The Half-Marathon Tale

One day, I stood in front of the mirror and said, I will run a half-marathon! It sounded like a big, brave idea, but when I started training the next morning, it wasn’t so easy. After ten minutes, I was so tired I could barely breathe, and an aunty walking nearby passed me with no trouble. I felt like giving up, but I didn’t. I woke up every morning, tied my shoes, and started running. Slowly, my habit of sleeping late and making excuses disappeared.

Every day, running became a little better. The roads that once felt too long now seemed welcoming. My music made me feel like a hero in a movie. I stopped eating chips at night and started sleeping early. I was still tired sometimes, but I also felt strong. I noticed my body changing and my thoughts becoming clearer. Running was no longer scary—it started feeling fun.

By the third week, something magical happened. I began to enjoy my runs! I saw kids playing cricket, smelled fresh chai, and felt the cool breeze on my face. I wasn’t just running to finish a race anymore—I was running because it made me happy. Each step made me feel proud of myself. I started to believe, I could do hard things.

On race day, I crossed the finish line with a big smile. There was no big celebration, but inside, I felt like a champion. The medal wasn’t just for running that day—it was for every morning I didn’t give up, for every fear I left behind, and for becoming someone stronger and braver than before.

Half  Marathon2024

हाफ-मॅराथॉनची गोष्ट

 एका दिवशी आरशासमोर उभं राहून मी ठरवलं, आपण हाफ-मॅराथॉन धावायचं! हे ठरवणं सोपं होतं, पण दुसऱ्याच दिवशी सकाळी पळायला सुरुवात केली तेव्हा कळलं की हे काम खूप कठीण आहे. फक्त दहा मिनिटांत माझा श्वास फुलला, आणि शेजारची काकू निवांत चालत माझ्यापुढे गेली. वाटलं की आता सोडून देऊ, पण नाही केलं. रोज सकाळी उठायचं, बूट घालायचे, आणि पळायला सुरुवात करायची. हळूहळू झोपेच्या सवयी आणि बहाणे गळून पडले.

रोज पळायला जाऊ लागलो आणि सवय लागली. आधी जे रस्ते खूप लांब वाटायचे, ते आता मित्रासारखे वाटू लागले. माझं आवडतं गाणं ऐकत मी स्वतःला हिरो सारखं वाटवू लागलो. रात्री उशिरा चिप्स खाणं थांबलं, आणि वेळेवर झोपायला सुरुवात केली. सुरुवातीला पाय दुखायचे, पण आता शरीर हलकं वाटू लागलं. पळणं आता भीतीदायक नव्हतं, उलट ते मजेदार झालं होतं.

तिसऱ्या आठवड्यात जादूच झाली. आता पळणं आवडायला लागलं होतं! रस्त्यावर पोरं क्रिकेट खेळताना दिसायची, टपरीवरून येणाऱ्या चहाच्या वासाने मन प्रसन्न व्हायचं, आणि सकाळचा थंड वारा चेहऱ्यावर स्पर्श करून जायचा. मी मॅराथॉनसाठी पळत नव्हतो, आता पळणं हे माझ्या आनंदाचा भाग झालं होतं. प्रत्येक पावलाने मी स्वतःवर गर्व करत होतो. माझ्या मनात विचार आला, मी कठीण गोष्टी करू शकतो.

शर्यतीच्या दिवशी मी फिनिश लाईन पार केली, आणि माझ्या चेहऱ्यावर मोठं हास्य होतं. तिथे काही मोठा जल्लोष नव्हता, पण माझ्या मनात मात्र आनंदाचा उद्रेक झाला. गळ्यातलं पदक फक्त त्या दिवशीच्या धावण्यासाठी नव्हतं, ते त्या प्रत्येक सकाळीसाठी होतं, ज्या दिवशी मी हार मानली नाही, त्या भीतीसाठी जी मी मागे सोडली, आणि त्या धाडसी, मजबूत व्यक्तीसाठी जो मी या प्रवासात बनलो.

#halfmarathon 

#bhopalrunbhopal 

#runners

Chasing Dreams, Embracing Green: SBI Half Marathon - Bhopal 🌱🏃‍♂️"

In the vibrant city of Bhopal, there lived a determined boy named Harshal. He dreamed of completing a half marathon, but he knew it wouldn't be easy. With sweat on his forehead and fire in his heart, Harshal began his journey.

Every morning, he woke up early, laced his shoes, and hit the road. Rain or shine, he trained hard, never giving up. His willpower kept him going, even when his muscles begged him to stop.

Harshal lived by discipline, sticking to his training schedule and eating healthy foods. His dedication never wavered; he knew what he wanted, and he was willing to work for it.

On the day of the marathon, Harshal stood at the starting line, nerves tingling. But as the race began, he found his rhythm. Mile after mile, he pushed himself forward, drawing strength from the cheering crowd. Finally, the finish line was in sight. With one last burst of energy, Harshal crossed it, triumphant.

Completing the marathon wasn't just about running; it was about proving to himself that with hard work and determination, anything is possible. And as he stood there, catching his breath, Harshal knew that he had accomplished something truly remarkable.

#marathon2024

My First Full Marathon: Making History in Bhopal!

At the thirty-kilometer point of my first marathon, a professor questioned me why I ran. In response, I clarified how running improves my skills as an explorer, a colleague, and a person. It's a great kind of fuel because it lets me process and let go of my pain, stress, anxiety, and tension. My head becomes clearer when I run, making it easier for me to distinguish between things that will matter in the long run and those that are just noise.

Running is similar to eating strawberries or avocados, in my opinion—it's a healthy activity that also makes you feel really good.

It feels amazing to run my first full marathon alongside Milind Soman. It's a great opportunity to run alongside someone whose stories and activities motivate you in the twelfth grade. I never imagined that I would have the opportunity to run with renowned athlete and model Milind Soman.

Being able to run with such a historical athlete is an incredible experience.

PS: Pankh marathon, which was held in Bhopal on February 11, is also referred to as the city of lakes.

#first ever marathon #milind soman #marathon #robotic #bhopal #explorer #edtech #innovation

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