My All

4 years seemed like a lifetime

Especially when I had not done any races and stuck to short distance running

Signing up for a Full marathon in 2023 Jan was more to get my life back on track and give myself a goal. 

2022 was a year of change on the homefront.

Parents moved out, children found their calling far away from home, I shifted homes after 16 years of familiarity.

This unknown though long awaited, was not an easy adjustment.

I stopped cooking, eating, surviving on bread and air! 

So a challenge was needed to get into good habits and become consistent.

Thus a signup and the much needed preparation for a long run.

Having a gym within the apartment complex was an advantage which I used till I gave up.

Having a chance to hangout with my daughter when I was in the city was another reason to sign up. 

Training was going well, till it did not!

Pre Menopause and Its painful effects were a constant battle between mind and body.

A vacation derailed all my routine and I struggled to get back to the plan.

Just when I thought I had figured it all out, I tripped, my knees and ego took a fall!

There was a constant nagging worry that I was not doing enough

Will I be able to complete, what if I cramp, what if I get exhausted due to insufficient strength training.

Not having a nutritious diet always made me think of cooking, eating, but never had the energy for it.

Oh the struggle with nutrition is deep!

Why did I go to Mumbai having all these second thoughts?

for my daughter, who felt proud to tell her friends that her mother was coming to run

for my friends who believed I could 

For me to know I still had it in me!

Weekend before the run, I met my cheerful optimistic running friend and he convinced me to come.

I went.

And am glad I did

No, I did not run my "personal best" though I could have.

But this run was personally my best marathon.

Mumbai did not fail me

The weather was better than Bangalore, no humidity, chill breeze and the vibes!! 

I knew the spirit of Mumbai would see me through and they did!

Every nook and corner, every stranger, every child, policemen, volunteers, runners!!

Running through once familiar roads, this time with no time pressure, no goal other than to finish smiling, I enjoyed every step and celebrated every kilometre 

Saw many familiar faces over the two days, smiled, cheered and finished smiling.

People who know me as a runner know that I don't just run for PB's, I love stopping, helping others while on the route! 

Even better than running your race is when you know you helped someone else accomplish their race goals!!

and 30 kms is when people lose it!  Met a friend who was zoning out! Stopped to pace him and help him stay focused

TMM 2023, now carrying with me the joy of giving back to a fellow runner the joy of running TMM.

Thank you Mumbai

Than you to the lady who was handing out tiny heart shaped mint candies, which not only brought a smile, but a breath of fresh air in my mouth!!

Thank you to all who were handing out water, electrolytes,oranges dipped in salt, salt to stick your finger in and lick! No cramps for the first time ever in all my years of running full marathons! 

Thank you to the lady who handed out jaggery at the 39th km, maybe that is what made me run the last 2 kms with fresh legs!! 

Thank you to the ones who screamed "Peddar road is over" That is music to every runner's legs!

But mostly

Thank you to my daughter for whom I ran TMM 2023

She took me around, she ensured I slept, ate, took me to her favourite places, showed me Mumbai as a localite!!!

Hugged me when I needed it most, my biggest cheerleader!! 

Never have I stopped to smell the roses that Mumbai has to offer when I visit the city for TMM 

We enjoyed the city because I had no aches, no pains,no cramps, no dehydration, I could walk around like a normal person!!

#TMM2023 

- nothing but joy!