Aarti
I didn’t start running until my mid-20s, but even then I recognised the strength in walking, especially in a group. With an arrogant, “I can do anything” mentality, I made a wager to run a 20k race at a local zoo, and that was the beginning of my running journey. I was able to keep up with the group for the first mile, but then I started to wonder what I had gotten myself into. The pain is excruciating.
I was down to my last three kilometres and wished desperately that the zoo animals would be let out to kill me. A few minutes later, though, a large group of people who had previously left came rushing back to me. I had long since given up on running and was walking when I was joined by some fellow competitors who chatted and walked with me to the end. The sense of community and shared enthusiasm was irresistible.
After that challenging yet motivating race, I continued running, and it was running that led me to the sport of walking. Since 1980, when I ran my first marathon, I have finished 45 more. I’ve had the honour of coming in first place in my age category and I’ve also finished last. The people I’ve met over the years are far more meaningful to me than any of the medals or t-shirts I’ve amassed.
For almost twenty years, I have been training with the walk/run technique developed by Olympic runner Jeff Galloway. I’ve been asked more than once if I think a walker can be considered an athlete, and my answer has always been “yes.” You are an athlete if you are making progress.
My first race taught me that walking is an incredibly communal activity. That’s why I rely so heavily on the Charge app. Charge makes you feel like you’re jogging or walking alongside other people, which is because you are. It’s great for motivation and for finding other people who share your interest in running or walking. To me, that sums up the whole thing. It’s not about how close someone is to you physically, but rather how many memories and friendships you create with them.
If you are moving forward, you are an athlete.
That was crucial for me during my cancer treatment. I had a major tumour removed in 2012. Radiation therapy lasted a whole year, and I managed to train for and complete a marathon during that time. Even after treatment with radiation and surgery, I knew the cancer would return. Cancer is extremely dangerous and often returns. Indeed, it made a strong comeback a year ago. My approach to fighting cancer was one of proactiveness.
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A treatment regimen known as ADT was prescribed for me. Those 10 months proved to be a real challenge. When I first opened my eyes each morning, I had the sensation of being run over by a Mack truck. Honestly, all I wanted to do was sleep all day. But I would get up, get dressed, eat something, and go for a run that day if I had the strength to do so, or at least go for a stroll if I didn’t. Even though the first couple of km were rough, I made it a point to get outside every day. It didn’t make everything okay again, but I knew I’d be better by the time it was over. It was how I chose to fight it.
#On October 13, 2021, I finished my last round of chemotherapy. The thought of that brings tears to my eyes. That night, I showed up to a Charge session, and I let coach Christine know I was going to be there. As soon as I entered the stage, she transformed the lesson from a humdrum run/walk routine into a joyous occasion. Two more teachers joined in and started playing tunes that I enjoyed. Various runners, some of whom I knew and some of whom I didn’t, hopped on the app to offer their congratulations. That day was very significant since it marked the end of my cancer treatment, and everyone who cared about me was there to witness it.
It was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity that I will always treasure. And it reveals something fundamental about the walkers themselves: that we are a close-knit group. Even if we’re not physically near each other, we still feel the same sense of community and solidarity. It’s a great asset for building relationships that will last a lifetime.
