We woke up to a perfect weather on Sunday morning – cool and dry with a gentle breeze. The reporting time was 5.30 am, which meant we needed to be up by 4.30. Gawd!! The thought was enough to make me want to not go. But am I glad I went!
I’m really just not good enough a writer to put into words how incredible the experience was. The warmth, the bonhomie, the energy – incredible. Women young and old, women in saris, girls in hot pants, moms with strollers, sisters, daughters, buddies, even a pair of girl-dogs (I presume) in glittery pink collars – all together in a wonderful glorious sea of pink and white.
And then there was The Handsomest Brand Ambassador ever – Milind Soman – who I had the hugest teenage crush on. Still have it! Sigh! He’s way way more handsome up close, if that is even possible.
Sigh some more!!!
My dancing-in-public debut happened at the warm up Zumba session. I found myself following the instructor on stage, with gusto, I might add. It helped having a bit of a crazy friend by my side, and that the music was familiar from our Zumba class. Feet were stamped, elbows bumped and eyes were poked. Sorrys flew around and were waved away with smiles.
From 89 years to 18 months – there was a range of participants. I found myself running next to two five year olds egged on by their mom. Each time their steps flagged the mom would say, ‘You want that medal, don’t you? Come on!!’ And they’d double their efforts. Once they sat down by the road but two minutes and a few sips of water and they were up again. Dads, husbands, brothers, friends and sunny-smiled volunteers lined the roads clapping and cheering and clicking pictures.
The run itself was hardly a little over 40 minutes. Before we knew it, we were jogging towards the finish line and we had the medals and were munching on biscuits and sipping hot tea.
Just perfect!
Yeah I’m a finisher.
Linking to Mel’s # Microblog Mondays at Stirrup Queens.
Congratulations! On the race itself but even moreso that you finished what you started.
Congrats on finishing the run for such a great cause Tulika! Sounds like a very soul- and other-satisfying experience! 😉 <3
It must be such an awesome experience… Hats off to you for completing the Marathon 😀 you are one healthy and inspring Mommy 😀
Milind Soman … mera captain Vyom 😀
Lol.. Captain Vyom. The 'mere' bit is debatable.
Wow! That's awesome and so inspiring! Congratulations Tulika! You did it!
Aah! Milind… *BIG sigh*
Thank you Shilpa.
That was a lovely description. I did feel I was there too for a moment!!! The mention about two girls running with their mom made me smile. Congratulations for participating and finishing!!!
Thanks Shesha.
You go Girl! Milind Soman *sigh**
That's exactly what 6000 women were doing that day – SIGH!!!
WOW…congrats! That is exciting!
Sure was Kathy.
Lovely, Tulika! I can just visualize the atmosphere!
😀 Yep. I've met Milind Soman. Handsome!
Congrats on the "medal"! Must feel so wonderful!
Thank you Vidya. It really was amazing.
Awesome Tulika….quiet an experience I must say…You know while reading this I was thinking how good it would be if I took part in something like this..But then a voice in my head said that the lazy me would never be able to wake up this early! sigh!
You need to push yourself just once Naba and then you'll want to go each time. Three days later I still have a happy hangover.
hmmm Crazy Friend !!!! I like 🙂
Glad you liked it. It was meant to be a compliment.
Great going and congrats on being a finisher.
Thanks Jairam.
This is such a happy post to read! You go, Tulika! And ahem, Milind Soman, eh? 😉 Does the husband know you're publicly ogling him? 😀 So very proud of you for doing this. But then, who am I? You must be damn proud of yourself and you deserve every bit of it 🙂
Lol Shailaja – The Husband knows of the 'soft corner'. The ogling bit, we'll leave out. Thank goodness it was an all women's thing. And Thank you.
Congrats!
Thank you D.