Palaniappan
Weaving into the group with a smiling demeanor, he may appear simple and quiet, but runs deep with a sense of calmness. Meet Palaniappan Annamalai, an attorney by profession, who has been running with Bessie Flyers, since last year.
He was one among the finishers of the scenic Chennai Trail Marathon organized by the Chennai Trekking Club at Sholavaram in the 21.1 Km category last weekend. For a finisher of 7 half-marathons until now, the trail-run along a beautiful landscape unveiling the unexplored areas of Chennai was a different experience. The running route with ups and down and narrow pathways along paddy fields and villages may not have helped him with PB timing, but will remain a memorable run.
Just like many others, fitness ambitions made him take up running. As he started reaping the benefits, he decided to stick to the activity that gives him joy and makes him feel-good, besides providing energy bursts, physical and mental alertness throughout the day.
So, how did his running journey start? “I was motivated by a friend, who finished running 100 kms. Talking to him, I realized that running, beyond a point was more a mental game that requires a certain level of physical endurance” he says, explaining his initiation to the activity. Starting with solo running was not difficult for this zonal volleyball player, who used to represent the law college team for the inter-zone matches.
Looking forward to a challenge helps one focus on the goal – be it signing up for a marathon or taking up a competitive exam. To keep the momentum going, Palaniappan signed up for a half marathon in Auroville last year, and started training by running alone along Elliots beach in Besant Nagar to boost his stamina that is required for sustaining long distance runs.
Without realizing that the discomfort that he felt in his knees was the infamous Illiotibial band (ITB) strain that most runners face, he continued his running journey ignoring the condition. Until such a day, he had to give up during one of the long weekend runs with the team. And it was then he learnt about the ITB issue. Luckily for him, the injury was short-lived – thanks to the advice from the seasoned runners in the team.
He joined the Bessie Flyers group, after his Pondicherry half-marathon finish, and feels that the best part of the group is in the way they support each other, and function to the best of their abilities, which in turn motivates others to perform better.
Carrying forward his running experience to the next generation, he has initiated his 11-year old daughter, Valliammai, to running. While as a modest start he signed her up for a 5 km run, she completed 10 kms much to his surprise. Interestingly, she just ran along the 10 km track without realizing the end. An incident that re-affirmed his belief, that the outcome is inconsequential, as long as we focus on the journey itself.
As his running quest continues, he looks forward to his next benchmark of completing the full marathon in TWCM this year. While hoping he completes his maiden venture with satisfaction, I leave with a wish that his running journey continues forever – along the same path filled with gratification.
Join us for a run tomorrow, and meet this pacer, who will be seen gliding through the roads steadily, working on his personal targets – in his own silent way.