With Zero practice and as a first timer to half marathon, the biggest challenge was completion of the marathon. The marathon was important as it would extend my boundaries of possibility and not to undermine the confidence that it could instill in me. Previous marathon runs (10 kms runs) helped me to somewhat gain confidence for participation. Completion still remained a desire, with wee bit of confidence.
As the race was about to commence, i had a conviction that i would complete the race, without obvious consideration of time. The race started at 7:00 a.m, a pleasant morning with about 500 odd runners. As the marathon began, I kept up a steady plod and resolved that no matter what, I would not walk. With completion of each kilometer along the beautiful creek of dubai, my confidence kept rising. The first half was great with the cool breeze, beatuiful ladies, marshalls encouraging all time, spectators cheering....My watch read 55 minutes when i reached the 10km mark. Not too bad I thought to myself.
Now the real challenge, the sun was up and shining bright, the path ahead had inclines and declines. I had already covered 14-15 km and I started feeling drained of energy and the sun on my back was sapping my strength… I would feel fine until the slightest incline reduced me to back down to near-walking pace. The problem was that there seemed to be no power or spring left in my legs at all…It appeared as if gravity was the only thing keeping me going. The water and isotones help me keep hydrated for few hundred meters till my throat turned dry and used to crave for the next dosage.
At about 17-18km stage, energy levels had fallen further....mind started playing games(thoughts of stopping, walking, rest, came and went by) body was gladly responding to these mind games, but i held on by sheer grit. So to counter attack the mind, i used to focus on beautiful girls, scenic path, create smaller milestones...whatever that could be help to take me through the 20km stage.
The confidence in me had risen as i saw the 20km mark, its just a km away, is what i thought to myself. I might have ran for barely 400 meters or so, when my legs almost gave up, and mind quickly tookover its place to force me to walk. As i was just about to succumb to the mind, there came a voice saying - "Keep it goin..its the last lap, think about it, in few minutes you will be sitting and sipping your tea"...these words really were encouraging, i turned back to thank the girls who mentioned, just discovering that these were words to keep themselves going...nevertheless..it was so true..just when i was about to give up, i found some energy from nowhere to carry myself to the finish line.
I completed the race in 2 hours and 17 minutes, a good time considering i had no practice. Here i am after completion of the race, saying no to physio, confidence brimming as if i could take on a few more kms..and just minutes ago i almost gave up... This marathon did teach me few things,which i would like to share with everyone..
- The boundaries are self made.
- Mind is all powerful - Just when i thought i could not go any further, forces of nature saw me through the extra mile.
- Smallest of the gestures , makes a big difference.
And lastly if i can run a marathon, i am sure lot of people can, it surely needs physical fitness and training, but more importantly the mental endurance :-)
For viewing results
http://www.dubaicreekstriders.com/docs/DCSHalfMarathon2007results.pdf
2 comments:
Good good good......
Musandam Dibba is really attractive place for the tourists. I love it.
Post a Comment