The Spark That Ignited My Running Journey
I never saw myself as a long-distance runner. In fact, I had never run a continuous kilometer in my life. The only running I had ever done was between wickets while playing cricket many years ago.
That changed when my brother and sister-in-law signed up for a half marathon. Having never run before, they not only enjoyed the training process but also experienced the immense joy of accomplishment after finishing their first race. Their excitement was contagious, and it rubbed off on me.
My brother often spoke about the indescribable “runner’s high” he felt after long runs. I was intrigued—hooked, even. One part of me wanted to finish a half marathon and bask in the glory (and the bragging rights) that came with it. The other part of me wanted to experience the fitness gains that came with training. And so, my journey began.
The Struggles of Training and My First Half Marathon
Training was hard. Every time I started running, I questioned why I was putting myself through it. Yet, without fail, every time I finished, I felt great. The struggles and low points of the run would fade from memory, and only the sense of accomplishment remained. That feeling kept me going.
It took me just over two months of training before I ran my first half marathon in September 2023 in Rochester, NY. I finished in 2 hours and 18 minutes, enduring a lot of misery both during training and the race itself. But thanks to what I call “runner’s selective amnesia,” I only remember the joys associated with running.
Fast Forward: From One Race to a Lifelong Passion
Now, in March 2025, my journey has taken me far beyond that first race:
- 14 half marathons completed, with a personal best of 1 hour 48 minutes
- 1 full marathon at 4 hour 13 minutes
- 8 different U.S. states checked off my list
What started as a simple goal—to run just one half marathon—has transformed into a lifelong mission. My bucket list now includes:
✅ 100 Half Marathons
✅ Running 13.1+ races in all 50 U.S. states
✅ Completing all seven World Major Marathons
✅ Half Ironman
✅ Full Ironman
An Unquenchable Passion for Running
What began as a single decision to run one race has grown into something far greater—a lifelong crusade, an unshakable passion for running, and an unexpected yet thrilling journey toward goals I never imagined for myself.
Ironman is a triathlon that involves swimming. I do not know how to swim.
The Boston Marathon, one of the World Majors, has a qualifying time by age. My only marathon time is an hour over the required limit.
A friend of mine once quipped on a different topic, “A man can dream“. But to achieve, you must first dare to dream. I once couldn’t run—now I can. I cannot swim, but one day, I will.
And the best part? I’m just getting started.
Miles to
gorun before I sleep–
Robert FrostAjay Kliyara