One Step at a Time: My Journey from 50m Walks to a Full Marathon

Firsts always hold a special significance. This was my initial foray into challenging my personal limits. Unlike my school days, where I was far from being an athlete – in fact, I didn't participate in any regular sports, with the exception of occasional gully cricket at home – I embarked on a weight loss journey after finishing 12th grade. This initial running played a crucial role later when I was preparing for the Navy SSB.

I enjoyed running, but my commitment was inconsistent, leading to periodic weight regain. In 2019, a sharp abdominal pain during a run led to a diagnosis of a hernia. Following this, all physical activity came to a complete halt.

Fast forward to 2021, I was in the final phase of my MBA, navigating interviews and struggling to find clothes that fit due to my size. My self-confidence and self-belief were low. I started with walking, which in itself felt like a significant challenge. Then, in June, I was rushed to the hospital because my hernia had caused my small intestine to protrude. I was uncertain about the future – would I be able to live normally, or would the severity of the situation prevent me from walking?

Even performing daily tasks became impossible. My doctor advised me to walk 5km daily, a distance I couldn't even cover 50 meters of. This marked the true beginning of my journey, slow but steady. I persevered, gradually increasing my activity.

I progressed from walking to a run-walk-run routine, and eventually to just running. Slowly, I pushed my boundaries, reaching 5k, then 10k, and finally 21k. I created a system of self-rewards for each milestone I achieved, such as:

• Buying new shoes
• Getting a Samsung watch upon crossing the 10k mark
• Acquiring a Garmin watch after reaching the 21k mark

Breaking the Journey: A Six-Month Period

December 2021 - June 2022: This period was all about establishing a walking habit. I was finishing my MBA and transitioning back into the corporate world (formally from late February). I utilized this time to consistently walk. Initially, I faced various challenges, from finding comfortable walking attire to my limited understanding of weight loss – I believed more steps, excessive sweating, and better eating were the keys. I experimented with intermittent fasting and skipping breakfast, but what truly worked was simple: eat less, burn more, and eat right. I explored different food options, from multigrain bread to brown rice, but realized that extreme diets are unsustainable. Making small, consistent tweaks proved more effective. One trick I still use is increasing the volume of rice and lentils by adding finely chopped salad, which tricks the mind into feeling full with fewer calories. My sister, Shubhi, and my mom were instrumental during this time, guiding me with my nutrition. I also got hooked on audiobooks. Spending hours on the road covering 15+ km, I realized music playlists become repetitive. Audiobooks offered a solution. I created a mix of spiritual, self-improvement, finance, and biography genres, listening to them in parallel to keep my walks engaging and educational. In June, the inevitable happened: I was hospitalized for emergency surgery for an umbilical hernia. I was devastated, feeling like my life was slipping away and fearing I would never fully recover. The hernia itself wasn't the only issue; my intestines were protruding outside my body, and the doctors warned they might have to cut part of my intestine, leading to a recovery period of over three months. The unwavering support of my mother, sister, and friends Mukul and Saurabh was crucial in helping me get back on my feet during my hospital stay. They were there for me in my most vulnerable moments, from assisting me to the washroom to feeding me while I was unconscious. Their support is something I will never forget.

July 2022 - December 2022: Life gradually returned to normal. The doctor advised me to start walking once my stitches were removed. I was back on the road, but I had to rebuild my stamina from scratch, starting with 50 meters, then slowly progressing to 5km and eventually 15km. These walks became a significant part of my life, a time for reflection, self-talk, and analyzing what had gone wrong. By September, I had started running again, slowly, barely covering a kilometer, but I was running, not just walking. In the latter half of this period, I was able to push my limits further. Thanks to the improving Delhi weather and significant personal and professional developments, running became my "me time." I achieved a 21k run, got my Garmin watch, and was hitting over 30,000 steps daily. That 21k felt like the longest run ever, so long that I even stopped at a 24/7 store mid-run for a Gatorade.

