As marathoner Edgar Pinto talks about a runner’s high, a celebratory state of joy, and simultaneously mentions that he took to running when he was at the lowest point in his life.
From that low in 2014 to the highs he frequently arrives at after running long distance marathons is a tale of hard work, focus, self motivation and a never-say-die attitude.
Pinto will be the first Keralite to run the six world marathon m ajors— London, New York, Boston, Tokyo, Chicago, Berlin— and the 26th Indian to do so, on April 16 when he participates in the Boston Marathon next week.
“I will run the Boston marathon and complete the six world majors. The journey continues as once you start running there is no stopping. It is a lifestyle choice that brings discipline and keeps you healthy,” he says.
A businessman into hospitality, real estate and art, Pinto began running when he participated in the Kochi International Half Marathon. His first run, he says has the best moment of his running career. It was when he was egged on by runners George and Jigneesh from Soles of Cochin, a city-based running community, who ensured that he finished the 42.2 km run. “They motivated and pushed me to the finish. It is an unforgettable experience as I was a smoker then and didn’t think I could finish a marathon. In the coming months I quit smoking and transformed my life.”
As he recounts his journey, from a very focused entrepreneur to one who began competing and challenging himself on his runs, he talks philosophically about the transformation that the activity has brought in him.
“Long distance running is a mind over body game. You tend to constantly challenge yourself and push limits,” says Pinto whose first marathon was the Mumbai Marathon in 2015.
He speaks about running alongside hundreds of others, observing each runner motivating himself/herself to keep going till the finish. “The beauty of running is that you can start at any age, you are not competing against anyone, you are challenging yourself. You see older people, younger people running beside and you develop an admiration for their grit. You too are in it. The road is same for everybody.”
For Pinto who was never into serious sport running has become a way of life.
“It keeps me healthier, happier and most of all self satisfied. A runner’s high is something else and I think everyone should experience.”
Pinto follows a consistent regimen of training runs thrice a week, workouts at the gym and keeping watch on what and when he eats.
As he speaks of his fascination for the activity he believes the London marathon to be the most festive and enjoyable.
“It’s a combination of a carnival spirit and serious running. You may find that you are being overtaken by a runner dressed like an ice cream or a woman in stilettos and handbag, dressed like the queen, making it to the finish. It is fun but you are also running with the elite runners. The Mumbai marathon is the next most interesting. You have people offering you home made chikki, fruits, water and giving quick massages. The crowds cheer you from start to finish.”
Running is big in India, he says and in Kerala there a small runs organised in practically most towns outside Kochi. “It is good to see so many people running. I owe a lot to my running group Soles of Cochin. They keep me motivated.”
So what next, after the six world majors?
“I plan to run the comrades, an Ultramarthon of 90km, and run a marathon in every continent.”
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