When walls are blocking your progress, there are 2 ways to move ahead. Demolish it with strength and
move ahead. If not, climb over it with all your effort to be on the other side.
Running my first Half was like that. With determination, I ran 1 and now I have
25 in my bucket. This is a
post of my journey of completing 25 bloody Half
marathons across India and Australia for over 6 years of . For many, it might seem to little or might be surprising.
But for me it is a big milestone as it seemed really impossible to be here with things that were going around few years back. With a positive attitude, good
circle of friendships and support, it is now a reality.
I’ve fallen in love with running repeatedly.
When I needed good things to move on with life it has given me the
same; lifelong friends, fame, patience, opportunities to visit many places, peace
of mind, sense of belonging, helping nature, gratitude and happiness all have
been there. Some of them even today ask; don’t
you have a wife or girlfriend and why you still run? Answer is no; but have
made running an integral part of my life. Choosing to run longer has helped me
to get over it😉.
Every race would be a new learning and a new
journey for all. Personally, every run has taught me an invaluable life lesson.
Be it physically or mentally. Running long distances not only teaches you how
to control your mind, but also teaches patience.
As I step on the finish line with pride to
complete my run at same place where I was to run my first half, I am proud of
what has been achieved overcoming all barriers and negative things that life offered. It was a coincidence that the first one was 1:34 and the 25th was also finished in 1:34. When
my first HM was delayed due to office multiple personal and professional blockades, i was indeed not confident of running anymore. Withstanding all the bad
weather, did run one HM after few months and then on-wards, never looked back. Doing
a conservative run at all the races, I have ensured that I last longer in running
scene. All 25 races hold a special
memory for me. Be it was a slow race or a fast one. Every K covered was worth
running. Never regretted the runs after completion. Even though 15 are as a pacer,
I learnt lot of things. Amongst them; Patience, Respect, a feeling of being
better every race, an understanding of “you are not great” and a zeal to help
others. Adding to all these, lifelong friendships, compliments and respect came
along the way as a bonus.
Looking back over the years, these are the most
cherished memories which I always carry to next years of my half marathons running
career-
- Debut HM: 2014 – Celebration Mysore Half Marathon, Mysore. Being in a indifferent situation, decision to make debut was indeed a great pain. But, never regret this as it turned a new page in my life of running. Never thought of running in 94 Mins, Legs moved on and finished strong. Happy with what was achieved on the day. It set the tone for more to come.
- Fastest Half Marathon: 2019- Lululemon Sea wheeze Half Marathon. Being brave and coming out of the world of loneliness and deep mess, never ever thought of being at this stage. Person who was huffing and puffing to cover 5 Ks in 2003 to a determined one to beat the demons of past and unsavory memories, this Run holds a special memory for me. Race tone was set by Wolff and from the word go, it was a PB on cards with all the confidence I had. In spite of a lonely run for 16 kms recollecting all the days passed for 8 years, withholding emotions was indeed a great pain. Nevertheless, mind was saying to go fast and crack the 1:25 mark. Successfully cracked sub 84 after ages and now a proud runner who can give youngsters their run for money. It was even more special to finish the race amongst the HNTR gang which is trying to bring out the speed demon in me every day.
- Most Memorable Half Marathon – 2019- Melbourne Marathon festival. 25th run is always sweet. I hold an emotional attachment for this event. It was my long-standing dream since ages to finish one of my runs at MCG. It happened for the first time in 2017 and its repeating again and again. Thanks to Tim Crosbie for the confidence in me. Leading group of fast runners to finish line is always a privilege and to complete your bucket list, it is the Holy place. This year, the run is dedicated to all the departed friends and close associates who stood beside me in hard and happy days. Without them, I would not have been here and would have long gone to woods. It was hard to tolerate many losses as I cannot meet some of them or talk to them in future. Whatever it is, life goes on and must swallow the hard truth.
