„My most insightful
thoughts come to
me while running!“
The #believeinyourself story of Himali Upadhya
Himali draws her strength from a sport she only discovered at the age of 50: running. This newfound passion has now become a cornerstone of her life.
She was born in Kathmandu, Nepal, and has lived in Japan, UK and Austria. Himali has been with Erste Group Bank AG for 17 years, where she is a member of the Loan Capital Markets team. As a team player she has, over time, built up a global network of relationships with international and local banks in order to collaborate and co-finance large-scale loans together.
© Marlena König
What was your #believeinyourself moment?
When I turned 50, my knees began to ache, signalling that it was high time to prioritise my health and shake up my sedentary lifestyle. Because nothing would change if I remained slouching on the couch. With my two sons out of the house, I finally had some me-time on my hands. Back when they were young, I lacked family support here since my relatives are in Nepal, leaving little room for personal time as a single mum. I used to spend any spare moments with my sons or at home. That’s when I came up with the idea of taking up running – a sport that demands nothing but a pair of running shoes and doesn’t tie you to a fixed schedule. But for someone as unathletic as I was, it meant battling my inner couch potato. Can I do it? Will it be worthwhile? How do I even start? I looked up “running for beginners” on the internet, bought a pair of running shoes and off I went!
© Marlena König
What was your first run like?
Truth be told, it was really tough at first. I had read somewhere to start with short distances and gradually build up, which sounded manageable. But those initial 10 minutes were brutal. However, I soon discovered how incredibly beneficial and enjoyable running was. It allowed me to de-stress and unwind, leaving issues from my professional and personal life behind while sparking great ideas. It wasn’t long before I felt both physically and mentally stronger, boosting my self-esteem and professional performance. And most importantly, I was doing something for myself!
When and where do you prefer to run?
Mornings are my favourite time to run – right after getting up, on weekends, and sometimes even while on holiday. It leaves me feeling refreshed and happy. I like running solo, without music, along the Old Danube, surrounded by trees and water, listening to the birds – it’s exhilarating! I only run when the weather is good – that’s a luxury I afford myself.
How was your first running competition?
Fuelled by a lot of #believeinyourself, I signed up for the Women’s Run after my first 7 months of “running experience”. I wasn’t sure if I could complete the 5 kilometres, but it was a motivating challenge, and crossing that finish line filled me with immense pride. It wasn’t really important to me how fast I was, but that I made it at all. This accomplishment spurred me on to register for the next race, the erste bank vienna night run. I was proud to be a “runner” now!
What would you like to pass on to your colleagues?
In the hustle of everyday life, mothers often tend to overlook their own needs and well-being. I encourage everyone to seek support and do something for their fitness. It’s refreshing to see a growing trend of fathers stepping in to share childcare responsibilities, allowing their partners time for themselves, like going for a run. That wasn’t the case in my day. My advice: just demand it! I’ve also realised that it’s never too late to start exercising in general or running in particular. Patience is key – fitness doesn’t happen overnight. And if running isn’t your thing, there’s always Nordic walking or just walking.
And another piece of advice: if I’m not motivated at all, I just set aside 10 minutes to go for a run. It almost always turns into more! The important thing is to never stop moving. We’re not getting any younger! Staying active keeps us fit and is simply good for us. It clears our minds and sparks fresh new ideas – and who knows what good they’ll do!
The bottom line is: #believeinyourself – you can do it!