Some people run only when they are in a rush. Some run for weight loss and fitness. But for some, running is recreation, a way to forget their problems and enjoy a good dash. In the last category comes ARUN BHARDWAJ for whom running is life. The 47-year-old runner is one of the first internationally acclaimed endurance racers from India. In 2009, he won the 567 km George Archer 6-day race in South Africa. In 2012, he set a new record as India’s only ultra-marathoner to complete a run from Kargil to Kanyakumari. In 2011, he became the only Indian finisher at the ‘Badwater ultra-marathon’, dubbed as the toughest race in the world. The Delhiite shares his experiences on the road with Sunday Pioneer
How did running happen to youIJ
I started running when I was 30 years old. Before that I was just like any other ordinary man. I used to be sick all the time when I was in school. I never played any sport in my school and never thought would become India’s sole ultra-marathoner. I remember from class 2 to B.Com, every year I used to get Malaria. My bodyweight in Class 12 was 37 kg. At 28, I got married. The following year, At 29, I became a father. When my daughter. was 1.5 years old, I started running. I started questioning my life.
I tried my hand at chess and power lifting before considering a career in running. I then decided to run a stretch from Haridwar to Baghpat, which measured a staggering 180km, within 24 hours.
That instant, I knew I had found the sport I wanted to commit myself entirely to. I completed the run in 23.25 hours.
Word about ‘The Great India Run’IJ
This event will help people test their endurance and understand that nothing is impossible if you have the will. The event will help them take inspiration from ultra runners. They will know how if one has the will, even a 1480 km journey feels short. Roads will be a challenge as smoke and noise on highways will make the race difficult. Moreover, monsoon has made the race tougher as there is a rise in humidity and it’s difficult to control the body temperature in such weather.
Why do you runIJ
I want to show my fellow Indians, mainly youth, how an ordinary man can conquer pain, ignore the intolerable screaming of muscles and nerves from the body being pushed to the limits and controlling it through his mind. Running is not expensive and anyone can do it anywhere. It requires less inputs for great output.
What does success mean to youIJ
For me, success means to be able to inspire someone. You should be satisfied. Success doesn’t mean that you live in a fancy house, have variety of sports and luxury cars in your garage. Successful people will always compete with other successful people.
Where do you work, designation and resideIJ
I work in Ministry of defence in the administrator department. Currently, I reside in Dwarka sector 19 and distance to my office from my home is 25kms.
Tell us about your diet and training schedule.
The diet is not as critical as we make it to be, especially for events like An ultra marathon. Being a vegetarian, I’ve never had any issues about not having any meat protein in my diet. I don’t eat eggs or bread as they contain fat and carbohydrates. I don’t touch aerated drinks, tea or coffee. I remember when I was in Africa for a marathon, the food in the canteen was non-vegetarian and I had to find sources of rice, beans, vegetables and fruits from outside to compensate my diet. Supplements are overrated. I’ve never needed them to up the ante during a race. A well rounded homemade diet is enough to supply you with sufficient energy for your run. I train mostly at night between 2am and 5am. Everyday I run to my office which is nearly 25 km from where I reside.
‘The Great India Run’ will be flagged off by Sports Minister Vijay Goel and former World Championship bronze medallist Anju Bobby George at the India Gate here on Sunday. The race will finish on 6th August in Mumbai.