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Note: Namu grew up in Bangalore before moving to Newyork.
She survived 9/11 twin-tower tragedy (she was one of the
small percentage of survivors while most her colleagues
perished).
I finished my first marathon - all 26.2 miles in a sliver under 5 and half hours. Here's my experience -
Two Days Before - The Nightmare -
I look down at my feet and found 8 toes on my left foot and 6 toes on my right. And all I could think about was - "How are they going to fit in my running shoes? How am I going to run the marathon with 14 toes?" Moreover, I lost my registration card, didn't pick up my race number AND missed my bus to the start! Which is when I finally woke up RELIEVED that it was all a dream.
Namu Radhakrishnan with her Coach
One Day Before - Marathon Expo -
Thats when it really hit me that its a big day for 35,000 other people too! Runners and families swarmed to the Javits Center at the expo, which was full of energy and excitement. Several stores with function specific high technology running gear, nasal strips, energy food, etc. Saw teams representing several countries - out of 35,000 runners, 10,000 come from foreign countries. Picked up my race number and chip. It was a relief to see that the participants didn't all look like pro-athletes - there were people of every size, height and age!
In the evening, I arranged my favourite running clothes, shoes, socks, etc so that I wouldn't forget anything. I put 26 gummy bears (candy) in a zip lock bag - I was to eat one after finishing each mile - as something to look forward to. Went to bed after lots of pasta and about 10 bottles of water.
D-Day - Da Marathon -
Caught the bus from the NY Public Library - the line went around a few blocks - although beautifully organized considering the huge crowds. Arrived at the staging area at about 8:30 am and found all the Asha team members: Rashmi, Laxshmi, Tuku and Nagi. at 10:10 am - at the sound of the canon, the 2003 NYC marathon began. This is it - this is what we had been training for past 6 months. Mile 1 was over the Verrazzano bridge - beautiful suspension bridge - the best way to start a marathon - simply breathtaking views - we didn't care that it was all uphill! This is when our team split up - Nagi & Tuku, our super skinny star runners disappeared into the horizon, and Laxshmi & Rashmi, slightly slower that me, so that left me solo chugging along right in the middle. 1 gummy bear down, 25 more to go.
The beginning was fairly easy, the miles flew by, the spectators and cheering started as soon as we got off the bridge - I had "India - Namu" written on my t-shirt and heard a lot of "Go India and Go Namu!" There were water and gatorade stalls at every mile - much needed as temperature was in the 70's and the sun shining bright - very unusual weather for November in NYC. 2 gummy bears, 3 gummy bears and 4 - they came by quick. The crowds were amazing - and really helped me thru the first half - there were live bands - volunteers handing out snacks, bananas, water etc. At mile 5, I nearly choked on a gummy bear - so out went my gummy bear idea with the zip lock bag.
Mile 7, in Brooklyn, was where I first saw my cheerleading squad - the Asha volunteers, and my family. It was great to see them, they had their own marathon taking subways to catch us at several points. They met me again at Mile 14, where I was joined by Sharada - an Asha volunteer, who ran with me for moral support. Perfect timing, as it was definitely the tougher half. Made our way through Queens, over the Queensborough bridge and then finally in Manhattan - AH familiar territory. The crowds were huge, and the cheering loud - mile 16, 17, 18 - it was getting hot and tough. Sharada kept pushing me.
At mile 18, I hit my wall, as we heading to the Bronx on our 4th uphill bridge - ouch. And we paid to do this?? My body was ok, but head was faint from the heat and sun. But something to look forward to - the Asha and family cheering squad met us at mile 20. Miles 18 to 23 were the hardest - slim crowds, little cheering and no energy! As we approached Central Park, was when it picked up. Sharada still running with me - her longest run ever! I gave everything in the last 2 miles - after all they were in Central Park - our home for 6 months during the training. Sprinted through the finish - I want to add that the last mile was all uphill! What a test!
I finished!!!!! And glad it was finally OVER. Got my very own finisher's blanket and medal.
As an aside our cab driver on the way home KNEW Martin Lel - the Kenyan who WON the NYC marathon in 2:10!! He had dinner at the cabbie's house on Friday night!
This has been one of the most challenging and rewarding experiences in my life. Being able to raise money for a good cause, and to know so many generous people. I truly feel like anything is possible. I would highly recommend running a marathon - anyone can do it.
A huge Thanks to Asha, Coach-ji, my dear husband Vivek, my 85 sponsors, the cheering squad and the Asha marathon team.
My deadline for fundraising in December 11 - if you know anyone who would be interested in supported the cause - or join the Asha marathon program next year please visit this link:
http://www.ashanet.org/nycnj/events/2003/hoh/runners/namu.html
Best,
Namu
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