Conversation with Mukul Kumar: Running, Leadership and Passion

From the Author -

I've been running on Pune's roads for several years, and something that consistently catches my attention and helps me remember a fellow runner is their smile. I enjoy seeing runners genuinely delighting in their run, exuding joy.

One such runner is Mukul Kumar, Co-founder and President, Engineering at PubMatic, a global ad-tech company, and an avid long-distance runner. I've seen him a few times, and he’s always smiling—fully immersed in the joy of running. His Instagram posts, whether about running or strength training in the gym, are filled with positivity and an infectious energy that exudes happiness.

Truly defined the quote " Never outrun the joy of running"

Mukul enjoys running and capturing beautiful locations filled with nature and greenery. He consciously seeks out roads with more trees and less traffic, making his runs not just about fitness but also about mindfulness and environmental awareness. A happy, mindful, nature-loving, and tech-savvy individual—that's Mukul for you!

Let’s dive into his story.

What initially drew you to running?

I wasn’t into sports at all during my school days. It all started with my close friend, Subhojit Roy—we’ve known each other for about 29 years now. He took up running 8-10 years ago and encouraged me to give it a try, saying it was interesting. I decided to give it a shot, and soon enough, I found myself completely hooked. Now, if I don’t run, I don’t feel good—my day just doesn’t go well without it.

I’ve been running for the past 6-7 years now. Before that, I focused on strength training for nearly 15-16 years, but I never ran. Initially, even 500 meters felt exhausting, but I gradually pushed myself to 1 km, then more. I still have those early records on Strava and Garmin, where I completed my first 4 km and 5 km—at the time, it felt like the greatest achievement ever!

Running long distances requires mental resilience. How do you train your mind to push through tough moments?

I believe that long-distance running is more about the mind than the physical state of the body. While running, I’m always aware of how much I’ve covered, but when fatigue sets in, I tell myself, "It’s just a few more kilometers. You’re not tired." It’s about training the mind to push through.

Recently, I read Can't Hurt Me by David Goggins, where he talks about the 40% rule—when you feel completely drained, you’ve only used 40% of your potential. That means there’s still 60% left in you. This mindset shift is crucial, and I’ve seen it in action with fellow runners. When I ran Satara, I saw 70-year-old runners going strong. That was incredibly inspiring. I thought, "If they can do it, I definitely can. It’s just about training the mind."

There’s always something new to look forward to. Satara, for example, had a 480m climb, adding a whole new level of challenge and endurance. You keep telling yourself, "I can do this."

And then, there’s the ultimate reward—the runner’s high towards the end. That exhilarating feeling offsets everything, making it all worthwhile.

Do you follow a structured training plan? What does a typical training week look like for you?

Right now, I don’t have a specific race planned. My last event was PCHM, and with a lot of travel in January, my focus has been more on maintaining overall fitness. However, I do set annual goals on Strava, breaking them down into weekly, monthly, and yearly targets.

I follow a flexible training approach—there are no hard rules like training six days a week, but I do have a routine.

• Running (3 days a week):

  • Two easy runs (Zone 2) of 60-90 minutes

  • One long run on Sundays, usually at race pace or slightly slower

• Strength training (3 days a week):

  • I train at a gym near my house for 60-70 minutes per session

  • My workouts aren’t overly aggressive, but I focus on steady progression

I don’t have a professional trainer at the moment, but I have great friends like Yogesh and Subhojit, who offer guidance and motivation when needed. I’ve also set specific strength training goals, tracking progress in exercises like push-ups, lateral pulldowns, and chest presses, gradually increasing weights.

For me, having a goal to work towards—whether it’s increasing weights by Xkg or improving distance by X km—keeps things exciting. There are so many ways to challenge yourself, and that’s what I love about training!

Parallels Between Business and Running

Both require consistency, perseverance, and goal-setting. Do you think having a passion like long-distance running complements running an enterprise?

Absolutely. Fitness plays a crucial role in overall well-being—being physically active, presentable, and happy directly impacts how effectively you can tackle challenges, whether in business or life. Running and working out make you more agile, focused, and attentive, all of which are essential for solving business problems.

There are strong parallels between running and entrepreneurship:

1. Perseverance & Self-Belief

   • In both running and business, you set goals that once seemed impossible—whether it’s completing a marathon or building something from scratch.

   • People may doubt you and tell you it can’t be done, but you push yourself, prove them wrong, and keep improving.

2. Incremental Growth Matters

   • Success doesn’t happen overnight.

   • In running, you increase your pace or endurance gradually—small, consistent improvements compound over time.

