What keeps one going in the last mile?
When I did the Chandrashila trek (the summit at an altitude of 12000 feet), I found myself stuck at the final stretch of 1km. The summit was right there; I could see it. My co-trekkers were inching towards it, but I was unable to move another step.
I was so emotional and helpless, I convinced myself that my summit is now and here. At that very moment, our trek guide Amit held my hand and said, “Aapko itna paas aakar adhoora chodne nahin de sakta. Chaliye ma’am.” And he dragged me along the last mile; more painful, more demanding than the entire trek spread over 3 nights and 4 days.
I was on cloud nine literally because at that height, you can see the clouds below you. But something inside me was broken as I kept wondering
How could I think of giving up after coming so close?
What if Amit had not shown up?
How could I think of foregoing my 5-month-long pursuit so easily?
The experience left me with one lingering question – ‘What keeps one going in the last mile?’
After a lot of thought, I understood that while I was practising, I used to give up at a point, thinking that trek day would be different. Here in Mumbai, the weather and responsibilities are not letting me reach my best timing. There in Uttarakhand, I would have the spirit, the mountains would call me, and I would do better.
This thought was my biggest mistake. And what is my biggest learning? Practise every day as if it is your final trek, your final run…That’s what it takes to go the extra mile…….
I believe all of us have faced a “last mile” moment at some point in our lives. What kept you going when it mattered the most?
