Life has quintessential moments for all of us, doesn't it? An unexpected moment happened recently to me. A close friend, JR Sandadi, was preparing to race in his SIXTH WORLD MARATHON MAJOR. On a whim, I asked him if he'd be willing a wear a special running shirt with the GeoMan shield logo on his chest with the routine "rock on" on back located between the shoulder blades.
He agreed.
As JR approached the date to depart for Japan, he sent me a short essay. It was an unexpected bolt of inspirational lightning that I never saw coming.
But now, I'm compelled to share his words (with his permission) and I suspect anyone who reads his essay will feel the same inspiration, but in their own way.
Despite me being so happy about JR wearing the GeoMan shirt in that WORLD MARATHON MAJOR, it's his essay that means most to me today.
Thank you, JR, Sandadi, for letting me share your story. -Dan.
Beyond the Finish Line: Six Life Principles from Running the World’s Major Marathons
By: JR Sandadi
Introduction
This past Sunday, I crossed the finish line at the Tokyo Marathon, completing my sixth and final Abbott World Marathon Major. With that, I officially became a Six Star Finisher—joining an exclusive club where, out of 12 million marathon finishers worldwide, only about 20,000 have achieved this feat. That’s just 0.17%. Narrow that down to runners of Indian origin, and the number becomes even smaller, making this accomplishment even more rarefied.
Thirteen years ago, when I first laced up my running shoes, I could never have imagined this journey. What began as a simple attempt to stay active turned into a relentless pursuit of endurance, resilience, and self-discovery. At the start, I could barely jog a quarter of a mile without stopping. But step by step, I progressed—from my first 10K in 2014 to a half marathon, and then to my first full marathon in 2015. Running became more than just a sport; it became my sanctuary, my therapy, and a pathway to deeper self-reflection.
Recently, I came across a line in An Incomplete Book of Running by Peter Sagal that made me laugh: “Those who don’t play sports, run. Those who don’t run well, run long distances.”
Through running, I have experienced incredible highs and learned invaluable lessons. From the quiet solitude of early morning training runs to the electrifying energy of race day, from brutal winter slogs in the Midwest to breathtaking trails in Ladakh, Mexico, and the Canadian Rockies, this sport has given me more than I could have ever asked for. It has reconnected me with old friends, introduced me to an incredible running community, and even led me to some goofy moments—like teaching runners on the Carmel Monon Trail how to say #Namasthe or losing my wallet mid-run.
But perhaps the most fulfilling part of this journey has been using running as a force for good. Over the past four years, with the generous support of family, friends, and 250 unique donors, we’ve raised over $50,000 for causes close to my heart—supporting organizations like Project Hope in Boston, Brightlane Learning in Indianapolis, and the Hindu Society of America in Illinois.
Through it all, I’ve come to realize that running isn’t just about finishing races—it’s about the lessons learned along the way. Here are six life lessons that running has taught me, lessons that extend far beyond the marathon course.
Principle One: Taking the First Step
During our 25-year reunion at BITS Pilani in late 2014, a group of us went for a 5K run on campus one morning. I struggled, since I wasn’t in the best shape at the time. A friend from California mentioned she had already completed a few major marathons, which made me think, “I could never run 26 miles!”
The following year, she invited me to run a Big Sur Marathon with her. I admitted I’d never run more than two miles in my life—26.2 miles sounded impossible. My friend encouraged me to start with shorter distances like 5Ks or 10Ks. So, I began by jogging a single mile, stopping every few minutes because I was out of breath; it took me 30 minutes to finish that mile. Determined to improve, I focused on increasing my running time rather than worrying about the distance. Within a few months, I was able to run for 45 minutes straight, covering about 4.5 miles. That was when I realized longer distances might actually be achievable.
A running buddy once reminded me, “Jeetu, taking the first step is the hardest,” and he was right. The toughest part of starting anything new is, indeed, simply starting. Too often, we let fear of failure or embarrassment stop us before we begin, convinced we don’t have the necessary skills. But if you focus on all the reasons you might fail, you’ll never take that initial leap. The first step—both mentally and physically—is the most critical.
Focus Point: Take the first step—both in your mind and in your body.
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Principle Two: Share the Run with Someone
Running is often seen as a solitary pursuit, but I’ve learned that the right company can make all the difference. This lesson became especially clear while training for the Big Sur Marathon in the dead of a Midwest winter. Bone-chilling winds, unforgiving temperatures, and miles of icy roads turned every run into a test of endurance. To make matters worse, the marathon itself loomed over me with its relentless elevation changes, adding an extra layer of doubt to my training.
Yet, what kept me going wasn’t just discipline—it was the unwavering support of my running partners. Though we were spread across California and New York, we stayed connected through group chats, logging our miles, sharing our struggles, and cheering each other on. Even when I could barely muster the motivation to step outside, knowing they were out there running pushed me to do the same.
As my training intensified, I realized how easy it was to skip a run when I was alone—but with a partner or a group counting on me, I showed up. I eventually teamed up with runners in Carmel, and together, we tackled six to eight half marathons over two years. The long training runs weren’t just about building endurance; they built deep friendships. While I never considered myself a running club person, I discovered that sharing the journey makes it more rewarding and helps push past personal limits.
