"The road to my 100th post had to go through a chilly 8 KM run!"
Spring in the northern hemisphere is not all bloom and sunshine as they make it out to be, there's the frequent rain coupled with the occasional snowfall and then there's the gloom of the dark skies engulfing you at every possible interval. But this was not a gloomy day by any stretch of the imagination. The forecast predicted sun and we had sun. At about 10 degrees Celsius we had the hottest day of the year thus far and I was right there basking in the sun. Now why I was there?
Because I had to get out of my house! I was reeling from months of snow and sub-zero temperatures. The weather was just not conducive to keep up a schedule with anything else other than work. I did manage to squeeze in a few hours of gym every week though and was eager to test myself at the right opportunity. The opportunity arrived soon enough in the form of 'The Spring Run-off' at High Park and I signed up for the 8K run without a second thought.
So there I was with three weeks of preparation and a grand total of two runs under my belt. The last of those runs, a 10K run/walk/crawl/stumble had come more than 3 years ago but that fact didn't bother me much. I was only attempting a 8K run here and I was in much better shape than I was when I finished that 10K run. The only thing that unsettled me on the course was a 400 meter uphill stretch just before the finish line. I figured I would start slow, walk wherever necessary and conserve my energy to make it slowly over the hill and past the finish line. I took about an hour and 20 minutes to complete the 10K run, the cut off time for the 8K was an hour and fifteen. I had done it before and all I had to do was focus and do it again.
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| The Course Map (Courtesy: Canada Running Series) |
- The First Kilometer: I actually started off pretty well, my prep had given me confidence and the mild chill didn't bother me. I was jogging along at a steady pace observing the scores of people ahead of me, some had already taken to walking considering the pace at which they started the race. The bright sun and the sight off merry and hardworking people all united towards one common cause. Guess this is the idyllic world we all imagine.
- The Second Kilometer: With the first kilometer done and dusted in about seven minutes, I hit my first hurdle in the form of general fatigue and the first 'incline' of the course. Having slowed myself down to almost walking pace, I was mortified to encounter oncoming runners who had already finished their 4KM mark (my idyllic run was rudely jolted back to reality). I didn't know we had Olympic level athletes competing in this run! I threw myself on the descent which came next and passed the 2 KM mark while running downhill.
- The Third Kilometer: Whoever said running down a descent probably tires you more than running up an ascent was probably right. I could only walk the remainder of the kilometer.
- The Fourth Kilometer: I was still walking when an elderly gentleman whom I passed down the hill went past me. He was followed by three senior ladies. I had to start running somewhere and this was as good as a time as ever.
- The Fifth Kilometer: The half way mark is the stage where people find a second gear, that's the very point where I found I had none left. I was restless and kicking myself for thinking that this would be a easy course compared to my previous runs. That's when I came upon another descent to the pond and went at it with a little more restraint than the previous one.
- The Sixth Kilometer: The jaunt around the pond seemed to reinvigorate my senses. I could tell myself that the finish wasn't far and finally seemed to find the hidden second gear which had been inconspicuous all the time.
- The Seventh Kilometer: As I was trudging along to the finish line, I heard the announcements about the contributions that were coming in for the Princess Margaret Cancer Foundation which was organizing the run. At that very moment, I couldn't help but remember my grandfather whom we had prematurely lost to cancer. Suddenly it all became apparent to me this run wasn't for me this was for him.
- The Eighth Kilometer: Nostalgia, veneration and dedication does little to alleviate the physical struggles. Unlike the movies where the hero suddenly props up out of nowhere remembering his long lost love, I had absolutely nothing left when I came up on the 400 meter hilly stretch leading up to the finish line. As I made my way up the hill, I chanced upon some benevolent participants who had already finished their race and were making it their job to cheer us up (that didn't help at all, the worst thing that can happen to you when you are struggling is to see someone else do it much better than you with far more ease and flair). As I was sheepishly trying to increase my pace I was being diligently overtaken by a grand lady in her mid seventies. I only mention the age to underscore the magnitude of her achievement. At the end of a long run and at more than twice my age she was battling me blow for blow. When I complimented her about her stamina she brushed it aside saying, "Well, I should beat you too." "Yes m'am you should have!" In the end I narrowly edged her past the finish line but there was no question in my mind that her performance trumped mine hands down.
Sprawled on the lawn with a finisher medal around my neck and a pancake in my hand, I couldn't help but to reflect on the run that was. Sure, I finished way before the cutoff time. Sure I didn't do that bad considering the fact I only prepared for three weeks. But this run wasn't about me or my performance it was all about the wonderful people who had pushed themselves to excel irrespective of their age or physical limitations. It was about my grandfather whom paved the way for my family and passed away way before his time. I never had the privilege of seeing him, but this in (hindsight) was my little tribute to him, "Thank you Grandpa for everything you've done for us!"
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| Nearing the finish line! |
Until Next Time,
Your Student of Life,
Chaitanya J.J.
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