This teacher literally runs a marathon!

A teacher is always on her toes. It is one of the most under-rated professions or let’s put it this way that the real satisfaction comes years later – It’s when students establish themselves in their lives and return to thank the teachers for their immense contribution. Until then, a teacher has to just run after their students and make them run behind excellence as well. And this teacher and Primary-In-charge not only runs marathons in the academic world but in her real life as well.

Meet Mrs. Smriti Samuel, the Primary In-charge at Apeejay School, Noida! A most loved teacher by all the tiny tots and a multi-faceted personality. She is a big fitness aficionado and runs 5 km every morning followed by strength training in the evenings.

In a very special interview, we speak with Mrs Samuel as she tells us about the innumerable marathons she has run as well as advises beginners on how to begin for the same. 

Read edited excerpts:  

How many marathons have you run so far?

 I have run many marathons. But to name just a few I would say: Pinkathon, Airtel marathon, SBI marathon, Noida marathon, Monsoon runs and Save Earth marathon.

Tell us about the experience of running all these marathons?

If I had to describe ‘marathon’ in a single word that would encompass its essence for me, then that word would be ‘excitement’. Right from day 1 of registering for a marathon till the final day, the excitement keeps building along with my agility, stamina and endurance. I prepare for it by keeping a strict check on my diet and nutrition, by exercising and running daily and focusing on proper breathing techniques. Running a marathon is totally different from sprinting. A marathon requires a lot of endurance and preparation to stay in the race and just keep going. I embrace the period of preparation, which is absolutely never-ending. Through all the preparation, the excitement of running for the self always sustains!

Another thing about marathons that excites me is the diversity it portrays. From people belonging to diverse social and educational backgrounds to diverse age groups, to health conscious and healthy lifestyle seekers, everyone beautifully amalgamated in a single swarm running towards the same destination. In a span of 60 minutes or so one witnesses a great range of emotions and the enthusiasm among the crowd is a superb encouragement.

Please share about your daily fitness schedule? What regimen do you follow?

When it comes to following a fitness schedule, I believe consistency is the key. One who is consistent can do wonders and is able to achieve every milestone. I personally have been consistent throughout my growing years, being a boarding school student and an avid basketball player, I was always disciplined and determined towards my goals. However, after the birth of my son, I ended up putting on weight, which led to a downfall in my self-confidence. l would be constantly conscious about being overweight and out of shape. It was around 2017 that I decided to work upon myself and get back into shape.

Today, my day starts at 5 in the morning, irrespective of storms, rain or anything else that could impede my routine. My goal is to run 5 km daily and ensure that I don’t step back without a cardio session and a definite 40 minutes strength training. This routine has made me resilient, confident and strong.

Should students run marathons as well?

Absolutely! I keep encouraging children to adopt running as a part of their lifestyles. Running costs nothing, instead it provides a better and a healthy lifestyle. I’ve seen people often not considering running as a sport, but let’s take a moment and think beyond.

Nowadays, the children lead a sedentary life surrounded by the comforts of an urban setting. Most of them are not exposed to a physically active lifestyle and spend the majority of their day confined indoors. During the early years itself, it is important to adapt and imbibe running into one’s life. During these years, training muscles and most importantly the mind muscle is the need of the hour. Once we begin to run, it becomes our attitude. It doesn’t only help us to understand the importance of fitness but also leads to the path of discipline.

But regular running leads to muscle soreness. How do you deal with it?

Sore muscles are one of the less pleasant side effects of exercise. Depending on the type and intensity of the workout, muscle soreness can range from barely noticeable to extremely painful.

To help relieve muscle soreness, I try:

1. Gentle stretching

2. Muscle massage

3. Rest

4. Ice to help reduce inflammation

5. Heat to help increase blood flow to your muscles

Give us an insight into your nutrition plan, please?

Balance is the key to everything and especially in one’s diet. I consume a high protein diet, which include 70 to 80 grams of protein. I don’t drink milk but do eat curd. I am a big lover of all seasonal fruits and vegetables.

I truly believe that if you eat it, you must burn it as well. I am a person who believes in doing whatever I feel like, and so to eat what I like, I try to burn the calories I consume. There are days when a calorie deficit diet is a win-win. However, we must keep a track of what we consume and the quantity and quality we consume. Moderation and mindfulness is the key to a healthy lifestyle.

Things to be mindful of while training for a marathon?

1. Invest in good shoes and comfortable clothes

2. Build different kinds of interval training into your programme. Interval training is a great way of building running stamina

3. Incrementally increasing long, slow runs

4. Add weight training to your programme

5. Tempo runs

6. Skipping and cycling

 Next marathons in sight?

Pinkathon and Airtel marathon. Maybe the Leh marathon or the Rishikesh marathon as well.