22 Comments
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Abhishek Singh's avatar

Loved it, as usual. Posts like these would ideally help more folks to take up such activities because another corporate survivor just shared her struggles and joys of running. I'm not someone who likes to put strain on his body but have enjoyed running in the past with a personal best of 5k. Post that the physio politely asked me to stop doing it unless I wanted my partial ACL tear to evolve into a full tear. But I very vividly remember the feeling of completing 5k. You feel every heartbeat, your brain becomes quiet and the sense of accomplishment is just a cherry on top!

Thank you for making me relive my running story. Hope you achieve your running goals very soon :)

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Kanchan Balani's avatar

Thank you so much, Abhishek! It's writers+readers like you that help create a genuine space for stories like mine to emerge and resonate. And it's so true - sometimes the hardest part of an any athletic pursuit is knowing when to pivot/stop.

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Abhishek Shetty's avatar

Best of luck for your half marathon. Really enjoyed this piece as a fellow runner.

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Kanchan Balani's avatar

Abhishek, thank you for taking the time to read. Wishing you many memorable miles ahead on your running journey :)

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Charulatha Banerjee's avatar

What a piece of writing! Loved it. I have discovered the joy of exercise late very late and now Yoga defines my moods and my day. Am almost envious of your ability to run and progress steadily. Wishing for you stronger legs and more as you prepare for more runs.

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Kanchan Balani's avatar

Thank you for taking the time to read, Charulatha. So, so happy to know that you've found your own path through yoga. Wishing you nothing but continued growth :)

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The Scribbling Owlet's avatar

Loved it and boss your illustrations are pro max!! ❤️

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Kanchan Balani's avatar

Thank you, Su ❤️

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Shreya's avatar

This is such a delight to read. It makes me think of my love for yoga and how I encouraged myself to do (read: endured) a rigorous 200-hour teachers' training course in Rishikesh.

You must read The Day I Became a Runner by Sohini Chattopadhyay. It is one of my favourite books of the year even though I have nothing to do with running.

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Kanchan Balani's avatar

Thank you for taking the time to read, Shreya! Woah, that teachers' training course sounds incredible! Tbh I absolutely loved The Day I Became a Runner - in fact, the story of Kamaljeet Sandhu was sourced from that :) It's amazing how these powerful narratives connect us across different experiences and inspire our own journeys ❤️

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Hansal Suthar's avatar

You can & you will do it! ❤️#HalfMarathonLoading

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Kanchan Balani's avatar

❤️

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Boshika's avatar

Running is such a sweet escape. I love this (and how cute are these illustrations). Really good read, K!

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Kanchan Balani's avatar

Thank you, my dearest Bo ♥️

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Heena Narula's avatar

I don't know how I stumbled on this post but I am so glad I did. I think our running journeys overlap quite a bit (big Murakami and NRC fan here). I discovered running quite late in my life (late athletic bloomer here) but the magic I have experienced over the last 2 years is indescribable. All the very best for your first Half Marathon later this year, it's such a fun distance and you learn so much about yourself during the training.

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Kanchan Balani's avatar

Ayyy! Equally glad that you stumbled upon my writing, Heena :) So wonderful connecting with you. Tbh I'm both terrified and excited about this half marathon. And thanks a ton ❤️

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Aakriti's avatar

Really enjoyed reading this and resonated a lot with some parts as a (beginner) runner, hoping to do her first half marathon this year. Good luck! And this was a lovely read :)

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Kanchan Balani's avatar

Thank you so much for reading, Aakriti! We're in the same boat then :) All the very best to you ❤️

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Jesal's avatar

Such a beautifully written piece—equal parts raw, reflective and so inspiring! Can’t wait to cheer you on for your first half marathon! 😍

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Kanchan Balani's avatar

Thanks a mil, Jesal! Means so, so much ❤️

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Sanskriti Bhatia's avatar

Such a beautiful post, Kanchan! More power to you :)

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Kanchan Balani's avatar

Thank you so much, Sanskriti! ❤️

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