"The essential thing in life is not so much conquering as fighting well."

- BARON DE COUBERTIN, Founder of the Modern Olympic Games

I seem to be possessed with the passion of this phenomenon called running each passing day. And perhaps its magic is that it so closely emulates real life. Running is the most difficult challenge in my life- physically and mentally. And when I strive to achieve my running goals by stretching and not quitting, I win my other battles easily. Because if I can run, I can do anything:-).

And so each race is important for me: TMVM was to be a time trial for me after a long time and one I was apprehensive about. Last time I was off-loaded at 17K and this time, I wanted to reach the finish line. But my coach and my strongest ally, Daniel Vaz, as usual stood solidly by me and gave me a clarion call: He did clarify a finishing time of 2.08 but also gave me the fire: Madhu, Try for the goal but more important: Run with a song in your heart and just give your best”. And the song in my heart as I ran was “You can do Magic”.

The TMVM was in its 21 ^st year. We registered the day before with Mike’ ever ready smile and support. On race day, the venue was electric with the enthusiasm of a small motley group of runners : children, students, housewives in sarees, state level champions, railway employees gunning for prize money and recreational runners of all sizes and ages to get a PB or just enjoy the race. There was a funny moment when the race volunteer asked us “Senior Citizens category”. It made me laugh while Roshni was visibly annoyed :- )). I was glad to meet Veera and Sundars’ “All the Best” made me feel blessed to discover such lovely friends through Running. Sripad kept us in good cheer throughout .The race started off with just a few minutes delay than the target and we set off with beat music adding a zip to our steps.

The run takes us through a large part of Thane and the route is undulating with gentle and surprising hills around corners. I had decided I would run at an even pace of around 8.3 per km and not get excited by other’ scorching paces. As usual in 5 minutes, I was running my own race. People lining the streets, political parties with their colors offering water and electrolyte and cheers, it was a well organized 15 K with police stopping traffic at junctions till close to 1.5 hours. Much better than last time.

Well into my 3 km, the first water station, I decided to drench my head and back because the Rain Gods had decided to play truant and I knew it would be difficult for me to sustain my pace if my body temperature started shooting. This cooling paid off and I ran my race at an even pace with drinking water and drenching myself at each water station and stretching my aching calves. I should only try to be faster in rushing off from these stations so that I do not lose time.

I loved the constant drone of mundane life as I passed by onlookers, some admiring our grit and some wondering at our madness:- ). I most loved the children’ comments : “Aunty, aur tez bhagiye, aap number paanch pe hain” They meant No. 5 from the last, of course :-). I was constantly partnered by a group of teenagers on and off who were doing a walk run and they kept tormenting me with their derogatory comments about the race being over and better luck next time and coaxing me to return home. I smiled through a few stinging tear drops when I remembered:

"Runners just do it - they run for the finish line even if someone else has reached it first." - Nike

I was on pace till 10K and then the traffic started becoming dangerous. I am used to running with the traffic during practice runs but was forced to walk certain distances with traffic dangerously zooming close to me. I was now getting tired because I was running at my full capacity and at some point found myself unable to breathe. The anxiety of the road traffic added on to slowly cramping muscles. I took breaks to stretch my muscles and at 14 K got renewed energy to just go on. 2:08 was a thing of the past now and I am truly sorry, Daniel. In all this heartbreak and jitteriness of finding my way to the finish, I completely forgot about Kingshuk’ Mother waiting at Brahmand with refreshments for us. It was a beautiful thought and I will deeply treasure their hospitality and kindness. The finish line was now in front and my eyes were hazy as I experienced low sugar. But I saw Roshni’ happy face clicking my pictures and I checked the stop watch at 2:16. We jumped into the waiting bus and started planning our next race like 2 excited schoolgirls….

In post –race analysis, I realize I need to spend less time at the water stations. What I did well was maintain an even pace with the slogan “One strong step , one more strong step..” as a constant drone to keep going. I decided to take each km as the next milestone instead of the entire daunting 15 K and this did the trick to a large extent. I must focus on strength training my quads, hamstrings, core.Also; I must run more tempo paces in training to get the confidence that I can sustain myself at a “new high” over longer distances. Moreover, I need to still work on the pain barrier in the mind:- ).

I want to dedicate this race to Daniel and all my ARR friends and the terrific Aarey route. My special Thanks to Daniel who has been there always. In these years of training with him, I realize he is a Teacher par excellence. Yes, there are many training programs we can download from the net; there are many self styled marathon gurus who will make a champion out of you in a jiffy. There are many who can hone a budding potential. But that person is rare who transforms a non-runner to test his/her mettle against the grueling distances. For he has a stronger battle to conquer: in the mind than in the body. And I will forever treasure as priceless those moments when my fear takes ascendancy and Daniel emerges from the shadows and allays them. He patiently instills in me the faith that “I can do it”. Every time, I run, I run with his faith more than mine. Thanks Daniel, for always teaching me:

"Running is a big question mark that's there each and every day. It asks you, 'Are you going to be a wimp or are you going to be strong today?' "

Peter Maher, Irish-Canadian Olympian and sub-2:12 marathoner