WELL BEING
Run, for your life
RAHUL S. VERGHESE
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Running a marathon gives you a new perspective on life.
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I wait for the day when running will be part of our DNA in India, getting us to be a healthier, more community-minded and a more optimistic society
Photos: Rahul S. Verghese
Energising and humbling: Keeping the flag flying high.
A marathon is always a humbling experience, especially for a non-athlete like me. At the starting blocks you always have butterflies in the stomach as no two marathons are the same — the weather may be different, as may be your physical or mental preparation, or perhaps something you ate the previous week still doesn’t agree with you, or travel has taken it’s toll, or perhaps a small muscle pull despite doing nothing. You are all jittery and wired up before you get to the start line.
April 11 was no different for me, as I realised how asymmetrical I was with my left leg shorter than the other by 1.5 cm. I had been told this just a week earlier by a great doc, and had an extra insole in my left shoe since. Definitely not long enough to start an ultra marathon with confidence. As it is, my right foot over-pronates (or rolls inwards) significantly more than my left, and both as flat footed as they come.
The Two Ocean Marathon — 56km Ultra Marathon — in Cape Town, South Africa, was humbling in more ways than one. Seeing 6,500 people at the start line, the spectacular views of the Indian and Atlantic oceans from sea level and from cliffs, seeing Table Mountain loom over the area around Cape Town, and passing the thousands of enthusiastic and smiling people — both volunteering and lining the streets as spectators — was energising.
Thousands pounded away in the dark, including a one-legged runner with whom I ran for a while; very inspiring. The only other place where I had the chance to be similarly inspired was at the Rio de Janeiro marathon some years ago.
Scenic sights
Finding inspiration along the way.
White clouds on Silvermine mountaintop were a pretty sight as we carried onwards and reached the Indian Ocean at Muizenberg around the 15km point. The blue waters were as scenic as they come; then we traversed across to Kalk Bay and the town of Fish Hoek. Sweat now poured down our faces, as it started getting a bit warmer but dried off in the light breeze. Then came the few kilometres towards the base of Chapman drive and the Atlantic waters. The views were breathtaking, but so was the climb — had to do a brisk walk most of the way up to conserve energy as we had just about crossed the half way mark at three hours and a minute and the climbs were only just beginning. Two Oceans had really only just begun!!
I ran with “Justice” from a local club and I told him that he should power on; “else Justice delayed would be Justice denied”. I don’t know about him but I felt the puns lighten my load and add a bit of spring to my stride, and I stopped at water points to take pictures of people, watch the views and cheer folks on. I was enjoying myself as we crossed the high point on Chapman’s Drive and began the steady descent towards Hout Bay. The dreaded climb was over but my overall pace was reducing significantly as I crossed the full marathon point at 42.2km. Now there was a different challenge as 1000-odd stragglers were being cheered on and encouraged to finish within the seven-hour cut off; else no certificate, no medal. I had not toiled like crazy, missed my elder daughter’s 16th birthday, braved all odds to land up in Cape Town and run 56km to end with a “Did Not Finish” against my name. AND the toughest part — the scenic but tougher climb up Constantia Neck was yet to come. .
Brisk walking at six kmph was all I could manage going up the three km of the climb — it was a bit steep, and the treadmill running on an incline of 5 per cent did not train me enough for this one. So the walking continued, as we passed through scenic wooded areas and banking roadways. “Come on, you guys are looking great and will surely make it within the time,” cheered the spectators lining the road, but the nervousness was palpable as some fell behind, and a couple broke down and sobbed.
I saw a few socks ahead of me, bloodied, and I was glad to see myself in good shape despite the extra insole in my left shoe. Constantia Neck was finally crossed and a few folks had dropped out with cramps — I did not have any signs of cramping but, you could never say never with cramps. I banished the thought and, with three km to go, had some volunteers take my snap next to a sign that said “So beautiful, It hurts!”
Made it
A sign that says it all.
At this 53 km point, I figured I had to run and couldn’t just walk. So run I did, and finally reached the finish line, in the fashionable Newlands area, where the IPL matches are being played, at 6:51 according to the clock. I had made it and had received another medal — my 29th — and this one got me to the sixth continent. I had been humbled again.
I wait for the day when running will be part of our DNA in India, getting us to be a healthier, more community-minded and a more optimistic society, as each of us says: I can! I know if I can do it, with all my frailty and imperfections, anyone can.
The writer left a 25-year corporate career to found a company to enable individuals and organisations to unleash their potential via running. www.runningandliving.com
Parallels with life
There is no room for complacency even at the start — confidence yes, but complacency no! The same holds in life where successful individuals or companies get complacent and then things have a stronger chance of going sour.
Starting off too fast in the first half of a marathon can lead to a quick burn out. Take time to smell the roses and smile. Times are going to be tough but you need self talk, advice of optimistic and positive friends, drawing on memories of past successes and not failures to pull you out. Savour the scenery around.
Running a marathon is not just about running but needs an immersion in all aspects of lifestyle: the physical endurance building, strength and flexibility, nutrition, rest and sleep, mental training and toughness, building a competitive spirit of competing against oneself and stretching boundaries, remaining injury-free, helping others, understanding your body. I could go on and on…
Making friends along the way; a smile makes a friend for an instant at least while you are running, and sometimes this helps break the ice as we meet new people and face new situations.
The finish line is not about a conquest but begets humility as you appreciate human frailty, as in life.
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