The Winner

The run on Friday was amazing. After many a sweltering run- over the last 2 months- this one was like manna from heaven. I ran late…….in the soft intermittent drizzle- and I felt like I could run forever. It was a short 8k run as it was a weekday, but this glorious one had filled me with a great deal of anticipation, for the long run on Sunday.

So we headed out…with a partly cloudy sky over our heads. As we ran along, there was no sign whatsoever of any breeze, and much less rain. We went along the entire distance as we had committed to ourselves……..

All along
There was no song,
Only sweat,
That was our fate.

After we turned,
On our return
There was a game.
Between me,Sol and the rain.

Rain eluded,
A clear loser,
Although the clouds
Played hide-n-seek.

And after a bit of tussle
They had to part
The sun shone in its full glory
As I, struggled in this story.

It got ugly,
And turned into a scrap,
That’s when my mind said
Let’s end this clash.

So I loosened my shoulders
And lengthened my stride
Picked up my pace
For the last 1 mile.

18k on a humid day
Victory was mine
After a long long time!

Save the Turtle!

"Mom, there's a marathon".....my ever vigilant son, Arnav tells me, and adds," It’s here, in Phuket!".

We see banners for it over the next couple of days as we head out for snorkeling , kayaking and the likes. On Friday.....as we chilled in the hotel I investigated and discovered that it was a “mini- marathon "......only 10. 5 k- starting only 500 m from our hotel, on Sunday!

The "Mai Khao Turtle Marathon" is organized to save the turtles. This beach is a nesting ground for the turtles - so the locals organise it to raise awareness. It’s in its 7th year!

As I registered for it, Savio's words rang true. A day before I was leaving, he said to me, run a race, they always have something going on. And sure enough .......

Raceday morning - bright and early- 5.30 I reached the holding area- and was greeted by the aroma of chicken porridge! They had laid out a complete breakfast- fruits, coffee et al, for the 750 odd participants.

After the inaugural speech (which I didn't get a word of as it was in Thai) we were flagged off!500 of us....running to the rhythms of the sea....along a lovely trail following the beach- soft breeze and waving casuarinas.
Kilometers flew past as the shade of the sea changed from varying shades of azure to aqua......the white sand remaining a constant!



Water stations, volunteers, a simple rubberband at the halfway mark.....all well organised for a small run!

The run was enjoyable as the distance wasn't daunting. There were a few tourists like me trying to catch the local flavor.

I picked up pace as we ran the last 3k around lake Pru Jeh San. It was a picturesque trail which reminded me of Pondicherry.

I finished comfortably in just a minute over an hour. As I sprinted across the finish line I was handed a tag followed by a medal. As I caught my breath I read the tag to realise I had come fourth in the women! I got ranked! Wow! In a single digit!

I walked back to the holding area to see an awards ceremony going on. A Thai news reporter saw the tag in my hand and beckoned me to go towards the stage. Up I went and accepted my trophy. My first one ever!

Yay!

I returned to my room and found my kids waiting for me. After so many runs they have learnt now NEVER to ask me if I won. So they asked....finished? And I surprised them with the trophy and my rank! Never mind the small number that ran! I still won! Wow Sanjana says, " we'll need to make a cabinet for that!".

I believe there's an inner power that makes winners or losers. And the winners are the ones who really listen to the truth of their hearts.
Sylvester Stallone


I won!