   • Business works the same way—every step, no matter how small, contributes to the bigger picture.

3. The Power of Never Giving Up

   • Setbacks are part of both journeys.

   • I’ve had injuries, and friends have told me, “Mukul, this isn’t the time or the age to do this.” But I never give up.

   • Before Satara, I had a fall in April—I tripped over a rock while running. Most people told me to forget about the race. But my wife was incredibly supportive, saying, “You’ll be fine; you’ll run again.”

   • In just seven days, I was back running, bandages on my knees and all.

So yes, whether it’s running a long-distance race or running a business—you set goals, push through challenges, embrace continuous improvement, and most importantly, never give up.

Running is known to be a great stress reliever. Has it helped you manage the pressures of leading a company?

Absolutely! Running is my way of unwinding. That one hour of running or working out helps take my mind off day-to-day pressures—it's almost like meditation in motion. Once you hit the zone, you forget about everything else, and it becomes a huge stress buster that prepares you for the day ahead.

I feel more energetic, focused, and agile after a run. It’s hard for someone who doesn’t run to understand how much energy it gives you. Just today, I ran 90 minutes, finished by 8:30 AM, and then rushed to a 9 AM meeting—yet I felt charged up instead of sluggish. Without a run, I’d probably feel lethargic, but running keeps me at my best.

You've built a fantastic culture of health and well-being at PubMatic. Can you share some key initiatives you've implemented to promote fitness and wellness among employees?

I’m proud of the culture we’ve built here. It all started with just two of us who were into running. I created a Slack group starting with just the two of us, and today, we have 287 members!

Many people get inspired—not just by me but by others who regularly run and post. It’s like a PubMatic-exclusive Strava, where we motivate each other, give likes, and encourage those who are still hesitant to leap. One of our team members recently ran 15K for the first time and personally thanked me for the encouragement. I didn’t share any running plans with him; I just shared tips on posture, pre-run workouts, stretching, hydration, and strength training. Gradually, he built endurance and confidence, and that’s what truly excites me—helping others discover their potential.

Now, we have 30+ employees consistently running or strength training and motivating each other. We also take this culture beyond work—for example, we organized a Moveathon last month, where 120+ people from Pune joined. Many ran 10K, some brought their friends and families, and the whole vibe was incredible. Seeing people wake up at 4 AM, full of energy, to breathe fresh air and run together—it’s something special.

The energy reminds me of Satara, where the whole city comes out to support runners with water and snacks. Even a sweet shop owner far from the race route knew about the event and asked if we had run! That kind of community spirit is what makes fitness initiatives so fulfilling.

Beyond running, I always advocate for a healthy lifestyle—eating well, exercising regularly. There’s enough scientific evidence proving that fitness prolongs life and prevents diseases. Plus, I’ve noticed that almost every runner I meet is also environmentally conscious—they care about clean air, green spaces, and less traffic. Running makes you more aware of your surroundings, and that’s a change we should all embrace.

How do you manage runs while traveling?

It’s not always easy, but I make sure to carry my running shoes everywhere. Finding time to run is usually manageable—unless you sleep late.

When I travel to the U.S., running is even more enjoyable. The streets are spacious and emptier, and the AQI is much better. Plus, there are always more fellow runners around, which makes it even more motivating.

During an offsite in Mexico, I managed to run for three days. Initially, I was a bit concerned about safety, especially since I was heading out when it was still dark. But I convinced myself it was fine and went ahead with it.

In January, I ran near freezing temperature in Phoenix, Arizona, during an offsite. I layered up with three layers, gloves, and all the essentials. It was definitely challenging, but also a lot of fun. Running in new places, exploring different routes, and capturing great pictures is something I really enjoy.

Food & Nutrition

What’s your go-to meal or snack before a long run?

I usually have two dates, a handful of dry fruits, and six almonds. Staying hydrated is key for me.

During my run, it depends on the duration and intensity:

• If it's less than an hour and in Zone 2, I don’t take any support—no water, no fuel.

• If it’s over an hour or a higher intensity run, I carry electrolytes and make sure to hydrate every 2-3 km.

• For longer runs (10K-15K+), I use energy gels—not just for the physical boost but also for the psychological edge. I feel like I recover faster when I take them.

Nothing fancy—just regular electrolytes, dates, and gels to keep me going.

Guilty Pleasure – As a runner, do you have a favorite cheat meal or dessert you just can’t resist?

I’m pretty consistent (some might even call it boring!) when it comes to my diet. I usually have eggs for breakfast, I make sure I get enough protein.

