Sunfeast WORLD 10k Bangalore - My first Marathon

I still vividly remember the last time when I participated in a running event.. tht was way back in my school days, 8th or 9th std.. after that never did I.. in fact only after coming here to b'lore I came to know that marathons are also conducted for non-professional runners.. after hearing to few of my frends and others who took part in such events, I really wanted to give it a try.. sme time back last year few of my frends wnt for a midnight marathon, but I cud'nt join them as I was out of station..and finally it happened on 18th May 2008, at Sunfeast 10k Bangalore, 'Run Maadi Run' Event.. it was only on the day b4 that I came to know that few of my frends were planning to participate.. initially I was a bit hesitant as that time of that day was already marked in my calender.. but thn I thought few things can be postponed but few opportunities rarely come your way nd u hve to grab it.. so I wnt ahead with the thought of participating in 10k open category ..and on 18th morning, we 4 of us reached the venue, kanteerava stadium at around 8:15, only to get excited at the sight of participants who have thronged the place.. few of thm were busy with their warm up sessions nd most of thm were socialising.. after smetime everyone's eyes moved in the direction of two women in the professional women category who were running with full energy towards the finish line...looking at them I was wondering if I will be able to run with such a potential even towards the end..(yeah I can listen to u guys murmering, 'the question arises only if u reach the end!!!', I agree as even I thougth the same:)).. thn at around 8:57, the gates were opened for us to reach the start line.. and after reaching the start line, all eyes were on the digital clock for it to click 9:00.. I could hear to each organ of my body jumping with excitement...nd we were surprised at the energy levels of the participants.. few of thm who were in their 50s were talking of time limits of 45-50min.. my hatsoff for them.. as soon as the clock showed 9:00, I started with my first marathon:).. hardly I would hve run for 150-200 m when my heart started pounding nd I had to stop looking at my pitiable stamina.. two of the guys of my grp wnt ahead, and my frend was running with me.. he stopped whn ever I stopped.. the first 1km was very tough as till thn I never gave a thought as how tough it would be.. in the first 1 km I thought 'N' number of times to quit and go back.. but there was a lingering wish down the heart to try harder.. and only after my frend screamed "hey.. look we reached 1km mark" after looking at the 1km board, did I start feeling, 'ohh 10 such distances will take me to finish line' and I started off with full energy asking him to carryon and not to stop for me.. it was clear that I wnt to reach the finish line.. but also I knew that I dont hve the potential to run throughout.. so I started running less n walking more, for it was clear in my mind that I wnt to reach the finish line but not the medical camp:D... so it was more of a walkathon than a marathon for me.. I just wnted to feel n njoy the experience.. I was walking/running at my own pace..walking most of the time nd running whnever my mind wakes up to the thought that its marathon not a walkaton baby:).. but it was a great platform to meet ppl, who r very enthusiastic irrespective of age, all trying to break the monotonous lifestyle.. few ppl, by participating and few by cheering the runners.. I felt that I shd try harder to run, atleast for the second category of people, who as a whole family, came out of their homes, irrespective of it being a sunday, just to cheer n encourage the runners.. a big appaluse shd be given to them.. nd I could hear to one middle aged lady who while running was telling her kid on the phone, "beta mein teek hoon, papa aage nikal chuke hain aur mera unse baat hue"... my heartful appreciation wnt for the lady and her whole family, obviously without whom she could'nt hve done it.. while I was running/walking looking at all these interesting things, I never knew when time and distance flew.. I crossed 2km, 3km,4km..........9km and finally 10km mark:) in 1hr 38min 04sec.. my frend who had already reached the finish line was waiting for me with a thought 'if this girl is still running or is at sme medical camp'.. my happiness knew no bounds on reaching the finish line.. after tht we met 2 of the other guys who came with us.. had the bun n biscuits provided by the organisers nd thn came back home....

the only thing which is not at all appreciable in the whole event was the littering of water bottles... its really good that organisers have arranged for water throughout the path .. but instead of bottles thy could have provided in paper cups which r disposable.. for thy know the attitude of Indians whn it comes to littering.. bottles were lying throughout the path causing hindrance not only to the participants but also to the nature...its not only the organisers who r to be blamed but also the participants.. i think its still a long way to go for Indians to understand the damage they r causing to the nature...except this it was a memorable experience atleast for me:)

signing off with a hope that I will be able to build up my stamina nd try another and many more marathons..:)

hve a nice weekend:)