Countdown to the Mumbai Marathon 2009

We are just six days away from one of the single largest sporting events in the world – the Standard Chartered Mumbai Marathon 2009. I am sure most of us have been training vigorously for the event – each in his/her own way.
This is for all you people who do not find time to keep themselves fit – I had promised my friends in college that 25 years hence I would still be running – guess what guys I have kept my promise. The older I grow the younger I get. The upside is it helps me raise the pledges for the charity of my choice. Also remember all you guys who do not find time to exercise – there are 24 hours in a day and with proper time management everything is possible – a good healthy run in the morning gives you the testosterone rush to take you through the rest of the day – far better than sitting in front of a TV and exercising your thumb on the remote – don’t you think? Most of us are so desperate to try and get ahead in life by trying to earn a living that they forget that ultimately their health is their wealth. No amount of money can help get your health back if you don’t take care of it when it is required. So guys, if you are not running this years marathon – make a resolution for the New Year and start running so as to enable you to participate in next years event. Believe me you won’t regret your decision.

Those running the half and full marathon hopefully have been training hard for the last three months at least. For Dream Runners – it is just the experience of participating which will give them a high – just ensure that you don’t get pushed around or trampled too much. It is worse than entering a peak hour Virar local – and you get a free, unwanted body massage before the race commences – those will probably be your longest five-ten minutes! But all told the experience is something one should go through. The Dream Run has a very festive atmosphere, with fancy dress participants, people running for a cause, NGO’s promoting their cause and this year will be all the more poignant as, I am sure a lot of participants will be carrying a placard or making a statement on the 26/11 terror attack. I feel it is necessary to show the world that we care and will not take the attack lying down. Hence, I feel that if you are not participating in the run, you must line up on the route to cheer the runners and wish them well and encourage them to complete.

The cheer from all spectators should be a loud “COME ON – BUCK UP – THAT’S THE SPIRIT – GREAT GOING – COME ON”. This, along with continuous clapping as the runners pass by really cheers the runners and peps them if they are faltering in their run – specially the longer distance runners. You will see the young and old, fat and skinny, professional athletes and amateurs all running with gusto and the joy of participating in one of the most exhilarating and self fulfilling events in the world.

The marathon is all about “YOU” the runner, as you are competing against yourself – if this is your first marathon, you will realize you completed the run in a given time, and the challenge next year will be to try and run faster and inside the previous years time. The marathon is all about setting personal goals, achieving personal glory, getting a personal high, it is about fitness, fun, and willingness and desire to achieve un-thought of goals – be they for charitable organizations or making a statement to society on the events which have passed which are all necessary to strengthen the city’s and countries moral and social fabric.

Running does not require anything but a good pair of running shoes and the desire to run along an open road. Remember, running on the road is way different from running on the grounds/treadmills, the surface is harder - running on asphalt is easier on the knees and muscles than running on cement concrete. Hence, your running shoes need to be with sufficient cushion to absorb the shock while running long distances, the shoes should be a correct fit –leaving about a centimeter at the front for your toes not to get damaged, your socks should be tight and a perfect fit on your feet as loose socks will cause friction while running and most likely result in extremely painful blisters. Do not run the race with new shoes, as blisters will then be guaranteed – you need to break-in your shoes for at least a month before the actual race. Please run with shoes which you are used to and comfortable in.

I still remember last years half marathon, where I bumped into Dhanraj Pillay and Robin Singh. I took the opportunity to tell him that I was a big fan of his not only for his hockey playing skills which are legendary but also for his guts in taking on the establishment which I thought was destroying the hockey climate in the country. There was an army runner who ran the 21 km with a fifteen foot bamboo pole carrying the Indian tri-color which showcased the individuals strength and stamina in completing the race – not once did he walk – he jogged the entire distance non-stop. That was truly inspiring! Another experience which is imprinted on my memory is seeing the front runners for the half marathon prize money on their way back. I had reached Jaslok Hospital, when I saw four individuals literally flying across the surface – I stopped my run to see them pass and cheered them on shouting “WAY TO GO GUYS, GO FOR IT”. That was a sight to behold, reminded me of my youth when I used to run 15 rounds of Shivaji Park in an hour and fifteen minutes and still beat the hell out of Ruparel College’s 400 meter champ in the last quarter mile!

Please go to www.geodesic.com anduse the free SMS service to encourage you near and dear ones. And all the best with your run. STAY FIT AND ENJOY YOUR MARATHON EXPERIENCE.