January 2023 - June 2023: This was a period of significant transitions – changing jobs and getting married. Amidst all this, I prioritized movement. Even while traveling for work for weeks, I always packed my running gear, clothes, shoes, and electrolytes. I didn't follow a structured plan but focused on consistently pushing my limits. I even attempted to learn swimming but failed miserably, only managing to float while holding onto the railing. During my time in Delhi, I regularly joined group runs, adapting to the pace of the group. I was the slowest and heaviest, but that didn't deter me. The people around me were encouraging and pushed me to do more. A personal highlight was a solo run around India Gate, fueled by an internal desire to explore. I discovered the scenic beauty of India Gate, Raisina Hills, Lodhi Garden, and Khan Market on foot. By the end, I was exhausted but filled with the satisfaction of achieving a long-held dream.

July 2023 - December 2023: My determination grew stronger, with a focus on strength training and regular running. I even dabbled in running, swimming, and cycling, acquiring my first road bike, an RC120. I watched Ironman videos frequently, but I knew I wasn't ready for that level of competition. My attempts to learn swimming were unsuccessful due to my back issues, weak core, and being overweight. I concentrated on running and cycling, activities where I felt I could push myself the most. In October, I ran my first half marathon. My stomach started hurting around the 13th kilometer, but my goal was to finish without stopping, which I did in 2 hours and 20 minutes. It was a significant achievement, considering where I had started. The cycling also became a game; for every set of kilometers I completed (200km, 500km), I would reward myself. I even sold my Xbox X to buy an indoor trainer after completing 500km outdoors, a worthwhile trade-off despite missing gaming. Winter arrived, and I continued running, cycling, and strength training, not with a structured plan but by pushing myself based on what I knew. I had also registered for a 21k at the Tata Mumbai Marathon (TMM) in January but ultimately didn't participate.

January 2024 - July 2024: This period was a rollercoaster of highs and lows. I remember starting the year with an 18k solo New Year's run in the cold, feeling happy. However, by evening, I developed severe hyperthermia despite wearing warm clothing, sidelining me until January 27th. I returned to workouts, focusing on cycling and running. My longest indoor cycling session reached 74k after much trial and error. In March, feeling lighter and having worked on my back, I tried swimming again and found a coach who helped me learn. Within a week, I could float, and in three weeks, I could swim 25 meters – a huge accomplishment that I celebrated with a visit to a temple. This boosted my confidence, and I continued pushing myself. However, my health was inconsistent, with frequent illnesses and slow recoveries. By July, I developed pain in my left foot near the ankle, making running impossible, though I could still walk in slippers. I spent more time with my foot in an ice bucket than on the road.

August 2024 - January 2025: While recovering from the ankle pain, I had registered for a Dwarka 10k. I decided to participate without much expectation. At the start line, I felt better than expected, and the energy of the crowd motivated me to push for a personal best, which I achieved in 57 minutes. This unexpected performance made me consider the Tata Mumbai Marathon. I registered a couple of weeks later, though I was still uncertain if I could complete it. Amidst this, I reached out to someone I had always admired, Mahasweta Ghosh, for coaching. To my surprise, she agreed and invited me for a run in Gurgaon. During that run, I shared my journey and goals, and she outlined her training approach and accepted me as a trainee. I was thrilled but also anxious about the challenge ahead. This was my first time having a coach. When she sent the first month's plan, I felt overwhelmed but reminded myself to take it one day and one run at a time. Slowly but steadily, I started following the plan, improving my nutrition, and feeling significantly better. The Vedanta Delhi Half Marathon (VDHM) was a long run within my training schedule for TMM. About a month into coaching, I could already see the difference, finishing in 1:59:59, my first sub-2-hour half marathon and a new personal best. Training continued through travels to Pune, Kolkata, and Mumbai, with my running gear always accompanying me. I planned my flights around my runs. Training took me through new routes around Lodhi Garden, India Gate, Khan Market, Connaught Place, and Nehru Park, with Nehru Park becoming my favorite for long runs in November, December, and January. The atmosphere there resonated with me. I did runs ranging from 15km to 35km at Nehru Park, even in the early, chilly mornings. In the midst of this, a trip to Kolkata for the 2nd Procam Run sparked the idea of attempting the "slam" (participating in multiple runs across 4 cities). The Kolkata run was unique; due to travel, all my runs were compressed between Tuesday and Friday. I wasn't feeling my best on the morning flight, with a cough and chest congestion. It was my first race outside Delhi. After a delayed hotel check-in and a hearty breakfast, we collected our bibs and had lunch. The morning of the Kolkata run involved a 3k run before the 25k event due to my training schedule. Reaching the start line became a challenge due to road closures, leading to a 3k run from the hotel to the event start. I ended up clocking 31k, my first time over 30k. The post-run celebration involved indulging in local sweets, especially "nolan gur rasgulla," and a visit to the iconic Mocambo restaurant. Back in Delhi, despite high AQI, our small running group, initially called "Polluted Runners" (started by Vishal, Anju, Sheetal, Sreejith, Praveen, Suraj, and me), continued to train together. Later renamed "All Season Runners", this group provided mutual support and motivation.

