Tags
2015, 42k, lazy, marathon, Mumbai, Running, SCMM, SCMM'15, Standard Chartered Mumbai Marathon, stubbornMind
it started with a perfect sign. This is my second full marathon nd i have no plans to change that number for a year or two, cause i decided to concentrate more on 10k nd 21k, and improve my pace nd stride. Well i got on a plane at Hyderabad nd reached Mumbai 2 days earlier so that i could roam around, meet friends nd run along marine drive once before the big day. Amid all of this i missed this strange coincidence. My seat no π
Well it’s not some achievement or something π but it felt good. It usually feels good when things appear as if they are going well nd dis was one of those days.
Met my friends nd visited Gate Way of India. It’s a bit of a disappointment. But visit to Marine Drive compensated for it. There’s a lot happening there in the evenings, friends having fun, runners filling their mileage, couples doing wat dey do best, vendors doing wat dey must, nd visitors like me having a stroll. With beautiful scenery nd cool breeze Β keeping company, ran 4k along marine drive. That was a perfect evening.
The next day went in a blur. All we did was collecting our bib at the expo nd resting the rest of the day.
Finally the big day. Everything was ready, booked a cab for the 20km ride, got chased by dogs on the way, got in the cab nd was jst waiting tense as we drove to the start point. WOW, was what came to my mind after reaching start point. Everyone had a smile, anxiety here nd there, but excitement everywhere. Met my friend pratik, who is pacing for 4.15 bus. Everything’s good so far.
I could remember only a few things in the run, i could get the rest if i want to, but i don’t want to. I feel they are insignificant compared to what i felt while running the 42. There’s only one thing i wanna remember.
My stubborn mind telling me to go on
It was may be at 7 or 8k mark when this thought came into my mind out of no where. “Let’s quit and go home”. I was shocked at that, i mean it’s not even 25 or 30k, why would i want to quit now? I kept telling myself, “This is not you. You don’t quit. This is the fear, pain nd the stupid lazy ass in you speaking. Just run”. So, i just ran, didn’t stop when i reached 25 or 30, not even at 37 when pratik got cramp nd couldn’t keep pace, not at 40 when everyone around, were walking. I just went on until i reached the finish. Got my PR as well, 4.14.55 π . Came close though had to sprint the last 2k hard to make it in time nd some credit goes to luck as well π