Every runner has good days and some bad days while training for an event.
When I signed up for the Mumbai Marathon in July 2016 for a run to be scheduled in January 2017, never did I expect to fail at one big run in-between.
It made me doubt my capabilities and preparedness for a road race, though my goal was far from racing!
Tickets were booked, friends were contacted, training plan was in place.
As always, Murphy decided I was not to be in charge of my life and threw a curveball my way!!
Being busy with a family function and stressful situations, did not deter me.
The decision to run a 42.2 on my own, was a fleeting thought one day during one early morning run!! What if I ran a full marathon just for myself??
So, the weekend I should have been traveling and participating in a dream run across the sea, instead of waking up at unearthly hours to catch an early morning flight, I woke up to run!
The newly cemented roads were wet!
I laced my shoes and took my head torch, a jacket to keep me warm and started running!
I recalled the words I had read:
All you have as you run is your heart and soul and the fire in your legs!!!
The strength of a runner lies in never forgetting the reason he/ she started running.
When I signed up for the Mumbai Marathon in July 2016 for a run to be scheduled in January 2017, never did I expect to fail at one big run in-between.
It made me doubt my capabilities and preparedness for a road race, though my goal was far from racing!
I decided if I wanted to continue running for a long time, it would require me to focus on building strength and hence, little thinking and a lot of money later, I signed up at a fitness centre close to work.
Standard Charted Mumbai marathon is considered the Mecca for runners. Never having done one of those, I was determined not to go so far and fail at something as simple as running
Tickets were booked, friends were contacted, training plan was in place.
and training was on!!!
I was happy with the support I was receiving from my trainer at the fitness centre and I felt good!
As always, Murphy decided I was not to be in charge of my life and threw a curveball my way!!
Disappointment hit me, running saved me from binge eating and turning into a sloth bear during the cold winter mornings.!!
I decided to continue my training!
Lost a lot of money due to tickets being non refundable, the registration fee non refundable!
But running without focusing on an event and training for something without the pressure of an event looming ahead is a different experience.
Being busy with a family function and stressful situations, did not deter me.
Though I did not follow a rigid plan that I would have if it were a race, yet, i tried to stick to most of the days.
The decision to run a 42.2 on my own, was a fleeting thought one day during one early morning run!! What if I ran a full marathon just for myself??
So, the weekend I should have been traveling and participating in a dream run across the sea, instead of waking up at unearthly hours to catch an early morning flight, I woke up to run!
The newly cemented roads were wet!
The complex was dimly light during the cold, gray winter morning.
Running outside on the road is not a safe option for a lone woman runner and have never been comfortable running on my own after few bad experiences! Better safe than sorry!
I laced my shoes and took my head torch, a jacket to keep me warm and started running!
I had water and electral and few running gels and salt pills placed strategically!
I recalled the words I had read:
''Forty-two kilometers. But they are just numbers. One step at a time. One breath at a time” Adharanand Finn
It was quiet,the silences magnifying the shoes tapping on the road, the headlight bobbing up and down casting shadows on the wet cement as I ran.
I ran
Alone!
Used to doing all my runs on my own, this was nothing new, but never have I run a distance beyond 35 KMS in silence.
Would I hit the wall, would I cramp, what if people stopped me to chat?
Music in my ears, keeping me calm!
30 kms was doable, I had not trained beyond a 30, during this training phase!
I entered distances I had not run in a while!
It was not easy anymore!!
Doubts started creeping in,
was I stupid to try something which was considered sacred by many and just decide to run?
Would it be possible to run without the cheering crowds to push you to the finish?
When doubts start creeping in, the difficulty levels exponentially rise and pain surges through your limbs!!
I had a friend for company over phone as I ran! He kept track of me to ensure I was still running and was still ok.
35 KMS had me hopeful, I could do this with a little push!!
I went into run walk mode and pushed myself to run!!
there are no km markers, there are no finish lines, there are no crowds calling your name, there are no drummers and musicians cheering you on!
I could have stopped, I had nothing to prove to anyone, I had no medals waiting for me, no photographers to frame my moment of glory, no placards to goad me on!
All you have as you run is your heart and soul and the fire in your legs!!!
Touching 40 kms felt like heaven! I realised my pace was steady and I could complete in less than 5 hours if I pushed myself to complete the last 2 km.
People were now walking, cleaning, watching, staring!
I gave it my all and finished! 42.25 kms inside a building! Round the block about 110 times!
I did not collapse, I did not cry!
I smiled!!!
''Surrender yourself to running like a God, give it your all, and expect nothing in return...and then you'll get more than you thought possible'' Scott Jurek
My personal marathon
“A hymn to the spirit, to the heartbreaking beauty of tenacity, to the joy of movement.”
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