.. by the river

I didn’t know I actually needed this run till ran it. Thanks to the pandemic it’s been a long time since I have ran a race (the Stadium  doesn’t count as it’s a team relay, running round in circles).

They said it was River Marathon, but we hardly saw the river during the run. But that said this race well and truly humbled you, showing where you stand on the fitness pyramid, if not your training system.

I never really wanted to run this race cause I knew I was not close to the best shape and though I felt good about my workouts I need to get back to being disciplined and upping my regime and working on getting mentally there. But in the circumstances ans some convincing played it’s part in getting me there.

They say when the route challenges you, you rise to the challenge. I don’t think I quite did that. I admit I didn’t quite rise to the challenge. The route was dynamic and challenging and not quite an easy one. But to do it was an achievement in itself cause it shows that you got the guts to experience the most challenging route cause that what makes them awesome, that what makes you awesome. Add the weather as another element to the challenge. You can prove what you are truly made of.

Since the route was loop, you smiled at every inclined and grimaced at every decline, knowing that this would be reversed on your way back. And there are places where even walking up an incline was tough, so forget about the running.

You doff your invisible hat, or a visible cap, to everyone who’s doing a distance much more than you, cause they are running the route many more times than you. You actually envy those ahead of you and those who pace you cause they are doing a major job at tackling the route than you have. That said there’s going to be a definite bruising of of ego, even though it may not be called for.  You know you are better than that, and even though you make use age as an excuse, you know what you need to do.

So, in the words of Dory (albeit a bit modified), you just keep running, running, pass sleepy villages who are still in their slumber as you pass by, cows and dogs who lift their gaze wondering who are these crazy fools running pass them. You run by fields and endless grassy expanses, and silhouette of trees hidden in the morning fog, and by the highway with speeding truckers. And yes you do catch a glimpse of the river a few times.

As you always, you take this all in , grateful to be running, if not strong, but still you are grateful to be alive after what the world has gone through. So you are thankful for the opportunity, for the experience. And though you may grimace, deep in your heart you are thankful.

In the end what makes a trip great is the company that you keep, and my buddies  at the Stride with GB were crazy, super, fun. From the antics in the bus, the posing for pics, to the super running of the race, to the water sports, and not forgetting to take care of my mum, all made me forget that what was troubling my mind, the cares of the world, and made me smile, and laugh, and have a good time. It was feeling of pride to see many of them succeed and thrive and get the recognition they rightly deserved. I am eternally grateful to Coach, Diva and all my super awesome and crazy buddies for making this trip one for the memory books. I so love each and everyone of you.

As I have always maintained, each run is a learning experience of self and where you stand, and there was a lot to learn from this race. I will admit that I was disappointed and down on myself, I know there’s always scope to grow and improve. But for now I know I am going cherish this memory and learn and move on, like I always have. After all it’s Rodmaness in This Boys Life!

The Cheering Souls

We runners don’t run and race all the time. Sometimes we do turn up for races not to run but to cheer our fellow runners on, to cheer our friends on. I swear, we really do! It’s easy to get all caught up in the excitement of the start line, the nervousness, the unbearable tension of wanting to just go and get it done with, so it takes great restrains to not give in and just join in, after all the park is open to all, but then you are mindful you’ve got to run a race the next, your first complete Trail Run, your first Half Marathon post TMM (sadly the race got postponed due to rains, a wise division though, but we do pray and remember the ones affected by it).

So as you ride down to the park, in the pouring rain, you question your decision, your sanity, of riding in the rain not to race but just to cheer your friends on and maybe even pace a friend or two (or none). You somehow get to the park splashing away in the rains. You greet a bunch of enthusiastic runners who made it despite the pouring rain. And there at the start line you find the volunteers, members of the BNP Green Runners, many of whom are friends, many who you know by face but not by names, frantically and enthusiastically serving water and Enerzal to the runners who need it.

You join in helping them cause their enthusiasm is contagious and it gets to you too and you get enveloped in the excitement. The energy at the start line is electrifying (and not just because of all the lightening and thundering). They do an awesome job ensuring that every runner starts hydrated, ensuring that not even one runner is missed, even the late comers. When it pours we even joked that the Rain Gods were providing their own form of hydration, albeit in its purest form.

As the race starts you join them in cheering the runners who slowly cross the start line, screaming yourself hoarse wishing everyone the very best. Once the last runner is served you move with them to the start of Gandhi Tekadi, to help direct runners who would return from Kanheri and would have to go up Gandhi to complete one loop (they had to two loops to complete their 25). So we all stood there waiting for the first runners, positioning ourselves so that would not hinder runners but also be able to direct them in the right direction. They are open to suggestions and not once ignoring, and take into consideration any help and support I could provide, not once making me feel un-welcomes, in fact made me feel right at home, a part of the team.

So as we wait for the first runner to come, the kids practise their steps that they had choreographed to cheer the runners on, to provide them the energy they needed. Girls in their pretty pink visors and their Pom-Pom and the boys with their lime green hats, trying to learn steps, remember steps. We stood there smiling as we saw them practice. 

It was learned that a tree had fallen down near Kanheri, needing adjustment to be made immediately without hampering the race, without inconveniencing or endangering the runner. They immediately sprung into action, to troubleshoot the situation and be ready before the first runner finished. A big salute to their quick thinking and proactiveness for not letting the race get affected.

