What do you do when all odds are against you?
Despite discovering a torn calf muscle a week before the 2019 New York Marathon, I chose to start—and ultimately finish—the race by focusing on mindset, purpose, and the support of those around me. The experience reminded me that when you believe in yourself and run for a cause greater than yourself, the mind can carry you further than the body thinks possible.
You believe in yourself, focus, block out the noise, trust your gut, and above all—you give it a go.
That is exactly what I did when I completed the 2019 New York Marathon on 3 November, even though a week before the race I discovered a tear in my left calf muscle. Walking was painful, let alone running 42 kilometres. But turning back never crossed my mind. I simply asked myself: what is the best chance I can give myself to finish?
The New York Marathon was special for many reasons. It was marathon #10 since I started running in 2015 and part of a larger running challenge I had set for myself while raising awareness for a meaningful cause. With more than 55,000 runners and over a million spectators, the atmosphere was incredible.
After scans confirmed it was a torn calf muscle, the only realistic option was to manage the pain with medication and rely on mental strength. I knew this would be a race of mindset rather than physical strength. From experience, endurance running is often decided in the mind before the race even begins.
To stay focused, I broke the marathon into three segments—my 16:16:10 plan. Each segment had a different focus to keep my mind anchored to something larger than the pain. By keeping my attention on purpose rather than discomfort, the challenge felt smaller.
There were moments when the pain was intense, but the energy of the crowd and the support of friends made a huge difference. One of my Harvard classmates even waited along the course and ran with me for several kilometres to support me. That simple act of kindness lifted my spirits enormously.
When I finally crossed the finish line in Central Park after 5 hours and 14 minutes, it was one of the most emotional finishes I have ever experienced. My usual marathon time is around four hours, but this race was never about the clock—it was about finishing.
The race reinforced several lessons for me:
Mind over matter — if you control the mind, the body will follow.
Purpose matters — running for a cause gives you strength when things get tough.
Connect with people — the energy of others can carry you forward.
Trust your preparation — the work you put in before the race matters.
No achievement is truly individual — it always takes a team.
Most importantly, the journey reminded me that many limits we believe in are self-imposed. With the right mindset, purpose, and support, we are capable of far more than we think.