My rendezvous with long-distance running does not go far back in time. But, in a short span of time, I have realized that it is not just about running and physical exercise only. Infact, running is as much a fun sport as like any other major sport. Before starting some serious running, it just feels that it is a mundane activity to break your body, that’s it! But, I would like to share a few of my experiences that have made me realize that it is a very different, wonderful and beautiful world of runners. Some of the experiences I had shared in my earlier blog when I was very new to the running, in case you are interested, are here- Long-distance running:there is more to what meets the eye! – Anupam- The Dreamer
Yesterday was my first half-marathon of life, and I enjoyed it thoroughly. I would like to share a few things that have stayed with me:
1. The runner’s world- Just like any other sport, running has also turned into a professional sport. When I visited the expo at Yashobhoomi a few days before to collect the bib and tshirt, I found plethora of exhibitions by all big sports brands selling everything from shoes, socks, energy supplements, protein, specialized clothing, and what not! Professional running is not as simple as going out in the open field and start sprinting. If you want a joyful and injury-free running, then you must have proper running gear. A small waist bag, earphones, comfortable tshirt and shorts, a good pair of shoes and socks, are bare-minimum. On top of that, if you want, you can have cap, small running bag, headlamp, water bottle of different configurations and sizes, energy supplements, sports watch to monitor heart rate, steps, distance covered, GPS tracking etc. The world of runners is very vast and there are plethora of gadgets for you to explore.
2. Practicing for marathon– the actual marathon starts many days/months before the final event. You have to practice runs, build strength, practice running strategy, and have proper nutrition. It is as much a mental game as it is a physical one. You have got to be mentally strong to make up your mind that you can do long-distance runs. Otherwise, mind will always pull you back to the comforts of life, away from the grind of the running. The battle has to be won in mind first, before the actual event.
3. A day before the run is equally important– a day before marathon is very important. Here, you collect all things required for the run the next day- like tshirt, shorts, bib, safety pins, waist bag, shoes and socks, charging mobile, earphones and smart watch, keeping electrolytes, towels etc etc. One has to have proper diet and rest, before the race day, so that one is in the right frame of mind for the run the next day. Apart from that, the logistics like knowing the car parking near the stadium, when to start early morning, how to reach the venue, where to keep belongings etc have to be figured out, in order to ensure a hassle-free race day.
4. Waking up before the marathon– Generally all the marathons start very early in the morning- around 5:30 a.m. to 6:30 a.m. So, in order to reach venue in time, you have to get up around 3 a.m.! Yes, the race day actually begins at night! And believe you me, you don’t even get proper sleep, as the next day’s event is constantly running in your mind. The mind is essentially awake all time, and as soon as the alarm rings, you spring back to life on your legs! Morning boost of energy like fruits, juice, etc. is necessary to give a burst of glucose to the body before the final showdown. Then, driving car to reach the venue and if you are lucky, then only you will get a parking near the venue, as thousands of people are now turning up for big events like Vedanta Delhi Half Marathon. Then, it takes a walk of about 1.5 km from the parking to the venue (JLN stadium in this case). That serves as a good warm-up for the legs.
Runners walking towards the JLN stadium Gate No. 13
5. The electrifying atmosphere in the morning– When you are walking down to the venue, you realize there are thousands of enthusiasts who are bracing to the venue hurriedly. And suddenly you realize that you are not alone in this madness of waking up at night just to sweat it out a few hours later! You feel energized among such people when everyone at the venue holding spot is doing warm-ups to warm every damn muscle in your legs- the exercises are many, I won’t name them here. You can see people of all ages, sex, backgrounds doing the warm-ups. There are boys and girls, men and women, elderly people, queers, people of different races etc. It is good to see that fitness concern is growing in our country off-late.Some people come with makeup on, reflecting queer pride and their unique identity. Some macho men flaunt their abs and roam around half-nude. The people there represent a mini-India, a microcosm of macrocosm. I like to witness the uniqueness that every person carries over there. Coming from different backgrounds, different classes, different genders, different regions, having different life stories, but a common goal which binds them all- love for running in their hearts!
6. The organizers and sponsors really matter– from pre-race events to racing and post-racing, the organizers are at the very heart of any marathon event. If they are good, then you can be rest assured that the experience will be hell of a ride. Otherwise, the marathons can be excruciating. From the logistics of parking and reaching the venue, to the volunteers guiding you all the way to venue, to the pre-race zumba dancing, to hassle-free flagging-off, to crowd management, and mid-race arrangements like hydration, medical facilities, motivation zones, distance marking, they handle everything under the sun. You just have to register for the event, and turn up on the race day. Rest, everything is taken care of. Even if you don’t carry water and electrolytes with you, a well-organized race has everything that you can ask for. Even, there were volunteers in Vedanta event, who were spraying volini on the body of runners and mist-sprayers to cool people down. Some volunteers were cheering up the runners, some held posters like “You look hot when you sweat!”, some peeling oranges for you, some handing you water bottles, energy drinks, some clearing waste bottles etc from the roads. Each and everything is taken care of.
