The Final Frontier

“Space: the final frontier. These are the voyages of the starship Enterprise. Its five-year mission: to explore strange new worlds, to seek out new life and new civilizations, to boldly go where no one has gone before.”

Runners are likely cut from the same cloth as explorers who are seldom satisfied with status quo and want to boldly go, to quote Captain Archer, where no one has gone before. Last weekend, I finally pushed into a territory unknown to me – the 30K+ milestone.

I had first attempted to run this distance sometime in January or February of 2013 – cannot recollect exactly, but petered out between the 27K-28K mark. Simply didn’t have any juice left in the legs for that one final push.

Flash back. Early 2007 when I first ran 5K I thought that was it. It wasn’t that I wasn’t passionate about running then but felt 5K was a good score for someone who invariably has a 14 hour workday. However, later that year I crossed 10K at the Bangalore World 10K.

It took me another 18 months from thereon to move into the 21K league. I was certain then that 21K was the final destination. Not many people I knew were doing 21K and I certainly felt like a celebrity in my little social circle. Bragging rights aside, half marathon was not a norm but an exception for me. So clearly I couldn’t see myself going further than that.

Since then focus has been on improving the 21K timing. Having started out initially with 2h16m effort, I’ve managed to bring down the time to 2h4m on the same course. Barring last year that is. Organizer at Airtel thought it better to run the 2012 event in searing September heat of Delhi. I wish they had distributed chilled beer across the finish line – most runners would have forgiven them instantly.

Anyway, late in 2012, I started seriously looking at life beyond 21K. I had by then running anywhere between 15K to 20K once every 6 to 8 weeks. And that gave me the belief that 21 PLUS was doable. So it started one fine morning with Gagan, my frequent partner in crime. We were able to complete 25K that day with some huff and puff in the final stages. It wasn’t a strong finish, as they say in running parlance, but neither did it retire us to bed for the rest of the day.

And as clichés go, rest is history.

So what after 30K? Only time will tell, though at this very moment I am very tempted to register and run the Bangalore Ultra in November. To boldly go where I have not 'gone to run' before. 50K.

Keep the faith

I can’t think of any other outdoor sport other than long distance running that is as much bereft of glamour. Forget glamour, barring a few events such as Olympics, it is hard to even find sustained audience and spectators for running events. Even if they do, spectators don’t stay the full course unless they are running with you. J

Long-distance runners are also not the highest paid athletes. In a survey done by ESPN, Soccer, Basketball and Baseball are the top 3 money-spinners globally. Cricket is the fourth highest. Running ranks low in the ranks. If any consolation, runners earn a little better than road cyclists and sumo wrestlers.

So, if it ain’t glamorous or money-spinner why would anyone want to take up running ? The only reason, I conclude, anyone would put themselves through so much pain is probably akin to devotion – spiritual, religious, whatever you call it. There is no logic or reason. And, once you get indoctrinated into this religion it is hard to give up.

Personally, the day I don’t run I feel utterly miserable and groggy at least till midday, my coffee in-take quadruples for that is the only way I kick my system into action. Even then, and probably because of caffeine in the system, sleep that night does not feel as tight.

A number of fellow runners share similar stories. “Gives me personal satisfaction” is the most common answer when asked why must they run every day. The other phrase I’ve heard frequently and personally subscribe to is that “running is meditative”.

The following couplet from Sufi Saint Hazrat Shah Niaz probably sums up the relationship between a runner and his faith:

Ishq mein tere koh e gham, sar per liya jo ho so ho

Aish on nishat e zindagi chor diya jo ho so ho

A boulder of pain I lift in love with glee

Come what may, may what comes

Life of pleasures, luxuries, I forsake

Come what may, may what comes

As with anything else running grows on you over time. So if you are a wannabe runner, or just starting, or even a running veteran - Keep the faith!

Introduction to the blog

Frankly, I tried a number of URL's before settling for this one - Gone to Run. This was the closest I could get to something like "Born to Run", catchy and yet not hard to recall. My other preferred ones were already taken.

It's been a while I wanted to start writing, again. And what better to write on than something I enjoy doing - Running. My intention, possibly an optimstic target, is to share thoughts that occur to me every time I run.

Every runner, whether running short distances or long runs, would agree with me that there is more to running than just the physical activity. Naturally, since running is such a personal and 1 to 1 activity, there is a lot to do besides just pounding the road. If you are with a co-runner, you can of course talk. However, even if you are all alone there a lot more that goes on. Some people listen to the music, some, like me, soak in the sound and surroundings, and a lot of us think.

Basically, if there was any sport that allows you to introspect then running is probably right up there. Golf, though I have never played, seemed pretty close.

Like most other runners I am sure, I experience a number of emotions and thoughts, and collect different stories every time I hit the road. Through this space I hope to share with my friends, and their friends, these experiences while I'm Gone to Run. Some I am sure would be of use to you, and others would probably be a record for my running diary.

Have a good run!