Hartford Marathon: Oct.15 2006 (My first Marathon)

Result: Completed Marathon in 4 hrs 10 mins.

Pictures: Here are the pictures

First of all, I would like to thank my wife Sawi, for constantly encouraging me. It was she, who was doing all home chores when I used to come after putting long miles in my legs. Thanks to my friends who encouraged me through out the preparation and wanted me to "drop out the Marathon" (just kidding!!) . Also, thanks to those who donated to singhadoption.com. I was running this Marthon to raise funds for Jaspal and Linda, who wants to adopt "Gar Singh" from Guatemala.

Now get down to some details of the Marathon day:

Finally the day came for which I was waiting for from last 6 months. All the miles which I put while training has to show some result today. Sawi and I, picked up the race packet from Hartford Civic Center on Friday so we were all set for the race day. I had a nice sleep but not a long one. I woke up really early 3 AM. I did daily chores and had Suji Kheer. We started to Hartford Bushnell Garden around 6:30 AM and reached near to 7 AM. The park was really crowded, thousands of people ready to run on the streets. It was amazing, I never saw so much crowd in USA. I figured a good way to see a nice crowd is a Marathon. Runners along with their family members to support them, very postive and inspiring atmosphere. Everyone was cheering up.

Initial 4 miles are on the Main street, East Hartford after that it becomes really scenic. South windsor colorfull neighbourhoods with bands, music and smiles were my motivation to keep going. After 11 miles was a turnaround. It was really nice to see runners running both sides. We had Water, Ultima sports drink all the way. Marathon organizers did excellent job in arranging everything.

While running, I also made a buddy. His name is "Tom". We had exactly same pace so we ran around 10 miles together. It was so much easy with having so many people running with you. Well, I was pretty energetic till 18 miles, but after that I was looking for energy gel "GU". First, I borrowed one from Tom, then there was bicycle guy distributing energy gel. I took another 2 packets from him. Now, I was ready to rock. To my surprize, Sawi was waiting down the bridge to cheer up. It was so much happiness to see Sawi on that spot.

Then, the route goes from Asylum street to West Hartford, another beautiful area. Only 7 more miles to go. My knees started crying but I kept going. Tom and I, were together till 21 miles. Infect, at some point, I was targeting to make in 4 hrs but I became slow around 23 miles. I did some walking in between. Near to 24 miles, I decided to go and finish it up. I picked really nice pace and kept going till the "Finish line". It was amazing experience to cross that finish line in 4 hrs and 10 mins. I never imagined, I can do this good. I guess, sometimes we underestimate ourselves.

I got medal and Sawi was there to welcome me. It was amazing. Bottom line is, I cannot wait to run another Half/Full Marathon. Real celebration with inspiring and positive people !!