I didn't
want to repeat the Comrades Marathon, so I began searching for marathons in
Europe. I was fortunate to know Gauri Jairam, who had organized a wonderful
tour in South Africa after Comrades. She recommended running the Berlin
Marathon over Athens and Amsterdam, so Berlin it was. My primary intention was
to combine tourism with running.
The
enormity of the Berlin Marathon hit me when I joined some international
runners' discussion groups online. The record numbers of participants, the
breaking of world records during the run, and the status of the World Majors
Series by Abbott became apparent. The World Majors Series comprises six
marathons across the globe: New York, Tokyo, Chicago, London, Berlin, and the
notoriously challenging Boston. Runners from around the world dream of
completing these six events and earning the prestigious six-star medal.
Eliud
Kipchoge is a name synonymous with the Berlin Marathon. The Kenyan superstar
secured his record-breaking 5th victory this year and even set a world record
on this very track.
For any
marathoner, running on the same track as Eliud Kipchoge on the same day is an
incredibly special experience, and it was going to be my lucky day too. I
admired Kipchoge not only as a runner but also as a motivator. I remember
watching one of his YouTube videos in which he addressed fellow runners in
Kenya. He used the metaphor of climbing a tall tree: "First, you look at
the lowermost branch only, then you climb on it. When you finish in five hours,
you look at 4:30." It's like improving your running or anything else in
life, step by step. My aspiration was to run faster, just like every
marathoner.
Last year,
my personal best (PB) improved with every event, from 4:26 in Pune in June 2022
to 4:09 in Jaipur in February 2023. So, naturally, the idea of achieving a
sub-4 marathon time was in the back of my mind. Kipchoge's words resonated with
me: "Look at the branch above you," and the sub-4 branch was just
above my head.
"My training was laser-focused on achieving a sub-4
finish, with my dedicated coach and running guru, Satish Gujaran, closely
monitoring my progress. We endured grueling training sessions, including speed
workouts, hill repeats, and long runs, all aimed at building not just physical
endurance but also mental fortitude. Satish Sir instilled in me the belief that
a marathon is a battle of both body and mind. As the race day approached, he
fine-tuned my race strategy, emphasizing the importance of pacing, nutrition,
and mental resilience.
While
planning for a family vacation added some distractions, the sub-4 goal
lingered. My coach and friends wouldn't let me forget it. It seemed like an
impossible task, but their constant reminders made me believe in it.
Being too
fixated on the destination can strip away the joy of the journey. The buzzing
Facebook group of over 20,000 runners from around the world had already created
excitement about the Berlin Marathon. I now understood why Berlin is a World
Major. It's not just a one-weekend morning event; it's a week-long festival.
I began
meeting fellow runners at Mumbai airport, and Berlin filled with runners as I
arrived. The expo was impeccably managed; I obtained my bib in just 5 minutes,
with all my booked add-ons. A South African lady noticed my Comrades cap and
jacket, making her instantly friendly. She located my exact bib number among
50,000 runners within minutes.
The expo at
the old Berlin airport became a festive gathering place for three days. Lucky
runners could even listen to Kipchoge and other elites at the Hall of Fame
event. On Saturday morning, there was a free 6 km breakfast run for anyone who
wanted to join, turning into a significant event with thousands of runners,
even those without bibs. On Saturday evening, there was an inline skating race
on the marathon route.
Sunday
morning marked the race day. It starts
with race of wheelchairs and hand carts
in the beginning .
Unlike
Indian marathons that finish before 9:15 AM, the Western world seemed to
embrace races as late-morning events, with the ability to divert traffic for
the entire day.
The first
wave was flagged of at 9:15 with elite runners in lead.
With 50,000
runners divided into four waves based on their best times, my race started at
10:05 AM. Despite the chilling weather, excitement filled the air. The host
provided updates on Kipchoge and Assefa leading the race, and the iconic song
"Sirius" by The Alan Parsons Project motivated the runners inching
towards the start line. On a big screen, an Indian barefoot runner,
Chandrashekhar, shared his running story. The race officially began at 10:05
AM, but it took me a few more minutes to reach the start line.
It felt as
though everyone in a Mumbai local train suddenly started running; the crowd was
tight, and you had to follow the pace of the crowd to avoid toeing or elbowing.
In any
marathon, you end up running more than 42.195 km since the measured distance is
the shortest possible on the route. Every runner aims to stick to the blue
line. My plan was clear: maintain 11 km per hour for the first three hours. At
kilometer 5/6, a bus for a 4-hour finish time was blocking my way. I managed to
overtake the group at one bend but found another 4-hour pacer leading his group
at the next bend.
The race
remained congested, but I managed to achieve my first-hour target with a couple
of minutes to spare. Despite the diversity among thousands of runners in terms
of nationality and colors, there was minimal conversation. Instead, there was
plenty of apologizing for elbowing and using "please" or
"bitte" to request passage. The constant rhythmic sound of shoe
thumping on the tarmac filled the air. At water stations, the shoe-thumping
sound became dangerously different as runners trampled on plastic glasses
thrown on the road. However, the sidelines were full of cheering spectators,
shouting enthusiastically, and various groups like drummers, bands, and Swiss
horn players added to the vibrant atmosphere.