- Longest Half marathon streak – 2016-2019 Gold coast Half Marathon. When I used to dream of running a race at overseas, it used to be a dream. But Pat Carroll made it true. I have had a privilege running alongside this true legend for 3 times and what else you can ask? Providing an opportunity for a complete 4 runs in a row for a stranger was indeed a great gift. As I stand towards completing my 5th one in 2020, this will always remain as my longest streak at an event.
- Most number of Half marathons ran– Melbourne and Mysore – 5 each. 2 Cities which I have lived most of my life. Why not take the credit of running more number of runs here?
- Most loved course – Gold coast. This is a course which goes out and back and the crowd support and the weather makes it a perfect course to run. Been here for 4 times and every time I have gone 5 mins faster. With next year gunning for 1:30, it would be my fastest pacing and of course, why not run at an event which gives you good times.
- Most hated course – Bangalore. Garden city is no longer the same. Running in chaos and amidst dickhead on goers is not a great fun. People here don’t care for runners. Organisers always have the pain of getting a course where traffic hazards are minimized. Being the most chaotic city, not a great one to run the HM course any day.
- One which I will never attend in future – None as of now. Of course, I have one in mind, but don’t want to disappoint the organisers. As of now, I stick on to none.
Running HM has given me a new direction in
running better and stronger and has helped me to increase my patience levels. Happy
to have ran with some amazing runners all through these 25 runs. Made great
friends’ and got to know a ton of human beings who have given me some valuable
lessons of life. Never ever went for a trophy or chasing PB’s which most of
them do. They have come along the way and have embraced with open arms. Never
ever overran any races as there would be another one after some time. Win or
lose, aim always would be finish and recover faster.
What’s in store for next 5 years in terms of
half marathons –
- Keep running and ensure that I pace faster groups going forward. And Never to forget go back to pace slower buses.
- Ensure to hit milestone of 50 HM’s and get into the elusive club.
- All along the journey, never forget my beginnings. Lend a hand to every possible runner to make their run and life great
- Ensuring strong bond with my running team and friends who have contributed to my growth at running
- Hit the magic mark of 75 mins and put an application to be part of the HNTR elite team ( it’s a dream, but worth trying)
Thank you to all the souls who have made my
journey for over 6 years a memorable one. Special thanks to Legends, Tim Crosbie, Pat
Carroll, Chris (Sydney Striders), Celebration run team, NEB sports and Sole
Motive team who gave me an opportunity to pace at their events.
To all my running friends at Melbourne, who
have been with me during tough and happy times, a big thank you for making this
25th run happen. You always will have a special place in my running
journey.
To HNTR’s, who accepted me as an outsider and
helped me to train and go full send for a sub 84, a colossal thanks. As a running group, you are not only
breaking barriers, but also improving me as a runner day by day. Tuesday and Thursday’s
sessions have embedded discipline in what I do. Whenever I am training with the
team, I always lie that I will go slower. Reason being, end of the day you make
me go faster. I always wait for days when I am running to train with you. 2
years and counting. Looking forward for more Shoey (Red bulls only) days in
future.
The Avo gang, thank you for being great friends
during the tough times and happy moments. The Tuesday pub catchups are great
ones and it’s a moment to cherish.
Finally, For all the love, hatred, joy, abuses,
missed opportunities, heartbreaks, lifetime friendships, betrayals, rejections,
losses, dejections, Lost relationships ( personal and professional), confrontations
and Hi-Fi’s on and off the course which I have experienced over the years; here
I am, still going strong. You can love me or hate me or don’t give a shit on
how I am or what I am, nothing has stopped or will stop to give best on the
course. To all the people who have made this journey happen, Cheers and thank
you from my bottom of the heart.
To all the great runners, motivators and champions who have joined me in my celebrations and runs making them extra special, thank you so much for everything. Here are some of my moments of the journey to 25 with some running snaps and along with great running friends who have inspired or helped or ensured that the journey happened in one way or the other.
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