Run Mumbai Run.........

Did you ever feel like a Hero? I did. I did once again while running half marathon in Mumbai Marathon – 2013. People were cheering throughout the 21 kms path of the run, slogans of “Run Mumbai Run” were being enchanted from everywhere and runners were putting their best foot forward. Enthusiastic runners ranging from amateur athletes to professionals, from celebrities to common men/women, and from 17 years old to 60 years old, all were filled with the excitement of being part of one of the greatest races on the earth (others were Nairobi, Singapore and Hongkong Marathons).

Reached the Holding Area at 4:40 AM, we started the half marathon at 5:40 AM. First 72 minutes and 11 kms were relatively easy for me but after that things started going tough. I started having pain in my lower abdomen & calves and my throat started crying for liquid. With a little walking for 2-3 minutes I started again and took my first sip of liquid at 15 Km mark. My mind was split in two parts; one was asking me to take a little rest while another was not allowing me to stop. Playing among these two, I was moving towards the finish line.

As I completed 20 Kms, 130 mins had already passed. Every muscle and bone of my body was crying out loud for me to stop but a passion and desire to touch the finish line was not allowing me to do that. Reaching 100 m (remaining) mark, I just opened my arms and wanted to fly to the finishing line. Breath was going, calves were crying, and I was just sprinting like never before.

I touched the finish line; clock was showing 2:18 when I saw it before going beyond finish point. Once again I finished the race. Although, I couldn’t better my last year’s finish time of 2:14 hrs, I was happy with my performance.

Today I am committed more than ever before to break the 2 hr mark in next half marathon wherever I run.
Amen !!!

My first Public performance…......

Today was a wonderful day when I found myself overcoming a fear of performing in front of 100 people. It was "Annual General Meeting of PMI (Project Management Institute) Mumbai" and I was sought to nominate myself for the Guitar Performance after the regular stuff of the AGM. After lot of deliberation I confirmed my nomination just a day before and it was accepted.

Although I was not very sure whether I should play Hotel California (My favorite English Song) OR Dooba-Dooba (Hindi number by Silk Route), I followed the basics of entertainment and decided to go with Hindi number as audience (mostly middle aged Indian Managers) could relate to it better.

I practiced song couple of times to ensure, my fingers were moving fine, my voice was playing along the fingers and most importantly I remember the lyrics of the song that I was going to play.

It all went great, I dedicated the song to my fiancee and audience’s response was awesome. People were humming the romantic number with me and my guitar was sounding better than ever before.

Later during the dinner, I was well received by the fellow members when they praised the performance very much. It was a great platform to get known among people who are 10-20 years senior to me in the Industry and I am glad that I grabbed the opportunity.

I just loved all the attention. And yes, it was also a rehearsal for the performance I’ll have on my wedding-eve for my guests and most importantly for love of life.