From the author- I recently had a fascinating conversation with a remarkable individual, known for her podium finishes in the Pune running community. She's not just an exceptional runner but also a "myth buster."
From learning to cycle at the age of 50 to achieving a Sub-4 marathon and overcoming health challenges like Colitis and ACL injury without surgeries, she epitomizes determination.
Her story reflects Roger Federer's sentiment: "It's not about the gift, but the grit." Excited to share insights from this multi-talented individual: a runner, baker, fashion enthusiast, mom, dog lover, and overall a delightful person.
How did running become an integral part of your life?
"Though I was always into fitness, I was not into running. I've been an avid walker since childhood, often walking significant distances daily. While sailing with my husband, who is with the Merchant Navy, I would walk on the ship. I was into Yoga too as that is something my father instilled in me from my early childhood. I also enjoy weightlifting and working out in the gym.
I hit menopause very early in life, much before I turned 40, which resulted in a lot of decline in my fitness and especially the weight gain. No matter how much one says, keeping your weight under control is impossible. Every woman does experience some weight gain, especially around the midriff and that started bothering me as I was always a slim and fit girl.
I just thought of going for runs one day and I enjoyed it. I felt so much better, and my mood swings were in check. I decided to run my first Half marathon with TMM (it was SCMM then) and without any coaching or any training, I did my first HM in 2:04 hours at the age of 42!!
I realized, without any guidance if I can manage this timing, that means I have my fitness intact. Still, as it happens, we get carried away by the fun of running so much that I ignored strength training completely and got prone to injuries. I did a couple of half-marathons post-SCMM, and though the injuries were still there, I decided to do an FM.
You name it and I had all the injuries then, be it IT band issues, or plantar fasciitis, and with all these I ran my very first Full Marathon in 2016 again with TMM. It was so bad, I was crying at the 30th km, questioning what I was doing. With run-walk-run, I finished my first FM in 5:24 hours!
Post this realizing the importance of ST I made it a part of my life but still, injuries kept happening. However, it wasn’t until the age of 50 that a major turnaround happened. I can’t say if it was because of cycling, running, or what but I developed pain behind my knee. MRI showed it's an ACL mucoid degeneration. It is age-related and I was told that surgery would be needed. That would mean I would be off running for at least a year and maybe another year or two for a marathon.
That is when I decided I would not go under the knife. I will work on myself and get this reversed. I dedicated my time to only running specific strength training, Rehab, and everything possible under the sun to be at my strongest self. I took a break from running for four months while I was focusing on ST, and those four months have been the lowest period of my life, but I would say blessing in disguise.
I would go swimming for recovery and cycling at home on the Trainer. All this helped me when I started running after four months. I had tears of joy in my eyes when I ran again, as the pain was still there but not how it used to be. Once I felt ready again, I signed up for the Delhi Marathon.
Journey of Sub-4 marathon –
I had never done a Sub-4 in my life, before the age of 50. My best time was 4:07
hours. I never thought I was capable of Sub-4. It was not even in the remotest of the thoughts in my mind. But, when I finally did my Sub-4 in Delhi, I could not believe it. I finished in 3:55:54 hours. That’s when I realized that those four months off running and complimenting it with all the strength training recovered me completely from the running wear and tear over the past 8-9 years.
I ran the New York Marathon in November 2023. I was sick and was on a lot of antibiotics at that time. I finished the course in 4:47 hours and that made me wonder if I am just a “one-time sub-4 wonder” and if I am capable of doing it again.
However, not letting this deter me, I again got back to training and signed up for the Delhi Marathon in 2024, which I completed in 3:55:02 seconds. I missed my Boston Qualification by just 2 seconds.!!!! And then within two months again, I ran the London Marathon in 2024 in 3:59 hours. Now my full efforts and focus are on getting my Boston qualification done.
From running a 5:30-hour Full marathon at the age of 44 to completing 13 marathons since then, of which 3 Full marathons within 6 months, and achieving PB’s and Sub-4s at the age of 50, this journey has been the most enriching one.
How do you plan your runs –
I believe in visualization a lot. Before every marathon race, I do a lot of visualization. Even for my practice Intervals or Tempo runs, the previous day I
enter the splits in my Garmin and visualize how I want to do it. Normally when I visualize and follow it, I am successful in hitting my targets. If I go for such runs without planning, I usually don’t achieve my targets.
