Facing your Fears

After my disastrous first marathon, I resolved never to attempt the distance again. And yet, even as I made that resolution, I knew I would have to return at least once. If only to prove to myself that I was not scared.

I trained hard for it. Almost let it become an all-consuming passion. And in January, I did it. I exceeded my wildest expectations; ran a marathon of which I could be proud. On my birthday, I ran the distance again. By the end of the year, I ran my first ultra.

When you face your fears, they disappear.

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While I was running on the Bandra-Worli Sealink during the Mumbai Marathon, I saw the Sun rise over the waters of Mahim Creek, and paint the sky golden. I couldn't resist whipping out my phone, and snapping this picture. It is symbolic of so many things, and forms a part of my Pictorial Flashback of 2012.

Remember who you are

She is a person I admire tremendously. A graduate from a top management institute, she had an enviable corporate career ahead of her. Instead, she chucked it all and returned to her first love- Experimental Physics.

When I congratulated her after she received an important Award, and told her why I admire her so, her response was surprising. “I’m so glad you reminded me of all that”, she said. “I’d forgotten who I once was. Now that I remember, it will be so much easier for me to make difficult choices again.”

Why do we forget who we really are?

"You have forgotten who you are and so have forgotten me. Look inside yourself Simba. You are more than what you have become. You must take your place in the circle of life.
Remember who you are. You are my son and the one true king. Remember..."
- Mustafa to Simba in The Lion King

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This is the fourth year that I am going to be a part of NaBloWriM. The Plan is to elaborate (in 100 words) on a quote that touched my heart- let's see how far this takes me. If I can tie it in with the writing prompt, so much the better!

The wonder is that they started

When it comes to trying something new, most of us can think of a dozen reasons not to. When things get difficult, we often choose to give up, instead of seeing it through to the finish. It doesn’t make us lesser people- there is only so much energy we have, and often there isn’t enough left over for non-essentials.

Which is why it is so inspirational to read about the people participating in the Paralympic Games. The wonder is not that many of them perform better than able bodied people like you and me; the wonder is that they started.

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London 2012 Paralympics

August 29 to September 9, 2012

Setting a goal

“But I can’t read”, my six year old said two months back when I told him I was buying him a book without colourful pictures.

“So what, we can learn”, I told him, before adding, “Why, Are you afraid to try?”

His competitive nature couldn’t resist the challenge. It was a tedious task, but he persevered. The fact that the English language is not predictable only made it more complicated. But by the end of the month, I know he’ll be able to read that book.

When you set yourself a goal- a tangible, non-negotiable goal, you do often succeed.

And be Inspired

Citius, Altius, Fortius.

Men and women who go beyond the realm of imagination. Who push themselves to the limit. Who prove that impossible is only just a word.

Talent yes. But years of hard-work. Of persistence. Of single minded dedication. Of dreaming a dream, and making it come true- or not.

Whether they win medals or our hearts, or both, the Olympians are a special breed. They are heros, and teach us that we can be too.

I no longer let my kids watch television, but the Olympics is another thing. They can watch all they want. And be inspired.

Dreams do come true

When I first spoke to her six months back, she could barely walk 5 kilometers. But she had a dream- to run the half-marathon. I knew it was possible- four years back, hadn’t I made a similar journey in much less time? More importantly, she believed it she could do it.

Life interfered. Her training went haywire. But she still pinned on her bib and turned up at the start line. Her knees almost gave way, but she didn’t give up. Five hours after she started, she crossed the finish line.

If you believe in yourself, dreams do come true.

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A drabble is a story told in exactly 100 words.

Giving it my best shot

Three summers ago, I had the crazy dream of registering for a marathon. Fate took over, and I landed up at the start-line untrained and unsure. I couldn’t do it, walked the distance, and swore never to attempt it again.

But unfinished business rankles. I decided to try one more time. I have trained many months for it. I am as ready as I’ll ever be.

Whether I achieve my dream or not, I would have given it my best shot. I am satisfied.

“Courage is not absence of fear, but the judgment that something is more important than fear.” 

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Flashback 2011- April

A former treadmill junkie, I had to start running on the road if I wanted to pile up the kind of mileages that I needed to attempt a marathon. Luckily, I found a place I fell in love with, and this photograph, taken during my first ever training run in April forms a part of my Pictoral Flashback of 2011.