why I run/ Half-Marathon reflections
When I was 15 years old, I weighed 80Kgs and sported a waist size of 38 inches. Having set the context of my being, I ran a half-marathon 1 week ago and here is how I feel about it.
After a week long recovery after running my first half-marathon in life, it is time to reflect and talk about why I did this seemingly big but actually small deal.
I started this calendar year kind of, lost. The previous few months had brought in major changes in my life, and a lot of my personal being seemed to be pointless. I started looking for goals that are achievable and need dedication and hard work. I have been running for a really long time, but now more than ever I needed it to bring positivity and stability to my mind. I registered to run the half-marathon in June, and after a lot of work- I did it.
Running is a very intriguing activity and very hard to explain to those who don’t indulge in it. Physical exertion actually is not what is fascinating about running, but the mental part of it is. As I started the 21.1km half-marathon in BKC, I remembered how I should not start running at a high speed. Distance running is about connecting with every cell in your body and analysing 1. How you are feeling, 2. What energy is stored 3. At what rate you should be spending this energy. You keep answering these questions throughout the run.
I ran proudly, chest out, staring into darkness as the sun was still shy of rising at 5:30am. It felt like I was meditating. There was a sense of solitude even if I was in the middle of thousands of people. There were runner from all demographics. Different races, genders, age groups, and other diversities. But you know somewhere all of them are going through a similar meditative brain process. At that moment, you feel united in mind even though you have different bodies.
Rain gods decided to be generous on this particular Sunday morning and it came down heavy. After getting over the initial “omg, why cannot Apple make waterproof phones?” and “my shoes and socks are soaking up all the water - feet will hate me forever!” panic, I started enjoying the rain. The water had a natural cooling effect and I felt far more relaxed than I feel during my usual practice 10ks. I found myself smiling and painting this picture in my head- early sunday morning, pouring rain, running in Bandra Kurla Complex. You at some point realise that the source of ultimate happiness can only be somewhere inside of you, and you embrace it.
A suggestion I got from all of my friends who have done this before is “nutritioning”. One trap is that runners wait till they are tired before taking their first energy replenishment from the stands. Simple logic is, it takes a while for energy to get converted from the liquid that you sip to the calories that you burn. Therefore, I started sipping on Enerzal from 4kms point. One sip every 2-3 mins. In 2.5 hours of running I went through 4 small drinks. It also has essential electrolyte that maintains hydration and your muscles don’t cramp. Distance running is great to make your realise and actually feel how your body deals with nutrition.
As I overtook the 2hours 30minutes pacer, my right leg started to twitch. There was only 1.5kms left and I knew that if I stop now, it’ll be a really hard “last mile”. That is when you start talking to your body and go like “just a little bit more. You can do this”. And the twitching stopped. Crossing the finish line, was almost unbelievable because I couldn’t believe that 1. I has been running for 2 hours 21 minutes without stopping; 2. I was not as tired that I imagined I would be. 3. I did it. First time ever ran this much distance, and kept it under a good time.
This post does not get over before admitting how long the process of fitness has been. From a 80kgs-38inches waist- 15 year old who just watched TV and ate a lot, to 69Kgs, 30inches waist- 26 year old who can run half-marathons, it has taken a lot of work. This is not to say that one form is better than other, but the purpose of me highlighting this is- if you choose to live healthy, nothing is impossible. I started running 1 km back in 2011 and now can do 21kms after 6 years of intermittent running. Never feel small or low looking at fit people in the gym or in marathons, because everyone started really small. What makes you “cool” is not when or how you begin, but how willing you are to stick it out, the hard work you put in, and sincere commitment- to yourself.
Cheers-
Suman
PS: Always on the lookout for running buddies.