Berlin
boasts numerous architectural marvels, many of which were reconstructed after
the Second World War. Even the Brandenburg Gate, an iconic symbol, had been
reconstructed. Yet, my focus remained on my watch, not allowing me to
appreciate these beauties.
As I achieved my third hour goal as per plan, I remained on target, but the fear of the
unknown lingered. I began calculating. "I'm still on track," I told
myself, giving me the luxury of a restroom break. While the temperature wasn't
scorching, the sun's strength was beginning to affect me.
I spotted a
placard that read, "Run Kiki Run." It seemed that Kiki and Dirk were
the most popular runners in the race, or perhaps there were just many Kikis and
Dirks running that day. There were several such placards, and people cheered
relentlessly for every runner.
My family
was waiting to cheer me on at kilometer 39, in front of our hotel. However, I
realized it would take me hours to reach them. My heart sank at the thought. I
kept glancing at my watch, calculating, and reassuring myself, "I'm still
on track." But exhaustion was setting in.
I started
to doubt myself as a runner. "Why did you come here if you can't
run?" I considered quitting not just the race but running altogether.
"Just
have fun on Saturday evenings, Dilip. Why are you punishing yourself?"
"How
did this happen? This is my 15th marathon, not to mention the ultras I've
completed."
I recalled
a message in our group, "Berlin is a fast track, but there are also many
DNFs (Did Not Finish)."
Doubts kill
you first. I can train my legs, but how can I simulate the state of my mind at
Kilometer 35? Three four-hour Pacers (they call them Pacemakers in Germany) ran
past me with their flags and busses between Kilometer 35 and Kilometer 38. The
first one I tried to follow for a few meters. The other two did not provoke any
thought in my mind. For a long time, I watched the growing distance between
their flags and me. I slowly and indifferently watched my dreams slipping out
of sight with those flags.
As my
daughters and wife stood in front of the NH Collection hotel at kilometer 39
with a placard that read "BHAG DILIP BHAG" (Run, Dilip, Run), I
greeted them with a tired, almost lost smile. They took photos and videos,
which I would later view and consider deleting. With just two kilometers left,
my energy was at its lowest point, and I was feeling the heat, even though the
temperature wasn't particularly high.
I removed
my arm compressions and knew I had energy gels and salt tablets in my pocket,
but I had no desire to use them. I stopped looking at my watch; I had just one
more turn to make, and the iconic Brandenburg Gate was only a few meters away.
The finish line was just 300 meters past it. Summoning all my remaining
strength, I managed to smile for a photograph and crossed the finish line.
My legs and
hamstrings were aching, and I was in pain, but I collected my medal, took a
selfie, and found a spot to sit down and close my eyes for a while. Nearby,
another runner was doing the same. We exchanged smiles and started chatting.
His name was Fahim, a British citizen of Pakistani origin. We talked for quite
some time, helping each other stand up eventually.
It took me
a while to figure out how to rejoin my family near the Brandenburg Gate, and in
the meantime, I checked my race results online. Overall, I hadn't done badly; I
finished in the top 35 percent among nearly 50,000 runners. However, I couldn't
help but notice that thousands of runners had passed me in the last seven
kilometers.
My watch
revealed that I had run over 800 meters more than the official marathon
distance due to the crowded route. It also told me that I had completed the
marathon distance in 4:03, making it a personal best. However, the official
time still displayed 4:10.
Despite not
achieving my initial goals, I had gained a few friends along the way, both
Indians and foreigners. That evening, it was time to celebrate. Every pub in
Berlin was buzzing, and our tour operators, Active Sports, organized a
fantastic party at a local pub. The Berliner beer was so good that it helped me
forget about my race time and allowed me to connect with my newfound friends.
Thanks to Gauri, Suraj, and the Active Sports team.
No one was
talking about finishing times at the party; instead, discussions revolved
around plans for the next major marathons. After a few beers, I even gave up my
thoughts of giving up running.
In the end,
the Berlin Marathon was more than just a race; it was a journey of
self-discovery, camaraderie, and determination. Despite the challenges and
missed goals, I had the opportunity to experience a world-class event and make
lasting memories. It's a reminder that in the world of running, it's not just
about the finish line but the journey that takes you there.
Superb sir
ReplyDeleteNice article
Well said
Thanks Champ . Missed you there
DeleteExcellent sir. Hope you finish world majors very soon.
ReplyDeleteThanks a lot Dr Somnath . Hoping to do some with you
DeleteWow! That's Great!! Congratulations Sir👏 👏 👏 👏 👏
ReplyDeleteThanks a lot sir
DeleteWow great sir keep inspiring
ReplyDeleteThanks a lot
DeleteLoved the narration. Felt every emotion described in here.
ReplyDeleteThanks Avi . It means a lot to me
DeleteWow Beautiful 👌👌
ReplyDeleteSuperb Sir.
You are a fighter and our all time Inspiration. Hats off to you.
Excellent Narration of complete Berlin Marathon. It's fantastic that you have finished every 11kms within a hour. You finished the race but missed your Sub 4. Good Luck for next time. You can do it. Congratulations and All the Best for your next world major Marathon.
thanks a lot sir
DeleteAfter all लाईफ इज ब्युटिफुल मज्जाच मज्जा. Enjoy ❤️ se
ReplyDeleteThank a lot sir
Deletethank you very much Doc
ReplyDelete