Indian Running Community Reflects on a Year of Challenges, Triumphs, and Personal Growth
As the sun sets on another year, it’s a time for reflection and introspection within the vibrant Indian running community. From seasoned marathoners to beginners, 2023 was a year that tested resilience, celebrated achievements, and underscored the power of running. We compiled some inspiring triumphs, achievements and occasional setbacks faced. Their narratives define what running really is about.
Your running journey in 2023
I finished the 2022 Vasai-Virar Half-marathon in 1:35:00 and was eagerly looking forward to the Tata Mumbai Marathon. But an illness in December affected my training, yet I managed to finish in 3:32:00. It has been a challenging year due to work and legal issues. I recently did the Vasai Virar half in around 1:40, and have not done much strength training or speed sessions. I am hoping to do better in 2024.
One key takeaway of 2023 through running
Running really helped me improve my mental health this year. It helped clear my mind and focus on the day ahead.
# of kms ran in 2023
2700 kms
Summarize your year in few words
A challenging year at work impacted my running schedule and training intensity, but I discovered the significant mental health benefits of running during the tough times.
Your running journey in 2023
This was my first complete calendar year of dedicated running, considering I got started in May’22. So it’s not surprising that personal bests came in plenty (perks of being a beginner).
A sub 300 overall rank in TCS World 10K felt really good. Running a full marathon in 3:30 was beyond my wildest dreams.
The 2nd half of ‘23 was all about the Wipro Bengaluru Marathon. I did hit a training low with a small injury and came back. I crossed the finish line with a time of 3:32. That moment was blissful.
One key takeaway of 2023 through running
The only thing which changes the game is showing up at each opportunity to run. It’s the habit you create in yourself, the urge to get out and feel your feets off the ground.
# of kms ran in 2023
3000 kms
Summarize your year in few words
I gained prowess, got better, but the best part, with each run I fell in love with running. I was not able to hit a 40 minute 10K or a BQ in FM. I didn’t have any podium finishes either. However, this year, I was a happy runner, who enjoyed the work in progress.
Your running journey in 2023
This is my first year of running in events. Ran three events while having a bad shin, took a break for a month or so.
Came back strong with an intense training for six months, which helped me to get personal bests over two consecutive weekends of dream races in Bangalore and Delhi. Decided to move to longer distances, injured myself again and scaled back to run two more events at a reasonable pace. With my left ankle in a crepe bandage, I am waiting to set the stage on fire in 2024.
One key takeaway of 2023 through running
Better management of Heart Rate, Strength training, and Consistency. I’ve learnt how to pace myself in an event and got rid of the fear for longer distances. I ran 21k or longer 25 times this year, making myself too bored and comfortable with this distance.
# of kms ran in 2023
1687 kms
Summarize your year in few words
There are rules in running and there are rules that you are comfortable with. You can run through pain, though I advise people not to do that. You can run events on consecutive weekends. You can run two events using very different strategies and come out on top.
Your running journey in 2023
I did not run any races or set any PRs this year with the focus being on continuing to build my aerobic capacity and train for my first full marathon coming up in Delhi in Feb 2024. This would be the end of a 4 year cycle of training started in May 2020, with dedicated cycles over the last 3 years for building base, stamina and speed. This year, my running philosophy was inspired by Coach Chris of Rogue Running podcast,“If my easy and recovery runs feel very slow, then its time to run even slower.”. 85-90% of my mileage this year has been easy/recovery paces with the remaining 10-15% being hard.
One key takeaway of 2023 through running
Miles matter, the low volume of fast miles matter more, high volume of slower miles matter even more, all miles count and there are no junk miles.
# of kms ran in 2023
2458 kms
Summarize your year in few words
This year for me was all about learning to run slower, learning to run by feel and learning the run the faster speeds with more control. I learnt a lot about adjusting my workouts on the fly based on the weather conditions and how I felt, which I had not really been able to do earlier.
Your running journey in 2023
Personal best: 10k 39:11 (2019), 5k 18:45 (2019)
Race log
One key takeaway of 2023 through running
Listen to your body and don’t get distracted by other runners during the race. You should feel good when you cross half way mark. Preserve your energy for the last 20% of the distance.
# of kms ran in 2023
2076 kms
Summarize your year in few words
This year has been eventful. I had my first 10k race after 2019 in dec 2022 (@4:07/km). This year I could do 2 sub 40 10k races to conclude (Thump10k - 39:30 ; BMM 10k - 39:31). In the process I had three 5k podiums as well (Kanyathon, Vidhiathon, Wipro Run). Of course had one bad race (Bengaluru 10k) where I almost collapsed. It was a reminder for me.
Your running journey in 2023
Running is therapeutic, isn’t it? :) I started off 2023 with resigning from that job (& I didn’t have any other offer in hand) - nobody in the family was happy with my decision because they still think leaving a well paid job is STUPID (even if your boss treats you like a piece of turd, you gotta be there until you find a better alternative lol). Running helped me then - it was my coping mechanism. Running helps me NOW - I run to meet people on the road, to share their smiles, to witness their grit, to be a better human myself. Running is the second best community on this ever spinning planet :)
One key takeaway of 2023 through running
I was off running 4-5 weeks this year because of one nasty fungal infection around the groin and that just made me helpless- but hey, I did hit the track back again soon (of course after being recovered fully). So yes, listening to my body has been an integral part of my trainings.
