However, since the last year or so, my friends came up to me asking for fitness tips and how to start working out or stay motivated. I felt I needed to be on the same page as theirs and what better than to start a new health journey altogether and take up a different sport?
Remember, every sport is unique and requires its own separate set of preparation. I took up the challenge to run long distances about a year back. It wasn't easy because that meant going out of one's comfort zone, following a completely different health routine, willing to risk failure, following different food habits etc. Prior to that, my longest run was about 20-30 minutes and I used to go huff and puff at the end of it. But I started to increase my distance/time periodically, also trying different variations.
I wouldn't say my body was completely new to running because I ran in school and college days but that was about 25-30 years back! Mumbai's conditions for outdoor training both in terms of the infrastructure and weather are not exactly the best but I had to keep moving. Few months into my training and my friends noticed my transformation from a moderately built frame (I was about 79 kgs) to a leaner frame ( I got to about 72-73 kgs) I progressed running from 5 kms to 10 kms and took part in my first half Marathon in July 2019 which I was able to successfully complete.
Registrations for arguably the biggest marathon event in India, the #Tata Mumbai Marathon ( #TMM) 2020 opened. I decided to take the challenge and registered for the full marathon . I began training with this goal in mind. Rains in Mumbai start around July and end around September but this year they lasted longer and its another challenge for outdoor sports, training takes backseat. Rains subsided around October end and I was able to slowly regain my training, also managing my commitments at my work and family.
In no time, I was staring at December with just over a month to go for #TMM on January 19th. I was able to train well but managing a full run of 30 kms twice. Ideally, one should be able to do a full run of at least 35 kms before the marathon to be able to feel how one’s body responds
January got some other action for me in sports. A day before #TMM was my daughter Kiana’s annual sports event and I took part in the parents race in which I stood first. In our annual sports event in the society where we stay, I came second in the 10 kms race. I think these provided some validation for the training I had undergone since the past one year.
Finally, the D day arrived and I was excited to take the plunge. Being my first full marathon, my aim was to complete it and not worry about the duration.
#TMM is an extravagant event and this one had about 55,000 participants in different categories not just from different cities in India but also different nationalities. Since its an IAAF Gold Label event, the way it is organized is very professional. People from all walks of life, age, shapes and size participate which is the beauty of this event.
I began my run at 5.30 am and the course is quite beautiful as it passes through Mumbai’s iconic buildings and landmarks. The highlight probably is the run on the Sea Link since its only during this event one is able to walk/run on it. At other times, cars are not allowed to stop on the link connecting the South and West of Mumbai. I was enjoying my run and taking it easy. As the course takes a turn from Mahim Causeway moving from Prabhadevi to Haji Ali and back to the starting point, the experience is made memorable by hundreds of volunteers who keep supplying water, energy drinks, pain relief sprays. Music and dance is being played by bands, groups encouraging you to keep moving. Feels like a carnival! Citizens in their own capacity supply you with cheers, food, water, motivational messages. Your feet keep moving by the sheer energy that’s present on this day. At the end of the last 4-5 kms, it’s a challenge to keep up because the body is tired having ran for more than 5 hours, in my case. You see many other participants around you and feel encouraged. You want to go on and not stop. The feeling at the finish line is amazing and for me, like many others, it was a culmination of determined efforts which all paid off in the end. In the 45th year of my life, I feel this run will remain a memorable event in my life.
Finally, my first marathon success is dedicated to my Dad who was an accomplished sportsperson himself and achieved many successes during his school and college days! Thanks Papa for your strength!
