Feisty feet with Six Star Finisher Medal

Almost a decade ago now, I was going through this feeling of doing something which gives me a sense of achievement. Doctors get that sense of fulfillment when they treat their patients, teachers when they teach, sales professionals when they achieve their target, etc., but as an engineer, nothing I did actually helped me in feeling satiated.

I found solace in running as it was the easiest thing to do, all you need is a pair of shoes. I ran my first 5 km on St. Patricks Day, in the cold Chicago weather of March. Overwhelmed, I had tears in my eyes much to the amusement of others. They must be thinking I have gone crazy as to what’s so special in 5k! Gradually I progressed to half marathons.

In 2011, I ran Chicago Half Marathon and multiple others but never thought I was ready for a full marathon. Until one day I watched a documentary on Chicago Marathon. I watched the whole thing for two hours with teary eyes and I decided that I have to run 1 marathon before I turn 40.

That was my turning point and made me decide to run a full marathon. I registered for Chicago FM.

At the expo, the volunteers were so amazing, they treat you as if you are a star, doing something amazing. The atmosphere there was electrifying. There I learned about Abbott World Major Marathon and the unique medal you get once you complete all the world majors. That was the moment I decided I would get this, so my journey toward getting that special medal started.

Berlin Marathon - 2017

Tokyo Marathon - 2019

Chicago – 2016 and 2021 Berlin – 2017 New York – 2018 Tokyo – 2019

We were all set to run London 2020, but then Covid hit!

Marathons started getting canceled and I was losing interest in my goal. My friend, helped me to get back to my running routine, pulling me out of the house. I used to dread Chicago winters, but she showed me how to run in Chicago winter and not take a winter break. My coach, my strength trainer, and everyone rallied around me to ensure I was mentally stronger, physically fitter, and ready for the race as soon as it opened.

Started to enjoy running in snow and cold weather.

Since London, 2020 got canceled, we got a spot for 2022. However, to keep the momentum going, we ran Chicago Marathon, in 2021.

Meanwhile, I applied for a spot in Boston Marathon through the charity “DreamBig”. My friends, family, colleagues, neighbors, acquaintances, and everyone came together to raise funds for my charity. Without their help, Boston and the 6 stars would have remained a dream for me.

Boston Marathon - 2022

London Marathon - 2022

Hence in 2022, ran Boston and London, and completed the journey of 6 stars.

The most fun trip was – Berlin Marathon. It was an all-girls trip for us, outside of the US. We had a blast. And they have one of the best finishing lines.

The most memorable one was - London Marathon. This was the toughest to get in. Got rejected several times through the lottery and when I finally got a spot, it got pushed 3 more times because of Covid. Finally ran the London marathon in October 2022. Also, when you are running your last marathon from the Abbott

World Major Marathon series, you are given a special BIB which says that this is your last marathon. Hence, looking at that everyone from the crowd, and other runners cheers you and makes you feel even more special.

Most challenging one – The New York Marathon. As there are lots of bridges you got to climb.

It has been an amazing journey, spread over the last 7-8 years in my pursuit of achieving the six-star finisher medal. Dealt with injuries, plantar fasciitis, felt low during Covid times when Marathon was getting canceled, hiked Mt. Whitney (the highest mountain in the contiguous United States). It has been indeed a roller coaster journey, but I am grateful and blessed to have got this opportunity to get my name on the wall of fame 😊

Runner - Maitreyee Das, Chicago