Running helps Milind Soman focus on positive energy, says Mansi Bhansali
The original ‘Made in India’ man was in town and this time around he was batting for women. Ironman Milind Soman, a fitness freak, is the founder of Pinkathon, a marathon exclusively for women. He said, “It is for every woman. The activity is focused on your mind, body and emotions. It makes you healthy. The primary message of Pinkathon is that women should take out some time for themselves, value themselves and respect their body. Taking out time for themselves is very tough, especially for women.”
Pinkathon is a platform for women who want an active lifestyle. Being India’s biggest “women’s only” running event, it also creates an awareness about breast cancer and bone health. Despite the odds that women face, there has been a steady rise in the number of women participating in the Pinkathons. From 2,000 in the first which was held in 2013 to 4,500 women in 2016. Soman adds, “I have seen women who started with half a kilometer and today they run a full marathon. It’s not compulsory that you run a full marathon, but just show your passion for being fit and in good health. The most important thing is to take the first step. Women come with their friends, colleagues and sometimes without even realising they finish 10 kilometers. That’s the magic of running. We are looking at fitter women, who will bring fitter families.”
A national level swimmer, Soman has been running for the past 15 years. Running marathons helps him keep a check on his health. “Running is a community activity where you encourage and motivate each other. It’s a dynamic activity as everybody helps each other to do better. This attitude has made the Pinkathon popular. Running is a global phenomenon. It started 40-50 years ago as a healthy activity but since then it has boomed. When people run, they feel great and there is an urge to run again automatically,” he said.
But there is one aspect which he feels still needs improvement. Despite being offered free check-ups by Apollo Hospitals to women who complete the race, Soman said, only two per cent of them avail it. He further added that now it is also possible for a woman to donate her check-up to someone who can’t afford it as it costs Rs 4,000 to 5,000. Soman has often been told to drop this plan, but for him, talking about fitness is very important. “We need to change the mindsets of people. We promote mothers running while carrying their babies and have special breast feeding zones for them,” he said.
The winner of the Pinkathon will be awarded a doll-like medal, which is made by women who lost their livelihood because of tsunami on the eastern coast of India. The doll itself wears a medal which reads, “I’m a finisher”. Soman explained, “India doesn’t have a culture of fitness and sports. But now it’s been gradually changing because of running. A lot of people feel that their life is over at 45.” Running is also a move towards positivity. He added, “Depression creates negative energies followed by physical and emotional problems, if you start channelising your energy positively it can be cured.”
When you talk of women who run, one needs to mention Soman’s mother, Usha, who was last scene running along with her celebrity son as he completed The Great India Run – a two-week-long marathon between Ahmedabad and Mumbai. She epitomises the idea that it is never too late to start focussing on fitness. Soman said, “She started exercising at 60. She is 78 and treks at least once a month and did a 90 seconds plank recently. She realised that she can do whatever she likes at whatever age.” And another inspirtion, Kaur, spoke about her achievements and advised the youth to stay fit and eat healthy.
Talking about his own fitness, Soman said, “Fitness doesn’t require a routine. One needs to spend time with oneself and for that exercise is a tool to make it easier. The time could be either one hour a day or 15 minutes. I did my first half-marathon in 2004 in Mumbai. I was always fit as I use to be a national level swimmer. Ever since I was a child I wanted to run a marathon because it has a kind of mystical quality. After the Mumbai marathon, I began to love running.” But even in the marathons he has a preference. He added, “I prefer ultra-marathon to marathon. last year I ran from Ahmedabad to Mumbai for the third time.” For Soman running barefoot started as an experiment. Initially, it was difficult for him as the skin was very soft but later, it became conditioned. Moreover, its more efficient, he said.
“There are three kinds of people in the world. The self-motivated people, like me, form the first category. The second category are those who want to do a thing but need guidance and opportunities. Women form the largest part of the group. Third are those who don’t care,” said the actor.
Soman started from being a national level swimmer. He soon went on to do modelling and then followed it up with acting. Somon always did what he loved. He said, “I quit swimming because I had a bad relationship with the Federation.”
For those who like to see him act, there are some projets to watch out for. He says, “I’ve signed on three projects after Bajirao Mastani. I only work on those projects which I enjoy. Otherwise, I don't do it.”
Photo: MD Meharban