Heartbeats and Milestones: The Journey of Tears, Triumphs, and Transformation in Marathon Running

The day we got an email that we had to run a marathon and the distance is 10 km with a cut-off time of 1 and half hours i almost fell off from my chair (lol). I am THE less enthusiastic person who wants to run and that is also for 10 km and 6 am in the morning.

BUT, yes there is always a but, the team from AITOBI which is our Hyderabad-based entity did book tickets and asked me to come as you always visit for official meetings this time you have to and must come with us. There is no other option and i chime in.

So, the story above happened almost a month ago and now that D-DAY is arriving we are all set to go Hyderabad meetings planned. And in the month process, i started walking 3 km a day no matter what post-dinner or late morning yes late morning is around 8:30 :).

Started with some toe pain then to knee pain i survived for a month and got my mind set I will at least walk for 5 km in a 10 km run.

Then this day at 27th of August 2023, we woke up early in the morning all geared up with the marathon t-shirt, BIB and some energy drinks. At 6:30 we arrived at the Hitex ground in Hyderabad. I thought there would not be many people but i am totally wrong there is around 7000 to 10000 people arriving at the same time and same location which is insane.

The run started we were in an "A" group which they gave a green flag first.

I started with a little bit of 300 meter run then a long walk and observing various things around.

1. Organized Execution (includes all police, traffic police, military, media)
2. Cheerleaders at every KM (Kilo Metre) include college students, volunteers, school students, retired people and so on list is so long
3. Aid - Providing aid at every KM includes water, energy drinks, lemon salt, glucose, etc.
4. Ambulance and hawk eye: Cameras everywhere, ambulance is always on your side for emergencies, cycle marshals to push you for that remaining kilometre
5. The team of doctors, physios, food cateres and so on...
6. Management, music and lot of fun

I did walk for the next 7 KM nonstop and i didn't realize i actually did it....the only reason behind it is energy, the vibe around and the positivity in the environment. Incredible i just can't express this in a word. As a corporate person we spend 10-12 hours on the chair doing work and this day i walked for 7 km and at that point i felt that I should and must do it with my team mates and Komal, Tej, Aastha, Ravi, Suparna.

For the next 3 km it was brutal not able to make it feel i am so tired but anyways we have to do it. The cheer and the energy by the people to the people did it for me for us for the other 6999 people around me.

And, finally we reached the final gate at Gachhibowli stadium which made me remember the lines of Javed Saab

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THE moment arrived and i am so lucky to complete this first time in my life the MARATHON. It became a memorable one which i might skip for life and i did it at the right time right age. Thanks to the team who made me do it. This is the life lesson only learned practically.

Thanks to NMDC Limited Hyderabad Runners Society IDFC FIRST Bank for this impeccable event; Looking forward to next year now :)