My First Marathon Experience: A Day of Energy, Fun, and Achievement

Unexpected Yes to Marathon Race

At the start of January, my friend Preet called me and asked, “Will you come for a marathon?” Without a second thought, I instantly said yes. He was shocked, but I was excited. He sent me the registration link, and within minutes, I signed up. By the way this was going to be my First Marathon.

Why was I so quick to agree? Because one of my goals for 2025 is to try something new every month. This year, I am focusing on taking care of myself—physically, mentally, and emotionally. When this opportunity came my way, I knew it was exactly the kind of challenge I wanted to embrace. In March’25, I have decided to again develop reading habits.

Preparing for my First Marathon

Leading up to the event, I had no self-doubt. I love walking, and I was confident that I would complete the 5km marathon without any issues. In fact, I didn’t even train specifically for it. However, in January, I had started learning kickboxing—another new challenge I took on—so I was already staying active. I trained twice a week, and honestly, kickboxing is an amazing workout.

The registration process was effortless—just a few details and payment, and I was all set. A day before the marathon, Preet and I went to Decathlon to collect our marathon kits. The kit included a jersey, a bag, a hand towel, and our bib number. That’s when it truly hit me—tomorrow is the day!

The jersey was in warm tones, which is usually not my preference since I’m drawn to cool shades. But at that moment, the color didn’t matter. All I could think about was showing up and doing my best.

Race Day Morning

I didn’t even need an alarm. My excitement naturally woke me up at 6 AM. I quickly got ready, keeping my pre-marathon meal simple—a banana at home and an apple on the way in a rickshaw.

When I arrived at the venue, I was surprised. I had expected only fitness enthusiasts and athletes, but the crowd was diverse—from kids to older adults, from first-timers to seasoned runners. The energy was electric, and the atmosphere felt so positive.

My First Marathon Begins

At 7:30 AM, the marathon officially started. As I took my first few steps, I felt an adrenaline rush. I told myself, this is my moment, and I was proud that instead of sleeping in on a Sunday, I had chosen to be here.

Unlike many runners who had their AirPods plugged in, I didn’t bring mine. I wanted to soak in the moment, the energy of the open sky, and the freshness of the morning air. No strategies, no pacing—just pure enjoyment.

Preet and I kept talking throughout the run—discussing life, career, and random funny things. We even played a game where we would spot someone ahead of us, challenge each other to overtake them, and then find another person to beat. This made the run even more fun and competitive.

The Best Parts of the Marathon

One of the most commendable aspects of the event was the organizers. They did a fantastic job—everything was well-managed, from clean washrooms to hydration stations. Every 1 km, there were water bottles, energy drinks, fruits, biscuits, and even Gatorade.

Speaking of Gatorade, Preet picked the orange flavor, which was just okay, while I stuck to my usual blue Gatorade—my tried-and-tested favorite.

One hilarious moment was when we saw a guy filming himself running while his friends ran behind him, acting as his background runners for the video. That kind of dedication to content creation was both impressive and amusing.

Crossing the Finish Line

As I crossed the finish line, I had one overwhelming thought—WOW, I DID IT! I immediately took a picture and sent it to my family and sister’s group. My body felt amazing, not exhausted at all, which made me even prouder.

Then came the breakfast feast. The organizers had arranged a massive spread—salads, dosa, misal pav, poha, aloo puri, and more. Preet and I decided to taste everything, making it a reward for our efforts.

After breakfast, the dance session began. It was filled with 90s Bollywood hits, and though I don’t usually dance (I’m more of a shy person), I found myself moving a little, enjoying the carefree vibe. It felt like a moment of breaking out of my comfort zone, and I loved it.

Reflection & Takeaways from my First Marathon

This marathon was more than just a race—it was an experience that reminded me of the importance of movement, energy, and new challenges.

One major takeaway? You don’t need months of training to participate in a marathon—you just need the right mindset. i develop this mindset during my weight loss journey. For my first marathon, I went in with no strategy, no special diet, and no advanced preparation, yet I enjoyed every second of it. Sometimes, we overthink things when all we really need to do is show up and try.

Would I participate again? Absolutely! Next time, I might set a goal, maybe try for a longer distance. But I wouldn’t change the way I approached it—I would still keep it fun, light-hearted, and full of excitement.

If you’ve never participated in a marathon before, I highly recommend it. It’s not about speed or competition—it’s about the community, the energy, and the personal sense of achievement you get when you cross that finish line. It’s exhilarating!

Word of the Blog: Exhilarating

Exhilarating (/ig-ZIL-uh-ray-ting/) – Thrilling, exciting, and refreshing, making you feel very happy and energetic.

Example in sentence:

• The cool breeze and the sunrise made my morning run feel absolutely exhilarating.
• Traveling solo for the first time was an exhilarating experience.
• That roller coaster ride was so exhilarating that I wanted to go again!