Running Is Believing

“You can’t put a limit on anything. The more you dream, the farther you get.” — Michael Phelps

The Comrades Marathon is an ultra-marathon of approximately 89 kilometres which is run annually in the KwaZulu-Natal province of South Africa between the cities of Durban and Pietermaritzburg. It is the world’s largest and oldest ultramarathon race. The direction of the race alternates each year between the ‘up’ run (87 km) starting from Durban and the ‘down’ run (90.184 km) starting from Pietermaritzburg. The 2019 field was capped at 25,000 runners, and the entry process closed after one week. This is pretty much the formal introduction, derived from Wikipedia, towards the Comrades. However, the emotion and sentiments associated with the Comrades is totally divine and cannot be expressed in words, can only be felt. It is considered the mecca of ultra-marathons by runners all over the world and invites massive participation year after year. Further, Comrades Marathon figures in the bucket list of almost all runners and that is what makes it so special. Like every runner, it was in my wish list for around a year now. So, when a fellow runner friend shared the link for virtual registration for the ‘Comrades Legends 2020’, just three days before the event, I just jumped into the opportunity. Together we encouraged few more and within minutes, five of us, fellow comrades, registered and were sharing the bib details with each other with exuberance and credulous enthusiasm.

One native word, of South African origin, that is consistently associated with the Comrades is ubuntu meaning humanity. And this year, especially during prevailing conditions all over the world due to Covid-19, recent protests against racial discrimination in US and plight of migrant workers in my country, I felt there cannot be a better word to signify the event. Ubuntu is not just a word, it is a feeling, the essence of our existence. Ubuntu, the feeling, is sub-consciously imbibed within runners and consistently nurtured over time. The feelings of joy, compassion, empathy, emotions, humbleness, care, drive, determination, mutual respect and admiration present within any runner for themselves, for fellow runners and entire running community is what drives this human race and yes, that is ubuntu — best way to feel and define this year’s Comrades run.

Based in Mumbai, the city reeling under lock-down and seeing unprecedented rise in countrywide Covid-19 cases, the question of running outside, on the roads, was completely ruled out. So, we had to find a way, an innovative approach, to compete and complete 90 km of running scheduled few days away. As the saying goes, ‘if the plan does not go as per the goal, change the plan and not the goal.’ So, we decided to run indoors, within our house the entire distance of 90 km. Although, I am sure each one of us had our motive and drive to participate in this event, the itchiness to clock an ultra during the seemingly unending lock-down coupled with the idea of testing our limits definitely drove us to indulge in the coveted ultra.

Although, I had accomplished a few 90–100 km ultra runs over the past year, the challenge of running 90 km at home was unique and exciting. I absolutely like the feeling of being in a state of mindfulness during my long runs and may be that drives me during an ultra. Prior to my ultra runs, watching UTMB and Salomon TV videos especially of Kilian Jornet, a Spanish mountain-runner, has been my standard practice, to prepare, tune and condition my mind for an approaching event. So, keeping with my pre-ultra ritual, as a run up to the event, I watched few recent YouTube videos on ultra-running and came across an American distance runner Courtney Dauwalter. Dauwalter worked as a middle and high-school teacher before becoming a full-time professional runner in 2017, and since then has won many prestigious ultra-running events. She is truly inspirational and watching her videos was exactly the impetus I needed prior to the Comrades. Two qualities which describe her personality and has got etched in my memory — her simplicity and strength. I figured out that these were the exact factors needed to run a 90 km ultra at home — simplicity and strength.

So, I kept it simple, devised a ten metres track area within my house by moving furniture to the corner. The track was a straight path connecting living room with the guest bedroom. Once the track was created, there was no looking back. Further, kept the plan for the run simple, as in, start by 0600 hrs, take hydration break every 15 km, lunch break at 60 km (fourth hydration break) and hopefully minimal stops or walks in between. Then arrived the race day (14 Jun 20) and with utter enthusiasm, focus and zeal, I surrendered myself to my simple plan and it was time for the second factor to take over, the strength. The moment to give it all and venture into the world of mindfulness. Feeling strong with each stride, the ability of the body and mind to achieve 9000 reps of a ten metres circuit within the house was simply magical. The race went exactly as planned with a hydration break of 5–8 minutes every 15 km, without any requirement of an elongated lunch break. It was a dream run with both body and mind in a zone of their own. I am yet to figure out the real source of this elongated zen moment, which enabled me to complete the 90 km race, within my house, in approx. 08 hrs and 52 minutes with a running time of 08 hrs 22 minutes. Maybe running indoors for past few days, during the ongoing lock-down restrictions, conditioned the body and mind. Additionally, excellent hydration, loads of cold coffees and unflinching support extended by my wife throughout the race made it look effortless.

The feeling of competing and completing the coveted Comrades Legends 2020, along with approx. 40,000 runners across all distances (1000 running 90 km) from over 86 countries was simply unbelievable. The fact that I stood 146th overall and second among runners from India, made the run even more fulfilling. Hopefully, the finisher’s medal gets shipped fast, just cannot wait to get my hands on the prestigious Bill Rowan medal. Ultra-running, however, is never about the result, it is always about the process of living and absorbing every moment of the run, understanding our mind and body, challenging and testing ourselves, figuring out our own will and determination. This was just the perfect race wherein I felt strong deriving ecstatic delight and drive with each stride and feeling exhausted by the time race finished. However, once the final step was taken, strangely I felt no pain, the feeling of joy and happiness had taken over the cramps and muscle aches. It is this feeling which propels us to run an ultra. The feeling of exuberance, delight and satisfaction with endorphins running across each cell of our body. The feeling where we feel deeply connected to ourselves and all runners out there, our ubuntu moment, our high — the runners high. The Comrades was just the boost required during the ongoing pandemic and I can say with belief that, every participant would have lived through each moment of the race with all their heart and soul. The belief to undertake an ultra within the house, courage to complete it and in the process, figuring out zones of our limitless mind and body would be cherished forever. Simply put, Comrades 2020 — a tale of virtual run and real determination.

You don’t need to believe to run, just need to run to believe — running is believing.