Ailments not a hurdle for Mumbai’s marathon men

While participants are not letting health issues deter them, doctors advise them to exercise caution.

Surendra Dasadia, 66, has not allowed a bypass surgery to become a hurdle in his life. On Sunday, the Prabhadevi resident will attempt his maiden half marathon (21 km) at the Standard Chartered Mumbai Marathon.

In 2009, the businessman underwent a bypass surgery at Asian Heart Institute, Bandra. “I then started exercising regularly, and ran the Dream Run last year. Practicing for the marathon has improved my body movements and my asthma problem,” he said.

While a serious ailment need not be a limiting factor for patients, doctors suggest that people with a history of ailments exercise caution before attempting rigorous sports. “Those with medical conditions should be trained correctly,” said Dr Aashish Contractor, medical director of Standard Chartered Mumbai Marathon.

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Last year, Thane resident Shirish Dhande, 53, suffered a heart attack after completing the half marathon. He later underwent an angioplasty at Bombay Hospital.

Kailash Gautam, 45, who underwent an angioplasty last year, feels completing the half marathon will help him feel confident about his health. “I have worked hard on my physical fitness since my angioplasty,” said the income tax officer who started training in the cardiac rehabilitation centre at LH Hiranandani Hospital, Powai, under the guidance of doctors.

“After my operation, I have lost six family members and friends to heart ailments. I want to inspire youngsters to become more serious about their fitness,” added Gautam.

In October 2010, as Amogh Bhole, 25,began training for the marathon, he felt a shooting pain in his left knee. Doctors at Fortis Hospital, Mulund found that the cushions between two long bones of the knee were deformed. “I couldn’t put pressure on my left knee because of the pain,” said the Mulund resident.

Bhole underwent muscle strengthening exercises and has been practicing to run the half marathon. “I am also taking care of my eating habits,” said the regional sales executive of a medical device company.