When I decided to run the Mumbai Half Marathon 2011, I was confident that I can't do it. To complete it standing on my two feet seemed impossible. And there were reasons for it - I have never, ever, run for more than 3 km; I have never played a sport at any competitive level; On top of it all, my feet are flat.I still took a chance. I promised myself that I will. I will complete it in a respectable time, standing on my two feet. But I had no idea how?
Thankfully, I started preparing early. For the first time in my life I joined a gym. My trainer gave me a schedule that builds leg muscles. For two months, I could see my stamina building and the dream of marathon looked possible.
With four months to go, and running practice yet to begin, I stopped going to the gym. Pure laziness. I lost all heart in marathon and life took over. When it was exactly two months to go for the marathon, I started following a marathon training routine and it seemed all hunky dory.
Exactly two weeks later, my life was again thrown out of track. I was cheated by people I respected, by an organization I gave my heart to. I also decided to start up and traveled like crazy for a month. There was just no time to run. In the enormity of the challenge lying ahead, a marathon seemed tiny and expendable... I gave up!
While I was in the last km of my run, I had already been on my feet for more than two and a half hours. There were cramps in my calf muscles. I knew I should have dropped dead tired by then. I didn't know where I got energy from to just keep running. I was this free spirit that no one could catch. I knew I have achieved what only a marathon could provide - an overwhelming sense of confidence and satisfaction on having successfully raised the bar.
There were thousands of my fellow runners - old, young, slim, athletic, beautiful, women, men, fat, panting, tired, resolute, first-timers, inspiring, cheering, veterans. And another few thousand who came out on the streets cheering for you, handing out water, drinks, fruits and biscuits, helping you to keep the promise you gave to yourself. They knew that it is only when a big promise is kept, you know you can keep a bigger one.
All in all, it was a memorable experience. I think everyone should give a shot at running at least the half-marathon. If I can, so can you!
