It’s been a week since I crossed the finish line at the Tata Mumbai Marathon 2025, but the memories are still vivid. Honestly, it feels like I’m still out there on the course. The heart-pounding excitement, the pain, the joy—it’s all fresh.

After several half marathons and 10Ks in 2024, I decided to start 2025 with my first Tata Mumbai Full Marathon—42.195 km. After two half marathons in Mumbai, it was time to run the full course.

The year-long preparation wasn’t easy. I had to balance a busy work schedule with travel across diverse weather conditions—hot, cold, rainy, dry—and experiment with foods and fueling strategies. My last two long runs were in Japan, where the temperature dipped below 7°C, with rain accompanying every stride. A far cry from the humidity of Mumbai!

Just three weeks before the marathon, I landed in India, hoping to acclimatise to the city’s energy, weather, and vibe. Running in Mumbai is like no other. The city has this electric, infectious energy and the people along the way. They are pure love. It’s not just a race; it’s a celebration, a journey, a moment that connects everyone, no matter where you’re from.

But life threw me a curveball eight days before the marathon. Out of nowhere, my right ankle started hurting—like, really hurting. The dream of completing my first full marathon seemed to crumble before my eyes. But, as I’ve learned over the years when things go wrong, you don’t quit. You adapt. With the help of my amazing physiotherapist, a bit of therapy, and taping, I was ready to go—less confident, yes, but with an unshakeable spirit.

And just like that, the journey began.

The first 32 km were just as I had planned. I started conservatively, with a controlled pace, listening to my body. But then, at the 33 km mark, the pain in my ankle returned, and the unforgiving Mumbai sun and humidity started taking their toll. I could feel my energy draining faster than I could replace it. I had two choices: give up or shift to “Plan B.” And that’s exactly what I did.

Plan B was simple: One kilometre at a time. Slow, steady, deliberate. It wasn’t about racing anymore. It was about surviving each step, each minute, every moment. As the last 10 km unfolded, I realized time and again—that marathons are as much mental as they are physical. It’s about keeping hope alive when everything else is telling you to stop.

The finish line wasn’t just a marker of the end; it was a reminder that no matter how tough it gets, there’s always a way forward. The pain, the struggle, the doubt—they were all worth it for that final, glorious moment when I crossed that line.

Now, a week later, as I reflect on the journey, I see the lessons etched in every stride:

1. Preparation is key, but flexibility is everything: You can plan and train all you want, but sometimes life has other ideas. Be ready to adapt.
2. Pain is temporary, but the lessons last forever: When your body says “No,” your mind has to say “Yes.”
3. Take it one step at a time: Big goals can be overwhelming, but breaking them down makes them manageable.
4. Community makes all the difference: The people of Mumbai were my biggest motivation. Their energy pushed me forward when I thought I couldn’t go any further.

As my coach suggested, it’s time to get back into recovery mode. The next few Sundays? 8 km, 10 km, and 12 km. Simple runs to reset, refuel, and reflect. But here’s the thing: even these recovery runs have a purpose. They’re not just about getting back in shape; they’re about living this journey—staying connected to the process, no matter how small the steps may seem.

So, I’ve already signed up for the 10Ks in Pune and Guwahati. Why? Because life goes on. You never stop. You keep running, keep growing, keep learning. No matter the race or the distance, the enthusiasm doesn’t fade—it only grows stronger.

So here’s to the next chapter. Because life, like a marathon, is all about embracing the journey, one step at a time.