If you had asked me seven years ago whether I would ever run a marathon, my immediate answer would have been: “Are you crazy?” Running was the last thing on my mind. But then, life has a funny way of throwing curveballs at you. Mine came in the form of a simple yet powerful statement from my 7-year-old son.
The Wake-Up Call
Seven years ago, I was riding my bike with my little one sitting behind me when he whispered into my ear, “Papa, I cannot hold you! My hands do not join.” He was trying to hug me by locking his hands around my waist, but my 100 kg frame was too much for his tiny arms to encircle. That moment hit me harder than any gym trainer ever could. It was an eye-opener. I was obese, sluggish, and dealing with all sorts of health issues. But more than anything, I was setting a terrible example for my son. I decided right then and there: this was not the legacy I wanted to leave for him.
I had no idea where to begin. Gym? Too intimidating. Sports? Too much commitment. But then, on one of my morning walks, I saw a group of runners effortlessly gliding past me. Something clicked. The next day, I decided to try running.
The Humble Beginning
My first run? Exactly 200 meters. And it nearly killed me. I was panting so hard that I thought I would pass out right there on the sidewalk. My immediate thought: “This is not for me!” But somehow, the next day, I laced up again. And the day after that.
One morning, I saw a billboard for a local marathon event. In a moment of sheer overconfidence, I went home and registered for the 6K category.
The next mistake? I attempted to run the full 6K on my first day of training. Spoiler alert: I
collapsed at 3K and had to take a transport back home. I was so discouraged that I didn’t step out for four days.
But I had four months to train, and quitting wasn’t an option. So, I did the only thing I could: I started slow. 1K a day for a week, then 2K, then 3K. By the end of three months, I could walk-run 5K.
On race day, I wasn’t confident. But I did it. I finished my first 6K in 55 minutes. Holding that finisher’s medal, I felt something stir inside me. It was the beginning of a passion that would change my life.
From 5K to 10K: Raising the Bar
Encouraged by my small victory, I signed up for more 5K events. But I wanted to be more consistent, so I joined a virtual running group called Indian Runners. The challenge? Run at least 1K a day for 21 days each month. It took me four months to finally hit 24 running days in a month, but from then on, consistency became my best friend.
Then came the next challenge: the 10K run. In 2020, I completed my first 10K in 1 hour 33 minutes and 34 seconds. Slow, but consistent. By now, I had shed 17 kgs and was getting compliments from people.
Then, COVID hit. Everything shut down. For three months, I struggled like everyone else. But when restrictions eased slightly, I started running in my apartment corridor and using the treadmill. Consistency was my savior.
The Half Marathon Leap
In 2021, I gifted myself a Garmin watch. This was a game-changer. With the coaching feature, I set my sights on my first Half Marathon (21.1K). But running longer distances meant focusing on more than just miles. I started studying training plans, nutrition, and injury prevention.
Then I came across 100 Days of Running (HDOR). I had seen people do it on social media, and I decided to join. In mid-2021, HDOR announced an HM training program, and I jumped in. I also learned about gear, diet, and structured training plans, which made a huge difference.
My first unofficial HM was done solo. But when official races resumed, I registered for my first Half Marathon event in 2022. The first 14K went well. But after that? I hit the infamous “wall.” Somehow, huffing and puffing, I finished. But I wasn’t satisfied.
That’s when I enrolled with a professional coach, Manish Jaiswal from Snails2Bolt, Mumbai. When I told him my goal was just to complete an HM properly, and that a Full Marathon was out of the question (because, hey, I was already 40!), he just smiled and said, “We’ll see about that.”
The Full Marathon Dream
Training was tough. And my old knee injury didn’t help. Back when I was 15, I had a congenital deformity in my left leg, leading to knee surgery. It had left me with mobility issues and, over time, a lack of confidence. Running brought those issues back. My coach suggested physio-rehab, cross-training, and strength training to keep me on track.
After months of training, I completed the Tata Mumbai Half Marathon in 2:02:04, missing a sub-2 finish by just two minutes. But I had seen so many runners older than me completing Full Marathons, and something inside me shifted.
I registered for my first Full Marathon. The year of training was the hardest yet most beautiful journey. This was also when I found my running family, Bavdhan Brigade – a group of like-minded, crazy runners whose stories inspired me daily.
In January 2024, I became a marathoner.
10,000 Kms Later…
In October 2024, I hit a milestone that I never thought possible: 10,000 kms of running in six years. My running group even felicitated me for this achievement.
Looking back, I realize it took me six years to achieve this. Some might say it’s slow. But there are no comparisons in this journey. Only I know what I went through to lose 25 kgs, transform my health, and ignite this passion.
None of this would have been possible without my wife. Passion is great, but it often demands sacrifices, and family is usually the first collateral damage. My wife stood by me like a rock. Without her, I wouldn’t be here today.
Lessons from 10,000 Kms
- Start small, but start. Running 200 meters was a struggle. Today, I run 42.2 kms. Progress happens when you show up.
- Consistency beats talent. You don’t have to be the fastest, but you have to be consistent.
- Your support system matters. Family, friends, running groups – they make the journey worthwhile.
- Injuries are part of the game. Listen to your body, do your rehab, and keep moving.
- Age is just a number. I thought I was too old at 40. Now, I know I’m just getting started.
Today, I run four days a week, strength train twice, and cycle once. People call me a fitness freak. I can excuse myself from parties for a morning run, and beginners ask me for advice.
But this is not the end of my journey. It’s just the beginning.
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Be Safe! Be Healthy! Keep Running!
My Fitness Notion 