The 90-Something Marathon Man
Sandeep Sood - August 29, 2005
I'm 29 years old. In the last month, I decided to take up running again. Because I'm lazy.
No, really. I'm lazy. My wife and I are moving into a new house. Our current condo has a swimming pool in the complex, so I used to swim all the time. But, our new house has no pool. And, I'm just too lazy to drive to the gym. I've accepted that and have come to look upon my gym fee as more of a donation. Because of my monthly contribution, the towels probably get washed a few extra times a year. I feel good about that.
So, I decided that I need to start running. I bought some cool running shoes. I bought Runner's Magazine. I bought one of those cool headbands that Bjorn Borg used to wear. And, I even went running. Once. In the past month.
When I realized that the shoes and the headband and Runner's Magazine weren't providing the necessary kick in the ass, I went to Fauja Singh for motivation. I pasted his picture to the wall of my office (which is in our house, because I'm also too lazy to drive to a job). I've gone running many times more because of the great Fauja Singh. If I was responsible for nominating great Sikhs (or Hindus) for sainthood, I would nominate him (Mr. Chopra, put in a good word if you get the chance).
The guy is 90-something. I can't remember exactly how old he is (and I'm too lazy to do a Google search and check), but he's over 90, so stop worrying about the details.
This guy runs marathons. His marathon time has actually gone down in the past 6 years. That's right, he's improved his running time from the age of 80-something to the age of 90-something.
I went running a few weeks ago, and the next day sucked. I hurt everywhere. I sat in a jucuzzi for 3 hours, almost died from heatstroke, and still didn't feel any better. I'm 29. I suck.
But, Fauja Singh doesn't suck. Quite the opposite. He holds the world record in the 90+ group...somewhere around 5:40. And, he now also holds the world record in number of successful attempts in motivating Sandeep Sood to run. Congrats, Mr. Singh. And thank you.
Digg this entry 
Add to Del.icio.us 
Share on Facebook 
Subscribe
Posted by Sandeep Sood at August 29, 2005 12:39 AM
Comments
I use his picture in my classes when I speak about the illusion of old age. Someone gave me this picture and I had no idea what his name was and who he was, thanks a lot!
Hello Sandeep and Everyone,
What a great post....very funny....and oh, so true, about the gym stuff...I know so many people who get memberships to the gym and then do not go...but I always give them an E for effort! Peace to everyone.....
Sandeep,
Just so you know, you suck.
:)
You're hilarious Sandeep.
Sandeep . . . thank you for the motivation! Great blog to help break the very serious ones of the last couple of weeks. Rahul and yourself should post more often . . . thanks again and best of luck with your search for a cure to laziness . . .please pass it on if you discover it! Thanks again . . .keep smiling!!
Laila
Sandeep,
What a wonderful blog! I absolutely love this blog and the motivational message it provides. I would also like to know how I can get a copy of the poster/picture.
Sheryl
Every morning I exercise to a Richard Simmon's tape. I am trying to imagine Richard at 90 -- especially his hair. :) Patzi
Kind of reminds me of Billy Gibbons, you know, the lead guitar player in ZZ Top. Except I KNOW he's too lazy to be out running like that. And being a Texan, he'd never wear short pants!
Don't know if there are high quality posters of Fauja Singh available, but the Adidas ad is pretty nice. You can find it here:
http://www.adidas.com/verticals/running/com/Download/adidas_ru01.jpg
That is so cool! Quite amazing!
Last year on my Uncle Paul's birthday, my other uncle told him and my Aunt that they should consider moving into town, since Paul was getting up there in age. Commenting that all the chores where too much work for an old man.
They have a small farm with a few ponies, chickens, turkies, pygmy goats, dogs, cats, and a horse named Nadia. Paul retorted back, "If I give up my chores then I have nothing to do to keep my mind off getting older. If I give up what I do to sit around and do nothing then what kind of life do I have" ?
I had stopped walking for atleast 20 minutes a day during Monsoon. Looking Fauja Singh , I have renewed my interest in physical exercise.
I wonder why we become so lazy / careless about the things that help us.
Pranam,
very inspiring!! thanks Sandeep, for the post; I needed that!
Now, if mankind could only apply such marathons to their spirit as they do to their body; we just may be able one day; to thwart our extinction.
(imagine a smiley face, >>--->HERE<----<<
North
I really liked your comments here. I hope you're going to update your site soon. Loose Boy is very good Chair: http://www.apple.com/quicktime/download/ , Tremendous Soldier Win or not when Grass Expect Player Roll , when Pair is Slot it will Roll Slot to Percieve Gnome you should be very Profound
kanji?transmitter architectures redneck?godmothers bachelors ... Thanks!!!
Post a comment
Thanks for signing in, . Now you can comment. (sign out)
(If you haven't left a comment here before, you may need to be approved by the site owner before your comment will appear. Until then, it won't appear on the entry. Thanks for waiting.)Thanks for signing in, . Now you can comment. (sign out)
(If you haven't left a comment here before, you may need to be approved by the site owner before your comment will appear. Until then, it won't appear on the entry. Thanks for waiting.)
Recent Posts
- 06/08/08: Open Thread
- 05/08/08: Can the Mystery of Consciousness Be Solved Objectively?
- 05/08/08: Returning to the Mat
- 04/08/08: Outlook - Perspective - Meinung - Pensiero!
- 04/08/08: Is the Universe (including life) a Purposeless Accident? Science of Purpose: Part 1
- 04/08/08: Given that, at base, we are One being, should we always bear in mind that even the most conflicting of views will have common root connections?
- 03/08/08: Stampede in India
- 03/08/08: Are We an Accident?
- 03/08/08: Weekly Intent - Kevin Boon
- 01/08/08: New Life in a New World
Recent Comments
-
commented on The 90-Something Marathon Man
kanji?transmitter architectures redneck?godmot
-
Dylan Clark commented on The 90-Something Marathon Man
I really liked your comments here. I hope you'r
-
North commented on The 90-Something Marathon Man
very inspiring!! thanks Sandeep, for the post;
-
Nikhil Shah commented on The 90-Something Marathon Man
I had stopped walking for atleast 20 minutes a
-
amanda commented on The 90-Something Marathon Man
That is so cool! Quite amazing!
Last
This is amazing. I instantly googled him.
http://www.sikhtimes.com/bios_041904a.html
Where can I get the Fauja Singh poster??!!