by Stephen D’Mello

Background

Working for an oil and gas (O&G)industry in hostile geographic, running was not my cup of tea. However as memories goes….I won my first silver medal when I was in std 6 , with the distance covered of 1.7km(thanks to google map) which was than considered as long distance run :). That was my last and longest run until I first started to take this sports seriously in 2015

Why did I do that

With 224lbs and 40plus, I was just getting closer to becoming a lifetime member to drugs considering obesity , Sugar etc. I was also a confirmed Patent Ducted Artery(PDA) (some may know or google it) when first detected at age 28 and further limited me on doing cardio related trainings.

Game changer

When I was assigned in USA (Houston, capital of O&G), and during my routine test, the doc told me if you continue your current lifestyle you are bound to fall under type 2 diabetics. This was it. I had to do something as big burgers, steaks & barrels of beers would mean asking for trouble. All said and done.I started working on my diet ( ghar ka khana )and focused on weigh loss, with 20mins elliptical exercise, yoga and martial arts.

As the weight started to drop I started to take the next step of walking 1 mile and progressively increasing to 2 miles on weekends, by that time I was 183 lbs. My longest run in Houston was 1 mile (not timed) about 100m more than my previous high school record

Amchi Pune?

When moved to Pune mid 2016, I noticed few people from my society would run in the morning. So to make friends,I started with light jog. Rama (another Team Motiv8 athlete) used to always wave and say good one and I kept going and said “abhi isko milna padega”. Speaking with him, he asked me to enroll for a 5k race and that is where I registered for my first 5k in Oct of 2017 for PRBM. What a run sirji! With max 3k practice, I struggled and finished my first 5K. Yes I made it. I was very happy with body weight sigh of 183 lbs. Felt a bit heavy and worked on reducing.

What Inspired me most

I met some of the visually impaired people and wondered what they were doing here at the PRBM. Spoke with one man (forgot his name) and he said, I woke up at 3am to come and join the 3k walk. This entirely transformed my life and it was no turning back.

I read the full book of who dare to run & also a blog of Kavitha Reddy & her journey. Encouraged by Rama, I started racing for 10k and did about 3 Half marathon in 2018.

More Inspiration

While standing in a queue to collect my first HM AFMC Run, there was an elderly man (could be in mid 70’s ) whom I asked whether he came to collect the BIB for his son… In return he said ”no it’s for me, I am running for HM” and he mentioned he was 70yrs. I was pin drop silent.

2020 TMM: Not my first FM

I enrolled for 2019 TMM with confidence of having a HM timing between 2:01-2:05. Practice was not consistent and relied mainly through books, YouTube , speaking with known runners and Runkeeper app & somewhat a casual member of Runway group @ Viman Nagar. I set a 16week plan for my first TMM. That practice did go well and following my parents 50th wedding Anniversary early Jan, I was off track with my prep. I DID NOT KNOW THE ABC RULES OF TRAINING.

It was a big shock to me, when I put on society WhatsApp group that I would be doing a 32k Run a week before the race and the comments came in “you should be tapering by now”. I had just one 30k Run easy run until my FM @ TMM 2019.

I finished with 5:25mins with serious cramp from 22k and struggled all the way with walk n jog to the finish line. A full month rest, I took a pause and said something ain’t right. I was 178 lbs by then.

Rama kept mentioning of Atul Godbole of Motiv8 Coaching and said “ boss, I need not worry about when to run and how much to run. I only met once and follow the plan”. Rama had excellent timing and I wanted to try it out.

That is when I first spoke to Coach Atul Godbole and met him first week of march at university. He heard me and set plan for me.

With just 3months of training , I had my first SUB2 and thanked the coach. He said “abhi to shuruhat hai, age age dekathe joa”.

Confidence

All set and done, I focused on my training as planned by coach and prepared for 2020 come back. Maintained a proper diet( home food) of small plates in office. Yogurt ( mixed with honey n slat), dates and chia seed soaked water prior to trainings. Dropped a few more extra pound ( until race day I was 160 lbs)

“ Mumbai mare jaan, mein ah raha hoon.”

Race Day

Somewhat I feel I always do better in practice than on race day.
I had flashback of 2019 TMM with so much pain and could almost remember every spot when cramp took over my lower body. I was determined that this race is mine.

Gun shot and ran as per plan. Just at 6k, I got a pain on inside of knee joint (strange and a first time). What a start and instead of stopping, gave a hard slap and continued running. I had decided that I will only stop at the finish line.
While running, one runner (also by name Atul) joined me and we both ran till 35k. It was his first FM and his PB for HM was 1:35. He was a great support to give me water, hydration when I missed a few stations. My big thanks to him. He was planning to complete under 4. However we parted at 35k and we never saw each other( I waited for him at the finish point for a while and never met him( I know he did not finish before me)

Throughout the run I was making sure I properly kept fueling with salt and Gel at a set Km( based on 32K practice run). Counting loud was a great help, whenever I felt muscle giving up.

Pass smoothly through the chambala hill (you know what I mean at 36k) and said now all done and hopefully I can finish strong, until at 40k I became dead and could not move my feet , as if I did not wanted to run. My greatest inspiration of all made me to the finish line – my parents. Every race, every heartbeat is dedicated to my dad who is undergoing dialysis 3 times a week & my dear mom who takes care even with all her suffering.

I, Stephen D’Mello, finished the race with a net time of 4:13:05. A race completed without any stop until the finish line and no injury.

This was made possible by none other than Coach Atul Godbole. His well guided training plan and my efforts made me, break an all-time record from 5:25 to 4:13 in just 11months of training. Also thanks to all the Tam Motiv8 athletes who kept on motivating me (list will go long if I mention the name) throughout the Journey. Rama, you whispered and was glad to hear.

As I said in the beginning. Racing season got started…. Many more mile to run and I ain’t stopping …..