her 8-year son when she nudged a little harder to bring out better strokes from him. She took his words seriously and learnt swimming from scratch – so she could get the nuances right and guide him better.
Since then it has almost become a daily routine for the mother and son to catch up on the day over workout sessions – be it swimming, bicycling or running. A typical evening for Eswari rolls out into a regular run, while pacing her son Krishna on the cycle, listening to his tidbits from school intently. “That’s a healthier way of spending time together as a family”, she says, making one wonder if she probably was an athlete, perhaps a passionate sports lover through her growing up years!
Not really…says Eswari, whose exposure to participative sports was just limited to a school relay event for barely 2 months, where she had to fill in for an injured friend! Spotlights on Eswari Andiappan, who belongs to the inspiring genre of women leading a sporty lifestyle well after marriage and children. This Chennai Runner who is seen breezing through the warm Chennai roads along with her running group claims a steady growth in personal strength and confidence every single day, owing it all to her changes in lifestyle.
“I’ve come a long way…” says Eswari, stepping outside her office, recalling how her son Krishna, brought the family unit together on this fitness journey. A mom of 2 kids and a full-time IT professional providing support for a global cloud-based product, she was sailing through a rough patch, leading a stereotypical busy life. With a 7-month old baby at home and an 8-year old with a chronic wheezing issue, she barely found time for any social activity, leave alone fitness and wellness!
Having a sibling to look up to brought Eswari’s first tryst to change. Her brother Ramanathan, an active cyclist, had signed up for CTC half marathon in 2013, and subsequently roped in nephew Krishna as well in the 5K Category. That brought Eswari on track for the first time, although she admits that it was for most part, aiding her son with hydration and backpack.
“Euphoric runners at the finish line triggered some kind of longing in me, says Eswari, who subsequently did make a start. Hailing from a conservative family, folks at home raised concerns about strenuous running barely months of childbirth. She gave in, receded for while, until a radio ad about Wipro Chennai Marathon motivated her yet again. She started e-following runners and other related topics. With a strong urge, she took the plunge.
On May Day, she joined the Vibrant Velachery running group. Her regular brisk walks, motivation from mentor Anil Sharma, and the effervescent team ensured that she completed 4K on the very first day. That very start paved way to more reasons for smiles, formal starts and finishes. Growing from strength to strength, she completed two half-marathons, 2 full-marathons – all in a span of over 2 years of dedicated training (2 seems to be her lucky number :)! ). If your eyes are getting wider, wait…she is also a 3/4th ironman triathlete. The only woman in Chennai to have covered a distance of 2.9 km swim, 135 km cycle, 31 km run, and is all set to take up the full iron challenge.
So, what does it take to juggle family time with a full-time career along with so many activities? “It’s all in the way we manage our time..”, she says, acknowledging the family support she enjoys from her spouse and mother. While competitive fitness goals may help keep up the interest and motivation, she believes in the mantra of active body and active mind for a healthy and happy life. And she extends this belief to her family too.
As we wrap up the short telephonic conversation, I wonder if Eswari probably wears a mask! A mask of a common (wo)man concealing the modern in modest, bold in traditional, determination in passion, above all practice than preach! Role models are all around us – if only we care enough to look beyond their mask 🙂
[Photographs courtesy: Eswari’s FB profile]
And if this has inspired you, don’t hesitate, register for #TWCM15 via www.thewiprochennaimarathon.com to experience the excitement and more…