Mumbai: Introducing all-women run club for empowered female runners

There comes a point past the first 500m on a morning run when you wish you had stayed home ldquoWe call it the brick wallrdquo says Swetha Subbiah cofounder of the womenled sports community Sisters In Sweat with Tanvie Hans This weekend Subbiah will team up with the Bombay Running Club to launch an exclusive womenonly run club in the cityPriyanka WalanjuThough running is an individual sport for many it can be challenging for women in India Subbiah admits ldquoThere has been a paradigm shift in women reclaiming sports in urban spaces However they can still be hesitant when it comes to running alone or in a large mixed grouprdquo The club will be the first womenonly running club in the city says Priyanca Walanju cofounder of Bombay Running Club A runner for the last 10 years Walanju says ldquoWhen you have women running alongside it is comfortingrdquoSisterhood on the moveldquoIt is a myth that women do not like sport Over the last five years we have witnessed more and more women take to sports from badminton and padel to swimming and MMArdquo Subbiah points out adding that the run club is part of a diverse list of femaleonly sport sessions the community plans to host in the cityThe opening day will also include a mobility session for the runnersWalanju accepts that there are unique challenges for women in a mixed running group the pace of male runners can often pressure women to try and keep up There are also issues like running during menstrual cramps or finding the right sportswear A womenonly club offers them a platform to speak freely on diverse subjectsEven early morning runs of Bombay Running Club at 545 am can be a hurdle ldquoThough we have regular women runners who are always present we understand many women miss out owing to their domestic responsibilities Thatrsquos why we chose to offer them the flexibility of starting at 630 amrdquo shares WalanjuPlanned progressAs a sport running requires discipline and a regimented programme Subbiah remarks ldquoOne of the key issues is consistency Working with professional runners can help you overcome that brick wallrdquo Walanju underlines the approach saying ldquoA plan helps avoid longterm injury We will offer a regimented training plan shaped to suit individual needs and preferencesrdquoParticipants warmup during a session in BengaluruYet with March on the horizon and temperatures on the rise the idea of running in Mumbairsquos traffic can pose enough intimidation Deepak Oberoi cofounder Bombay Running Club notes ldquoWe have been conducting runs on the roads for a long time and have structured a method There will also be instructions offered on the run to stay in a single file address during a road crossing or obstructionsrdquoFrom left Tanvie Hans and Swetha SubbiahThe first session on Saturday will be an icebreaker ldquoIt will be an easy session with a light jogrun followed by coffee and conversationsrdquo shares Walanju Though the urban weather is not the best Subbiah says ldquoWe have to make the best of each cityscape As a community we want women to step out of their houses to experience sports and make new friendsrdquo In the end it comes down to helping women find their own space Walanju notes ldquoNo one is looking to make a podium finish right now All you need is turn up make new friends and slowly achieve your goalrdquoFROM March 1 645 amAT Sante Spa amp Cuisine Royal Opera House GirgaonLOG ON TO sistersinsweatin and bombayrunning to registerRunning notesgtgt Opt for comfortable running shoesgtgt Choose weatherappropriate apparel that is easy and comfortablegtgt Do not pressure yourself to hit a markgtgt Take the inconsistencies with a pinch of saltgtgt Be open and make new friends