My first dream walk

I don't know how many of you keep a track of your resolutions, like me. Since 2007 I have been writing down my resolutions and keeping a track of how many did I complete. Initially that list was too optimistic, which I realized 2 years back. So I stopped making resolutions, any resolution which had high chances of not being achieved. This has been a welcome change and without bragging about it, I am pleased to mention that I could achieve 80% of all resolutions planned for 2011. One of those, something always at the back of my mind since my graduation time, was participating in marathon.

Thanks to Mousami, I participated in Mumbai Marathon 2012 in the Dream Run event. I had missed out registering for the event as I really had no idea how to go about (or should I say just being too lazy!). But destiny has it own control on our lives in some or the other way. Mousami works in Reliance so the process of registering for this event is pretty convenient for her. We had met a few days before this came up in her office and she had asked us about it. I and Tushar really wanted to register, so Mousami took care of that. I was all excited, especially with the feeling of running along celebrities, who usually take part in the Dream Run event!

Tushar and Mousami

It was last week of November when I came to know about the scheduled date. I thought about practicing a bit, and decided to wake up early morning for a jog starting December. Here in Panvel the weather is really cool and it would have been fun to jog, had I been doing it. Yes, December came and went away, so did January. Initial reaction of my mom and sis when they heard I would be running was, "Would you be able to run?" I said a yes, but I really doubted myself. Now I don't regret not preparing for the event as Dream Run is least about running.

Mumbai Marathon is a very good event which attracts a lot of people, and also advertising opportunities for several brands and entities. This year close to 38k people had participated, majority in Dream Run. Half Marathon and Full Marathon events are for people serious about running and completing the race. It ain't a joke to run 22 km and 42 km, and I have seen people more than 50 years of age completing these races. It certainly makes me wonder about my ability and agility to pull this off after 20-25 more years. Anyways, so these serious guys just run and complete the race but Dream Run is just for enjoyment and show off. People participate in groups; colleagues, classmates, NGO's, friends and others. It's a great way to gain media exposure, especially being associated with an event which is raising charity for a cause. You come in groups wearing similar t-shirts or caps, or weird costumes and holding placards and you have bright chances of being covered by hundreds of photo journalists. Brands do not leave this golden opportunity to strike a cord with their prospective customers by way of merchandizing, goodies, and stuff. People who understand can imagine how much brand equity has been generated for Standard Chartered Bank by this event year on year.

Senior person with athleticism

So, without any practice I woke up early morning on 15th January 2012, got ready and left for C.S.T. It was a great visual at C.S.T. that morning, with so many people, many of which dressing alike. I could feel the energy being exhibited. I had to wait for Tushar so we reached late to the venue. By the time we reached, Dream Run had already commenced. Mousami, her dad, Tushar and me started our race. We left from Azad maidan and by the time we reached C.S.T. junction we could see some one already completing Marathon on the big screen, and we had just started! Later I came to know that my mom thought the race was over when the Kenyan athlete finished the race and was planning to call me back home :P 

Johm Abraham and Vinod Khanna

We were part of a big crowd now, moving at snail's pace. Since we had started late, all the celebrity participants were way ahead of us. I did not even know who they were, until reading next day's newspaper. Luckily, we could see a few celebrities on the podium waving to all the participants, particularly John Abraham and Vinod Khanna. Both really look smart in person as well. 

Swapna and Me

For about 1 km stretch, we did get a less crowded street so Tushar and I decided to run. Mousami was like, "Are you really sure if you want to run?" Tushar and I were stricken by the idea that Marathon is about running and we were not doing that at all; it's only later I realized that Dream Run is not for running. Anyways, we had a brisk run for close to 1 km after which we were choked up in the crowd again. It was not point in running at all, so we started walking. Soon Mousami and her dad joined us and we completed the event in about 3 hours. I met a few long lost friends as well, like Bharat dada and Swapna. Needless to say, we clicked some nice pics to preserve these memories digitally.

Overall I really had a good experience and planning to go for Half Marathon next year. I hope I avoid procrastination this time around and register in time. This also means jogging and raising stamina which is a task in itself. But it would certainly be a good habit to cultivate and also tone down my flab. Above all, the feeling of completing 22 km run would be beyond any words!