Rotterdam Marathon: A minion amongst the Giants

So why Rotterdam?! During a post run hypoglycaemic stupor, we overheard a ‘fast club runner’ waxing lyrical about Rotterdam marathon, and the wannabe runner in me jumped to the bait! So we signed up immediately, not to prove a challenge or to break our own records or push through our doubts, mundane existence and all that gibberish! We signed up to gather some invisible (read as non existent ) club (that we never go to) brownie points! Talk of being delusional…..hmm

As a first timer to the city, Rotterdam wooed and wowed us in all its glory. In contrast, after the din and melee of the over crowded Keukenhof, bursting to the seam with heaving vehicles and tourists of all shapes and sizes, the peace and sterility of the city was a welcome relief.

Bib collection was a breeze except that we were in the minority as far as age, ethnicity, size and Height were concerned!! This seemed to be the playground of the fast runners, we were obviously in the wrong place 🫣. All resistance was futile as we emerged with bags of random unnecessary but (nevertheless necessary) memorabilia from the expo.

Morning dawned with the slow (and now familiar) march to the start line.
From the moment I put on my bright happy top, surrounded by the gigantic Dutch runners (they are tall, very tall people) I knew this was going to be a different kind of race. No expectations, only excitement—like a new chapter of a story waiting to unfold.

10K in: The start was a happy glide as always. I felt light, lithe and delight! The feeling was mutual all around. The streets of Rotterdam were alive with the cheers of strangers, their faces painted with encouragement, their hands outstretched for high-fives. I was floating, and it felt like the city itself was carrying me forward.

15K, I had already danced with a few cheerful bands, petted many dogs, blew kisses to random babies , assaulted a dinosaur with my hugs, gulped jellybeans offered by the cutest kids ever….

21k Half marathon point rocked with the beats of “We Will Rock You” in the most off-key, beautiful way. I’m not sure I’ve ever felt so alive, so free.

I approached the Erasmus Bridge with awe and trepidation, the wind cut through me, and I stopped. Well, honestly speaking, it was not the incline and nor was I tired. I took a moment to look out over the water, the city stretching out beneath me. It wasn’t just the bridge I was crossing; it felt like a metaphor for life. I was no longer just a runner—I was the journey. Tears of gratitude welled up in my eyes…. what’s it with bridges and tears? Every time i have run on a bridge during a race, i have cried 😂😂. Hello London, Ciao New York and now Rotterdam!

30k – Reality set in. It was all downhill in performance after that. Lack of training and miles in the last month loomed large over my flagging determination. All that went wrong played loudly in front of my eyes in slow motion. Monologues of ‘I could have done this, I should have done that’ played on repeat like Madonna used to croon ‘Touched for the very first time’ again and again in my battered Walkman decades ago. My legs seemed to have detached themselves from my mind and were moving of their own accord, a bit wobbly, a lot heavy and totally tired. No amount of my trashy tunes like uyi amma or kuruchi madhathapetti helped. I started pausing at every turn and mile marker, excuses were many and innovative.

At 40K, I encountered Ram and Rashmi— my Patronus Charms. One sight and it gave me the instant boost that propelled me through. It was surreal.

Finally, at 42.2K, after the longest feeling km ever, I crossed the finish line—not with speed, but with a sense of calm triumph (and a lot of tiredness, of course 😉) . I wasn’t faster than I was when I started, but this was the first time I knew that there was never a doubt that I wouldn’t finish. The medal felt weighty in my hands—not just a symbol of completing a race, but of having pushed through every moment of doubt, every uncomfortable mile, and every sad struggle of life.It was the most beautiful piece of gold I ever had. This is something that cant be bought!

So they ask me, are you doing one again?. I reply – why not?