Hi,
I know this one has come really late but was written by me about 11 months back after I did complete my First Full Marathon. The distance was 42.195km's.... believe you me, the .195 mts in the end also mattered that day
MY FIRST FULL MARATHON EXPERIENCE:
People who know me know this very one thing about me for sure: I Love Running.
Running helps me stay positive, gives me ideas, and is a great opportunity creator for me. It is this passion for running that pushed me towards running my First Full Marathon on 17th January, 2010, a distance of 42.195 km's.
I have run 42 kms in a day many times, but in 2-3 different sessions. I have run for others. From those very close to me to those who are close, but far away from me. For the first time, I was compelled to run for myself. To relive, while I was running, the big moments of my life. The wonderful, happy ones as well as the tough ones. This full marathon was a challenge, but I loved each and every second of the run.
One of the advantages of preparing for a marathon was the diet. Runners are allowed Carb Loading, and this was probably my favorite part of the preparation.
Waking up at 3:00 AM to make it from Malad to VT for the 6:45 AM was not going to be easy. My friend Kanu and I spent the eve of the marathon at my best friend Kartik’s house in Churchgate. We woke up at 4:30 AM, had our breakfast, and headed off to Azad Maidan.
It was great to see Mr.Jaspal Bindra on the podium, the Hero of Standard Chartered Bank, a place where I spent more than 4 years of my life.
VT never looked as fantastic as it did on that day. It was fairly dark when we started running; but the spirit of the runners was bright and positive. Kanu and I started from the back with 15 secs already on the clock.
There were cheerleaders at every corner. People on either side of the route were constantly clapping and motivating us. It gave us runners instant energy. Even the weather was perfect. I clearly remember Kanu and me getting to our 1st km mark. And even more vividly remember us reaching the 41km mark. We both just grinned at each other and I asked him " Boss, chale yehi se wapas( shall we go back from here)"!!
We approached Marine Drive and passed Jazz By The Bay, where Kanu and I had eaten chicken pasta the previous night. Another reason for me to smile.
By the time I reached Marine Plaza, my heart rate monitor belt was irritating me, so I gave the belt to the security guard and told him I would collect it on my way back. Our bodies were really warm by the time we took the Oberoi Hotel U-Turn. As we headed towards Suburbs, the early morning walkers were not just giving their legs a workout, but their hands and voices too. They enthusiastically clapped and cheered for all of us.
Every 500 meters there was something new to see. Every organizer had a podium up. The Naval Officers podium has a full band-baaja going below the Marine drive flyover. Motivation was high.
By the time we reached Chowpatty, children were screaming out the bib numbers whenever a runner passed and I could clearly hear mine called out: three nine one five.
The unbelievable part for a new runner like me was that I was only on my 7th km when I saw the elite runners (racing for the 21 Km Marathon) crossing their 16th km mark. They ran like cheetahs. I was in awe.
For me, the toughest and most challenging part of the run was the stretch from Peddar road to Haji Ali. There were two fly overs and a medley of inclines and declines. I really needed to pace myself so that I wouldn't burn out. Many runners chose to walk that path, but I preferred a slow jog.
The cheering crowd was incredible. They were handing out biscuits and fruits, and cheering us. I took my first water break around the 7th km mark but did not want to stop.
All went well for the first 90 minutes. Then the sun came out in full swing.
By the time I reached the 12 km mark on Worli Seaface, many of my friends (Puneet, Dev Babu and Rohit) who were running the 21km marathon had crossed me on the other side.
The best was to come now. When I was on my 12th Km mark, the elite runners, who started the run 1 hour after us, crossed us. In just 40 minutes they reached the same mark as mine. The Kenyans were fast. They ran in a group, like a flock of birds.
Wow!
After a while, I took a walk break, sipping some much needed water and Electral. By this time Kanu was a little ahead of me. We both paced each other well, with him ahead sometimes and me ahead sometimes. I guess we motivated each other, and were each other’s benchmarks.
We finally reached Annie Besant Road. The run from there to Bandra Reclamation was easy. We crossed Siddhivinayak Temple. I thought of Natasha. She likes going there. We crossed Mahim and were now on the 21st km Mark.
The spirit of Mumbai motivated us to keep going. Every time we looked tired, either a kid or an elderly person would just pump us up by saying 'what a brilliant job you are doing"!!
By the time I hit Bandra Reclamation, the 24th Km mark, I was tired but had loads of energy. Kanu and I had a few biscuits and some Electral. We were pumping ourselves up for the Sea Link run. This for me was the biggest attraction of the run. I had decided 2 weeks before the run that I would not stop on the Sea Link even if I had the option to walk. And that’s how it happened. There were no water stations, but I was offered Electral by a policeman. From the 25 km to 26 km I walked briskly, but from the 26th to the 32nd km, I ran nonstop and thought that I would never stop. The Sea Link run was mind-blowing. Mind-blowing.
By the time I had reached the 32nd km mark, my feet started hurting. My left foot had blisters and the right one had some cuts on it. I had to start walking. I was down 4 hours 30 minutes in the run by now. I knew I couldn’t run any further so I decided to complete the marathon by walking the last 10 kms. It totally messed up my timing, but completing the run mattered more. I eventually finished in 6 hours 59 minutes.
Thank you to all the runners who motivated me to get to the finishing line as I walked with my shoes in my hand. They cheered on, saying, ‘We are very close’.
When I reached the 37th km, I realized most runners were walking or doing a mixture of running and walking. So I knew I had company ahead of and behind me.
I stopped at a Pan shop and had 2 Five Stars. When I reached Marine Drive, I stopped at Cafe Coffee Day and had an Iced Eskimo. I tried calling Natasha who was waiting for me at the finishing point with Alok and Leonard. I wanted to tell her that I would be late. Natasha's mom gave her the message.
The last 5 km's were deadly and the most tiring, but I enjoyed the sweet pain. When I reached Mocha I put my shoes on again and started walking faster. I was very relieved to see the 41km mark which I had seen 6 hours earlier.
I ran the last 100 meters, and I love everyone who was still waiting at the finishing line for me.
It was an unforgettable experience. An experience I would like to dedicate to my parents, brother, sister, brother-in-law, Bhabhi, Babloo Uncle, Alok, Aditi, Natty-the love of my life and my support system, my extended family and my friends who are family to me, Nattie’s Friends, my colleagues at Standard Chartered Bank and even the ones who have moved out of SCB, School buddies, Bengali Market Buddies, College friends, Barry John Friends, My Biggest Loser Team, My colleagues at Fitness First- Mr.Vikram Aditya Bhatia, Mr.Amer Haleem, Mr.Pele Ramdhani, Rahul and Francis Sir, Carol and the entire team and last but not the least who I actually dedicate this run to and Individual who celebrated his Birthday on 17th Jan, Late Flt Lt Ronald Kevin Serrao.
A final salute to the Spirit of Running, Runners and all the people behind the scene.
