MILES TO RUN BEFORE I SLEEP: HOW AN ORDINARY WOMAN RAN AN EXTRAORDINARY DISTANCE by Sumedha Mahajan

Author:Sumedha Mahajan [Mahajan, Sumedha]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Mobilism
Publisher: Rupa Publications
Published: 2015-01-02T00:00:00+00:00

15

A Shot at Hope

I HAD RAISED hell with the organizers for not providing us with an efficient doctor in the crew. As a result, they scrambled to get me to the Fortis Hospital, where a doctor was waiting for me. He examined me and was shocked at what he saw. ‘This is the worst case of chafing I have ever come across,’ he said, shaking his head, and asked me how I had injured myself this way. When I told him my story, he looked at me differently.

He re-examined my breasts and said, ‘It is not as bad as it looks. Luckily, you came here just in time, before the infection could penetrate the skin. Right now, it’s still on the surface. But seriously, I’m awestruck at how you managed to hold yourself together through this; it’s remarkable!’

The doctor dressed my wounds, prescribed some medicines and ointment, urged me to take ample precautions and then let me go, but not before adding, ‘The wounds will take at least twenty days to heal. I am shocked at how the so-called crew doctor gave you ordinary tapes. Had your condition been addressed on day one, you would not have been here.’ I shot a triumphant look at the crew member accompanying me.

That was not all. When the doctor realized that despite his note of caution, I was determined to complete the run without anymore breaks, he arranged for a specialist to check on my asthma. It was a blessing, as the doctor gave me medications to arrest recurring attacks.

On my way out of the hospital, I saw a small crowd of doctors and nurses waiting to catch a glimpse of me. I was told that my story had had spread through the hospital and I was the cause of some intrigue among the medical staff, but not in the way I would have liked. ‘Why are you doing this?’ ‘Is it worth risking so much?’ They all had the same questions. My heart sank. What answer could I possibly give? What could I say that would explain my reasons my actions, my endeavours to rank strangers? What motivated me, made me push myself to the limit of my endurance? It’s not something anyone could have ever understood, except my family or perhaps my fellow runners.

Thankfully, I was feeling a lot better physically. I quickly exited the hospital and reached my hotel to update Raj and Apurba—my loyal comrades who were fighting with the organizers about how they could as even think of asking me to leave. It was their mis-management that had brought in an inefficient doctor as our crew. Both of them ensured that they motivated me enough and never let even a grain of doubt creep in regarding my ability to complete the run. They were relieved to hear about the doctor’s verdict and glad to know that I can run with them.

Arvind was not in the least bit surprised when I finally came clean about my breast wounds and what had happened.

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