Beyond the Finish Line: Six Life Principles From Running the World’s Major Marathons

On March 2, 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 distance.” 

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.

PrincipleOne: 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. 

Principle Two: Share the Run with Someone

As my training mileage increased, it was easy to skip when I ran alone. However, once I had a partner or group counting on me, I felt accountable and stayed committed. I teamed up with running buddies in Carmel, Indiana and together we completed six to eight half marathons over two years. Those long training runs forged lasting bonds among us. While I’m not typically drawn to running clubs, I discovered that sharing the journey makes it more enjoyable and helps push past personal limits.

In any area of life, find people who can mentor, challenge, or encourage you. Having an accountability partner dramatically increases your chances of forming a new habit or reaching a meaningful goal.

Focus Point: Seek out a companion or community to keep you motivated. 

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. 

Principle Four: Running with Purpose – The Power of Fundraising

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:

• Boston Marathon:
  • 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: $11,546 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. 

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.

Principle Six: Pain in inevitable but suffering is optional

In running—and in life—pain is a given. Push yourself hard enough, and you will eventually face physical aches or emotional strain. Whether it’s your legs burning on that final hill repeat or the sting of disappointment when you fall short of a personal goal, pain will make itself known. But suffering, on the other hand, is a choice—it’s the mental narrative we weave around our pain, the doubts we allow to grow, and how we respond to hardship.

I learned this firsthand while training for the Big Sur Marathon in the dead of a Midwest winter. Bone-chilling winds, unforgiving temperatures, and endless miles of icy roads made every run feel grueling. To make matters more daunting, the marathon itself featured steep elevation changes that hovered over my training plan like a looming shadow.

Yet what kept me going was the unwavering support of my running partners, who lived in California and New York. Though separated by geography, we stayed connected through group chats, logging each run and cheering one another on from across the country. That shared commitment pushed me out the door, even when my bones were cold and doubt crept in.

When you embrace the idea that “pain is inevitable, but suffering is optional,” you reclaim your power over adversity. You begin to see discomfort not as an enemy, but as a necessary step toward growth. For runners, this might mean leaning into fatigue as you build endurance; for anyone facing life’s hurdles, it can mean recognizing pain as a signal—a prompt to pause, adjust course, and persevere.

Over time, I realized every challenging mile made me stronger—physically and mentally. Perseverance isn’t innate; it’s a discipline we develop one mile—and one obstacle—at a time.

Focus Point: Press on through adversity; each obstacle overcome strengthens your resolve. 

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.

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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J.R. Sandadi is a long-time Carmel, Indiana resident. He migrated to the U.S. in the early 1990s and worked in the IT sector for 25 years before retiring from the corporate world. He volunteers his time with Hindu SwayamSevak Sangh (HSS, USA), and Sewa International USA. Sandadi is also involved with multiple interfaith initiatives across Indiana. He is a founding member of the Indiana Multi-faith Network.