Book Review — Why I Run? (An Exhilarating Running Saga of Alpana Agarwal) by Nalin Rai

On one eve of school’s ‘alumni meet’ the author stumbles across his school mate cum friend Alpana Agarwal, she has been terrific with her records and approach and attitude towards running. Awed by her dedication and determination, the author Nalin Rai asks her for a story of her transformation from being a mediocre woman to ace marathoner.

As the title suggests, Why I Run — it is more than just physical exercise and stamina powering. Running has been an instrumental factor in her life, she decodes as something that powered her from the shackles of being ordinary to something extraordinary.

This book is based on Alpana Agarwal’s journey as a runner. She started late. But age is just a number for her. The roots of her inspiration are attached to 89 years old Fauja Singh, who actively participated in marathon. As the book chugs ahead with her fragments of story, the author sheds light on various campaigns and insights related to running and participation method…one such was the role of pacers to assist runners.

At the age of 45, she began her first marathon in Mumbai, organized by DNA. As her time and distance improves, she turns into a confident role model for people to take up running for personal to professional levels. Like any other field, this too comes with its set of challenges, and this book records all that subsequently.

There are certainly some unusual challenges in her journey. But on the other side her family’s patronage kept her aspirations grounded and well supported. Her journey as a marathoner is a testament to her determination, also she managed to compete with herself first than the other and external forces eventually.

“Running brings out the best of me and makes me more and more resilient to the challenges that life throws.”

It is an easy-to-read book, one to dip in and out of, filled with interesting tales and uplifting and inspiring morale, as she improves her time and covers more distance.

Buy the book from Amazon India