Mumbai Marathon

 Marathon

These days, especially in metros and towns, everyone knows about the long distance running event called Marathon.  You will know from newspapers and TV channels covering the celebrities encouraging people to participate and run for a cause. You will get to hear from office colleagues and friends who are probably planning for ‘dream run’. I first noticed this event 2004 on hoardings and banners placed across on western express highway in Mumbai. The event was sponsored by Standard Chartered Bank and well covered in the print media.

I initially thought it’s for someone who got plenty of time, someone who already has made fortune and now working towards the health. My belief was largely from my own experience as I was working more than 12 hours a day, travelling by local trains, buses and hardly had any time to think beyond work. I thought it’s an event for companies to sponsor and get noticed (part of the advertisement), celebrities to show their concern for the cause, people to showcase the elite class status (and of course talk about this run in parties).

Over a period of time my views changed when I met some passionate marathon runners. I was totally wrong and in retrospect I think I just didn’t understand the importance of the event. This event could be used by people for various reasons however that doesn’t still takeaway the spirit of the sport.  I realized long distance running is not so easy. To be a runner, you need passion, dedication, and disciple and require reasonable balance between work and personal life. Even though it appears to be group event however when it comes to running, you are on your own.  It’s a competition and you are only competing with yourself. Marathon is like a plan for long distance runners. The plan includes how to pace out, distance vs. speed, when to drink energizers, what to eat etc.  

These days I am running 7 to 8 miles and clocking 25 miles per week. I hope I can make myself capable to run at least 21 kilometers (half marathon) in 2013.