Meet Ishwori Mukherjee; she’s the daughter of a client and close family friend of a client, too. At age 10, she’s already finished a 10 K and 2 5Ks. Pretty impressive mileage for someone so young! She’s also super busy channeling her other hobbies (baking, reading, walking) and has a twin brother and a 3 year old sister.
Thanks to a loving family that has fostered her love of fitness and a super-supportive Auntie that loves to run too, Ishwori has had plenty of opportunity to practice, thrive, and have fun.
It’s wonderful to see kids moving (and enjoying it!) especially since the lure of video games, IPads, television, and other electronic distractions are extremely attractive. And although Ishwori’s obviously having fun with her sport, she’s also learning the importance of goal setting, competing, training for an event (a 10K is a respectable distance for lots of groups!), and the discipline involved with any athletic endeavor.
I wanted to ask her what motivates her to run. As you can see, her family is a strong influence, as they all train (walk) together. Hopefully, you can use the information in her interview to help inspire another youngster. Or maybe an entire family, as Ishwori has done.
Sumi: When did you fall in love with running?
Ishwori: I have really liked running for 2 years now. Now I am 10 years old so when I was 8.
Sumi: What inspires you to run?
Ishwori: My neighbor/auntie Shaillee helps me push myself to walk. She is basically my trainer. (Side note, I get to train the “trainer.” 🙂 )
Sumi: Do you participate in a running club in school or do you just run on your own time with the family?
Ishwori: I used to do a running club at school but that was when I did not like running. So now I just go on family fitness fun walks, or walks with my Aunt and friends.
Sumi: What’s your favorite part about the running? What do you look most forward to?
Ishwori: When I run I think about my day and it is a nice relaxing time.
Sumi: How do you fit in your runs, since you also have homework and need to help mom and dad with stuff around the house?
Ishwori: Our policy is to finish homework first then you can do whatever you want to do. Therefore I can only take my walks when I finish my stuff. I take my walks when I can, weekends, and holidays.
Sumi: Do you have specific running goals?
Ishwori: I go by distance not by speed. My goals are to be able to go certain distances. My 2014 goal was to try a 10k. I accomplished it. My 2015 goal is to do 2 10Ks and multiple 5Ks. I am also trying to get my mom to walk regularly by being her personal trainer.
Sumi: Do you have any tips for other young runners out there?
Ishwori: I think you need to take baby steps. Try setting a goal, achieving it a few times, and then going a little further.
That’s sound advice for all of us, not just the young runners. Thanks, Isha! 🙂
Shaillee Chopra
January 20, 2015 at 11:52 amBeautiful !! Baby Steps and Persistence – Sound advise for all of us indeed.
Way to Go Ishwori !