Mumbai architect and avid runner Nandini Somaya Sampat’s debut book of poetry is a sensitive, honest collection of thoughts and observations while clocking kilometres on her daily run
Nandini Somaya Sampat’s (centre) most challenging run to date was completing her first full marathon of 42.2km at the Berlin Marathon in 2025. PICS COURTESY/NANDINI SOMAYA SAMPAT
Those who follow Nandini Somaya Sampat’s social media posts will mutually agree that it’s an inspiring mix of her achievements as a successful, architect and urban planner, as well as of a serious runner. The latter is all about relatable goals and perseverance, with Mumbai’s vivid, eclectic streetscapes acting as a silent companion. Sampat, who began serious running in 2022, has just released her first book, Loop, Knot, Repeat: Running Through Life, Motherhood, and Mumbai (BookLeaf Publishing). It’s an insightful collection of poems based on her experiences and observations while running big races as well as reaching small milestones.
Excerpts from an interview.
Was there a trigger to write this book about running?
During the course of running, I found myself noting down thoughts, learnings, and experiences. Many a journal and diary were half begun. I came across the Writing Challenge by BookLeaf Publishing — a poem a day for 21 days. The challenge functioned as a wonderful pathway to putting these experiences and thoughts together. Since my school days, I have enjoyed poetry — for recitation, and as a writer. It is a succinct and meaningful approach to convey multiple thoughts and narratives.
Nandini Somaya Sampat during a race in Mumbai
What goes through your mind when you run?
Every race in my journey so far has been its own experience: each is distinct with its identity. On some days all the stars align, and the run is a joyful and exhilarating one while on another it has been brutal on the mind and body. Within each run there are periods of discomfort that can find its way into moments of experiencing the runners high. The goal is to reach the finish line but the path to the line is always changing, which is what keeps it exciting and challenging.
...and what have been some of the key penny-drop moments?
I have tried to cover those moments in different ways through the poem The Teacher. The breath of emotions that one experiences, the simple and complex lessons one learns about oneself and the world we live in; the humbling experience of what the body and mind are capable of; the beauty of the city I live in. As I have said, “Running is a continuous teacher of life.”
What was the experience of writing your thoughts as poetry?
Since I had been writing what I had put down over the years I had ideas of the topics I wanted to explore. One challenge was translating those thoughts and ideas into honest and meaningful poetry. The other challenge was to actually get published! This is my first book, and the fear of putting all your thoughts out into the world is in many ways to put yourself out there, and to be vulnerable.
A big part of this book is about observations. What were your favourite observations, especially in Mumbai?
As a runner, there is observation, absorption and execution. There is a rhythm and a pace. The book was an attempt to share what I see, experience and interpret in the same beat as the run, which the rhythm of poetry assisted greatly. In Mumbai one can sit in a location and watch an incredible world go by. As a runner to share that world through its streets and architecture, through its people and its weather, through its markers and monuments and so much more — this is always a privilege and joy.
Does this passion impact/inspire your profession? Is there an organic spill-over, or are the two separate pursuits?
The profession and passion are deeply intertwined. Both are constantly evolving as I am. They both demand discipline and commitment, they lie in the intersection of movement and storytelling and they provide my life with clarity and balance. I am a better architect because I am a runner, I am a better mother because I am an architect, I am a better runner because I am a mother —they are interconnected in many ways, and organically support, learn and grow together.
The three big lessons from running that you will cherish for the rest of your life…
Discipline, humility and joy.
Advice to beginners
As I write in the book: “... the distance doesn’t matter, the pace doesn’t matter, and not every run will give you peace. What matters is that you just start to run. The rest —the struggle, the rhythm, the release — will find you on the road.”
Available store.bookleafpub.com and other e-stores
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