When I learnt "Life is like a Marathon": My first Marathon Experience

It was in august 2013 when my brother told me about The Chennai Wipro Marathon 2013. With his motivation I registered for the same. Few months passed by, but I didn't start any practice. The countdown began and it was day 30 before the run. I started practicing with my brothers. After two weeks he introduced me to an amazing runners' group "marina light house chapter". Seeing so many people whose passion is to run, inspired me a lot and as the D day was nearing I was all pumped up.

On the clouded morning of 1st Dec 2013 I was among the hundreds who were running their first half marathon. Loud music, cheers from enthusiastic runners, organizers and cool breeze had set the mood right and as the clock ticked 5.15 am the half marathon was flagged off.  

We started off and in 5 min the runners were blessed by the rain gods. It was a beautiful moment when I started running in rain with the smell of the wet mud, hearing light music and people cheering us from both side of the road.

After I ran for about 4 KM my speed reduced, body was dehydrated and the goal of 21 KM was looking like a mammoth distance. During my practice my maximum distance I ran was 11 KM so after getting refreshments at regular intervals I managed to finish half the way till kannagi statue.

After I reached half way mark my foot was swollen a bit and the pain was instructing my mind to give up. That's when a young man aged around 60-65 years ran passed me and said "Good going boy!" Yes a young man!!! I was inspired by his fitness level and energy and I started running again. When I crossed Gandhi statue, I saw a guy wearing a T-Shirt with a saying "Finish what you start" after reading this I made up my mind to finish my run. 

By the time I finished 16 KM there was a fight between my mind and body. Mind was saying "Yes you can do it" and my body was giving signals with pains on calf and feet. In few minutes I joined the group of 10 KM runners and I saw a kid ageing around 6-7 yrs, seeing him I was charged up and ran till Fortis hospital and stopped for refreshment.

Again I started running and I saw a bridge which looked like Himalayan mountains and that's where I heard a loud cheer from runners and I saw few people with special leg running with a smile on their face. Now suddenly this Himalaya looked like a small wooden bridge and I managed to finish my first half marathon of my life in 3hrs 25mins.

After I finished the run I realized, life is also like a marathon. It’s beautiful when we start it, but as time passes by we face so many difficulties, challenges, we raise and fall but there are always many people around you, your family, friends and strangers who encourage, motivate and inspire you to achieve your goals.