However, honestly, I am telling you this today, all this takes away the enjoyment of running. So much planning to achieve those targets and speed that you miss the fun part. My goal is to get all the world majors and once I am done with Boston Qualification, I just want to forget about the time and just enjoy running. When I first started running, I never gave importance to time, as I didn’t know about it. I do enjoy running now though pressure is always there to perform to achieve. So once all these goals have been achieved, I am going to channel my energy towards ultra running, which is you know slower which I would enjoy more.
Routine and fitness regime
Strength training twice a week. I used to like lifting heavier weights before I got into running. Now I can deadlift 70kgs. For chest press and shoulder over-head press, I go with 12 kgs. I can do more though, but with running, I prefer to do with the maximum weight I can and go for fewer reps with perfect form and posture. I believe you are working your muscles in the same way if you do fewer reps with heavier weights. So why waste time in doing 15-20 reps with lighter weights, if you can do 8-10 reps with heavier weights? My goal in deadlifting is to reach 100 kgs now. I swear by deadlift for endurance. You must deadlift if you want to build your endurance. More than running, doing regular strength training has helped me a lot.
A race day!
I plan a lot on my fueling and have done enough trial and error during my practice runs to know what works for me in terms of my fueling. I have never faced “the wall” and I don’t know what cramping is, touchwood. My last 3 sub-4s have been at a consistent pace where people have been surprised at my consistent pace throughout the marathon course.
What was your HM best, when you did your Sub-4?
It was 1:55 hours!! I was told that you cannot do a Sub-4 unless you run a 1:50 HM. I kept my splits so consistent from start to finish that even with 1:55 HM, I could do a Sub-4.
What’s your state of mind while running?
I plan recipes for my cake when I am running. Not only for baking, I plan recipes for food as I enjoy cooking. I will make something in my head. Random thoughts, I also do a lot of manifesting while running. I believe so much in manifesting and visualization. I believe it works a lot if you visualize, manifest, and have faith in it.
About family life and their support
Initially, it was very difficult to adapt to the new lifestyle, as both of us are very extrovert. We love going out, meeting people, going to parties and all. However, due to my running and all I slowly cut down a lot of these activities, and seeing the positive impact it has had on me, my husband also became very supportive and accommodating to my new way of living.
Today he is also into fitness and he has also cut down a lot. We both have found our balance. He understands how much it takes to achieve something and he is also proud of me and my achievements. Earlier we used to have dinner by 9:00. Now I prefer to wrap up my dinner by 6 but I ensure to join my husband and my son during their dinner time.
You have shown so much mental strength in overcoming all the obstacles. Where do you get this strength from?
My mother is mentally so strong, she is a breast cancer survivor. I have seen her going through cancer treatment, and how she has come out of it and stayed cancer-free.
The way she has endured and come out of it, hats off to her, and I have learned a lot about mental strength and to carry on in life no matter what from her.
What’s next?
Once I am done with my WMM goals, I would like to be a triathlete. Just before I turned 50, I decided to learn cycling. My coach is an Ironman himself. There is so much influence around me with everyone into Tri, so I decided I must learn how to cycle. Being a Mumbai girl, I never learned cycling. So finally at the age of 50, when I did my first 30km of cycling all by myself, I felt that was one of my biggest achievements. I do a lot of indoor cycling twice a week and swimming is also something I do now as recovery, twice a week. Though I am not at a good pace in swimming but will ace it up when I decide to give Tri a shot.
Running is my lifestyle. It's not just a sport for me.
Quickfire round:
Morning run or evening run? Morning run
Classic marathon route or scenic trail run? Roadrunner. Not a trail runner. I feel it can get dangerous with injury. Those who are prone to injury must avoid running on trials.
Pancakes or waffles after a long run? Any day waffles, I love pancakes, but after a run would prefer waffles.
Running solo or with a running group? Solo. I love running solo, but company in the form of a friend during easy runs is fun and most welcome.
Running in the rain or running in the snow? Rains, rain, rain, always rains.
Vintage fashion or modern chic? Modern, more myself. I have never followed any trends but believed in my style.
Favourite post-race celebration? Of course, a beer.
A fast 5 or a marathon? Marathon. I suck at 5 km. I can run faster in a marathon than in a 5k.
Out of all the places you have run, which one is your wonderful exp? London!! London is fantastic. Berlin because it was my first-ever international marathon. I thoroughly enjoyed London. It was so good. Crowds' energy is great. The Satara Hill half marathon is my favorite race.
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