For at least a month, I’ve been looking up to 1st November. I have my full marathon that day. As far as I’ve understood the rules, if I’m able to break the 5 1/2 hour target, I can apply for the marathon which I’ve been dreaming of i.e., Ladakh marathon.
I’ve been reiterating the same to all my friends and family for more than two months. Why do I keep telling this to everyone? For starters, full marathon is 42.2 kms. Our human brain cannot comprehend values post a certain threshold. For example, we know how valuable Rs.1 lakh is and how different it is from Rs. 1 crore. What about 100 crores compared to 1000 crores? The moment we pass a number, we can’t comprehend much difference because it’s mostly out of our perception. For us, a person with a net worth of Rs.100 crores is rich, same as a person at Rs.1000 crores, though the latter is 10 times more valuable.
Similarly, though many are astonished by the 42.2k number, they were well and same shocked for the 21.1k too i.e., half marathon. To be frank, I too am not able to conceive the distance fully because I never ran that long. But why do I want to do it anyway? Why compete at such feats that I am not even able to absorb the immensity of it?
Unless I feel it physically, I don’t understand the value. All my professional work is good but it’s mostly virtual. Physical stress is what I understand way better - running is one form of understanding my physical strength. Also, competing at such long-distance runs is giving me such highs, nothing else comes close to it. I first experienced it when I completed my half marathon.
No joke, the run was hard - but not as hard as I thought it should be. I was thinking that by the time I cross the finish line I’ll be spitting blood. Weirdly, apart from some muscle pain, I was largely fine ; yet tears were flowing down my cheeks. I never thought I could run for such distance ever in my life. The whole run was lonely which also gave me time to contemplate how far I’ve come. All those long runs on weekends, all those parties I missed because I had to complete a run, all those days with diet cause I didn’t want to get sick. All of it came crashing at the finish line.
That run made me realise I could do a lot more than what I’ve imagined. Hence, here I am looking up to a full marathon. About 5 1/2 hours of no music, no talking to people; just me, my thoughts and sounds of shoes hitting the pavement. Every single target I cross is not only letting me move my goal post further but also helping me appreciate how far I’ve come.
Ten year old me would’ve jumped all over hearing how fit I’m right now. There will come a 100km marathon which will beat me to my knees, but also makes me the most humble towards this life. Glad that I’m pushing my limits.