Between TEDx to streets of Guatemala City, running my 75th untrained monthly half marathon

Just as I was getting ready to run my monthly half marathon through the hills of? Pleasanton to the TEDx venue, my daughter’s voice stopped me. “You cannot go in running gear; please change and stick to the plan.” I complied. Eight months later, without her prying eyes, I managed to squeeze in that run and smiled!?

Last December, while stuck in a traffic jam on our way to the Junior Racquetball Championship venue in Guatemala city, I mulled the idea to run to the venue to beat the traffic. The concerned Costa Rican contingent on the bus convinced me otherwise. However, two days later, with security insights and a trusted running tour companion, I managed to complete my 75th half marathon on the vibrant streets of Guatemala City.

Unplanned and untrained running is about free will. It's where you are not bound by rules or obligations. Personal records, social media recognition, medals, running prestigious events, or even running for a cause should just be an outcome of your free will.?

The side effect of running is that it makes you feel invincible, as though you can conquer anything, face any obstacles or challenges, and even the unknown. I remember a dare from my daughter’s racquetball coach to climb Manitou Incline in Colorado Springs. The next day, I showed up in jeans, climbed those 2,768 steps in heavy snowfall, and ran a 5K downhill on a slippery trail unscathed. It’s like the flight of the bumblebee—you do it because you don't know your limits.?

I prefer running a half marathon every month. It has enough miles to stretch you while having fun over demands of a full marathon. The secret of consistency lies in setting stretchable yet attainable goals, and for me, it is 50 monthly miles, which includes one half marathon.?

The unplanned detours have led me to chance encounters with friendly alpacas, curious bobcats, skeptical coyotes, territorial highland cows and even a school of dolphins & more. I found out about great Terry Fox after few years into my running journey, but I recently discovered few more relatable inspirational stories:?

• An industry peer and his elderly dad completed a night trail event despite sustaining an injury
• An ex-colleague discovering joy in running, building a network group at work that now runs half marathons regularly
• A friend relieved his childhood with his 60+ year-old brother, who recently discovered the joy of running marathons
• A dad built his muscles and miles to join his son for Tough Mudder
• A running tour guide enriches his worldview by meeting runners from all over the globe
• A proud father shared his story how his children now join him in running for local events
• A veteran runner decided to cast aside chasing spots in key global marathon events and discovered the joy of unstructured trail running

These stories are a reminder that running helps connect you with loved ones and your surroundings. No one judges where, how, or how fast you run. If you would like to start running,? just go for it, and make it enjoyable. And yes, if you can add donut pit stops (or maybe churros, chips, samosas, or even pint of beer) in your runs, it helps you overcome your lactic acid build up, and discover the world with a smile.?

The most powerful three words that I heard from a group of elderly bicyclists on my strenuous uphill run, “You got this!”