Completing a half marathon – antics of an amateur!

I turned 30 something last week and one of my friends asked, ‘what would you tell your younger self’?

I looked at her and stated, “I still am young!!"

She was quick to add, “I asked younger!!!!”

Potayto-potahto but to answer her question it would be …write all the sick notes you want to escape PE, there will come a time you’ll be running …in fact offering up different kind of notes (green ones) to sign up for a run ??

My earliest memory of running is volunteering as the backup runner (not sure what I was thinking) at the annual sports day, only because I was assured, this was only a formality. Under no circumstances would I have to run because we had a star athlete, who was going to ace the race.

D day arrives and I don’t recall if it was food poisoning or injury or just my luck that this back-up had to now buck-up! While my brain was processing this development, all kinds of advice was pouring in. My captain comes up and says “just 3 rounds of this field, that’s it!” How am I to trust him when a few weeks ago he assured me it was just a formality and that I wouldn’t have to run. While the realist in me was freaking out as to how I was going to do this and how embarrassing it would be, the drama queen in me was lining up the finale of sports movies where the underdog saves the day! Halfway through my first lap, I knew this was not an underdog story.

I continued to breathe heavy, my captain is back and tells me that getting to the finish gets us a point so “just walk it and don’t stop! There was a point where it felt like the entire school was waiting for me to cross the finish line so that the rest of the games could continue.?Mortified, disappointed, fatigued and more!

Many years later, putting this trauma aside and much to my own surprise - I signed up for a half marathon! I soon realized that training for it was a chore! Long-runs were a struggle, high-energy playlists and motivational videos were not seeing me through. I had to think of something new!

While my brain knew training, timing and tempo were important, to bring them into focus, I realized I had to distract myself first. If you enjoy some “lights, camera and action!”, I do recommend tapping into some of your drama energy.

I took a cue from what my mother would do when I was being a fussy eater. Break a roti into bite size pieces, assign each of them to a family member and feed them to me. Likewise, I assembled a band of people from real & reel life and imagined them running with me. It started with 21 (1 for each kilometre) but the list got longer and on the run day I also had a wild card entry ?? It started with parents both biological and by law because if I have learnt anything from Bollywood and Fast & Furious series - is that ‘it’s all about loving your parents/family’.

Parents see me through the first quarter of the race, I then start calling out to cousins, who are more like siblings from borrowing clothes to handing down books and wrestling over food! It is only fair they shared my run too. Then there are those in the family who offered to run with me in spirit, long before this idea had even struck me.

As the run gets longer, my tribe gets stronger with friends, some are marathoners in their own right, thanks to all the running around their babies make them do.?

Topping it up with quirky characters from the sitcom F.R.I.E.N.D.S, it was after all Phoebe who taught me to run without a care in the world and just have fun.

??“No one told them or me that, I was going to be running one day…. they had to be there for me…teetee ting tin ta ting ting” .

As the initial excitement fades, I needed someone always high on life – a sister from another mister (or so people say). Mother, mentor, manager all rolled into one. A runner herself, always sharing tips and good vibes!

I also have the good fortune of knowing a professional athlete with an inspirational marathon time. Their entry on the track was well-timed as I continued beyond the half-way mark, thanks to their guidance and advice.

Then I had my buddies, my sounding boards, probably because we often find ourselves in the same boat. At times, knowing there is someone rowing along with you, gets you through. Their camaraderie did the same for me.

The next few kilometres, came in an actor, a tennis star and a cricketer. Followed by my favourite character Po from Kung Fu Panda. (“There is no secret ingredient- you just have to believe it is special”)

“That” fatigue set in at the end of 16 kms, knowing I had 5 more to go. When even Shakira’s ‘waka waka’ and telling me ‘You’re a good soldier’ didn’t seem to work, my triple threat masi’s (maternal aunts) arrived on the track like a loaded energy bar and helped me pull through. Also, no energy bar would save me from them, had I even in my imagination made them each run a kilometre.

Into my 19th km, spirits were lifted as I approached the end when my leg started to cramp. The last 2 and something kms, seemed like an impossible climb. Thanks to the cricket world cup chatter at home and work, I knew of Glenn Maxwell’s inspirational double ton, accomplished while his legs were cramping and as he experienced body spasms (mine wasn’t as serious). At this point, my mind knew nothing else but to call on his spirit. He is the only one who ran not one but two kms with me. Since the Aussies lifted the World Cup, they aren’t holding it against me ??

As I approached the finish line, I imagined all those 21 plus people in floral, fancy outfits (as if attending an Indian wedding), some in rockstars jackets (just goes better with their personalities) drumming and jiving, pushing me to finish hard. If this crazy concoction of people was not enough to get me to smile, I had to flash my 32 for the real person waiting at the finish line, cheering me on and capturing the moment that later makes it to the gram!

To my mighty 21 and more - are you tired?? Because you have been running through my mind all day long????. Cheesy line but a heartfelt thank you! I also take full credit for any hiccups or scratchy noses you may have experienced on Sunday?? I am also grateful for all the nameless faces who stopped their cars, moved their prams, held their dogs and even shifted their path to give me way during my practice!

As my half marathon saga concludes, I would just like to say I am no photographer, but I can picture us running together – game for 42 anyone?!?!

?