How I touched the Half Marathon’s finish line!

There is light at end of each tunnel, but some tend to be just longer than others! 

Never give up, you might be just few steps to reach what you desire!

Well, im not sure what is not possible, but over a time, I have seen the most unlikely things happening and the impossible things possible! I have learnt, which I never believed, that giving good time to everything will bear sweet fruits. And I can give you several proofs from my own matured life.

I was almost weighing as much as 2 of my roommates put together, numerically almost a quintal!! No major changes yet, but I feel better and more fit after the marathon and so many runs. Tried the boring treadmill in the gym, swimming classes, cycling, treks, hikes and what not! Nothing worked for me in keeping myself fit and sleek..I had always wondered how people complete Marathons and long runs. And I had witnessed few of my friends doing it quite well. I had this very strong mindset that I can run but never believed in my physical strength. But when I started training, it was not that easy at all.

Learnt there was a marathon scheduled from a guy I know who has completed couple of marathons and a triathlon. While I had completed a 5K run, I was determined to complete a long distance run. Everybody advised to go with the 10K, but that craziness of doing extra things pushed me and half marathon is what I registered for.

Roughly 2 months for the marathon, I started my training. Early morning short runs in the streets, 20 – 30 mins power runs on the treadmill, weekend long runs on the streets and beach. I don’t remember much of my first 10K; I was out of breath, blacked out. At that point I almost felt it is impossible for me to complete this half marathon.

I had my own laziness and all possible reasons to just stop running. I had never got up from my bed in the morning, some bad muscle aches and my professional work had their own roles to play during my practices.

One of my beach runs

It is when I started understanding myself, my physical limits, my strengths and weakness; I was able to do better. I slowly built on the stamina and endurance. I learnt this; “if I am running long distance, I am not running, but I am training my mind to run that extra impossible miles” and it worked like a magic. My muscle ache was no more a reason, my ankle pain was a sweet pain, and I would not get sleep if I don’t run! In a very short while I was able to run continuously for 15Kms. I was in a Trans of running, a kind meditation, while my head floats on my neck for the songs on my playlist; I had started enjoying the runs. Distance was not a fear any more. The first 18Kms I timed was around 2 hours 15 mins, 3 more was my race distance. While I heard completing 21Kms well within 2 hours was a good time, but I was not ready to push myself so hard. I had my own time to finish it and I had set it to 2 hours 30 mins.

Many of my beach runs used to end up with sitting in such pleasant serene and relax.

The Race day
Excited, equally feared! The route was considerably tough for me; it was a steep climb and I had never run that route. I just had one mantra run slow and touch the finish line. The first 12Kms was an easy run for me. I was slower than many of them in the race but I did not stop in between. I ran, walked, jumped, hopped, crawled, rolled, limped and touched the finish lines by 2 hours 28mins J 1st and the best of mine! I was trilled, I was happy, I was limping around with the medal in my hand to get a photograph of myself. That was amazing!
After the finish line, I sat far from the crowd, gathering my breath, feeling my muscles, feeling happy that I completed it; and that is when I decided, I will run more marathons, I will be back more faster and stronger on the next marathon. I can do it better.

Salute to the spirits of the runners under all categories, women, school kids and the veteran. Amazing show of human spirit. Cheers to all the runners on that day.

And that glorious moment after the finish line!

And the running fleet from Infosys, Mangalore.

This blog is for myself, to keep myself motivated to run long. I am no near to the runners out there, but my first step! You guys inspire me all the time :)

Thanks to Life-is-calling (www.lifeiscalling-sports.com/mangalore). You guys made my first run possible!
You can find me on https://www.facebook.com/mcarun.mysore

**All the photographs used in this blog post are my own. Copy rights reserved!