When I had first heard about Marathon, I was intrigued by the concept. There were a lot of articles and advertisements for upcoming marathon events in the city. I had wanted to have a first hand experience but had assumed that the participation process would not be that easy. I had also believed that one had to go through vigorous fitness regime and be trained to be a part of these events. Two years back, my mom read about an upcoming marathon event - Pinkathon that was advertised in all the newspapers. She was behind me for several days to register for it. You see, she had thought that at least this way I would start going for morning walks or jogs and lose some pounds of fat in the process.
Finally, after a lot of cajoling, I acceded to her demand and registered for the 5km marathon. This was the shortest race length and I was very sure that I would not complete this. After the registration, the preparation started. Not the exercise or the training, but shopping for my shoes. I was very sure they would send me back if I had gone in their in my comfortable slippers. There was a wide range of selections and I seriously didn't understand the different varieties. I chose the easiest route - got a shoe that was comfortable and looked nice on me - it was a pink and grey combination.
The next thing we had to do was get the kit - they gave out the bip and the freebies that the different sponsors were giving out. Well, I was not able to use any of them. They were just discount vouchers for fitness equipment's. If they had given out discounts for food items, restaurants then I would have been more happy. I did not even go to collect them. I asked my parents to collect them from the venue they had put up in that message.
The other thing that made me wonder if I really should go for the marathon was the scheduled time. It was supposed to start in the wee hours on a Sunday. Anyone who knows me knows that I am not a morning person. I don't like to get up early in the mornings especially on a weekend unless there is a real need. I grudgingly got up early that day and got dressed. My parents had got up dutifully before me. My mom had a glass of milk in her hand and my father had dressed up to drop me. I guess my parents were more excited than me.
We made it to the venue and that is when I looked at the crowds. I had never expected so many people to turn up for the event. Most of them had come in with families - kids, elderly parents in tow. They were there to cheer up the participants. That is when it hit me that this was a big event. The music was blaring on the loud speakers put up at many places. They had set up a huge podium and some guy was showing how to do a few dance steps that was supposed to aid in loosening the leg
muscles. I felt weird in imitating him. Dance has never been something I was comfortable in doing. Nevertheless, I did do some stretching exercises that he showed in between the dance steps.
I met a lady who got herself introduced to me and we exchanged numbers. She told me she had registered with her colleagues and was going in for the 10km marathon. Her mother had cancer and that is the reason she joined this one. When the announcement was made to go to the starting line, I quickly walked over and stood in there. Once the signal was given, everyone started to run. I was so excited and immediately started to run. After covering a short distance, I realized why 5km is not a cakewalk. I felt the first signs of pain in my leg. I slowed my pace and started walking after that. The pain got worse but I was determined to finish it. There were volunteers all around the route, giving away water bottles, urging participants to go ahead.
I had no friends, no one who knew me, but that got me emotional and finally I made it to the finishing line. The whole experience was surreal. I don't know why but my life just flashed in front of me. I picked up my pace and started running as though that would help me overcome my grief and my pain. And when you reach the finish line, you feel as if you have achieved something.
I was given a certificate and some other freebies. I don't remember how much time I took but that was my first marathon and I was happy to have completed it. The certificates or the freebies did not really matter. Just the experience of running was good enough. After that, I did not stay up much. There were celebrations, a lot of music at the venue. I quickly called my father and asked him to come and pick me up.
I have seen a lot of speeches done by people when they pick up a award. They usually thank their parents, family for the support. I really didn't understand what big deal that was. But that day if someone had asked me how I had participated or finished the marathon, I would say that it was because of the support my parents gave me.
I don't think I could have done this without my parents - my mother was the one who planted that idea in me and urged me to go and actually participate. My dad stood near the parking area for the entire time I had been at that place waiting patiently for me to finish the marathon.
Finally, after a lot of cajoling, I acceded to her demand and registered for the 5km marathon. This was the shortest race length and I was very sure that I would not complete this. After the registration, the preparation started. Not the exercise or the training, but shopping for my shoes. I was very sure they would send me back if I had gone in their in my comfortable slippers. There was a wide range of selections and I seriously didn't understand the different varieties. I chose the easiest route - got a shoe that was comfortable and looked nice on me - it was a pink and grey combination.
The next thing we had to do was get the kit - they gave out the bip and the freebies that the different sponsors were giving out. Well, I was not able to use any of them. They were just discount vouchers for fitness equipment's. If they had given out discounts for food items, restaurants then I would have been more happy. I did not even go to collect them. I asked my parents to collect them from the venue they had put up in that message.
The other thing that made me wonder if I really should go for the marathon was the scheduled time. It was supposed to start in the wee hours on a Sunday. Anyone who knows me knows that I am not a morning person. I don't like to get up early in the mornings especially on a weekend unless there is a real need. I grudgingly got up early that day and got dressed. My parents had got up dutifully before me. My mom had a glass of milk in her hand and my father had dressed up to drop me. I guess my parents were more excited than me.
We made it to the venue and that is when I looked at the crowds. I had never expected so many people to turn up for the event. Most of them had come in with families - kids, elderly parents in tow. They were there to cheer up the participants. That is when it hit me that this was a big event. The music was blaring on the loud speakers put up at many places. They had set up a huge podium and some guy was showing how to do a few dance steps that was supposed to aid in loosening the leg
muscles. I felt weird in imitating him. Dance has never been something I was comfortable in doing. Nevertheless, I did do some stretching exercises that he showed in between the dance steps.
I met a lady who got herself introduced to me and we exchanged numbers. She told me she had registered with her colleagues and was going in for the 10km marathon. Her mother had cancer and that is the reason she joined this one. When the announcement was made to go to the starting line, I quickly walked over and stood in there. Once the signal was given, everyone started to run. I was so excited and immediately started to run. After covering a short distance, I realized why 5km is not a cakewalk. I felt the first signs of pain in my leg. I slowed my pace and started walking after that. The pain got worse but I was determined to finish it. There were volunteers all around the route, giving away water bottles, urging participants to go ahead.
I had no friends, no one who knew me, but that got me emotional and finally I made it to the finishing line. The whole experience was surreal. I don't know why but my life just flashed in front of me. I picked up my pace and started running as though that would help me overcome my grief and my pain. And when you reach the finish line, you feel as if you have achieved something.
I was given a certificate and some other freebies. I don't remember how much time I took but that was my first marathon and I was happy to have completed it. The certificates or the freebies did not really matter. Just the experience of running was good enough. After that, I did not stay up much. There were celebrations, a lot of music at the venue. I quickly called my father and asked him to come and pick me up.
I have seen a lot of speeches done by people when they pick up a award. They usually thank their parents, family for the support. I really didn't understand what big deal that was. But that day if someone had asked me how I had participated or finished the marathon, I would say that it was because of the support my parents gave me.
I don't think I could have done this without my parents - my mother was the one who planted that idea in me and urged me to go and actually participate. My dad stood near the parking area for the entire time I had been at that place waiting patiently for me to finish the marathon.
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