By Roshan Ratnam Murugappan
If you asked me if I liked running a few years ago, I would have looked at you as though you were crazy! After all, why would anyone enjoy a sport that drains you both mentally and physically? Outside of the games of tag during recess and lunch, running was never something I paid much attention to. It was during our Year 6 Athletics Carnival, where I had to fill in for a classmate in the 100m sprint that I had my first experience of running. That moment truly changed my life!
I lined up for the sprint race, completely unaware of what to do. However, as soon as the starting gun fired, my instincts took over and I bolted down the track. Something felt different. The rush of accelerating down the track, the wind rushing past me and the excitement of crossing the finish line ahead of runners I didn’t expect to beat was unforgettable. For the first time, I realised I had a natural talent for running.
From that day on, I became extremely passionate about running, and athletics became the event of the year for me. Discovering my speed not only built my confidence but it also motivated me to continue improving. I began participating in every athletics event that I could, always eager to put my skills to the test. This passion transformed into a love for sprinting, a sport where every second matters and success depends on explosive power, technique and concentration.
As my passion continued to grow, I began challenging myself by trying long-distance events as well. At first, the transition was difficult. Unlike sprint races, which were over in seconds, long-distance running required sheer will, determination and mental strength. Learning to pace myself was a completely new experience for me, as it is a skill not required in sprinting. However, be it sprinting or long-distance running, I always saw every challenge as an opportunity to improve myself. This attitude helped me become more resilient, teaching me both patience and determination in the face of slow progress.
As I have discovered, running is a very accessible sport, particularly for young people like myself. As a person with nearly no athletic experience, I was able to pick up running as a hobby and thoroughly enjoy it. Over the years, I have received many benefits from this sport, making it an integral part of my life now.
Builds Physical and Mental Strength: As a young person who admittedly spends a large amount of time on technology, running provides an opportunity to get outside, challenge yourself, and build healthy habits. It encourages self-discipline and consistency – skills that are valuable not only in sport but are essential in everyday life. These lessons have had a lasting impact on my life, helping me become a more resilient individual by setting aside 20 minutes for running each day. Ultimately, running teaches perseverance and allows you to push through even when progress seems slow.
Provides Mental Clarity: As a high school student, the workload of school can sometimes be overwhelming, with multiple assessments and extracurriculars. Running provides me with a chance to reset, focus and return to my studies with a clearer mindset, allowing me to tackle difficult and demanding subjects. The sense of accomplishment after achieving your target distance or setting a new personal best, fosters confidence and motivates me to take on new challenges.
Affordable and Accessible: I believe that running is one of the best hobbies that any young individual can pursue. It requires little to no equipment and is very accessible to people of all fitness levels, meaning nearly everyone can enjoy it because you control your own pace. This allowed me to stay committed and consistent with my running as it never felt like a chore. As a result, running is a very inclusive hobby with success being determined more by effort and consistency than by natural ability.
Looking back, it is remarkable that my passion for running began with a race at my Year 6 Athletics Carnival. What started as an unexpected discovery has become an integral part of maintaining both my physical and mental wellbeing. Whether it’s the thrill of bolting down a 100m track or the satisfaction of completing a long run, running has taught me lessons beyond the finish line. For any young person looking for an accessible, enjoyable and rewarding hobby, all it takes is that first step!
