Dr. Som Nath Sethi: A Testament to Resilience and Determination
Dr. Sethi, MD (Gen Med), practices at Sethi Nursing Home, Kurukshetra, and is a fitness enthusiast. His fitness at 70+ age is amazing and to know that he had a crippling accident in 2011 is unbelievable!! (The treating surgeons told him to forget running in 2011).
His life story is an inspiration. At over 70 years old, Dr. Som Nath Sethi embodies the spirit of resilience and determination. His journey from a devastating accident to becoming a marathon enthusiast is nothing short of extraordinary.
In 2011, during a morning run on Kurukshetra’s roads, Dr. Sethi suffered a severe accident resulting in comminuted fractures with intra-articular involvement in both leg bones, along with six fractured ribs. The prognosis was grim. Surgeons advised him to forget about running and warned that even walking without assistance would be a miracle.
However, Dr. Sethi was not one to surrender to adversity. A champion race walker before the accident, he refused to let go of his passion for movement. Post-surgery, after being bedridden for over three months, he began his recovery with a walker. Upon returning home, he headed straight to the stadium where he had trained before and, with the help of his walker, completed a grueling 400-meter lap in 33 minutes—a moment of sheer determination that marked the beginning of his remarkable comeback.
From Recovery to Remarkable Achievements
Just a year after the accident, Dr. Sethi participated in the “IDBI Marathon” and the “Airtel Marathon.” What began as a recovery challenge soon became a lifelong passion. Since then, he has participated in nearly 50 marathons, including:
- One 50 km ultramarathon
- 11 full marathons (42.2 km)
- One international marathon in Singapore
His achievements include securing:
- 3rd place in The Standard Chartered Mumbai 2017 Half Marathon
- 2nd place in the 5th Hindustan Full Marathon in New Delhi
The Secret Behind His Success
Dr. Sethi attributes his incredible recovery and achievements to a disciplined lifestyle that incorporates yoga, consistent sleep, muscle-strengthening exercises at the gym, and swimming. These habits, coupled with his unyielding spirit, have unlocked what he calls the “immense potential” within us all—a potential that often goes untapped.
More Than Just a Runner
Dr. Sethi’s inspiring journey isn’t limited to athletics. A scholar at heart, he topped Punjab University in 1971 while gaining admission to medical college in Patiala. His intellectual and physical pursuits make him a role model for perseverance and excellence.
Dr. Som Nath Sethi’s story is a reminder that the human spirit, fueled by determination and discipline, can overcome even the most formidable challenges. For anyone seeking inspiration, his journey stands as a beacon of hope and strength.
