RunAddicts- Local Heroes: Inspiration series [Profile 8: Shreyas]

Few years ago, one guy posted if anyone runs in the evening. I was wondering, it cannot get crazier. He completes his work by the day and runs in the night. I am not talking about Batman 😛 but about Shreyas, that is his commitment towards fitness. Running in the streets of RR nagar to running from one city to another is of course a long journey (Both in terms of distance and his journey of the making of an ultra-runner). Let us experience his exciting tale.

Shreyas, Welcome to RunAddicts- our Local Heroes: Inspiration series. Congrats on being selected as a Local hero for our RunAddicts Inspiration series.

Can you briefly introduce yourself?

I am a Mechanical Engineer and I work for an Automobile Company. Married, have a son of 3.5 years old. We 3, along with my parents, complete the family that we are at home.

When did your fitness journey begin?

My journey into fitness started from Jan 2015. Sedentary lifestyle coupled with a health issue prompted me to take up Walking.

How did the walking transform to running, and which are the events you have participated?

I started off with walks and leisure Park Jogs by January 2015 and by the year end was doing 8-10K leisurely. But my first official run event was NEB’s Bangalore10K 2016. From then onwards the craze bit hard and there was no looking back. Have run many 10Ks, HMs, 30Ks, few FMs, Malnad Ultra, 12-Hr Individual Stadium Run, Bangalore-Sakleshpur Intercity Run, Procam Slam Circuit (Bangalore-Delhi-Kolkata-Mumbai), Sketchers Chennai marathon and Airtel Hyderabad marathon etc

You have covered the major event across India! What are your 10K, HM and FM personal best timings?

10K @ 58:31, HM @ 02:20:39, FM @ 05:10:39

How do you train for an event; can you share a few insights?

I keep weekly mileage targets and try to achieve them by running on the days earmarked, with typical long runs on weekends. I do strengthening 2-3 times a week. Try to focus my mind throughout on the event I am training for. Sometimes I would register for some other events in between to run them as a practice event.

Your most memorable running event and what makes it so special about it?

Bangalore to Sakleshpur (220 Km, 5 Days) Intercity Run. It was a wonderful experience to run along the highway, moving from town to town, interacting with enthusiastic people en route, neither bothered about the pace nor timing.

This seems like a different experience altogether. Can you share more details regarding this run?

The Intercity Run was conceptualised by Sampath Sir and his team. They had done a Bangalore-Mysore intercity run of about 110 Km in 2019. In 2020, they came up with a plan of Mission Malnad 220 Km @ 2020, with a team of about 22 Runners. I have a cousin who runs with that group. He put me in touch with them. The idea sounded fantastic and adventurous to me, and I immediately joined the team.

With the Intercity Run scheduled for December, the planning started from early October. Sampath Sir who happens to be a CXO, lead the efforts in a typical corporate way. There were many subgroups of 3 members created for Finance Planning, Food/Menu planning, Each Day’s Route/Distance Planner, First Aid/Emergency/Medical, Training Run planners, Stay Planning team etc.

The idea for hiring caterers was that it being a big, deserted highway, we may not get hotels at the right time. So, the caterers used to cook the food (at places identified for them) and be ready at the pre-identified points for BF & Lunch. (Each day had a predefined plan like 19-21 Km for BF, another 15-18 Km for lunch and another 10-12 Km post lunch session) The Route Planning team went couple times along the route to do a recce on the route to be run, elevation profile study, places to be stayed for the night etc. We were felicitated by Rotary Club Hassan on Day 4 and Rotary Club Sakleshpura on Day 5. On Day 4 we inaugurated a computer lab in one of the government college in Shanthigrama. One of the runner’s was the President of Ocwen Financials company and he got Rs 8 lakhs sponsored from his company as CSR activity for setting up this lab.

This looks like once in a lifetime experience. Thanks for a detailed narration. I am eager to join you guys when you plan it next time!

How do you balance fitness, work, and personal life?

I often see people complaining that they do not get time for run or any fitness activities and on the contrary, I must be having lot of ‘free’ time to run so much!! But in my opinion, where there is a will there is a way.

As office commute time is cut off in WFH, I get good time to run in early mornings! But when office commute resumes, I try to take an hour out in the evenings at least 3 times on weekdays. If am traveling for outstation runs, I take my family too sometimes for a couple of days of outing.

What are your thoughts about RunAddicts?

RunAddicts has shaped the lives of many in the neighbourhood as well as those living far off areas too! Many people have joined newly and taken up walking/running as their journey towards the fitness. For those who were running earlier also, joining RunAddicts has only raised the bar higher!! We get to know about so many competitive events, get to train together, get valuable guidance from other senior members of RunAddicts. The constant motivation and inspiration that we get from this group is unmatched.

Any specific goals?

I do not keep any hard targets on the pace or the distance or the event that I want to do. I just enjoy running whatever makes me feel good and happy about it.

What is your favourite running quote?

Running is a way of life.

What is your advice for beginners?

I believe Walking/Running is the simplest and best form of fitness. Your place, your time. Wherever you go carry your shorts and shoes! Embrace it as a part of your routine. It brings in a lot of positivity to the mind too. And if you happen to run long distances, it will bring in a lot of discipline in life, it increases the will power and teaches you how not to quit.

Thank you, Shreyas, it was a good discussion, I liked your attitude about running and learnt a few things myself; running is to be enjoyed, not taken as another commitment or pressure in life. The PB’s, the peer pressure and comparisons are just hurdles and become insignificant in the bigger picture of life.

I wish you a lot of success in your pursuit towards a happy running life.