Me and Running - prelude

When you run the marathon, you race against the distance, not against the other runners and not against the time - Haile Gebrselassie

For years I used to wonder how people run these marathons.  For someone who grew up on watching Olympics, cheering one of the greatest runners, Haile Gebrselassie (looks like I'm a generation older as it was not Mo Farah to me) on his Olympic Gold runs, running was not my piece of cake.

My first tryst with running started when I was 15 years old.  Used to go for morning jogs in the ground near my house - couldn't run beyond a Kilometer.  After a couple of months, gave it up.

Next try came couple of years back when my Facebook used to get flooded with lots of friends posting on running various marathons. Used to go to the garden near my place and tried my hand on running - as it was 25 years back, again, couldn't run beyond a Kilometer.   When I pushed myself for a month or so, I could run about 2 Kms and used to wonder whether will I be able to run the 4 Km dream run in Powai Run, conducted every year near my residence.  Somewhere it fizzled out (the initial euphoria could not be sustained) and was back to square one.

Come to 2019 - Over a period of time, my weight started going up and I had to do something to reduce / arrest the same.  As running was not my piece of cake, started cycling.  Used to have an hour bi-cycle rides covering about 20 Kms every Saturday and Sunday.   Fell in love with this as I was comfortable with my breathing compared to running.

Our CEO started a running club within the company to promote bonding to inculcate the habit of running as well as bonding amongst employees.  With the couple of failures at the back of my mind, I was not sure of "joining" this group and hence didn't join.  However, wanted to give it another try as I used to hear about what other colleagues who were part of the group were doing.

Took inspiration from Muhammad of Ghazini invaded India 16 times and failed - he was successful the 17th time.  With monsoon setting in Mumbai, it was difficult to take my bi-cycle out.   Condition of roads worsened as well as riding in the rains was difficult.  Running was the obvious choice.  Wanted to give it a final chance.

Started running from 17th June 2019 - was determined to run 5 Km with breaks in between and walk.  Never realised that Marathon runners (other than professionals) walk inbetween their run.  Completed my 5K in 42 minutes with a break.   Ran for 2 Kms, took a break of 5-7 minutes.  Ran again a kilometer.  Walked in between and ran for the last kilometer.  Made it a point to run almost daily.  Slowly started improving my pace as well as distance covered.

Came to know that the colleagues who were part of the group were to run the Kanakia Monsoon Challenge run.  By then, I could somehow run 4 Kms at a stretch (without a break or walk).  Though majority of them had registered for 5 Km run, I decided to register myself for a 10 Km run.  Got tips that you walk for a while and again run and this is the norm followed by majority of runners.  That gave me the impetus to further push.

The race was scheduled for 28th July 2019.   On 20th July 2019 (Saturday), I decided to try 10 Km come what may.  That is the first time I would be running 10 Kms - the earliest best was close to 8 Kms.   Gave my full effort and finished in less than 76 minutes.

Having completed my first 10 Km run on 28th July 2019, am planning to write a series of blogs on my various runs.   Hopefully would be able to pen each and every one of them (God willing, if they continue).