Lioness Roars again..........

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Lioness Roars Again

Last Year, I had dedicated a blog to
my friend and buddy, Jai(Jitendra) Sawant  a young dude in his early 50s and who completed Full Marathon at TMM (Tata Mumbai Marathon) in his Ist attempt of FM.Taming a Stallion…… 100 days of Agony and Ecstasy…..Salute to JP (aka Jai Sawant).  attached is the link... http://bit.ly/36bkEDx.

Todays blog is dedicated to my friend and young woman Surekha Kulkarni, Entrepreneur in 40s and who completed Full Marathon at TMM (Tata Mumbai Marathon) is her 1st attempt of FM, overcoming major hurdles and turbulence

Tough times dont  last, tough people do.
This is an old adage, but was proved once again right by ,mentee Surekha .
She did the prestigious, Tata Mumbai Full Marathon in 6.16hrs.
Now for most runners and readers, it maybe so what....what is so great....
So here is the story of this strong woman.....

History:
Surekha, and me connected 2 years ago, during Ladakh Marathon event.
She was a good Runner. I suggested, she focus on Strength training.
She started training under my guidance post Ladakh Marathon in Gym approx, 18 months ago.
Very committed and dedicated student.
She became a regular to "Lakshya" Group, formed by me in 2019, to make individuals Fitter and Stronger.
We had set 2 "Lakshya" aka Goals tough Satara Hill Marathon and prestigious Tata Mumbai Marathon.

June, 2019 the training began for Satara Hill Marathon, intense 8 weeks program for the event in August,2019.
Surekha was committed to nail this event , and went thru the grill and agony of training.
Sometimes Man proposes and god disposes. Bad fortune stuck her at one major event in July and she fell down badly during the run.
Being strong and just 3 weeks away from Satara Hill Marathon, she continued training and aggravated the injury.
But good fortune and blessings, were on her side.
On detail checkup she was diagnosed with Osteoporosis.
This had triggered a Stress Fracture to Thigh.
(Osteoporosis is a bone disease that occurs when the body loses too much bone, makes too little bone, or both. As a result, bones become weak and may break from a fall or, in serious cases, from sneezing or minor bumps.) 

This was like getting stuck by lightning bold.
She was advised bed rest, and medication and extreme care to prevent the fragile bones.
With heavy heart and sadness Surekha skipped the Satara Hill Marathon , after sweating out for 16 weeks.
Doctors advised, her she cant Run Again.
This was like JOLT.

I too was shaken, many tried to convince the training caused fracture.
Anyways the reality was she was to be on bed for next few months.
She had to walk on Crutches for 2 months.
Tough times dont last, tough people do.....was her daily ordeal.

From runner, working in gym to doing workout....she was at mercy of Crutches and bed.
Such moments test your mental ordeal. It is easier to say, but much tougher. Most athletes will understand this well.

All of us Lakshyans,were preparing for Tata Mumbai Marathon, and doctors, friends all convinced her running again is Madness.
Aug - Sept, 5 months was bed and mental workout.
All the time visualizing, she will walk again without crutches and support.
After 2 months, it was once again taking baby steps without support at home.
All the time, doing mental workout only.
Nov was walking without support, at home and few meters.  
Dawn of Dec was baby steps again and stretching upper body and keeping sane.
Preparation of Lakshyans, was at its peak in Dec, for all those registered. Most those were doing Full Marathon, as per calendar plan completed Full marathon by Dec, 1st/2nd week.

All the time , I guided her to keep faith in self and visualize crossing finish line.
Strong medication every day has its own negative effects mentally and physically.
After 4 1/2 months , she ventured out of home for easy walk.

We both decided and agreed if she wish to still do Tata Marathon, it will be only possible on Mental Strength and not Physical, as she had done none for 16 weeks.
I made a custom preparation, plan with no strength but walk based and leveraging on Core Workout which she had done earlier.

Dec 2nd week onwards, this journey began of different training to manage weak bones, avoiding any injury due to porus bones, no gym and no run.
After 2 days of walk, once again calamity stuck her.
She got dog bite, when on road.
Now this was the least expected, when one again she was dreaming to be at Tata Mumbai.
Dog bite treatment Injections, Osteporosis treatment and recovery was major uphill crazy madness.

This was real tough scene, but inspite she continued the custom train plan.
It was very Slow and Steady plan. Intensely painful also frustrating, since she had to avoid running fast.
My only role, was to keep her morale up, since could not push her anymore due to medical situation.

Dec,19th was the D-Day and we were walk walk walk small baby steps small run till Dec,1st week.
Dec, 2nd week we moved to  5-6 km per hour.
The best was confidence was getting restored.
Dec,11th she attempted half marathon, after  5 months and completed.
Now she decided she will participate in Tata Run and do FM.
I was scared for 1st time.
No Strength training 20 weeks.
No long run 20 weeks.
Osteporosis, Dog Bite.
All against her.
Except she and her strong will.
Practice continued now on mental plan and we made a 6 hrs completion plan.

Thu,16th she was to go to Mumbai to acclimatize.
But testing of her iron will had not ended,
When we both were mentally ready, she will participate on Sunday to run Wednesday night she got hit by Vertigo as diagnosed by doctor.
Severely dehydrated she was on bed again and decided to cancel.

When the going gets tough , tough get going.
Thursday and Friday in bed.
Saturday noon, we spoke and decided, she was mentally strong and I had faith to dare to suggest, travel.
Again change of plan , more walk walk walk...6,15hrs completion visual
Saturday evening she traveled to Mumbai and Sunday against all odds...she participated

Now rest will be history.....
She participated....
She completed...
She did with smile
6.16hrs
Ofcourse the run day pain, day before mental turmoil to take that call against all, and 5 months being on bed.....I have just articulated tip of iceberg she went thru...
Will need separate blog to mention the same....

This blog is my tribute to her fight against Osteporosis.....
Her zeal to drive self against all odds....
Salute to this strong woman, who proved both of the below
Tough times dont last, tough people do....
When going get tough, tough get going...
This is to bring to larger audience the pain behind that 6.16hrs, and she as role model of Inspiration to many......




Comments

Unknown said…
It's really great, salute to her willpower and patience.
1:57 AM
Omkar Khadilkar said…
Truly remarkable display of courage ,perseverance and mental strength .Congrats Surekha for this unimaginable endurance .
4:12 AM
medical lab technician said…
Really great and this is because only strong mentality
5:03 AM
Unknown said…
Amazing and very inspiring story of resilience, commitment and self belief.. power of mind over body.. thanks for the share Manoj
1:20 AM
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