When it comes to guilty pleasures, I’d say I have plenty! I’m a hardcore non-vegetarian—I love chicken and fish, and that’s probably my biggest indulgence.

I do like sweets, but I try to avoid them. I get my sugar fix from dates in the morning or afternoon, and that’s usually enough.

But sometimes at work on multiple occasions like birthdays or some celebration, I end up having them. I don’t go out of my way to eat sweets, but at the same time, I don’t make a big fuss about avoiding them either!

Entertainment While Running

Music or Podcasts? – What’s on your playlist or favorite podcast to listen to while running?

No, I don’t listen to anything while running. I tried once on a treadmill, but I prefer to watch and listen to nature—the rustling of leaves, the stillness before the city wakes up, before the buses start honking.

For me, running is about being present, hearing my breath, and fully immersing myself in the moment. I see it as a form of mindful running, similar to mindful walking—being completely aware of the world around me.

Best Thought While Running – What’s the weirdest or most profound thought you’ve had on a long run?

The best ideas come to me either in the shower or during a workout and I often solve problems while running or working out.

I also walk a lot, probably as much as I run. Sometimes, during my runs, I have these profound realizations. I remember running through the forests of Munnar and thinking, this is what I was built for. This is what I was born to do. Just being in nature, appreciating it, and soaking in the moment felt deeply fulfilling.

Recently, I went on a bird-watching expedition in Dandeli. It was an incredible experience, just sitting silently for hours, listening to the birds, the rustling of trees and leaves. Simply being in the moment, doing nothing but observing and listening, was truly special.

So, are you a trained photographer as well?

No, actually, I’m not, but it’s something I aspire to learn. I just need to find a way to fit it into my schedule.

Someone once told me that you can only truly dedicate yourself to one hobby—two can be difficult to manage. Every time a trip is planned, my first thought is, “Okay, I’m going to miss three runs, and I don’t think I want to miss that.”

Every Saturday, my friends call me for parties, and I always say no, I have a long run in the morning. I eat early, around 8 PM, and sleep early. It’s not the most socially convenient lifestyle, but I love what I do, and that’s what matters.

Fun & Random

Have you ever spotted a hilarious sign during a marathon?

It wasn’t exactly a sign, but I had a funny experience during one of our PCMC group runs. Every other weekend, we’d run 10K together. One time, as we were all running, we passed by an elderly couple who seemed completely baffled by the sight of so many people running.

They stopped me and asked, "Why are you all running?"

Then they asked, "Are you running for world peace?"

I just smiled and said, Yes! 😄

That was pretty amusing.

I also constantly get comments from people trying to discourage me from running. Things like:"Oh, you know you're getting older… why are you still running?" Or even in the gym, when I’m lifting weights, someone will say, "You shouldn’t be doing that at your age."

I find these comments funny, and they motivate me even more! I add another 5kg to my chest press or lateral pulldown—just to show them I can. It pushes me to run faster and lift heavier, proving to myself (and to them) that I still have plenty of years left in me!

If you could go on a run with any historical figure, athlete, or celebrity, who would it be and why?

Honestly, I’d rather run with regular people—the ones who inspire me just by showing up every day and pushing their limits.

That said, Milind Soman is one of my inspirations. He runs long distances, cycles, and even runs barefoot! The fact that his mother also runs is incredibly inspiring. I would love to run with him someday.

But beyond famous figures, I find the most motivation from running with my circle—people like Yogesh, Subhojit, or the runners at Durga Tekdi. Watching others around me put in the effort and stay committed keeps me going.

I feel like there’s more to learn from people who are like me, rather than someone like Kipchoge, who is on an entirely different level. Running with everyday runners creates a connection—you see their struggles, their determination, and you grow together. That, to me, is the most inspiring part of the sport.

If you could run anywhere in the world, where would it be?

There are so many places! But if I had to choose, I’d say the US, t’s one of my favorite places to run. The air is cleaner, the streets are more spacious, and I enjoy the overall running environment there.

I’d also love to run in Switzerland. I’ve run in sub-zero temperatures, through ice and snow, and I truly enjoy running in peculiar places—whether it’s deep forests, breathtaking landscapes, or extreme weather conditions.

For me, the thrill is in exploring unique terrains and pushing myself in different environments.

Memorable, Challenging Race?

Satara is almost epic! It’s such a unique and different experience. The elevation, the stunning views of the Kaas Plateau, and the incredible energy from the crowd make it unforgettable.

You see so many different kinds of people—all out on the streets, encouraging each other—which adds to the motivation. That race stands out as one of my most memorable experiences!

Runner - Mukul Kumar

Location - Pune