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I had no time to join any session, I wanted to come out of this daily grind and stress so I started running in 2017. I tried to undergo regular fitness and started participating in marathons and long-distance events. On starting running, I started feeling like myself, it gave me the freedom to be myself. It’s changed my mindset and I felt stronger and more enabled to deal with life.
I participated in various running events including ultra running. I've considered running as the best way to spread our thoughts and explore places. I wanted to contribute a little to our country by spreading the message of peace and humanity. I had to attempt it and very soon got named the first and fastest female runner to run the golden triangle, en route Delhi-Agra-Jaipur-Delhi by running 720kms in 16 days. It also made its place into the Indian book of records.
There's so much hate being spread on social media. I wanted to do something to spread the message of peace and what better way than running through all the different regions of the country. It was also good exposure for me to explore different places and cultures. I wanted to bring about some change by being part of the system. I chose the path of ultra running to spread the message of hope, humanity, oneness, peace, and equality through my run from Kashmir to Kanyakumari.
I knew that I had to quit my job because this expedition was more important to me as I wanted to do something for my country. I did not have any resources to undertake this running expedition when I started but this was my only dream so I made to make it happen. I started seeking help from whomever I could connect with. I met many good people who brought hope into my life.
I only had my fiance Vikas with me who was taking care of everything. When I started my running from Srinagar, it went viral and created a wave of positivity in the country. Everyone came to my support and helped me with my run as I passed through different cities and villages in India.
They donated money, arranged my stay, got me home-cooked food, managed to get materials for my journey and this kept going on city after city. I am astounded by the hospitality and love that I received apart from people who have been following my journey through social media; I got to interact with local people. I even got selfless support from the police; the army and thousands of people. The environment was extremely hospitable. It was an eye-opening moment in my life.
The target was to complete the entire stretch of 4000kms in 100 days but I completed my expedition in 87days, 2 hours. This run will be registered in the Guinness Book of World Records and will be the first of its kind.
But the overall experience was was so great that it surpassed the challenges. The journey didn't only make me physically strong but mentally as well which enabled me to face any situation in my life. When I was running through Srinagar, I faced a lot of traffic, then there were land slides, construction on Ramban and Banihal etc. I even faced a lot of pollution, dust and even fell sick by the time I reached Jalandhar. I wasn't even able to breathe properly.
On visiting the hospital and after a scan I learned that one of my lungs had collapsed and been infected. I was hospitalized for 5 days during my run. I even lost 5kgs of weight but I did not want to give up.
My body condition wasn't good but I thought that I already started my expedition and there are thousands of people who are hoping and praying for me, there is no way I can give up like this. After spending five days in the hospital, I prepared myself mentally and physically to complete my expedition. I resumed my run with 44kms after five days of recovery and after that I continued my running and I did not look back.
It was raining and cold when I started from Srinagar and it was hot after Jammu when I entered Punjab. It was 48 degrees in Rajasthan. In the south, I faced humidity and heat. I faced every challenge of the weather.
After facing so many situation and difficulties during this expedition, now I find myself stronger, more confident and positive towards life and people. This was a lifetime experience for me and I learned many things from it as it gave me a big lesson and experience of life.
I completed my expedition in 87 days by running almost 4000kms and became the first and fastest female runner to run from Kashmir to Kanyakumari. Soon it’s going to take its place in the Guinness book of world record.
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