Blog 003: I ran my first half marathon

Date: May 20, 2021

Time: 0427 AM

I wake up to a call from an old friend. I had called her earlier to enquire about her recuperating mother. I get told: everything is fine, she is getting better every day.

Phew, that’s relaxing.

We get into a conversation, the friend and I. We haven’t talked in a while, so we catch up. I tell her everything that is going on in my life. She tells me everything that’s up with her.

In Particular, she asks me about my most recent hobby, running 10ks. I tell her that it’s been a while, that the lockdown has been brutal on every effort I make to maintain a healthy routine.

31 minutes have passed. I can hear her yawning in between her hmmms. I tell her that she should get some sleep before the sun, she readily agrees. We hang up. I cannot sleep now.

0507 AM

The alarm buzzes, I swipe up. The dawn is already here making its way into my room through the open windows. I look out, the street lamps are shut off now. The alarm buzzes again. I get up from bed and walk to the balcony.

The weather is cooler than usual with a light breeze. The sky is covered with clouds that are in shade between black and white, and occasionally, they roar. It is the month of roses, and plants are lushed with them. The birds are chirping, doing what they do around these flowers. If there is a heaven, this is a resemblance. I stand here for a while.

0531 AM

I freshen up, heat some water to drink, and sip it walking towards the balcony again. And it hits me- I could go out for a run. But the city is under lockdown.

It has been two months since my last run. I started running after the first wave of Corona in India because I finally wanted to do something about my health. However, I could never be consistent. And when I finally fell in love with running, the second wave hit.

The weather is too inviting, I cannot say no. I grab my mask, dust off my only running shoes that have been with me for over 600 kilometers, pull up my socks, do basic stretching, switch on flight mode, start my tracker app, and head out for a run in the pandemic.

First 5k 26’51”

I start north from home, run 1k to the city bridge, and instead of going into the heart of the city, I head for the outskirts. The plan is to be as far away from pollution and people as possible.

The rising elevation of the bridge makes the run a little harder. But I keep telling myself, what is a run if not a challenge.

The city gets smaller with every step, the hubbub gets quieter with every stride. In a while, I reach the center of the bridge. The city below looks like a factory starting up. Vendors are setting shop in the farmer’s market below. Chaiwallas are preparing their fireplaces behind half-closed doors. An overworked cop lights what I believe to be his morning smoke. The bridge is past now. I pass a police barricade, probably put up there to filter the traffic entering the city. It almost feels like a post-apocalyptic world. I am now entering the industrial area.

The run feels easy, the breaths have found a pattern. I always take my time to find the pattern of inhaling and exhaling. I usually hit the chord in my third kilometer. It has been 2.57 km now.

At 4.47km, I pass our hangout place. It has been weeks since we’ve come here. The shop is shut. It looks like it has been shut for days. The pandemic has been a kick in the stomach for small shop owners. The phone beeps and notifies me of the 5k. I have crossed the industrial area.

Second 5k: 27’02”

The weather is pleasant. I can smell the rain from last night, and hear it in the rustling leaves of the giant trees standing on both sides of the road. It all makes the run more comforting.

I usually run 12k in 4 laps. But this is different, there are no laps here. I could run a 6k ahead and go back home the same way. But wait, if I can run 10k in one stretch, why not do it? Why not run a half marathon today! Settled. 10k ahead, 10k on the way back, and 1k somewhere in between.

I pass the sunset point that I usually visit, two cinematic rail crossings, small settlements and lots of trees, and open fields. The phone beeps again, I have completed 10k.

Third 5k: 27’04”

This 10k is an achievement. It is going to be an overachievement if I can make the 21.1k happen. My spirit is high, and I feel beaming with energy. The cool weather only helps.

I am sweating profusely. A cotton t-shirt for the run was not a bright idea. The nipples are chafing against the fabric, and the inflammation has begun. But it's okay, it's not severe.

I pass the same fields, trees providing shade to the passers-by, railway crossings, settlements, and the sunset point. The plan is to celebrate with a raised closed fist as I break my previous 15.15km record. I can sense it will happen.

On March 09, 2021, I ran my longest, 15.15 kilometers. Moving a 90 kg sack of fat for 15 kilometers in under 80 minutes. It was an overachievement for me.

The pace has damped a bit, my lips are dry, and I am still sweating profusely. I always carry a small cotton handkerchief clutched in my arms. I do not enjoy sweaty palms on my runs. The breathing has gotten heavier but still in the same pattern. I am now using my mouth more frequently to exhale. One step ahead of another Ayush, you will make it- I tell myself.

The phone beeps, I have reached the 15th km milestone. This is unbelievable. I never thought I’d be able to break that record. I raise my first, handkerchief clutched in between. There is no audience to cheer me up but I feel elated. This is probably the proudest I have been of myself.

I pass our hangout place.

Fourth 5k: 27’11”

My throat is also dry, I am sweating even more. The cool breeze is the only relief. Sun is shimmering its light from behind the film of clouds. The run feels like music, where I am thumping my feet to some mute beat. The grunts feel in sync too.

I have reached 18k. It is time to climb the bridge. This is the part where it gets daunting. The run gets even slower. I am barely managing to put one foot ahead of another. The city is finally getting up from its bed. The farmer’s market is crowded with vendors and buyers.

The cop is in an argument with someone without a mask. The views distract and now I am running down the bridge. I check the phone, it says 19.32 km. Just 1 more. I tell myself - “Just one more”

Last 1k: 5’54

I have finally completed a surreal 20k. I still have some 500 meters to go. My thighs hurt, my calves hurt, my ankles hurt, I could faint any minute, but it's okay, I am home. I make a sensible decision to run in the front yard. It takes 10 rounds but I complete it.

Phew. Did I just run a half marathon? My head doesn't answer, I am too tired. The world in front of me plays black and white with me. I know this, I am about to faint, I rush to my bed, and fall.

What happens next? Some other time maybe.