My First ever COMRADES Journey from IPHUPHO LAMI to SISHAY IBUYA
Elated post finish!
Before I share my COMRADES experience, little about me. I am Vijay, an IT professional. Running came to me as forced medicine and as one of the prescribed exercise method to cure my certain health issues since then I started enjoying running as it gave me platform to meet many new friends and great means to meet friends outside office, hear their piece of motivation for running. Though I started running in early 2015, all were casual efforts to satisfy my exercise needs. Soon running became my hobby and I started getting motivated by witnessing running accomplishments by my friends and hearing stories around it. This motivation led me to complete couple of FULL Marathons and dozens of Half Marathons
My first marathon, though I broke in pain till I reach finish line… what came out is smile 😊
My Introduction to COMRADES done by Arup Singh (My office colleague n dear friend, Motiv8 Member and 2 times COMRADE Finisher). Arup invited me to felicitation ceremony of 2018 COMRADES Finishers of Motiv8 Group, this was real trigger for me, and I started feeling that I should attempt. With due course I was introduced to Atul and my journey with Motiv8 started.
with Arup post finish running schedule
Little about COMRDES , The qualifying criteria to Comrades Marathon is confirmed when Runners are able to complete an officially recognized marathon (42.2 km) in under five hours (4h50).[ as stated, this is race run between 2 cities and medals are awarded to all runners completing the course in under 12 hours. Runners also need to pass ~approx 5 cut off points in specified time to complete the race.
We started preparing for COMRADES 2020, I participated in TMM to get my Qualification for COMRADES, and I still remember the finish, I was in big pain due to cramps, lying on the ground and had to call my friends to help me out. I clocked finish time 4.49.39 Hrs. which officially qualifies for COMRADES but wake-up call for fitness. Training continued and we further participated in Tata Ultra 50K in February as part of training schedule, which was better due to feedback, and structured training plan received from Coach. I started understanding importance of HR and easy runs by then. I still remember the days in March 2020 when we all were discussing and planning for upcoming long run 55 KM, like others. I was excited as it was my first ever longest distance and that to schedule to start in the mid-night but not every time our predictions and plan work there are uncertainties in life. Lockdown announced due to CORONA and series of cancellations started firstly our training schedules followed by very event CPMRADES 2020 which we are dreaming for.
Someone rightly said, dreams are one which you cannot see while sleeping but the ones which don’t let you sleep. Training continues with focus on general fitness and hoping to get chance to stand at the start line of COMRADES one day. With every successive run I felt my training is working. USP of Motiv8, I believe is training atmosphere surrounded by many extra-ordinary performers who training with us which is enough to give immense inspiration and natural boost to do little better.
My inspiration, I was dreaming for such pic
Finally hopes to come true, it is year 2022 when COMRADES is scheduled for real event. We all started gearing up for participation. I supposed to attempt AFNDM (Ageas Federal Life Insurance New Delhi Marathon) for my re-qualification but apparently event was cancelled. luckily PIM (Pune International Marathon) was scheduled on same date, I decided to attempt the same for qualification. My COMRADES qualification done with FM timings 4.28.48 Hrs.
Now the focus was on trainings, if one asks, what is that one thing is toughest in whole journey … I believe it is Training. It was about ~4 Months longs with average milage ~about 50~70 KM per week includes ~ 4 Long running schedules ( 1 x 50 KM , 2 x 55 KM, 1 x 65 KM) . I never felt stronger at the end of any training, that means my training was working.
Every training was cheerful and fun, we slowly getting near to our goal
Our long run support backbone… who provided relentless support to keep us moving …?
I still remember incident I met during long run (it was 65 KM), I missed to carry torch , we started for 65 KM from Chandni Chowk towards mutha ghat, we reached to base of Mutha ghat ( completed ~21 KM ) . It was raining heavily and I was OK up till due to street lights, could able to locate/avoid pot holes. I finished climbing and decent and when returning for 2nd loop, I miss the step in one pothole and fall on the road hitting knee on the ground. I was alone on the road, for a moment I was totally blank and scared not for my injury (soon after I realize it wasn’t much concerned and I am alright) but for final event ☹ … Thanking almighty for testing my perseverance and saving me.
In due course, we had done with all our travel formalities and set for attending COMRADES in person. It was day 28th August, I finally stand at start line, totally blank only repeating in mind that it is yet another long run I need to finish.
KMs went by, but today when I am trying to recollect, I am not able to collect anything about running or my performance, my body state. I believe that I was in machine mode, only executing stored plan, racing for only 5 KM at a time … Take for walk break (I followed this until stadium entry gate in my last lap). Only memories I could see flashing in front my eyes are … Great spectators, support on the route, happy cheering faces. Fellow runners … Few in pain … Few self-talking… few enjoying the crowd and many words of encouragement. ” Vijay you look strong”, “Vijay you got this “, “Vijay you still looking fresh … Go get it “,”Vijay still smiling” … every word is refueling my body and get me going. I finished my first ever COMRADES in 10.55 Hrs. and awarded with bronze medal.
Now it’s me in the picture 😊… Team Mitiv8 … COMRADES troop 2022
When I try to reflect … Why I did COMRADES, I see it is life changing event for me where I grabbed full of experiences not only on Race Day but on every single moment when I interacted with Coach, my peers who striving with same aspiration and has different set of lessons. Former COMRADE finishers who just not have great source of guidance but each one of them are great as a person, has eagerness to help and they portray as a real COMMRADES. This journey wouldn’t be possible without their contribution in sharing their piece of suggestions, support in long runs and during our preparation as whole … Thank you so much….
Lastly, I have only feeling ….
सोचने से कहा मिलते हैं तमन्ना ओ के शहर … चलना भी पड़ता है मंजिल पाने के लिए