Indra’s blog: About Being Out There and Showing Up

Indra’s blog: About Being Out There and Showing Up

I told you about my running journey and how I started to run again. 

A few weeks ago we got an invitation to participate in the charity colour run that was being held at my son’s school. I immediately thought it would be a good idea. When I was telling my husband about it, in the car with the kids in the back, they all chimed in they wanted to run too. 

There were different distances for the little ones and there was the 5K one for the adults. I was just about at the point that that distance didn’t really phase me any more. I thought it would be amazing to run it with my husband and my eldest son, while being covered in colours. 

When we were on holiday in Spain the latter did a run with me and even though he hadn’t trained at all and I had been running for weeks, he was a lot fitter than me. But he was so supportive and that really warmed me. However, I had no illusions about my level of fitness or my speed. I told you before, I am not quick at all, but I do enjoy the run.

On the day, the little ones went first. And they had a blast. Obviously a sensible adult had to run with them, so my husband, being the fitter one, covered all distances and I cheered them on. 

Then the 5K came and the weather had made a complete turn around. It was hot and I was sweaty before we started. 

We took off and quickly I saw all these young ones disappear. I almost fell for it. I started too fast and I didn’t listen to my body. So I had to slow down if I wanted to finish it at all… there were loose stones and the surface was quite different on how I practiced. It was fun to have the colours being thrown at you at check points, but I was struggling. And was getting fed up with myself. This was 5K. I had run more, why was it so hard? I saw several familiar faces on the sidelines and I felt embarrassed I was running almost last with a big red head and panting like a dog. 

And then… all of a sudden it hit me.. and this huge weight lifted of me … it was so simple actually. … yeah, I might be the very last to come in…. I might well be, but I would be the last one that came in that was participating. I was actually on that field, not on the side line, not looking, not cheering this time, no, I was out there, in full view, I was doing it. 

It was a total liberation. It didn’t matter any more: these bystanders looking, the runners that were well ahead of me, the unevenness of the trail and the struggle itself. It was just me, doing my thing, in my pace and enjoying it. 

At the end were my husband and eldest son, who had come in well ahead of me, cheering me on for a little end spurt.

And that was me and a lesson learnt. It’s not about what you didn’t do, but what you are doing now. Showing up to the best of your ability and getting stronger in the process. And the same goes for dentistry really. You might have wanted to book that appointment or get your teeth sorted sooner or find a new dentist straight away after you moved or after Covid, you might feel embarrassed for not coming in earlier, ashamed to be told off or laughed at, but it totally doesn’t matter. I get it. And trust me, we all get it here at the practice. We will never shame you, but cheer you on all the way. It’s better to start now, then not to do it at all. Now is your time to do your dentistry, regardless of the stage that you are at. Be on the field. 

Indra x

Just a small reminder that I am training for the Great North Run. I am taking on the biggest half marathon of the North East in aid of the Sick Children’s Trust and the Tiny Lives Fund. 

If you like to know more or help me support these amazing charities, you can do so here:

https://ajbellgreatnorthrun2025.enthuse.com/pf/indra-rampersad

It is greatly appreciated. Thank you.