Motion is central to the evolutionary process. Evolutionary history tells us that one of the most natural instincts of humans is running - be it for survival (self-preservation), hunting for food/shelter or simply for recreation.

In a 2007 paper in the journal Sports Medicine, Daniel E. Lieberman, a Harvard evolutionary Biologist, and Dennis M. Bramble, a Biologist at the University of Utah, wrote that several characteristics unique to humans suggested that endurance running played an important role in our evolution. Their paper mentions - 'Humans have exceptional capabilities to run long distances in hot, arid conditions. These abilities, unique among primates and rare among mammals, derive from a suite of specialised features that permit running humans to store and release energy effectively in the lower limb, help keep the body's centre of mass stable and overcome the thermoregulatory challenges of long distance running. Human endurance running performance capabilities compare favourably with those of other mammals and probably emerged sometime around 2 million years ago in order to help meat-eating hominids compete with other carnivores.' So, for those who believe they are not made for running (keeping the 'interest' factor aside), hope this settles the matter for good.

But really, it is not just about running long distances, racing marathons or being able to endure long spells of extreme discomfort - physical/mental to experience a runner's high. Fortunately, there is much more to draw from, for all types of runners. As they say in running - 'you get out what you put in' and 'the longest distance one really runs lies between their two ears'.

Try this - the next time you meet someone who is into running (distance, pace or their running achievements do not matter here), just ask them why they run or even what they think about while running? Your query is likely to generate a plethora of responses as diverse as - 'finding answers to a deep spiritual quest' to 'it is meditation in motion' to 'fitting back into a pair of jeans I got for my x birthday!' It is interesting how people relate with running and what they seek from it. It often seems to be both, therapeutic and cathartic for a lot of runners. You will notice they punctuate their circumstance, consciously or unconsciously, and draw from this reservoir to provide meaning and purpose to their everyday existence.

Whatever be the motivation, running is surely gaining popularity by the day. More and more people across age bands can be seen pounding the streets and trails to achieve their PR/PB (Personal Record/Personal Best). Here in India, we are blessed to have a topography that allows all kinds of terrain and temperatures (high, low, flat, hilly, dry, cold, hot, wet, desert, forest, etc.) to run in, and depending on the season, organizers carefully select the course and category to satiate the runners' desire to 'try something different' and experience a new 'runner's high' - by day or night!

Nowadays, it is easy to find a running club in one's neighbourhood or a marathon event in one's city. In fact, there are scheduling challenges as the prime weekends are mostly taken up and people are spoilt for choice. Registrations for most of the marquee events close-out well before the last date and organizers keep dropping the qualifying timing (eligibility for registration) to manage big numbers.

This steady growth in events and participant numbers has resulted in the spawning of many allied businesses and services. In fact, a whole new category has emerged focused on the 'running industry' (running gear, nutrition, coaching, training equipment, physiotherapy, medical assistance, event management, etc.) and promises to grow exponentially as more people continue to lace-up.

Ultimately, for a runner, it is discovering the sheer joy of floating on one's feet and foxtrotting on the beats of a joyful heart!

"A million miles our vagabond heels; clocked up beneath the clouds...
This is my fife; this is my drum; so you never will hear me complain..."

If these haunting lines from the Mark Knopfler & Emmylou Harris classic - 'All TheRoadrunning' resonate with you, it is likely you have discovered the joy of running already!

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