As I’m writing this, I am still buzzing
from excitement! I finally got to participate in something I have always wanted
to do, something I admired as a child and well into my teens. I was part of a
Fun Run of 5K that took place in Zanzibar on 2nd Dec 2012, part of a
bigger event of a Half Marathon. The air was filled with excitement, there were
men and women, young and old at the stadium full of anticipation. Its was a colourful
and warm morning and the sun was just rising. It was certainly a sight I would
never forget!
Some contestants had been spotted in Stone
Town days before the event, warming up for the big day. I also saw a few runners, from Kenya I
believe, who certainly turned a few heads. It’s quite normal to see people
exercising in the mornings outdoors but never really never with such athletic
prowess.
To watch a human being run with the speed
of a four-legged beast is weird and wonderful. It brings back so many childhood
memories of fables and fairytales.
Athletes, particularly runners, have somehow
always fascinated me. I don’t know what it is but from a young age, I could
spend countless hours watching Olympics repeats on TV, being hooked on what
goes on the running track and not forgetting the long jumps. There is something
so lively and mind blowing watching people stretching their physical capacities
to the limit, each hell bent on outrunning the other.
Unconsciously I tend to draw a parallel between
athletes and wild animals on a hunt. Besides being cautious and having the
winner attitude, both would run like their lives depended on it. When you watch
athletes run, you cant’ help noticing the tension and concentration gripping
their bodies and wondering what goes on inside their heads. Are they praying to
win or are they already brimming with confidence of victory? I can’t imagine
what goes on in their heads.
When our run started at the Amani Stadium
just after the Half Marathon contestants took off, it was our turn to start the
5K Fun Run. We too were asked to get ready at the starting line and had to wait
for the gun to be fired off.
Boy did that bring chills down my spine! I
suddenly had a flashback of the legions of Olympics Games and other competition
I had watched as a child and knew that this was it – I must finish! Yes, 5K are
not much and can easily be accomplished but it’s the thought of being part of
something spectacular and the whole atmosphere of the event that nail the
chills on the spine.
With soaring temperatures and a heat wave over
the tarmac roads, there was much at stake but I had made up my mindI was not
going to give up. After all I was well prepared, I had made sure a few days
before the run that my body was properly hydrated and full of reserve energy. Towards
the finishing line, however, I started doubting how much energy I actually had
left but I knew that I needed to instill that winning attitude back into myself.
I pictured the athletes running, sensing what
their bodies must be going through, watching every muscle stretch, every breath
inhaled and exhaled – just to ensure that they cross that finishing line.
I could almost see those firing eyes and
their sweat drecnhsed faces, which was exactly what was happening to me. With
that in mind, I knew if anything, I needed to think about ticking this off my
bucket list.
And I did! Unfortunately I did not win but
I didn’t loose either – I have now been motivated to step up my training and
perhaps aim for a Half Marathon next year. The added bonus is that my bucket
list has one less item on it.
And who knows, perhaps I might just do the
Half Marathon!
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