After the events of 2020, and the months that followed, I never thought I would race again. Well, not race, but at least run if not to your pre-COVID form. So getting the opportunity to run a Full Marathon of a race that’s close to your heart (well you can say and criticise it all you like, and even call it overhyped, and that may even hold true, but it’s all about the spirit of Mumbai) is indeed a blessing. It’s a way of showing your gratitude of having made it through the pandemic and still have good health and being able to do what you love the most, that is run and dance.
So signing up for TMM was a no-brainer. So you register, first-day, and get all excited and begin your training for the race. But sadly you have to train by yourself as most of your friends are nursing injuries, runners fatigue, or still trying to find that spark that had spurred them on.
So you train on your own, running within your ability, and the time that you can give to your training, every now and then trying to push yourself to see you can find that form again, the spark within you to actually try and be better. And when you run with others you kind of question yourself if you’re doing enough, every now and then doubting your ability to even run a marathon.
But then here you are on race day, at the holding area, with your bib clipped on (you realise it’s off centre). Your nerves have been playing up, not letting you sleep the previous, and the train running late doesn’t help your nerves. You try to stay calm, try to stay zen block all these out.
You put on your water belt, tuck your gels in your pouch, put on your Bose Soundsports (yeah I can be kind of brand conscious), you handover your baggage at the counter (after you get someone to get back in line, after all everyone is starting together and there’s no use of cutting line), you make your way to the start point, greeting friends and fellow runners, wishing everyone luck. You relieve yourself just before you start, cause you didn’t want to do it out in open, just stepping out of the station.
You slowly make your way to your holding area and from there to the start line from your slot. You avoid running to the start like many around you. You put on your music and start all your running apps, and then you see the lights, and it hits you, you are at the start of yet another marathon, but this is going to be special one, cause you’ve made it through the pandemic and now you are blessed with the opportunity to run this race again.
So you start all your apps (I have three, not counting my watch), start your music, make the sign of the cross, and off you go.
At first you try to run steady and strong, trying to pick your pace. You run together with Naresh sir and Quintin, running with them for a while before you go ahead. On the way you see your buddy Thyag running strongly. You desperately fight the urge of going way too fast.
You then realise that your watch has stopped tracking your run and one of your app has been giving you wrong pace. You desperately try not to panic and take everything within your stride. So you just keep running.
So you go on and try and focus on running a good strong first half (as per what Dyloo discussed with you). On the way you get a hug from Kinjal, hi fives and cheers from Manoj, Jitesh and Cheryl, and you being you, you keep a lookout for your friends, and keep cheering everyone on (even if they are on the other side of the road) as you run pass all the construction that’s happening for the costal road. You even make it up Peddar Road without much fuss, even hugging your friends at the MRR water station.
You keep a track of your body and how it is feeling and your heart beat, grateful to be alive and running. You feel some small niggles and aches, but you keep telling yourself “you’ve got this boy”.
And then you hit the Sea-Link, something that a lot of runners take pride in the fact that they get to run on the Sea-Link. And though it is an experience and an opportunity, it can also be tough due to its hidden incline. And while you are on it you get to witness a beautiful sunrise as it covers the city with a beautiful hue. You dodge people stopping to capture a selfie on the bridge, even obliging your friend Nikhil for a pic (no I am not snob). You too can’t resist the temptation, of capturing the beautiful sunrise (and not a selfie). So you click your pic snd move on.
As you come to the 22 Km mark, you feel a bit of fatigue set in and begin to feel cramps. So you take your walk break, as you discussed with Dyloo. So you walk for 30 seconds, before you start to run again.
But now you start to feel your legs and the cramping seemed to get worse. You once again try to walk off the cramp. But every time you start to run, well in this case a jog, they come right back again. And then you begin to feel light headed bringing flashback of 2017.
You slowly and steadily make your way to a medical tent cause you want to check your pressure. And then you are told that you have low blood sugar, thanks to having a late lunch-early dinner, and then not having anything. So you actually did the opposite of 2017 and still had the same problem but this time you are determined not to DNF.
So you will yourself, determined to finish what you have started, so it’s a matter of mind over body.
So you resign yourself to the fact you will have to walk most of the rest of the way. You occasionally try to jog, but your leg is totally jammed up and refuse to obey you. So you continue to walk as people and buses, I mean pacing buses, pass you by.
And while you walk you marvel at the elite runners who pass you by. Damn do they have awesome strides.
On your way you meet your running buddy Sanket, who like you is determined to finish and willing to walk to the end. You finally have company. On the way you help your fellow runners who are cramping like you. You lend a helping hand and many runners stop to help, that’s what you call the runner spirit.
On the urging of Saket you begin to jog. After a few kilometres you once again feel your legs, so you have to walk, while your company has taken off and you are once again on your on.
You then reach the dreaded Peddar Road, which to be honest is not at all as dreadful as many make it to be, as it is where you have the spirit of Mumbai on full display, and where else will you be served by the posh people of Mumbai. You are grateful to see your buddy Shweta at the MRR water station, who hands you a bottle of thumbs up that you gratefully sip. Then there’s Charu who has kept aside a bar of snicker and chikki for you with one more bottle of coke. You grateful for these beautiful souls who have been supporting runners since morning.
So you hug them tightly, click pics, say your thank yous, and are off on your way.
By now your legs feel better, so you once again take off, though not literally or not any literal.
When you come down towards Babulnath you meet an Angel in the shape of Huafrid, who not only eggs you but also starts to pace you to the finish line. You totally grateful for his support. He keeps willing you and pushing you, talking to you, taking your mind off the the work you are putting your body through, not taking no for an answer when you want to stop. Of course, giving up was never an option, not after coming so far and overcoming all the setback. And then you’ve got Huafrid l, an athlete who has overcome all the odds of life to become an awesome inspirational athlete.
There are moments when you let out a scream of agony, from all the pain and the cramps, and want to just stoop there, but with Huafrid’s support and motivation and the motivation of your friends at the StrideWithGB/ASICS and Kinjal’s support, you keep going.
When you finally reach the final stretch, Huafrid tells you to give it your all. So you close your eyes, determined to give it your all, running on pure adrenaline.
You finally cross the finish line, grateful that you did not hobble across it, running strong. You turn around and give your Angel a big hug, almost breaking down, overcome with emotion and gratitude. You fight back pain and tears, grateful to your spirit and determination and your Angel. You struggle to stand or even walk, but you hobble to collect your medal and refreshments, trying to get help for your legs, and at the same time posing for pics.
Though the run may have not gone as plan, and you are a tad disappointed that you couldn’t make the most of the amazing weather, you are grateful to have being able to finish what you have started. So
you wear that medal with pride and refuse to call your run the worst, cause it wasn’t your worst and you are definitely going to learn from it and come out stronger!
Post Note: Grateful to my super awesome trainer Jayesh for helping stay fit both physically and mentally and beating with b me. To my super awesome running family at MRR and Stride with GB, always grateful for the support and motivation.To the wonderful and noble Angel volunteers who supported all the runner so wonderfully throughout the race. And to my super awesome buddies Nikhil, Natty, Mata, Kartik, Rups, Dyloo and Pankti for all your support and motivation and inspiration. The race may not have gone the way I would have wanted it to go or I how I hoped it would be but this only going to motivate me to come back stronger. And when all is said and done I am never going to not run again!!!!
