News Desk, News Nation 360 : Kolkata-based Asif Iqbal, visually impaired is gearing up for the Tata Mumbai Marathon 2025, ran his first half marathon in the Tata Mumbai Marathon 2023 and later in 2024. Asif is training for his first complete marathon this year. He targets a finish of 5 hours and 50 minutes at a pace of 8:15. He would be accompanied by two buddy runners. He aims to keep himself energized by a nutrition plan that consists of energy gels. To Asif, the marathon is an attempt to transcend some perceived boundaries of his person. He uses technology during training with a watch that gives live audio feedback on pace, average time per mile, and distance travelled; he also uses music playing from a wireless speaker fitted onto the waist of his buddy runner, Sumit Das, to keep himself in position. His runs consist of three weekly runs dictated by a strict coach's schedule and long runs every Sunday with Sumit. Asif recently finished his first practice full marathon. It has been seven years since he has been consistent in his dedication and hard work. He has earlier finished a half marathon in 2 hours and 48 minutes in Mumbai and finished the TSW 25K Kolkata in 3 hours and 15 minutes last year. He feels that mental focus and preparation are equally important as physical strength. The Tata Mumbai Marathon, of which he would be attempting his first full marathon, is a special edition celebrating 20 years as Asia's largest marathon.
Pic - Courtesy
