Why I ran a Marathon
And why you should run one too.
Running is awesome.
In my opinion it’s the only physically activity you can do anywhere in the world. It is also a no-frills sport. That means apart from the apparel (which is needed anyhow) you just need a pair of socks and shoes. And should you decide to run barefoot, not even those. World over ,it’s endorsed and practiced by people of all ages. Plus, there are theories that running has saved us from being extinct in pre-historic wilderness. But, let’s keep that for a separate post.
Running a marathon ,as you would guess, is tad different than running in general. It’s something that you have to neatly plan, steer your routine towards and then throw it all out to the wind on the race day.
I had my reasons to run a marathon.
Because t’was scary.
The target distance in any marathon is a whooping 26.2 miles. It’s scary. Because when you are used to running 3 miles, 8.733 times that distance is intimidating. The question I asked was , how can others do it? What goes on in a marathoner’s mind? What does it feel like after crossing the finish line? All these questions had to be answered. So, albeit scary, I took the leap of faith. And what has helped me till this day is the start line advice my friend gave me: Whatever happens you’ll run your marathon one step at a time. Just keep moving and finish line will be round the corner.
Because t’was crazy.
Straight from the horse’s mouth: all long-distance runners are crazy. There is absolutely no reasonable justification to pound your feet for all these miles. To endure the pain and keep coming back to it. Surprising is the fact that it has not stopped a million (and counting) other runners from doing it. Everyone will tell you a different story as to why they ran a marathon. But for me, it was the sheer idea of telling the story after I have successfully finished the race. It was about telling how I parked aside some of my mortal pleasures and strived to achieve this laudable goal.How challenging it was. Say what you will but the fact remains I didn’t had to run a marathon.
Because t’was challenging.
Indubitably, a marathon is hard on both mind and the legs. Long distance running is an injury prone sport. Leg pains, calf soreness, shin splints, cramps are buzzwords for any runner. So the challenge in front of me was to not only complete it, but to stay un-injured. And not just un-injured but smiling too.Many a runners will start and drop out because of injuries. Of course there are ways to circumvent that. By listening to the coaches. By steadily growing stronger and fitter. But listening to someone is a big challenge right? So did I take that challenge? Of course I did. But that did imply more disciplining than I ever had in my entire life.
Because t’was disciplining.
Running per se might not change you a whole lot. But running a marathon is a flip-over lifestyle change.You simply can’t get up one day and run a marathon. Well, unless you literally want to give it “an arm and a leg.” There was 4 months of training before I could stand at that start line. 3 days a week of running and 1 weekend long run (ready anything between 10- 22 miles.) I sacrificed my Friday and Saturday nights for weekend long runs. I consumed foods that I never heard of ( like chia seeds.) I woke up at times I never imagined I would. Did I regret it? Initially yes but I acclimatized. And the end product was a much leaner, healthier, happier (albeit sleepier) version of me.
Because t’was unshackling.
Finishing a marathon was unshackling. Both physically and mentally. You see, human body with indomitable will is capable of doing wonders. Sadly we don’t submit ourselves to experience them more often. But few of the times when we do, it’s up-lifting. I ran because deep down I wanted to do something up-lifting. Something revolutionary. Something that will shock and awe not only others but me too. I ran because I had nothing to loose (except a little weight perhaps.) I ran because I just didn’t want to be the guy who goes to work, drinks on Fridays and watches movies over the weekend. I ran because I believed it will change my life. I ran because I believed it will take me where I wanted to go.
So coming to the quintessential question, why should you run a marathon?
Simple. Because it’s scary, crazy, challenging, disciplining and unshackling. Because you can!