So as the lead bike approached with the first runner approached, he was greeted very enthusiastically, cheered on by each of us as  he took off up Gandhi Tekadi. And from there started the flow of runners. They too were greeted with enthusiasm,  cheered on. Not once did the energy ever dipped, cheering and howling as the runners went by, “Come on you can do this”, “Just keep running”, “One more loop to go”, “Runners turn left”! They kept cheering runners on till they went hoarse. But still continued, high fiveing the runners who went by, attending to runners who needed help (there’s a reason why it is called Endurathon).

Once the number of runners began to dwindle, and the leader finished his second loop, I finally gave into temptation and joined my friend to run a loop up Gandhi Tekadi, especially since I had given my water to a runner who needed it more at the time than I did. The volunteers at the top were more than helpful in getting the bottle filled, not once bothering that I was not participant and were more than willing to help. Even the volunteers on the way to Gandhi Tekadi were cheering all runners on irrespective whether they were participants or not. The beauty when runners organises races for runners. 

Now on my way to Kanheri I saw my buddy Pankti going at it, mustering every ounce or strength, stamina, energy she could muster, willing herself to keep going. So decided to help cover the the last couple of kms (which included going up Gandhi Tekadi once more). Since we train together i knew she would be able to catch up to the lady from her age group, who was currently running third. So pushed her, cheered her on, constantly talking to her, cheering her, was so ready to hear her scream back at asking me to shut the fuck up, considering she was giving it all and her legs were tired after all she had completed one and half loop and my legs were relatively fresh. But she didn’t really yell back and just chugged along giving it her all. And though she narrowly missed 3rd by mere 10 seconds, she did awesomely well, was super proud of her, after all Endurathon is always a tough race, but she did in a sub 2:30.

So after the race, as it is custom, it was time to congratulate the runners who had completed the race, the ones who had the courage to undertake this daunting race, to click pics and in general to socialise. Even though I didn’t participate not once did I feel out of place. It was great to meet so many running friends, many of whom you meet mostly at races and Running events (and as I hadn’t raced till TMM it had been quite a long time). It was fun mingling with them, to catch up with them, click pics with them.

In the end, as usual, had a fun Saturday morning (one of the few races actually to take place on a Saturday), cheering, supporting my fellow runners. Was so proud of so many of my friends who undertook and successfully completed the race, many of whom inspire you. And then it’s a big salute to the organisers and volunteers who did an awesome job taking care of runners, going out of their to ensure that runners have a good experience, selflessly cheering them , serving them, supporting them. I swear I am going to be back next year after missing it  this year, after all I can safely call BNP my home ground.

In an unfortunate turn of events the race that I had signed up had to be postponed due to the rains and the holding area getting submerged, but it was a wise and thoughtful decision. The organisers were instead helping to evacuate villagers who were affected by the rains and flood. Two instances of organisers going beyond themselves to ensure the runners’ safety and well being of the runners, their priority, cause it isn’t always about the money. 

A run in the park that ain’t a walk in the park

Learning to run may seem quite easy, just like walking in the park, but running in the park ain’t no walk in the park, well unless you do walk in the park, like I did today. The weather in the park can be quite moody, showering with you little drizzles and then vanishing altogether, adding to the humidity. And then you have the slopes and the inclines.

At the start of the race you are all smiles, greeting one another, and hoping, chal atleast ek dang ka picture milna chaiye jismay no t-Rex hands. Around the mid point you have your limbs screaming at you, abhe motay kitna kaam karvayenga tu humse, chal take a deep breath and take in more fresh air. Then at the end you’re limping, you’re crawling, trying to get over that finish lines. You legs are smelling of Violini and have been iced, you try to run but your muscles keep pulling you back, then every ounce of energy left in you pull yourself across that damn line, and even if you have to crawl on all fours you bloody to get over it.

Throughout the race you keep telling yourself to take it easy, taking walk breaks, whose frequency and length seemed to increase. The weather didn’t do you any favour (as if it was going to make it easy for you). You keep cursing with every slope and incline, who plans these routes, who put this incline here, why lord why me... and the list of curses of a weary mind keeps going endless. And when a runner who was quite behind overtake you, you’re tempted to give chase.

They say you should smile all your troubles away. I tried applying that, I am not sure about the success, but I sure did start looking quite freakish, almost like a creepy joker, think Pennywise from It. I was afraid that they would catch me and put me in Arkem. But then you had an awesome set of volunteers who had one time poured cool water down your spine, much to your surprise and delight, and who did an awesome job at it. 

Crossing the finish line (after almost slipping on muck) you begin to analyse your run, especially if you had a run like the one I had, and all I could think of is , abhe sale tu to mota aur budda ho gaya. So now it’s back to the drawing board, but not after preening and posing and screaming and cheering and congratulating.

On a closing note firstly kudos to the BNP Greener Runners for putting together such a well organised and managed event. Thank you all the volunteers and photographers and people who came to cheer. I may be far from my best but I know I can persevere and pull through and today proved just that, I endured through the BNP Endurathon. So now it’s time to drop some weight and train well, but enjoy every run.