7. The best part i.e. actual running – When you start, you have to run your own race. There will be professional runners better than you, you don’t have to match their pace or compete against them. Everyone is running a race of their own life, and you should also do the same! Rather than competing with others, the endeavor should be to compete with yourself and your own previous best performance. And you try to outshine your previous best. It is not always that you will be able to shatter your previous best, but the main part is that you should have fun while running and not getting attached to the timing and performance too much! IF you can finish the race, that is also an achievement in itself!
8. The mindset is very important during running– The legs will definitely start to hurt after sometime, the breaths would become shallower and the heart will pounce like an amplifier. But, the thing that will keep you going is your mindset. If you give up and tell your body that it is hurting, then it will hurt more. But, if you keep telling yourself that pain is temporary but the joy that you will get will be everlasting, then the pain will subside. I have noticed that even the songs that you hear during the run, makes/breaks your motivation and morale. So, if you hear motivational songs and fast-tempo songs, then certainly it affects your mood and your energy levels. Conversely, if you hear a sad song or a slow song during the run, then your energy levels will go down. If you don’t believe me, then try listening a ghazal during the run, your pace will reduce like crazy. But, on the other hand an electrifying rock song will certainly boost your pace.
9. Be sure to enjoy the surroundings– for non-elite and non-professional runners, the important part of running is to have fun and enjoy the surroundings, because the focus is not on winning the race in record time. The run starts mostly in the pre-dawn time, so during run, you will witness the dawn light filling up the sky gradually, you will witness the greenery around and the bird sounds, you will see the municipal sweepers sweeping the road nearby, a few street-side vendors cleaning their carts and makeshift shops. Then, you will see the rising sun, which is all-elusive in fast-moving today’s lifestyle. The tyndall effect of the sun’s rays falling on the dust particles though the spaces of the trees is glaring. Basically, you will be a witness to the beauty of the earth in the morning time, which we fail to see when we wake up late. And believe me, you will definitely love what you see!
10. Running in different cities– When in Delhi, you can run around iconic national monuments like India Gate and Amar Jawan Jyoti. And who doesn’t want to get clicked in front of national monuments like these with the rising sun in the background? You also get to see many important government buildings. In front of Vayu Bhawan, a band of army-musicians was playing “दिल दिया है जान भी देंगे, ऐ वतन तेरे लिए….”. I am sure every city will have different things and vibe to offer. People in Mumbai become a witness to Bandra Worli sea link and the beautiful blue ocean. It may be an amazing way to explore the different cities around the world and experiencing their unique character.
11. The soaring human spirit– In the race, you will see many runners who will inspire you to run more and better. Yesterday, I saw a blind woman wearing tshirt named “Blind” and her companion who was a woman in her 50s with the tshirt named “Aide”! If that does not fire your neurons, I don’t know what else will! When I see a 60 year running better than me, it inspires me to be fit like him. When I see girls and boys of different body shapes, some skinny and some fat, it makes you realize that it is not just about body type that determines how long and how fast you can run. Sometimes, you should not judge a book by its cover, as it is said. I also saw a beautiful quote on the back of tshirt of a Sikh volunteer from a “Sikh runner’s group”. It read- “ONE RACE, HUMAN RACE!” When I saw it, my eyes lighted up and I turned back to that man while running and told- “Amazing quote!” He smiled wide and was super happy to hear that and thanked me for that gesture. Then, there were several kids and elderly people who were cheering for us all the way, and giving high-fives. So much of motivational dose in just one race. What else can you ask for?
12. The finishing part– the runner’s high is real. You go ask anyone who has finished his/her marathon that how does he/she feel. The answer will be different versions of – “fatt gayi, par mazaa aa gaya!” The pain and the soreness of the muscles is overshadowed by the joy and pleasure that you get after achieving the goal! As it is said- the pain is temporary, but the happiness is eternal. The scenes at the finishing lines are of different kinds- some people warming down, some collecting their medals and refreshments, some receiving medical care, some just lying down to recuperate, some clicking pictures to freeze the moments, some helping others, some dancing to the tunes of the songs being played. Everyone has a unique and different story to tell. And if the sponsors are rich, then you can enjoy a music concert as well 🙂
The post-race concert
All in all, these are just among a few experiences that I had during my half-marathon. I am sure you will discover many more when you do long-distance running. But, for that, you would have to experience them yourself. Noone can do that for you, except yourself! And you won’t regret what you will experience. Every run leaves you with many beautiful memories for a lifetime- especially the well-organized marathons!
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