I was never a serious runner, just someone who dipped into 10km events for the fun of it. That changed a year ago when I tackled my first half-marathon (21km) at the Tata Mumbai Marathon (TMM). It was brutal, my inaugural attempt at that distance, but the thrill stuck with me. While on holiday in Bengaluru I signed up for their 10km on a whim. As it was a Procam event, that is when I decided to complete the Procam Slam.As my 40th birthday loomed, a wild idea hit: Why not run 40km for my 40th? I floated it past my running coach, who jumped at the chance to guide me.In September 2025, I dove into an intensive 18-week training plan specifically with Bombay Running, a group that’s been instrumental in my transformation. To build confidence, I knocked out a 21km in Delhi and a whopping 25km in Kolkata under their guidance. Registering for the full Mumbai Marathon also ticked off my Procam Slam, completing all major Procam events in a year, capping it with my marathon debut.On the heavier side back then, I tired out fast. But the Bombay Running plan transformed me: It built endurance, skyrocketed my confidence to travel and run in new cities, and over 15 months, I shed 15kg. Mixing gym sessions with runs sharpened my pace and fueled the weight loss.Mumbai’s full marathon loomed as my toughest challenge yet, I’d never topped 25-30km in training. Doubts plagued me: Could I even finish? Without coaching, it would’ve been impossible. Weekday mornings meant dragging myself out early for mileage before my 9-to-6 job as a banker. Weekly totals pushed past 50km. I learned the ropes on gels, the right shoes, balancing gym and runs, all while managing asthma that once had me glued to my inhaler.That inhaler was my crutch, a constant fear during longer efforts. But running and workouts curbed my reliance on it; now I barely touch it, except in bad weather or when Mumbai’s AQI rises about moderate levels. It’s under control, thanks to this journey.Race day amplified everything. My first full was special, but training lulled me into thinking it’d be “easy”. However, without proper training running a full marathon is not a cake-walk. Negative thoughts slipped in as a last-minute route change added 600m of elevation.Yet, the coastal road stretch around 7km was a breeze, and the path wove symbolically from temple to church to mosque, faiths united, urging us to push that extra mile. By 27km, reality hit: Why did I sign up for this madness? Exhaustion clawed at me amid 14,000+ runners, a new record for the full. But crossing that finish line? Pure magic. The medal, plus Procam Slam recognition, was the icing on the cake. Turning 40 never felt better.