This principle extends far beyond running. In any pursuit—whether fitness, career, or personal growth—having someone to mentor, challenge, or encourage you makes a significant difference. Accountability partners keep us on track, communities provide strength, and shared commitment turns daunting goals into achievable milestones.
Focus Point: Seek out a companion or community to keep you motivated. The journey is always easier—and more fulfilling—when shared.
Principle Three: Run YOUR Race
During my first half marathon, I pushed myself far too hard in an attempt to keep pace with other runners. By the 10-mile mark, I hit a wall and ended up practically crawling to the finish. It was a humbling moment that made me realize I’d been running someone else’s race, not my own.
In life, we often fall into the same trap—trying to match someone else’s goals or pace. But each of us has our own journey. There will always be people faster or slower, more or less accomplished. The key is to find your stride and run your race.
Focus Point: Run YOUR race, true to your own path.
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Principle Four: Running with Purpose
One of the greatest joys of my running journey has been pairing my personal goals with a greater cause. Over the years, with the support of family and friends raised significant funds to uplift homeless families and support children’s education:
○ Over $21,000 for homeless families of south Boston
○ More than $7,000 for homeless families of Indianapolis
● London Marathon: Over $8,000 for Brightlane Learning
● Berlin Marathon: Over $10,000 for Brightlane Learning
● Tokyo Marathon: $12,100 for Hindu Society of America and Brightlane Learning
Running became more than a personal achievement; it became a vehicle for positive change. Every step on those courses reminded me that my effort could directly benefit someone in need—and that knowledge fueled me forward.
You don’t have to be an elite athlete to make your miles (or your daily actions) count for more. By dedicating your journey to a cause, you inspire others to contribute, support, and witness how collective generosity transforms lives.
Focus Point: Live life with purpose—your steps can change lives.
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Principle Five: Develop Discipline and Set Good Habits
“Watch your thoughts; they become your words. Watch your words; they become your actions. Watch your actions; they become your habits. Watch your habits; they become your character. Watch your character for it will become your destiny.”
-- Frank Outlaw
When my weekend long runs became tougher, I occasionally skipped my shorter weekday runs. It felt inconsequential at first—until my longer runs began to suffer. That’s when I realized: if I wanted to meet my marathon goals, consistency wasn’t optional.
Discipline is vital whenever you’re starting something new. Experts say it takes around 21 days of consistent effort to form a habit. Embrace the routines that move you closer to your goal, and let go of old habits that hold you back.
Focus Point: Map out your goal and follow through. A consistent plan paves the way for success.
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Principle Six: Pain in inevitable but suffering is optional
In both running and life, pain is unavoidable. Push yourself hard enough, and you will eventually face physical aches or emotional strain. Whether it’s the burn in your legs during that final hill repeat or the sting of disappointment when you fall short of a personal goal, pain will make itself known.
But suffering? That’s a choice. It’s the story we tell ourselves about our pain, the doubts we allow to take root, and how we choose to respond to hardship.
Nowhere did I learn this more profoundly than when I lost both my parents within nine months. Loss, like pain, is inevitable. No matter how much we prepare, how strong we think we are, there are moments that shake us to our core. And yet, in those moments, we have a choice—to let the pain consume us or to find strength in the face of it.
First, we lost Amma to breast cancer in November 2020. She fought valiantly for three years, enduring countless treatments and procedures. During those years, I made multiple trips to Bharat - COvid did not stop me, staying by her side, witnessing her pain firsthand. It was relentless, yet not once did she allow suffering to take over. She held onto her faith with unwavering strength, teaching me a lesson I wouldn’t fully grasp until later.
Barely a few months after she passed, Nana was diagnosed with incurable brain cancer. A man who had spent 32 years dedicated to the welfare of society, full of life and boundless energy, suddenly became quiet. Losing his partner of 62 years only deepened his silence. In his final moments, my three brothers and I stood around him, holding his hands as he took his last breath. That moment is etched in my memory forever.
A few months after Nana’s passing, I was at the starting line of the Boston Marathon—an emotional wreck. The weight of grief clung to me, threatening to break me mid-race. But what kept me going was the thought of Amma and Nana—how they faced unbearable pain yet never let suffering define them. They lived by the very principle I was now struggling to embody: pain is inevitable, but suffering is optional.
Running, much like life, teaches us that we don’t always have control over what happens to us. But we do have control over how we respond. We can let pain consume us, or we can let it shape us. Every difficult mile, every hardship endured, is an opportunity to grow stronger.When you embrace the idea that “pain is inevitable, but suffering is optional,” you reclaim your power over adversity. Over time, I realized every challenging mile made me stronger—physically and mentally. Perseverance isn’t something we’re born with; it’s built, one step—one loss—at a time.
Focus Point: In the face of loss and adversity, press on. Strength is forged in how we choose to respond.
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Final Thoughts
Running the six World Major Marathons has shown me what’s possible when you commit to a goal, lean on others for support, and give back while you do it. From taking your first shaky steps to tackling an entire marathon, life’s biggest hurdles can be overcome with the right mindset, solid habits, perseverance, and a purpose bigger than yourself.
Remember: So much of what happens in life begins and ends in our own mind. May these principles inspire you to start your own journey—and to make a difference for others along the way.
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