The obvious answer is yes. But the follow up question to ask yourself is – how much? I asked the same question to myself a couple of years back and I didn’t realize that I had strength to run forty two kilometers at a stretch. Sounds impossible, Isn’t it??? Yeah, it looked to me as well at one point of time.
So, how do you think this is possible? Read my story.
I have been doing workouts since several years and it has almost become my habit. A couple of years back, I participated in 10K run out of curiosity, to just test my stamina.
Voila!!!
I completed it in fifty seven minutes.
I found it challenging and exciting since this was my first official run with timing chip and hundreds of other runners.
Next year, one of gym friends asked me to participate in a 21K run. I had never imagined running 21K at one shot, even in my wildest dreams. Yet, I thought of taking up the challenge once again and registered it. And yippee, I managed to complete even my first half marathon in 2 hours 18 minutes! It was bit tiring since it was my first half marathon, but it was quite satisfying. I felt quite high after that run. After that, there was no looking back and I started running half marathons. I ran around 8 HM in the next 1 year. I managed to register my best timings of two hours four minutes in Thane Half-marathon.
Still, I had this desire at the back of mind to run full marathon. Meanwhile, while I was mentally preparing my self for full marathon, I got an opportunity to run 25 Km marathon and I completed in three hours and four minutes.
Due to my burning desire to run full marathon, I registered for Full marathon of 42k at SCMM Mumbai. When I registered, several friends asked me – “are you taking any training for running Full marathons? How many km are you doing in practice runs” And I replied, “no man, I was not taking any training, or doing any special practice run.” But, yes I started mental training. With each passing day, I started training my mind, saying that I could run 42K the way I did my first 21k without any practice. The legs may get tired, but the mind should not. Although my workout had almost stopped since six months before full marathon, due to a mild injury (frozen shoulder), I was strongly determined to run it. I mentally started visualizing myself completing 42K. Again, I used to hear people talk about how one should have run at least 30-35 k in practice run, then only participate. However, I just managed to do only one 24 Km practice run, three weeks before the marathon. Apart from that I didn’t do any practice run at all.
The last week before full marathon was quite cold in Mumbai and I was very happy. It would be much easier to do the run. However on marathon day, the climate became quite humid which was very unusual during mid-January in Mumbai.
Finially on 15th January 2017, I managed to push my mind and body to run 42 Kms for five hours & twenty four minutes. And hurray, there I managed to complete my maiden Full marathon without any cramps or injury!
It was greatest joy and satisfaction I could have achieved at this age. Completing marathon in such humid weather was my first achievement and completing full marathon without any training or practice run was my second achievement. My mental training paid off. Thank GOD!!!
Obviously, I am now determined to improve my marathon timings with age. The number doesn’t matter when your willpower and mental health is strong.
You can write to me if you need any help in running full marathons.
