Unlike last year, we have started documenting the essence of 2023 Marathon practice and event participation a bit early before memories will start fading with time. This year running is better than last year with respect to many aspects, and we tried to capture a few of them for future reference and upcoming events. This is the story of every runner who pulls up their socks and goes out for a run.
1. Investment in Self:
Both time and health are more valuable than wealth. We can neither borrow nor transfer our health, unlike wealth. So this 700+ KM practice running starting from early February until October, the TCS Amsterdam Marathon 2023, is an investment in ourselves. And the ROI of this is higher than any other easy daily routine choices. This is just done over the period day by day, month by month.
2. Follow the Like-Minded Tribe:
As mentioned in Atomic Habits, if we want to continue good habits, then we should follow like-minded tribes. We have been following our running mates and some veterans in Strava running app like Amar Ravichand, Ronnie van (who ran 3000KM+ till now this year), Bhaskar (who ran more than ten full-marathons), Amber (who ran 30+ half-marathons), Jasmit, Devender (my mate during initial days of running). Also, We met new runners during events like Anish, Akash, Nila, Mani, Srini, Suprabhat.
3. Be Consistent with Hard-Choices:
It is difficult to keep hard-choices to our daily routine unlike easy ones. So we invested around 70hrs (= 10KM/hr for 700km) last year by prioritising it over other activities. We did more number of long runs (i.e. 12+ KM) this year compared to last year, but gave importance to being regular on the red carpet track than anything else. We need to increase the count further to improve the last kilometres timing.
Note: Easy-choices are implicitly habituated in no time, like time spent with mobile, OTT platforms etc., while hard-choices require a bit of effort and discipline like exercising, reading books etc.
4. Set a Goal:
The goal should be in Goldilocks zone, neither too difficult nor too easy. Initially, We kept small targets like running a set number of kilometres per week and month as mentioned in the Kaizen way. Then set a target of Sub-2 hour for the half-marathon towards the last part of practice after having comfortable long runs. This is NOT based on any social comparison, but on pure individual practice.
5. All about Practice:
As result of hard choices, setting realistic goal and practice, ran three half-marathons in three consecutive weekends, i.e. on October 1st, 8th and 15th and improved timing each time. Competition with oneself.
6. Follow the Leader:
Thanks to Amar for taking the initiative to start a group run over the weekends around the lake. Need to be more regular in group practice for long runs. We ran together a half-marathon in the same ASML Eindhoven route just one week before the event and gained confidence.
7. Keep the process on during Headwind
Tried our best to be on track irrespective of weather(e.g. cold, windy and rainy in Eindhoven, humid in Bhubaneswar) and availability of time (e.g. over weekend, after office hours, in between hectic trip). We tried not to break the chain during a one-month-long vacation with smaller routes.
8. D-Day: ASML Marathon 2023
Started the ASML Eindhoven (Half) Marathon with Amar, Vinay (debut), Anish, Arvind in Group B Category. Crowd was amazing throughout the route, especially towards the end and completed half marathon with two water breaks towards the end of the run.
Finished ASML Eindhoven (Half) Marathon with just below two hours. Lesson learned to improve last couple of KM. We are proud of young generation like Vinay for not only debuting in the half-marathon but completing with great timing, which was never the case, at least for me at that age.
9. Expect the Unexpected
After successful participation in the ASML Eindhoven Marathon, I was eager to participate in the very next weekend run in Amsterdam, for which I missed registration. Luckily, I got BIB for the TCS Amsterdam (Half) Marathon 2023 as Abhi dropped just before the run day. Nila handed over the bib at the venue on the event day.
10. Cherish the Moment
Amazed with the atmosphere and arrangement of an international event organised by an Indian Tech company. For the first time, we ran in the rain on an unaccustomed route to complete a half-marathon in a PB timing 1 hour and 56 minutes without any water break. We paced with self to end the season on a good note. Also, Amar and Arvind completed with great timing.
Journey, Not Destination
Explored different routes over the period to overcome boredom with the accustomed route. Met new runners. Experienced thrilling event experiences. Tracked the visual progress and planned accordingly. And celebrated small goals starting with each day, month and yearly event. Last but not the least, thanks to family for support and grace of almighty to achieve this feat.
Do you know why it is not good to multitask and advantages of Deep Philosophy?
Then spend your 5 mins to read fascinating book Deep Work.
InvestOnSelf 
Leave a comment