I am the stronger and better than once I was, but I am not gonna stop here to settle with what I have, what I am. I will keep walking. Don’t settle with what you have, what you are today. You can always reach a better place than today. Come out of your comfort and get up to grab the opportunity that floating just behind the door. Keep pushing yourself to harder situations to find out your strength and power in you. Don’t afraid to try, it feels impossible or terrible or sometimes risky at first and it is acceptable if you take your steps back, but it’s not good if you don’t give your chance again. Always remember it’s always worth it in the end, no matter you end it right or wrong, you failed or did it well, you achieves an experience when crosses the finish line.
I remember when I first tried to participate in the 10-kilometer marathon. I could not make up a decision, whether I should register myself or not. I was not sure if I was capable enough to complete that 10 km run. I was a little scared thinking about the pain in my legs which was sure, even if I finished it up in the last. I kept thinking till the last moment of registration and I missed my chance that day. It is a very natural thing that whenever we about to try something new, our minds start counting negative results. ‘What if I failed?’ ‘What if it went wrong?’ What if this happened? What if that happened? But as soon as you just leave it behind and decide not to try, your mind starts to play the opposite. What if everything would have gone well? What if I would have won? All possible positive results. The same happened to me, I couldn’t stop thinking about what it would be like to run with a thousand other participants? what it would feel like to cross the finishing line? But it was now too late and I already lost my chance this time.
Next year when Airtel announced the marathon, I unquestionable took participant at the same moment and I registered myself for the 10km. With all regrets of last year I did not let myself think anything now. After registration is done, I started practicing to build up my stamina. I remember my first day of running, I barely ran 1 kilometer in 8 or 10 minutes, and I was completely out of my breath. I felt pain in my legs the next day and performed worse than the last day. At that moment I started doubting myself again, and second thoughts started to push me down. But, this time I wanted to earn that experience for which I regret the whole last year. So, I slowly pushed myself to maintain the routine, and by the end, I became able to complete 2 km in less than 10 minutes, which I thought was enough for me to complete the 10 km in a given time of 75 minutes.
The day arrived and we all reached the starting point of the marathon on time. Thousands of other people were gathered there. Some were professional runners, some beginner and regular, and some just came for the first time like me. The marathon began and all started to run. I was never able to manage to run more than 2 km while practicing, I got out of my breath and got sweaty, in just 2 km. so still I didn’t know how I will complete this 10 km. But I started to run along with all others. After 1 or 2 kilometers, somewhere it seemed a little easier than I thought, and the reason for this was the encouragement, that you get by seeing thousands of other people running alongside you. Some were younger and some were older like 50 or 60 years old or maybe more. And seriously, when you see them leaving you behind, you push your strength to get ahead of them. I don’t know it’s a feeling of being ashamed or jealous or it’s a kind of encouragement, but all I know is, it’s human nature and it is naturally true. That little encouragement gave me the required strength.
By the time when I completed 5 km, I got totally out of breath, and tired. My legs were trying to scream out loud and I slowed down the pace like I was just walking, but I didn’t stop moving. I picked up the pace for a minute and then go slow down it. I kept doing this for the next few kilometers. There were water stalls all over the place to keep the runners hydrated and wet sponges to be placed on the neck or forehead to get some relief from the heat. As near as I was reaching the finishing line I started to pick up the pace. Excitement could have been seen easily in the eyes. When the finishing line started to visible, everyone started to run faster. people standing there were cheering for all. When I put my step across the line it felt like something I won that I never expected. It was a great feeling. Although my feet hardened as a rock and were hurting a lot, it was a great relief and proud moment when I saw my completion time. I finished my run in just 69 minutes, which was great timing for the first-time runner, who had practiced for just 10 days.
It was hard, tiring, and painful too but when I crossed the finishing line my all pain turned into pride.
iamtamanjeet 