RunAddicts- Local Heroes: Inspiration series [Profile 12: Sandhya]

There is no noise, no flamboyance, she is just a silent runner amongst us. Sandhya, a well-known face in the running community, recently a podium finisher and has been a consistent performer year on year.She inspires us and is a testimony for success through hard work. Last week was first half of the story from Guru. Today, we shall here the other part, the better half from Sandhya.

Sandhya, 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 Sandhya, a teacher by profession teaching in Delhi Public school North Bangalore.

My small world includes My husband Guruprasad, a quality auditor in aerospace industry by profession, a runner, a cyclist, my inspiration for everything what I am today. My son, Sudheendra who is studying in 9th class, into running, cycling, and volunteering himself in all the running events which we took part.

When did the fitness bug bite you?

I was always interested in sports and physical activities. In my school days even though did not have much stamina, I used to take part in all the events in school sports day. Over then, my father was my motivation and spirit. Our home was just outside school campus, on sports days he used to run with me outside the track to encourage me (beautiful and memorable days). As I was NCC cadet in my college days, fitness was a by-product. After college till 2015 I stayed out of all fitness related activities. Guru started running in the year 2014. After a year I also joined him. Main reason for us to start running was family medical history of lifestyle diseases. We both wanted to break it and stay fit.

This is very interesting, while some of them blame fate, you decided to challenge and win over it.

How long have you been running, and which are the events you have participated?

I am into running since Jan 2015. Started with TCS10K, and then it was kind of ongoing. Airtel Delhi Half Marathon, Mumbai Marathon, TRORT 50K, Malnad Ultra, Vagamon Ultra, 12 hours Stadium run and Bangalore to Sakleshpur intercity run (220 km) calls for special mention.

What are your 10K, HM and FM personal best timings?

10k – 59 Mins, HM – 2:00, FM -4:46

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

I have a year-old senior at home, i.e. Guruprasad. I really do not know the training sequence. He just tells what the distance is I need to run next day or how long will be our core workout, what time I should get ready for cycling. And at the end I finish every event on time. This is the fact. He registers for the events, he gets me running gear, he gets me right shoes, my job is just to run.

A personal trainer helps!

Which is your most memorable running event and what makes it so special about it?

Malnad ultra run 2019 – If u are on an uphill and not able to even walk upright means you are on trails of Malnad ultra, if you are on downhill and not able to run, you are on the trails of Malnad ultra…. event was so well organised that you do not have to worry about anything other than running, a feast to the soul.

One person deduced that if you want to experience both heaven and hell at the same time, you need to run Malnad ultra, you reverberate those words.

 Yes, it is the most challenging course and experience, risky at places, stunningly beautiful at others! The 50K loop had steep inclines, slush, streams, leeches. Heavy rains in the region over the preceding 10 days made the course even tougher, with trails turning all muddy & slippery. The surprise element of elevation/ race conditions made this ultra-unique. Even after all these challenges and difficulties I improved my timings from previous edition.

The one more very important reason to become memorable running event is company of RunAddicts. From the beginning of the journey from Bangalore till the end reaching back to Bangalore was unforgettable lifelong evergreen memory.

I recommend every runner must have this experience once in their lifetime. Amazing!

Yup, I second your thoughts on this. Do this once and you will long to come here year on year.

While finishing an ultramarathon is most runners wish, you set the bar higher with a podium finish. I would love to know your stadium run experience.

Let me tell you very frankly Sai, i just run, i never even thought i would be a podium finisher. Telling about Stadium run, it was very different. It happened such that Guru almost quit the stadium Run at 32 km. He told he will not continue. I started thinking whether i should continue or not. With that thought i continued walk-run for about 1 Hour and 15 Mins. Then suddenly Saw Guru back on the track. Then i just continued and managed to accumulate 78 kms.

 Well, that was modest of you. I hope you will unleash your full potential in the upcoming races.

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

– It is little challenging sometimes as a mother, wife, and a teacher to take everything together. Sometimes we must prioritize what we really want to do.

– The very important part here is support from family. I am lucky enough to get such a supportive and same passion husband which made my life much more comfortable. He is my guru, coach, trainer everything. We both are there for each other in all the situation so that the balancing part becomes easier.

This is alike to my conversation with Guru praising you. Jokes apart, how has RunAddicts helped you?

Very energizing and unconditionally supporting group driven only by passion to run and serve a social cause. This group has motivated so many people to take up fitness and made them to excel in sports.

Recently, we are seeing a surge in women runners. How do you feel about this?

It is good that women are taking care about their health and fitness. Also they are exploring their passion. Definitely outcome will be what we call as “inclusive growth”

Any specific running goals?

Main goal is to run as long as I can without any injuries. Be fit always without any lifestyle diseases.

 What is your favourite running quote?

Run when you can, walk if you have to, crawl if you must; just never give up.

What is your advice for beginners?

Running requires very little equipment. All you need is a good pair of running shoes and the willingness to get started. It brings in a lot of positivity to the mind and body. 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. Supplement your running with cross training, strength training and flexibility exercises to remain injury free. Set your targets and try to achieve them.

Thank you, Sandhya, it was good to know more about you. I am sure this will help many runners to prioritise and achieve their goals. I wish you good luck.