Zero to 26.2
This is the story of a journey.
The great literary philosopher, Joseph Campbell, in his seminal work, "The Hero's journey" makes the following comment - and I quote verbatim: "If you can see your path laid out in front of you step by step, you know it's not your path. Your own path you make with every step you make."
And that's exactly what Srini did in his journey and shared with us in this book.
Let's take stock of Srini's life at the beginning of the book.
A successful and busy tech executive.
A loving family.
Both sons already making their own successful way in their careers.
Most of his contemporaries are busy making retirement plans.
Let's be honest. Srini didn't have to prove anything to anybody, even to himself or to the world, to achieve something and to demonstrate success.
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Yet, there was a small something at the back of his mind.
A memory from childhood stirred in the depths of his consciousness one evening in the unassuming gym of a small Hilton hotel in suburban New York where Srini stayed for his work week. As he stepped onto the treadmill - meant to be a 10 minute warm up before his weights workout - that stirred memory posed him a little challenge: Let's see if you can run a full mile!
Thus began the journey that shaped Srini's thinking, his body and his view of life over the next 20 or so months, propelling him towards new discoveries and revelations, culminating in the successful completion of the New York Marathon in November 2025.
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The story starts in far away rural southern India - a land of unrelenting heat, torrential monsoons, but also the land of Amma and Nanna (mom and dad) whose love and discipline shaped Srini's personality. I won't give away the details; I'd let the readers enjoy the unfolding of the story in Srini's own words. Suffice it so say that Srini, from a young age, firmly believed that his body was not meant for any great exertion. Over the years, he stayed active enough to stay fit, but carefully avoided any strenuous deeds that could get his heart racing. Treadmill runs were meant for ten minute warm up - that's it. Until that fateful day.
Over the next fifty pages, Srini takes us on his gentle but exciting discovery - the joy of running. It is not an epiphany. It is not momentous or dramatic. It is an unfolding, much like the gradual quiet blossoming of a bud into a gorgeous flower or a monarch butterfly emerging from its chrysalis. We glide alongside Srini as he discovers that he could run first one mile, then two, and then 5K. We are elated and celebrate along with him when crosses the milestones of 10K and half-marathon. Along the way, Srini shares with us his doubts, thoughts, and curiosity that began to broaden his understanding. He shares with us the tools he discovered, the technology he used and the lessons he learned in this process. He opens up his vulnerabilities.
Page 47 is what they call interval BANG! in Telugu movies.
You turn the page - it is the Race Day! New York Marathon!! A crisp fall day in 2025.
While warming up before the start of the race, Srini shares with us the stories of generosity of two wonderful friends, Rama (his running mate in the race) and Anju (a long time friend from RCW days). We pick up pace along with Srini as he goes up the rising slope of the Verrazano bridge. We make acquaintance of Brooklyn, Queens, Harlem and Bronx, before zooming into the Central Park for the finish line. We get to know about the blind runner (pg 56) and the runner with one leg running on crutches (pg 58). We share in his joy as he spots his friend Anju cheering him on, and in the uplifting of his spirit in the last mile when his son meets him and gives him a high five.
It's a small book, less than 100 pages. I started reading it while waiting for my 1 hour flight and finished it by the time the flight landed. Srini's prose is quiet and unassuming, like his journey and his message in this book. It is a comfortable read. Yet, he came up with some beautiful lyrical lines here and there that tickled the poet in me. I especially enjoyed reading the narrative of the race, like a seasoned writer, where he expertly combined facts, observations, suspense and emotion to tell a beautiful story.
Chapters 7 and 8 that follow are a summary master class on learning and leadership. They are full of quotable quotes that Srini gleaned from this slow arduous journey, and distilled into crisp words. They are especially valuable to young people and mid career professionals to develop the sense of inquiry, be open to learning and self discovery, and to inculcate lasting values towards a satisfying life.
Also, you will notice that a lot of thought and care have been put into the design and layout of the book. A few wisdom nuggets are studded here and there in various pages.
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Get a copy. Links are below.
All proceeds benefit the Achilles International Foundation
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In writing this book, Srini seems to have discovered another passion - that of writing. He has been writing consistently every week on Substack, on leadership, tech world, philosophy and self inquiry. I am sure his readers will find those essays as enjoyable and valuable as this book.
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Link to the book on US Amazon (Kindle version is FREE!!)
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Link to the book on India Amazon Kindle only
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Link to Srini's blog on Substack
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