The Accolades ...

I don’t exactly know how it feels to play cricket at the Eden Gardens. But believe me, it should not be much bigger than running the MUMBAI MARATHON.
There is an excitement of being part of the biggest marathon in ASIA.
The city of MUMBAI is enchanting. Especially the VT station ( I still cant come to terms with CST), the Nariman Point, the Marine Drive, Haji Ali. I have some fond memories with these places in Mumbai.



Its is so fitting that the marathon happens on these roads.


I started this marathon with a pain in my legs. This was purely psychological. It was more because I could remember how it was when I finished the marathon last time.

I walked into Dadar station to catch a train to VT. As soon as I boarded the train I could feel the pain in my calves. I was worried if I could complete the marathon this time.


I got down at VT and didn’t know what to do. I didn’t know where to go and when to go. Last time around, I had Ninad and to follow. This time I was lazy enough to not do my homework. I waited outside the VT and let the atmosphere soak in. Then I went to the AZAD MAIDAN. There were these practice wickets and the nets. The morning dew on the grass on the wickets made me feel at home. After spending almost half an hour around them, I decided to go into the hold-up area.

It was as crowded as any other street in Mumbai. I was hoping that there be no stampede. It would have been a disaster.

Waiting there for another 30 minutes made me more anxious about everything. Then there was a buzz and the marathon had started.

By the time reached the starting point the clock had ticked 13 mins.
Ghoshh !!! I should have been there at the hold up area earlier. I wasted 13 mins.
Then the run started.

The crowd was amazing. There were DJ’s, Bhangra, Nasik Dhol, and people from all walks of life stating on the footpath and cheering. These guys don’t let you stop.



I wished Kasab watches this. Shoot as many as you want Kasab. The rest will keep running the marathon.

The race was amazing, I completed it in 2hrs 04 mins. Not far away from the winner who did it in an hour or so. But if you consider that I lost lot of time stuck up in the crowd, you might give me the benefit of the doubt.

I was in an ocean of thoughts throughout these 2 hrs 04 mins. I thought of some people. And here I would like to thank them.

My grandfather, at 90 he manages everything by himself. Some day I would like to be like him. He has shown me the importance of being fit right from my childhood.

Rahul Kad my neighbour and childhood friend who has been a sport frenetic. I would not have taken up to any kind of sport if he had not been around me then.

My parents. Especially my dad who has always talked about taking good care of the body. He hates it when he sees me in any kind of pain.

My sister. I happened to be with her on a 4 miles trail at Yosemite. That gave me the boost in confidence.

My coaches and team mates at the club. They have seen it and been with me when my body was in total give up state. Each of them made sure that they gave me some inputs, however useless though, and hoped that I get back in shape someday.

Rahul Giramkar, the man who introduced me to this wonderful thing called running. He has pushed me to extremes time and again and cursed at me when I gave up.

Mahendra Gokhale, my fitness trainer, Giramkar introduced me to him. I was fortunate to be around him for a few months. He explained me about the importance of legs and lower body. The tips that he gave me 5 yrs ago helped me to practice for the marathon.

Prabandhdha Bheese because he labelled me as the RoadRunner.

Various instructors and doctors who have attended me and never lost hope in me.




Abhijit Dada, Ninad and Ameya, my cousins who got this idea of running a marathon into my head.

Hemant Luthra… who once happened to make me believe that I could easily complete the full marathon. Yes Hemant… I plan to do it soon.

Rupesh Singh.. somehow he could not get into Indian Defence Academy. But I wish someday he too participates in the marathon.

The DJ, the navy band, the cheer leaders and the people of Mumbai. They kept of cheering and we kept on going

Dr Roy. This old man was running with us. His T shirt said “ Dr ROY – born in 1923”

Another old man, running with us, whom I met at the half way mark. I was thinking of taking a break.. I saw him jumping over the cones with full enthusiasm. I never again thought about taking a break until I finished the marathon.

Mr Jibu Soren.. he ran the marathon with the tricolour. People cheered him and that pushed me even further.



My legs. They belong to a wicket keeper. This is not the first time I have put them on test and surely will not be the last time.

I ran for all those dumb-heads who believed that I could do it. I had to prove that they are not that dumb

I ran for all those pundits who advised me not to be so stupid. I ran cos I wanted to know if they were right.

And last but not the least.. I ran cos I wanted to blog so you could comment.

A set of people asked me why I run. Sorry guys, I could not find an answer this time. May be I will be able to get the reason next time around.. hold on…

The best part of the marathon was that when I did complete it .. I could sit at the nets of AZAD MAIDAN and could contact many if not all these people whom I was thinking of.