Meet Debamitra!

by Suzy

This is Debamitra, with whom I've been acquainted ever since we moved to our fair island city nearly 7 years ago. We traveled in mom's-group circles that overlapped, and our kids now go to the same elementary school (her son is one grade higher than Mielle.) Anyway, after mamajoggers ran the first half-marathon, I was chatting with Debamitra in the schoolyard and she told me she wanted to run the next one with us. Fabulous!

Now, like several of us, Debamitra has never run before. And it hasn't been easy for her. In the beginning, she was easily winded and really had a difficult time running even the shorter distances. But she kept at it. I recall that one Sunday, early in the training, when we were all having a post-run breakfast at our favorite cafe (the Blue Dot), who should happen by? Yep, Debamitra. She didn't make it in time to meet us for the run, so she headed out on her own. In the rain, no less. Another time, a couple mamajoggers were running the lagoon loop and bumped into her - again, running on her own. She often had conflicts on Sundays when we did our usual runs, but she kept on going - having started from scratch - and made it all the way up to 8 miles, running solo.

Let me just take a moment to say that I, personally, have not run more than 6 miles all by myself. I really rely on the company of my ladies to pull me through the longer runs!

Anyway, Debamitra was doing this amazing thing all by herself, but by this time she had fallen a little behind on the schedule, and was really struggling to push beyond the 8 miles. The next distance to tackle was 9.5, and in fact she made 3 attempts, but each time made it only to 6 miles. We encouraged her to keep going, but also (and ever-so-gently) reminded her that there is also a 5K component of the race; she could run that distance this time, and go for the half-marathon next time around. There would be no shame in it! She was doing great, but maybe it was just too much to go from zero to 13 miles in only a few months!

Nope. Debamitra insisted that she wanted to do the half-marathon. And she'd try again.

Last week, I met her for another attempt at 9.5. I'd been in Chicago all week with Mielle and hadn't been able to run, so I was happy for the chance to log some miles. We met at the usual spot and started off on the 9.5 lagoon loop, which has worked so well in the past. I knew that Debamitra walked periodically when she felt tired, and I thought it might help to just plan little walk-breaks into the run - maybe those planned breaks would help keep her energy up and prevent her from having to walk out of exhaustion. So we ran 10 minutes, then walked one. I think it helped, but we also did add a few unplanned walk breaks that were a bit longer... it was very stop-and-go!

Along the way, though, something wonderful happened. It was the first time that Debamitra and I had the opportunity to really talk and get to know one another. I heard the story of how she met her husband, and she heard the story of how I met mine. We talked about kids, and parents, and Alameda, and all sorts of other things. And we talked about running. I offered some suggestions, based on my own experience and the tiny tidbits I've read/heard/learned here and there; I suggested she try really pushing through those times when she is tempted to walk, and also to run shorter distances during the week - but run them faster, or do intervals. Debamitra finished the 9.5 mile run that day, and I know she had cleared a big psychological hurdle. She planned to tackle 11 the following week, while the rest of us would be running 12.5.

So that brings us to yesterday. Anna, Jen, Debamitra and I met at 7:30 and started off. As the miles ticked by, well... I was blown away. Debamitra just chugged along with us, powering through the distance. There was a light rain for most of the run, so although we did make a few pit stops for water, potty, etc. we didn't stop as often as we sometimes do on long runs. Even so, Debamitra only took one walking break, around mile 5, for maybe 2 minutes. She was truly a different runner than the week before. It was so incredibly impressive!

Toward the end of the run, around 10.5 miles, I looked over at her. I know how hard the last couple miles are, when it's the farthest distance you've ever run. The other gals were chatting and laughing, but Debamitra was focused. Eyes straight ahead, arms pumping, feet lifting. Her body was moving like a well-oiled machine at that point - I know she was feeling the miles, but she looked amazing, so intent on her goal, and utterly determined. It was truly awe-inspiring to see this incredible transformation!

In two weeks, Debamitra will run 12.5 miles, and two weeks after that, she WILL run the half-marathon. I am so, so proud of her.

Thanks for the inspiration, Debamitra - and of course, thank you for all you're doing to help Cure JM!