Evolve, Endure and Empower!

Born and raised in a cantonment area, her commitment to fitness and discipline has formed the foundation of her life. From her early years, she was immersed in the world of uniforms, an environment that demanded impeccable physical shape. As a result, fitness became an intrinsic aspect of her upbringing. Allow me to introduce Prasannapriya Reddy – a woman of valor, courage, and boundless curiosity. For her, running is more than a mere activity; it's a way of life. Her quest for understanding and excellence is unrelenting, whether it means delving into books or charting her own course through trials and triumphs.

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Life in the Indian Navy and tryst with first Full Marathon

"Following my graduation in Engineering, I joined the Indian Navy. It was my dream to be in the Indian forces. I was so sure of this that I didn’t even sit for any other placements during college.

We had to undergo six months of intense training, which included numerous running sessions. At the Indian Naval Academy, the Inter Squadron Cross Country Championship tested our endurance, physical stamina, and mental resilience. We were divided into groups similar to school houses for inter-house competitions. As an incentive, finishing in first enclosure with commendable timing earned us "two cold coffees," a coveted reward for us forever-hungry trainees.

These cross-country events involved a 12.5 km run, introducing me to the realm of long-distance running. While I had never tackled such a distance before and had no intention of pursuing it beyond training, I found myself participating in the monthly cross-country races while I was posted in training bases. At the time, it was more of a sense of duty than a genuine passion for running.

After serving as an Indian Naval Officer, I transitioned to the corporate sector upon leaving the Indian Navy. Settling in Mumbai, I stumbled upon the TMM (then SCMM). In 2008, I completed my first full marathon at SCMM, albeit with little understanding of the term "FM." Although aware of its 42 km distance, I underestimated the magnitude of the challenge.

During my naval days, the "Terminator run" was a grueling 30 km run while wearing full gear (uniforms, weapons etc), simulating combat conditions. Given this rigorous training, I assumed that running in the city wouldn't be so daunting. Reality hit me hard – my first marathon experience was an eye-opener. While the first 25 km went relatively smoothly, the remaining distance revealed the true essence of a marathon. I resorted to a mix of walking and running to reach the finish line within the 6-hour cut-off. This humbling experience piqued my curiosity and drove me to explore the world of running.

Process of learning and unlearning

The annual recurrence of the marathon motivated me to return each year, aiming to outperform my previous attempts. In those days, marathons were relatively rare and the Mumbai Marathon stood out due to its popularity and extensive marketing. Conveniently located in Mumbai at the time, participation became a yearly tradition, providing me with a much-needed stress outlet during my banking career, which was inherently demanding. Interestingly, my running mileage seemed to correlate with my work-related stress levels – more stress meant more miles.

However, during this phase, my focus was solely on running. I neglected strength training and remained relatively uninformed about it. I would participate in any available events while concentrating solely on running.

The introduction to the Bangalore Ultra, a 100 km race on the outskirts of Bangalore, was courtesy of Sunil and Sangeetha Shetty, my local running friends then. They sparked my interest and curiosity which lead me to register for the event. Embarking on the 100 km journey was a monumental decision, but I managed to finish just before the cut-off time. The experience left me fascinated with my physical capabilities and the world of running further.

From a 6-hour finish at SCMM in 2008, I progressed to a 5-hour 12-minute finish at TMM in 2014. However, signs of wear and tear were becoming evident. Health checkups revealed a Vitamin D deficiency, and the transition from the Navy to the corporate world, combined with aging, took a toll on my body. Various factors, including inadequate strength training, insufficient cooling down, extended hours in air-conditioned rooms, socializing, and long commutes in Mumbai traffic, led to an injury. I experienced persistent pain from 2014 onwards, which I initially dismissed while relying on Vitamin D supplements.

In 2015, during TMM, excruciating knee pain forced me to stop at the 33 km mark. It marked my first Did Not Finish (DNF) and was a harrowing experience. While I've always been committed to completing what I start, this DNF was necessary for me to take running more seriously. It became a turning point, pushing me to delve deeper into running and its intricacies.

Post my Mumbai DNF, I refrained from running for over a year. Following the guidance of a physiotherapist, I adopted strength training and slowly regained my running momentum. Healing took time due to the gradual accumulation of issues over months and years. During this hiatus, I gained around 10 kg due to the absence of running.

Meanwhile, I bid adieu to my banking career and relocated to Pune in 2014. There, I launched my business selling Indian Handloom Sarees. Managing the entire process – from sourcing to website management and logistics – leaving little room for running.

Beginning of a new running era

I yearned to return to running once my business settled into a routine. It took time, but I eventually regained my rhythm. I participated in couple of FMs and HMs (SHHM 2017, PRBM 2017, TMM 2018 and AFMC 2018), but the calf issues were persistent. Reading extensively about running and learning from my experiences, I came to a pivotal realization – nutrition too played a pivotal role. Prioritizing my diet, I shed the gained weight, consequently improving my running performance and overall energy levels.

Realising the transformative power of nutrition, I even obtained a certification in the field to help others. As a freelance nutrition consultant, I assist a limited number of individuals, ensuring I have time for my own pursuits.

My aspiration was to lead the life of a sportsperson. I sought to unearth my potential as a marathon runner and pursue qualification for the Boston Marathon. I joined a formal coaching in 2019 and finally have qualified this year to run at Boston Marathon.

My journey also includes a quest to understand various exercise forms, their scientific reasons, and broader fitness concepts. In this bargain, if I am able to help others, I am more than happy to do so.

From the 2015 DNF, I've come a long way. I clocked my best half-marathon time of 1:46 hours in the recent AFMC event in Pune, earning a podium finish. My best full marathon time is 3:42 hours, propelling me to qualify for Boston.

The road ahead and pearls of wisdom for the youngsters

My ambition is simple: continue refining my running, bettering my marathon and half-marathon timings. These formats resonate more with me than ultras or other categories. While I believe I can handle distance at any time, speed isn't innate to me. While triathlons are intriguing, it demands a lot of time however, curiosity might lead me there someday, hence never say no. 😊

I would like to suggest to all runners whether novice or expert the importance of understanding your "why" for running. There can be two reasons (your “why’s”) - running for performance or running for enjoyment. It's unfair to expect both, exceptional performance and leisure at the same time.

Significant performance necessitates time and effort. Initially, I ran for enjoyment, but curiosity compelled me to invest time and effort, yielding results. It took two decades to reach my current stage.

Comparing performance to those with vastly different lifestyles is also unjust. Today, I have the luxury of time to explore running intricacies and perfect my form. Youngsters juggling demanding jobs, aspiring for growth, and aiming for running success shouldn't expect the same outcomes. We're not professionals; no one pays us. Our motivations stem purely from personal fulfillment. Therefore, comparing oneself to high performers without understanding their journey is unwise.

This is more for the women I would say as I would often see them beating themselves up for a subpar performance in running. You should understand you are balancing a lot of things in life, your work, your family, and other commitments. You should not judge yourself against others' achievements.

Embrace the journey, and stay consistent, that is all that matters 😊"

Runner - Prasannapriya Reddy, Pune.