From Least Fit to Marathoner: Ritesh’s Journey of Discipline and Determination

“Do not give up; the beginning is always the hardest.”

Hop aboard as I take you on a wild ride from self-doubt to victory! Just a year ago, I was the last pick for any fitness team, dreaming of conquering a marathon. But guess what? Fast forward to February 25, 2024, and there I was at the New Delhi Marathon, crossing the finish line against all odds!

This milestone isn’t about me; it’s about the power of sticking to a plan and reaching my goal. Months of training taught me discipline, perseverance and eating right, all with the support of my running buddies.

My colleagues Alok Kumar, Prashant Agarwal, Sudhakar Mishra, Gautam Bali, and Sunil Grewal sir were there to offer advice and keep me going. This post will be incomplete if I don’t mention Amit Giri, my running buddy and partner in crime who has always pushed me to do better.

Ironically, the journey didn’t start with running; it began with strength training a couple of years ago when I didn’t know much or have confidence. But what I did know was that strength training is important for everyone, especially as we get older; as a long-distance runner, it became a regular part of my routine.

Looking back at my progress, from completing my first 5k marathon, the transformation wasn’t complicated, it was about consistently practising simple things – like mindful eating with enough protein, and regularly working out. Weekend long runs, mid-week tempo runs, and tracking my progress became a routine. When things did get a bit boring, I tried to remember how my end results were worth it. My simple mantra that pushed me was to:

Believe>Plan>Execute>Reflect>Replan>Execute>Repeat

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Let’s take a glimpse at my remarkable progress:

1. First 5k in an event (August 22): Completed in 38 minutes.
2. VDHM 22 First half marathon (Oct 22): Achieved in 2 hours and 41 minutes.
3. NDM 23 half marathon (February 23): Completed in 2 hours and 12 minutes.
4. VDHM 23 half marathon (October 23): Achieved in 2 hours.
5. VPCHM 23 half marathon (December 23): Completed in 1 hour and 55 minutes.
6. Ran almost 1500 km in the year 2023: Accompanied by 34 half marathons spread over the year.
7. One race half marathon (February 24): Finished in 1 hour and 50 minutes.
8. NDM 24 full marathon (February 24): Conquered in 4 hours and 12 minutes.

I couldn’t have done this without the support of my wife Nidhi, and my kids, Keshavi and Purvi. They’ve been there for me every step of the way, even when it meant I spent some time away from them to train.

As I keep running, I’m reminded of a quote I once read: “The more I run, the more I love my body. Not because it’s perfect. Far from it. But because with every mile, it’s  proving to me that I am capable of more than I ever thought possible.“

And finally, a word of advice: while running is great, it’s not a magic bullet to lose weight. Strength training, running, and eating right are all important if you want to be healthy, no matter what your goals are.

Story by: Ritesh Kumar