10 Life Lessons that I Learned from Running and Training for Marathons

You’ve probably seen countless ‘selfies’ or ‘photos of victory poses’ of recreational marathon finishers flaunting shiny medals like me on social media, and while it might look like all fun and games; it’s a result of a months of self-torturous grind that we willingly embrace. Why, you ask? Well, apparently because running unleashes some quirky body chemistry that gives you the same high (natural here) as a drug junkie gets with a sniff of a white powder  – and there are studies to prove it!

Now, if  I refer to my runtastic journey of over the six years of running and training for various marathons – I have transformed to a total ‘andh-bhakt’  – here read a bhakt for running. My journey started as a ‘time pass’ runner in 2010, attempting a 6 km dream run in Mumbai Marathon. But alas, I didn’t stick with it that time, a choice I regret. Fast forward to 2017, when life threw large lemons at me and I wanted to keep my sanity intact, my brain remembered the fleeting joy of that 2010 run.

I started running in a nearby park to stay fit and stumbled upon a fitness fanatic group RunIndiaRun, in Mumbai, that I joined. Soon, I found myself in a whirlpool of running madness, from 10k races to half marathons, and eventually, the granddaddy of them all, the 42 km marathon – which I tackled four times.

Marathons: Indian Mythologies & Life Philosophies

Committing to my first full marathon in 2019 was nothing short of a daunting decision, like embarking on a quest as grand as those in our ancient Indian myths.  It was a dive into the abyss of self-inflicted torture, where every day is like an epic saga.

It meant running almost daily with dedication and discipline like Bhishma maintaining his vow of celibacy, obsessing over sleep like the mighty Kumbhkaran, fine-tuning the diet to rival Bhim’s voracious appetite, and consuming gallons of protein shakes and energy drinks to bear the strength training sessions just like Shiva drinking poison during Samundra Manthan episode.

And to top it all, fight the dreaded FOMOs (Fear of Missing Out) that can lure you away from running goals just like Mohini, the mythical enchantress, who lured the demons away from the Amrit – the drink for eternal life. Late night parties? No, thank you. Sweets? Off the menu. Alcohol? Ugh-Huh! The list of sacrifices went on and on.

A glimpse of my marathon madness – while the entire world rings in the new year with wild late-night parties, I willingly set my alarm for 4.30 am to wake up on January 1st, just to log my goal mileage – much to the bewilderment of the partygoers or returners shall I say

Having said all that, I shall never quit running, because two reasons – one I am now a  ‘runaddict’ and two it’s where I’ve learned some of life’s most valuable lessons. These lessons not only helped me stay physically healthy but also kept me mentally sane. The benefits smoothly seeped into my real life too —career, relationships, lifestyle. It’s like now that whenever anyone asks me for life advice, I always refer to “what I learned from running marathons….is” Trust me, it works!

So, let’s dive into lessons of life that I learned through my marathon journey, that may inspire you to lace up those shoes or take up something for maintaining the precious health and sanity.

Lesson 1: Consistency

Remember the good ol’ school days – the homework that we used to get every day and had to finish it so as to not get “remarks” in our diaries? Or the times when we had to memorise the complex mathematical tables every night before sleeping (I did)? Well those were the first lessons of consistency, that are forgotten as we grow up to wise adults.

Marathon training is much like that – finish your homework each day – run the goal mileage every day. It’s not just about talent or luck or being a Kenyan athlete; it’s about putting in the effort day in and day out.  The small steps you take daily add up to significant progress over time. It took me three years of consistency to transform from a couch potato to a walker to accomplishing the distance of 42 kms.

Lesson 2: Time Management 

Marathon training demands hours of running every week, waking up at crack of dawn and going to bed by 9 pm, even on weekends. Managing social life, work deadlines and everything else in between those waking up hours, can teach a lot about managing time.

It’s like navigating through Mumbai’s rush hour traffic – plan your route, avoid bottlenecks, and make every minute count. Efficient time management isn’t just for marathon training; it’s a valuable skill in all aspects of life.

Lesson 3: Patience

In a world where everything is instant, marathons teach us the virtue of patience. You won’t go from a couch potato to a marathon accomplisher in a jiffy. Training for months teaches you that worthwhile achievements take time and lots of patience. And just running is not enough, one has to commit to strength training, stretching routines, hill runs and systematically increasing run mileages.

