Won the F1 track Half-Marathon, but…

 Sometimes in our endeavor to do well, we get so hooked-up on the end outcome that we miss the smaller joys along the way. We, runners, often struggle from such a fixation on the end outcome. This desired outcome is usually framed in the form of timing targets and obligation to achieve PBs. I have been no exception to this “fixation-on-end-outcome” syndrome and the realization dawned upon me at the most unexpected moment during the recent F1 track HM. Here is a brief description of how the run unfolded for me.

6:15 am: It was still dark when we started lining up at the start line for the 6:30 am start. For a change, I was not carrying any music (and my ‘infamous’ black head-set!). This meant that I was able to hear the general chirping and chit-chat around the start line. This made me a little uncomfortable as I usually prefer staying in a ‘closed’ zone before the race start. I tried to filter out the external auditory stimulus and focus on the run ahead. At sharp 6:30 am the run started – I gently murmured “Sub 1:30 today” and started the run.

I had deliberately decided to approach this run a little differently and had planned a few minor deviations from all my previous runs. In particular:

No music this time - Listening to music while running is a good way to keep the mind actively occupied and push out the feeling of fatigue from setting in; however, music beats also interfere with body’s ability to synchronize feet movement with breathing rhythm. According to Danny Dreyer (founder chi-running) one should closely listen to the sound of feet while running. Despite all my inhibitions around running without music, I decided to give it a try.

Did not carry hydration – I usually carry two small 250 ml bottles, one in each hand. I realized that this led me to sip water very often (more often than needed!). It also meant carrying half a kg extra load during the run. For this particular run, I decided to solely rely on hydration support on the route.

No glancing at watch – I usually have a knack of glancing at the watch every few minutes. I realized that it doesn’t serve any purpose. If anything, it breaks the flow and adds unnecessary timing pressure. For the F1 track run, I decided that I wouldn’t glance at the watch till 14th KM mark. This was easier said than done as there was a strong urge to check the time at each KM mark; however, I did resist the temptation.

When I finally looked at the watch after completing the 14th KM mark, I did surprise myself – the watch indicated 58:55, which is the fastest I have been able to run for an hour. What is more, I was leading the race with a sizable lead vis-à-vis the second runner. 

By the time the run came to an end, there were several positives that had emerged for me - All my experimental deviations from previous runs had worked well. I had managed to clock a new PB of 1:30:43 (bettering my previous PB by around 40 seconds); most importantly, I had managed to secure my maiden first position during a competitive run. However, despite all these extremely encouraging outcomes, the mind was just fixated on one thought – missed the sub 1:30 finish yet again.

Soon after the awards distribution, a fellow runner of foreign origin approached me and had a short but very meaningful conversation:

“Hey Buddy – Congratulations.” – said the fellow runner.

“Thanks” – I replied with a forced smile.

“What happened – you don’t look happy! I thought you won the race”

“Yes – I won the Half-Marathon…but…”

...Brief pause.

“But what?” – asked the fellow runner with a somewhat quizzical and amused look.

“But…I wanted to do a sub 1:30 finish and I missed it by 43 seconds.”

The fellow runner burst into laughter and after a few moments replied with all earnesty – “it’s a matter of time before you shave off these 40 odd seconds and get to sub 1:30 finish, but this moment won’t come every day.”

“…If I were you, I would really enjoy it buddy” – he added as he casually jogged away to get back to his friends.

It may have been a short little connect with a stranger but it certainly had me thinking. I realized the broader message he conveyed. We often commit the mistake of attaching too much importance to seemingly futile things and in the process miss the fun along the way. Post that conversation I continued to meet and greet several fellow runners and whenever someone asked me “how was the run?” my reply was simple and ecstatic:

“I won the HM race!!!” (…and there was no “but” thereafter…)

Sundeep Singh 

+91 - 98181 19794

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About the Author: By background, Sundeep Singh is a Mechanical Engineer from IIT Delhi and holds an MBA from IIM Kozhikode. Given his flair for mechanics and passion for running, he loves to analyze and write about the  finer nuances of running techniques / strategies.