Some things you hold close to your heart, thanks to the good memories associated with it.
So it is with Kaveri Trail Marathon.
2009.
The first is always special. and being just the second race, made it even more!
And when it is something you are happy with, the memories are sweeter!
A new race, it was known for its scenic, undiscovered trails. And for being tough primarily because of the humidity of the region.
For a newbie into running, nothing matters. Someone tells you to sign up because you can do it, You just go ahead and do it!
No doubts, no second thoughts.
Training is simple, just keep running, slowly and steadily over a period till you reach the distance you desire.
Tracking is on fingers! How many rounds around the block?
Shoes are what's affordable, clothes are kept simple.
And the race is run! with the heart. Legs just follow the beat!
There are no medals, no timing chips. winners are chosen by the order of finishing!
Simple, uncomplicated stuff!
Those were the good old days of running.
I never gave a thought to hydration, to salt pills, energy gels, pace, time.
Every run was exciting. I stayed injury free through years of half marathons.
What changed through the years?
Did growing old manifest itself in worrying and thinking more?
Did knowledge cause more disruption in the running than aid it?
As the distances grew so did the injuries, the fear and uncertainties!
When I registered for KTM 2017, I did it for a friend. He wanted support to complete his first half marathon.
With kids and family commitments, this too was one race where I registered, but never showed up. I hoped for my friend's sake I would make it this year.
Shift in the date to November, made the humidity tolerable.
Having run a full marathon in October, uncertainties were meant to be less.
Yet, the week of the race saw me giving up, physically and mentally.
My body refused to co-operate, the legs were like lead, even a 5 km seemed like the last 5kms of a 42km run.
and the friend backed out on the day before the event.
My heart was not in it.
Going alone so far was no fun!
A turn of events, connects with new runners and a meeting with an old friend.
The heart and body says stay, the mind says you need to go.
It is always advised to rest well before a race.
I refused to listen to my inner voice, but gave in to my racing heart.
The night before the run was filled with joy, the pleasure of the company you always seek.
Some friends can give you the confidence you need just by being there.
and so it was that I left for the event in the middle of the night, with the responsibility of the bib to be handed over.
Several hours of confusions and waiting in the cold, had me who had reached the start point 1 hour before the race, start 12 minutes after the gun time!
My already troubling phone, gave up on me.
I ran with a feeling of frustration that I had been made to wait and a sudden fear of being alone!
Deep Breaths. Running teaches you that!
Deja vu
I ran once again with my heart, with no idea of the time, with only the km marker to guide the distances I was covering, I ran on.
Yes, we all have our finish targets, but this time, with no app to keep track, I did not know if I was doing it right!
I told myself I would not worry about finish time.
I would run comfortably, enjoy the scenic beauty of the canals and the fields, cheer fellow runners, smile more, stop often and enjoy running like I used to.
I made sure I hydrated well, stopped to eat what was on offer, chatted with other runners. Humidity was at 75% that morning and my sweat drenched T-shirt signalled me to add salt to my water.
Not once did I think about how fast or far I had to go!
I do not know how I could run without cramping, which normally hits me when I lose so much salts, or how I could smile and talk so much even when I was trying to keep my balance on the uneven trails.
So,
I did not get ranked because I started after the permissible start time, Yes, I did get my timing.
There were no race day photos, no fancy finish line.
I made new friends, enjoyed the run, met an old friend and ran my best half marathon ever!
The pure joy of running!
KTM 2017.
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