From Novice to Marathoner: My Unforgettable First Marathon Experience

My passion for running started way back when I was in LKG. Even at a young age, I would participate in various races, ranging from 100 meters to 1 kilometer. I had always been a sprinter, never a marathon runner. It wasn't until 2012 that I embarked on my journey towards running marathons. My passion for running was further fueled when Milind Soman, the founder of Pinkathon, organized a marathon with the goal of promoting a healthier lifestyle for women and raising awareness about breast cancer. Being an all-women's run, the event was aptly named the "PINKATHON." Back in the day, marathons were not as commercialized as they are now. They were primarily held with the intent of encouraging and raising awareness for various causes.

My First Marathon Experience... Here we go.. 

It all started when I saw the banner of The Tata Consultancy Services World 10K Bangalore Marathon while travelling. On seeing the fifth edition of the TCS World 10K Bangalore Marathon banner, there was a sudden rush of adrenalin and a childish joy within me. I remember registering for the event on the same day and came up with a training target to go for, but I was totally out of practice. Still I decided to give it a shot.

During my Second Marathon @Zumba Session 

I ran my first marathon at Sree Kanteerava Stadium on 27th May 2012. 

10KMS?(eek!)?!!!

The thought of running a 10K for the first time made me nervous, but I was determined to do it. On the day of the race, I arrived at Kanteerava stadium early in the morning and set off on the course through Cubbon Park. The cool breeze and the passion of the other runners propelled me towards the finish line, but it was not an easy journey. Despite the difficulty, I felt a sense of pride in my accomplishment. However, the aftermath was not as enjoyable. I struggled to walk even a few feet and was too sick to even hail an auto. Despite feeling dizzy and unwell, I loved every moment of the race.

My second marathon was Pinkathon, and I was honored to be a part of the first-ever event. The experience was unforgettable, and I cherished every moment of it.

Following my first marathon experience, my passion for running grew exponentially, and I began registering for any 10k race I could find. I yearned to participate in races across different cities, including Coimbatore, Salem, Namakkal, Pondicherry, Ooty, and many others. While I have yet to sign up for the big half marathon on my bucket list, I am eager to test my limits and take on the full marathon. Although the thought of running 42 kilometers may seem daunting, I am determined to overcome my fears through consistent training and practice. I look forward to sharing my progress and experiences through my blog, as running has become an integral part of my life, and I can't imagine not pushing myself to run just 42 kilometers.

I have been inspired to write about several marathons that have been significant in my life. Below is a list of a few of them.

2012:

1. TCS World 10K Bangalore 2012, Kanteerava Stadium on 27TH MAY 2012.

2013:

1. Pinkathon Bengaluru, Kanteerava Stadium on 7th of April, 2013.
2. TCS World 10K run 2013 - Namma City Namma Run - Bangalore, Kanteerava Stadium on May 19, 2013

2016:

1. Salem Marathon 2016 at Mahatma Gandhi Stadium - Salem on Feb 19th 2017 

2017:

1. Vodafone Coimbatore Marathon at Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium- Coimbatore on 1st October 2017. 

2018:

1. Auroville Marathon - 2018 at Auroville - Pondicherry on February 11th 2018.
2. Rasipuram Rotary Mega Marathon at Tiruvalluvar Govt arts college, Rasipuram on April 29th 2018. 
3. Go Heritage Ooty Marathon at Lawrence School, Lovedale, Ooty on June 03rd 2018.  
4. Go Heritage RUN - COORG Marathon at Field Marshal K M Cariappa College, Madikeri on Sunday Aug 5, 2018

2019:

1. Bangaluru City Virtual Marathon | 21 KMS by Club MH 25 on 20 Jun 2019
2. India International Yoga Day Challenge 2019 | 21 KMS (Virtual event) Run For Health on 21 Jun 2019

2022:

1. Mutthu Marathon (13th Edition) Vaikundam 11 KMS | organized by Konganapuram Foundation and Konganapuram Sports Club | on 06 Mar, 2022
2. Erode Marathon | 10 KMS on 09th Oct, 2022
3. Walkaroo Coimbatore Marathon 2022 |  10 KMS on 11th Dec, 2022

2023:

1. Kanyathon 2023 3KM Family Run | Bangalore on 12th March 2023

Each marathon I run offers a unique and unforgettable experience. It brings me immense joy to see my loved ones inspired to run and asking if they can join me. Knowing that I can encourage others to push themselves beyond their limits and achieve their goals is truly rewarding.

our Run Timings:

If you are considering running a marathon, my advice to you is to let go of your limitations and take the plunge. Register for a marathon, and don't worry about running the whole way - you can walk or crawl if needed. You never know how completing a single race could change your life forever.

Rasipuram Rotary Mega Marathon 2018 : Step Up for a Cause

I recently participated in the Rasipuram Rotary Mega Marathon 2018, which took place near my hometown. The marathon was flagged off from the Thiruvalluvar Government Arts College in Rasipuram. As usual, I convinced my entire family to join me and register for the event!

However, as this was the first time the Rasipuram Rotary organizers were conducting the marathon, there were some organizational issues. The race categories were started every five minutes, disregarding the official start time. Additionally, there were no portable toilets or medical aid available, which was disappointing.

Despite these setbacks, I acknowledge that it's challenging to organize an error-free marathon on the first try. The Rotary Club has made a commendable start, and with time and experience, I'm confident they'll overcome these challenges and conduct a successful and well-organized event in the future.

Parents Atrocity: At the Rasipuram Rotary Mega Marathon 2018, there was a 3KM Run event category for children between the ages of 7-15. However, it was disappointing to see some parents losing their cool and shouting at their kids for not running continuously. The funny part was that these parents were not even running along with their children, but rather chasing them on their bikes and shouting at them.

It is essential for parents to understand that kids cannot run continuously on their first day. Today's children spend less time in free play and exercise than previous generations, who spent a lot of time walking and bicycling. Instead of yelling at them, parents should encourage their children to run using a firm and soft tone. It is important to promote a positive attitude towards exercise and instill a love for physical activity in children from a young age.

Rasipuram Marathon organizer should have set a necessary boundary for parents. They should not have let the parents inside the marathon trial. Also, lot of Vehicles were crossing the trails.

The Rasipuram Rotary Mega Marathon 2018 provided a fantastic platform for newbie runners and the people of Rasipuram to experience the thrill of a marathon. The cheering crowds at the finish line and the medals were a great incentive to keep going. I could see the excitement in the organizers as they handled the gunshot at the beginning of the race.

However, I hit a roadblock at the 4th kilometer. My shoes did not fit correctly, and my skin kept rubbing against the edges of the shoe, making it difficult for me to move forward. Despite the setback, I persevered and completed the marathon with great zeal. The certificate was provided in hard copy, but the medal could have been better.

On a positive note, the breakfast provided after the marathon was delicious, and we even received a free coupon for ice cream from Amilma Ice Creams as part of our registration. I have a fun story to share about our experience with Amilma Ice Creams, which I will write about later.