It requires patience just like navigating in the Mumbai traffic in a four wheeler, where cars are more than people and a 200 metre drive sometimes takes two hours. You sit there, questioning life’s choices, inhaling in smokes from other vehicles, navigating potholes, watching bikers zoom past your car, negotiating with traffic signal beggars as you slowly, slowly inch closer to your destination.

Lesson 4: Goal-Setting 

Marathons are like life’s GPS—they require specific goals. To motivate self to run distances, makes it inevitable to set specific goals – whether it’s finishing the race, setting a personal record, or conquering a course that makes you question your sanity.

This practice of goal-setting is transferable to professional and personal endeavors, helping you stay focused and motivated.  Just like setting up financial goals to enjoy that fun-filled foreign trip you always desired.

Lesson 5: Resilience & Rest

Life, like marathons, has its ups and downs. Running teaches you to persevere in the face of adversity. When you face injuries during training or the race, sometimes hit the infamous “wall” during a marathon, you learn that you have the resilience to overcome obstacles.

I have faced many injuries throughout the years of running, many times doubting my abilities to participate in a marathon, but then you  have the power to bounce back—because giving up is not an option! Of course, you go through rounds of physiotherapy and strengthen those weak muscles to get better results. Don’t fret to take rest breaks, coz that will recharge you for bigger and better paths. These qualities learned from running isn’t just applicable on the course; it’s a vital skill for navigating the twists and turns of life’s journey.

Lesson 6: Finding Your Superpowers  

Marathon trainings reveal your hidden strengths and unravels your weaknesses – both physical and mental. You discover that you can overcome many things with strength and override some others where you are weak.

It’s also like realizing you have superpowers when you lift that heavy grocery bag in one trip, or when you walk it to the market, because rickshaw wallahs refuse short distances. You gain a newfound confidence, knowing that you’ve conquered immense distances that some people wouldn’t even consider driving. It’s as if you’ve tapped into your own superhero potential, and suddenly, the everyday hurdles of life feel more manageable and conquerable.

Lesson 7: Mind over Matter

Running a marathon is not just a physical game but it is more of a mental game. On the course of 42 plus kms, when your body begs you to stop, your mind has to push you forward. You know the vampire power you possess – when you snooze the alarm clock multiple times, but eventually wake up in the dark of the dawn and put on the shoes and go out to train.

This mental toughness cultivated while running can help you tackle life’s mental challenges with panache. So, when your bed whispers sweet nothings, remember the marathon mantra: “Mind over mattress!” and you wake up for that important meeting or the very early morning flight easily or even dont fret letting go of the over-indulgence of the favourite pastry. 

Lesson 8: Celebrate Small Wins

Completing a long training run or hitting a milestone during a race provides a sense of accomplishment.  Recognizing and celebrating these small victories encourages gratitude and a positive outlook in life.

It’s like celebrating surviving crazy Mondays or successfully taking the ‘Mumbai Fast Local’ from Andheri to go to Churchgate during rush hours. This is why also you get to see those different sized and shaped people flaunting medals all over social media, when marathon season is happening.

Lesson 9: Being Self-Dependent & Content

The solitude of long-distance running unveils the beauty of self-reliance and contentment. You learn to enjoy your own company, even when there are no cheering crowds or finish line banners in sight. It’s like finding solace in the comforting embrace of your—self-dependence at its finest.

You learn to tackle life’s problem heads on and win most of them through your inner mechanisms.  You become so self-sufficient that even Indian mothers, notorious for their over-doting care, would nod in approval.

Lesson 10: Life’s Teamwork

In marathons, you find camaraderie among fellow runners and support from spectators and your B team – the coaches, the physiotherapists and nutritionists and the doctors in your life. This sense of community reminds you that you don’t have to face life’s challenges alone. Lean on your support network in life when needed, just as you do in a race. After all, life’s a team sport, and we’re all in it together.

Most Important Lesson: Gratitude

The most important lesson I’ve learned from running is gratitude. Every run, every marathon reminds us of the power we possess. In India, we greet with “Namaste,” recognizing the divine in each other, so take a bow for your existence. Appreciate the gift of life and health, for there’s always someone with less. Running teaches us to be grateful for every step, every breath, and every moment.