The Lady with the Beautiful Smile... and a Noble Soul

The first time I saw her was at the BNP Ultra, where I was pacing a friend. My thought were she’s going to struggle cause BNP (or Borivali National Park) can be quite the daunting place to run. This was Jan (if I am right, grey cells seems to fail this ageing man) and the coolness helps. No matter the weather I still wondered if she could do it all. Thank God she proved me wrong (and the only time I’m happy to be proved wrong). She not only completed the race but she did it in style.

Over the year I’ve got to meet her at the Asic Training sessions, and she did join us for the monthly Bandra-NCPA Training Run. The more I met her the more I got to know her, the more I admired her. She has one of the most dazzling of smiles, and don’t let those greys fool you, she’s dedicated, and disciplined, never missing a training session. Working diligently with people much younger, never once flinching at the challenge thrown at her. 

There are runners who are known for ruling the podiums, there are runners known for incessantly posting their training’s and their selfies, there runners who run probably every race that’s there  to be run, but then there are those noble souls who are more than just about running, and medals and timings and posting, but are always there to support other runners. She is one such noble and beautiful soul.

She’s more than running, she’s always there to support her fellow runners. She got the permission done for the ARC Training session to be conducted at the Bandra Fort when the session would have to be moved else where. She’s an active member of the Society of St Vincent De Paul (SVP) reaching out to those who need help, the most vulnerable, irrespective of ones cultural background, social status  or religion. She also provides palliative care for those who need. All this in addition to her corporate job. Not to forget those beautiful birthday cards, she makes without fail, for every member. 

And yes her mum is a beautiful and amazing pianist and her brother is an awesome cook. Got the privilege and pleasure to meet them when she invited us over to her place for Christmas. It was a feast for the senses, the taste buds, ears, and evening of conversation.

It’s been a pleasure of getting to meet know her and many such beautiful and noble souls. One of the privileges of being a running soul is the opportunity of getting to meet such gems, to interact with them, to be inspired by them, and will continue to be inspired by them.