Life's lessons from Long Distance Running (LDR)

It's been precisely a little over 7 years since I started long-distance running;?tracking back my memory I am clueless when this has become a newfound passion, from the one in which I have begun to just keep myself fit without a scent of an idea. I still remember the early days when I could see myself barely able to run for 100 meters before my breath chocks - to the present day's >35 KM (on any terrain - be it a flat surface, trail, or Mountainous).

The Words of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr keeps ringing in my ears which gives me much-needed energy and motivation through my runs: 'If you can't fly, then run. If you can't run, then walk. If you can't walk, then crawl. But whatever you do, you have to keep moving forward.'

My First 10K Marathon

First Lesson:?Discipline, Hard Work, and Sacrifice.

Long Distance Running (LDR) teaches us the most necessary ingredients for Success.?From getting up early in the morning, Going for a run+exercise on a daily basis, sacrificing the comfort and coziness of the bed, and working hard on your body to tone it for LDR.

LDR feeds upon Discipline, Hard work, and Sacrifice and in turn also feeds into Discipline, Hard work, and Sacrifice, as it strengthens those aspects of your life, like strengthening a core muscle.

Second Lesson: Target and Tracking

My First Half Marathon

LDR teaches one and builds one's mindset for setting a Target and Tracking Performance as a way of life.?The simple act of setting a target and tracking one's daily run performance can have such a profound impact on one's thought process was unimaginable for me.?It merely pushes you out of your comfort zone.

Third Lesson: Jumping the Gun

Missed Target of completing 1/2 Marathon in 2 Hrs.

While I have started gathering my pace, I have developed a mindset of running ahead of others.?This very mindset cost me heavily in one of the Marathons, and I couldn't complete it in the desired time.?It has taught me that while pacing ahead may give one immediate pleasure, but it takes away much-needed energy.?So holding your horses by not Jumping the Gun is one of the most significant lessons I have learned.?

Over Ambitious Move - made me miss my Goal

Fourth Lesson: Expect the Unexpected

However hard you prepare for your upcoming Marathon, there is always an unexpected element regarding terrain, weather, and the crowd which would put your planning and preparation to a spin.?At times, making a course correction is necessary to achieve our much-desired Goals.

Fifth Lesson: Preparing Beyond

I have learned a big lesson from the last half-Marathon where I planned to complete it under two hours and prepared accordingly but missed a much-needed long run beyond 21K during my practice because of which I ended up finishing the race in 2:16:59 which is close to 17 minutes ahead of my plan.?As I am planning now for Tata Mumbai Marathon, I have already run 26K,?and that too on different terrains to ensure that I will complete the half marathon in Sub 2 category (below 2 hours).

Sixth Lesson: Pushing your Limits

26k Hill Run with Dr. Vedang, Shashi, Ravi, Zulfi, and Ramesh

Everyone has dreams and goals. However, very few people achieve them. This is because the majority of us let our limits hold us back.?If you have read till now, you might have observed my journey from a mere 100 meters running to >26K; all through my journey, I have seen myself experiencing while pushing myself beyond the limits.??

?Angela Duckworth, in her book Grit -- The Power of Passion and Perseverance shares her predicament with running when her performance had stagnated. While discussing it with her coach, he asked her what she was doing to improve her performance, to which Duckworth replied, she runs as she enjoys running, and more.

I would like to make a special mention here about two Individuals who contributed a great amount of moral strength to me in preparing and going beyond 21 K; Dr. Vedang Murthy (Comrades Marathoner who runs beyond 80K) and Shashi Ranjan (Tri Athlon er and preparing for Half-Iron Man)

Now my new Target for the year 2019 is to run 50K Malnad Ultra Marathon.?

Above all, staying fit is one of the good things that LDR gives you, profound behavioral change is the crux.

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