From zero – virtual in a few years

I ran my first ever race in December 2013, a 6km Fun Run, as part of the Airtel Delhi Half Marathon.

I can’t remember whether or not we got a medal, but we did have a bib, and I know so, because it was the first time I’d ever worn a bib. First time I’d ever raced. So many firsts, that December morning.

Well & truly bitten by the running bug, I progressed from a 6km to a 10km to half marathons to marathons, and this summer was supposed to mark the transition to my first ultra.

Thanks a ton, 2020.

Desperately trying to find something positive amidst all this miserable Covid-19 mess, I can now report that yet another running frontier has been breached.

I just earned my first virtual medal today.

Well, the medal is real (see below) but the event was virtual.

Coach Ravinder Singh, one of Delhi-NCR’s most energetic and innovative race organisers, came up with a concept of the 1947 Race for which you could choose to walk, run or cycle different combinations of this figure, 1947.

And why 1947, do I hear you ask?

Well, that’s because 1947 was the year of India’s Independence from Britain, & Coach Ravinder’s event culminated today, August 15, which is Independence Day.

All nicely synchronistic.

I opted to run 194.7 km, which seemed a modest figure at the time, but given my slow recovery from injury plus the crazily hot and humid weather at this time of the year, in the end it was the right decision.

This morning, on Independence Day and in energy-sapping humidity I completed my 194.7 km and so earned myself this medal.

And this morning, all fired up, I also embarked on another 2 virtual challenges, which will take me through till mid-September.

Whether or not the Covid-19 situation will be any clearer (read “better”) by mid-September is a moot point, and I am still pessimistic about the chances of racing starting in early October, which it should here – with our very own Airtel Delhi Half Marathon. Where it all started…

So, as the blog title says – from zero to virtual in just a few years.

What a strange new world we are living in.

I want to go stand in a queue on registration day and collect a paper bib (& 4 safety pins!) – not download a virtual bib, which I am doing at the moment.

I, for one, can’t wait for the “old normal” to resume.