# of kms ran in 2023
1800 kms
Summarize your year in few words
A year well spent in learning the nuances of running! This year wasn’t just about running, I also included strength training, flexibility, yoga for runners etc into my training calendar. I am still learning, yes!:)
Your running journey in 2023
This was the first year of my running, thus I got personal bests in almost every race that I ran. Starting from 10k, Half-marathon to 25k. The best race for me is VDHM. Closed the year in TSK 25K, but disappointed that I could not hit the sub-2 mark, maybe next year.
One key takeaway of 2023 through running
It feels awesome to run alone at 4am, to feel the solitude and yourself being the only person to bank upon.
# of kms ran in 2023
2800 kms
Summarize your year in few words
A good start, from 10k to HM, to running 2 half-marathons in a week daily for last 3 months. A lot longer to go, BQ still far away. Need to structure my training better, and need to know how to run in the Delhi winter.
Your running journey in 2023
Most productive year of running to date. Signing up early, earmarking A and B goal races helped. Finishing a FM distance was my only goal for the first half of the year. Self/solo trained following an ‘easy to follow’ FM plan from the internet + customising. Joining group long runs over weekends organised by running clubs in the city helped immensely.
Highlights:
No disappointments to note, neglecting strength training probably the only regret.
One key takeaway of 2023 through running
Mental health the biggest benefit. Running was more than an outlet in finding solace and relieving stress during troubled times. More mileage meant more self reflection and introspection. Connecting with the wonderful community for support, encouragement and guidance the next biggest takeaway.
# of kms ran in 2023
2500 kms
Summarize your year in few words
Thankful and fortunate for being able to run through the year injury free.
Running gave me the opportunity to travel to places I wouldn’t have otherwise travelled to. Cannot think of anything else that gave me a bigger high than what running did in 2023
Your running journey in 2023
I am 61 year young and trying to adhere to fitness regime. Year 2023 has been wonderful as far as running experience is concerned. Have finished 10 half marathons including Ladakh Marathon and 85 events of 10 K so far. Achieved personal bests for HM i.e. 2:04:46 as part of Tata Steel Kolkata 25K, and 25K was finished in 2:29:59. Running activities covered from Noida, Delhi NCR to Ladakh, Guwahati, Prayag Raj etc. Cherry on the cake is my contribution to the fund raising for Vedanta Delhi Half Marathon for Child Rights and You (NGO). I’ve raised Rs.1,23,000 for child education.
One key takeaway of 2023 through running
My initial goal for 2023 was 2023 Kms., which got revised to 2400. Happy to share that till today, 2858 K has been completed.
Primary takeaway remains the consistency , which is the key to any activity be it sports or any other profession; and top of it, determination to surpass ones own benchmark in a systematic manner. Each moment provides us an opportunity to revisit and introspect SWOT analysis for injury free running experience. Looking forward for wonderful year 2024.
# of kms ran in 2023
2858 kms
Summarize your year in few words
This year has been one of the best ever, wherein lot of enthusiastic people from twitter fraternity had helped me to systematically plan training especially for Ladakh Marathon. There is a saying, “one can learn any time”. I feel delighted and contended for 2023. Lots of gratitude and love to twitter fraternity for support and motivation.
Your running journey in 2023
I started running in July ‘23 when my friend asked me to join him on the trip to Ladakh where he was running 5k event. I joined on a whim and just caught the bug of running. The most memorable experience was in SRT Ultra where the route was extremely scenic and serene.
Personal Best -
The biggest disappointment till now is not to be able to complete the Ladakh 5k strongly I had a very bad case of sinusitis as I completed the race.
One key takeaway of 2023 through running
Strength training, Squats in particular has helped me to run long. I am able to comfortably run races from 5k to 21k.
# of kms ran in 2023
972 kms
Summarize your year in few words
This year has been amazing I picked up running and managed to do so consistently for the past 7 months now. Running has really been a meditative and a self-discovery pursuit for me. I have been most proud of my consistency this year and the ever-growing love for running.
Your running journey in 2023
2023 has been my debut year of falling in love with long-distance running.
Memorable races include —
My training has currently evolved to mostly MAF and Zone 2 runs, plus weekly interval/tempo runs (30-50 km per week)
Personal bests: 5k - 26:04, 10k - 55:40, HM - 2:13:43.
Disappointments- Dealing with IT Band Syndrome 1 month prior to Bengaluru Marathon and my struggles with elevation in trail runs.
One key takeaway of 2023 through running
Consistency combined with self-belief is magical.
You can go a long way in an endeavour, even if you don’t have any natural talent in it to begin with. And often limits are often self-imposed (a product of our fears and self-doubts), and one can often go way further than what we think what’s possible.
# of kms ran in 2023
1080 kms
Summarize your year in few words
What started as 1-2 km jogs in January, has manifested into an obsession with running. I’ve completed 16 running events this calendar year.
I’ve inspired my own parents to be physically active through my running and have also drawn a close college friend into running.
2023, as summed up by my school friend— ‘Very glad for your exceptional achievements in running. Every post gives so much pride!’
Prepared by Team GeeksOnFeet for the love of running