With less than 30 days until TMM and Delhi in the peak of winter, the training intensity increased, with weekly mileage reaching 80-90 km. Remembering my hyperthermia incident from the previous January, I took extra precautions to stay warm. The number 42 still felt daunting. The Sunday before the race, I had a 35k solo long run. In the chilly morning at Nehru Park, I visualized running with thousands of others to push myself. It was my longest run ever, tough both mentally and physically, but rewarding. The following week included another 35k run with Prateek and Anju, which felt easier. The final week was about tapering and mental preparation. A call with my coach provided crucial guidance. Throughout my marathon training, my mom and wife, Saumya, provided invaluable nutritional support and encouragement. My sister Shubhi, and friends Mukul, Ankit, Saurabh, Anju, Vishal, Sreejith, Praveen, Suraj, Bandana, Prateek, and Jaiansh consistently pushed me to keep going.

Finally, the day arrived in Mumbai. After settling in and meeting friends, we navigated a confusing route to Siddhivinayak Temple. The Mumbai heat was intense compared to Delhi's winter. We met fellow runners who were also at TMM – Sreejith, Prateek, Praveen, and Suraj – at the bib distribution. Back at the hostel, I felt the pre-race stress. Sleep was elusive. The next morning, I woke up before my alarm. I decided against checking my sleep score to avoid demotivation. I had packed two pairs of shoes. I started with carbon-plated Vaporflys but had to switch to my trusted Asics Superblast due to foot pain. I took a taxi with fellow runners to the venue. The atmosphere was overwhelming. After a photo at CST, I headed to the start line, making several nervous trips to the restroom. I repeated to myself, "One kilometer at a time, one step at a time." I mentally thanked everyone who had supported my dream. As the race began, the energy of the crowd was incredible, but so was the humidity. I adjusted my hydration plan. The route was unfamiliar, so I focused on soaking in the experience, listening to the Sundarkand on my AirPods. I felt the inclines of the bridges, but running on the sea link was exhilarating. Despite others stopping for photos, I kept going. A strong gust of wind on the sea link brought tears to my eyes, triggering memories of my father. Around the 21km mark, I experienced a runner's high, enjoying the music and the energy of the people around me. The last leg, after 33km, brought the challenging Pedder Road incline, but the support from the crowd was amazing. On the final stretch along Marine Drive, the blazing sun made it feel like I was running in slow motion. With the final kilometer approaching, the cheers of the crowd fueled me. Remembering my coach's advice to push in the last 100 meters, I sprinted to the finish line, crossing it with tears in my eyes and touching the mat with my forehead, a gesture of gratitude to everyone who had helped me reach this point. The feeling was indescribable.