Two avid runners, Ashish Kasodekar and Pravin Zele tell you how to pick your pace
Fitness fever has caught on as many people are now actively focusing on outdoor sports instead of consistently being confined within the four walls of a gym. The most popular one being – running. People are up early morning or evening, pacing up on the streets or on jogging tracks. Some, encouraged by their work-out partner, push themselves for an extra mile, while the more focussed ones, aim to finish their 10 km run.
Here, we chat two Pune runners to find out what made them don their running gear...
Discipline is the way to success
His positivity and determination is infectious. An avid basketball player, 46-year-old, Ashish Kasodekar, took up running four years ago. He thinks that to play any sport well, you need to know how to run. Running can be addictive, like other games.
Kasodekar also points out that initially people are inclined towards athletics but with age, the focus somehow shifts towards marathons.
The ultra marathoner, who ran 111 kms at La Ultra – The High, one of the toughest ultra running races in the world, feels that it is always better to run alone. “It is better that way since you can absorb the environment and the beauty of the nature around you. I believe in discipline and that is how you can reach where you want to be. It works like meditation. I actually ran in Ladakh because there aren’t many people on the road, which gives you enough space to run, and it was beautiful too.”
He also successfully completed the 2017 Comrades Marathon, an iconic ultimate human race held for the 92nd time on June 4 at KwaZulu-Natal in South Africa along with 16 Puneites. He also underwent an extensive training with weekly run of 90-100 kms. Kasodekar feels that it is the wish to achieve what you want, that will take you far. He adds, “People should do what comes to their minds because it is the mental determination that will drive them to be successful. No one should wait around to have a perfect pair of shoes or pants to start running.”
Determination is the key
Businessman Pravin Zele is an inspiration for many. The 37-years-old Puneite has been running barefoot for three years now. The former state level hockey player, he had a major eye injury, five years ago which prompted him to shift his focus to running. This year, he is attempting 121 half marathons barefoot in 121 days.
He started on his mission this year on May 1 from Shirdi and will be completing his record tomorrow (August 29). Talking about his attempt at achieving this massive feat, Zele shares, “I start my daily runs at 4 am in the morning and complete 21km within 2 hours 30 mins. In a bid to avoid being demotivated after suffering a terrible eye injury, I resorted to running. I have to maintain a strict diet and be really sincere about following my fitness regime. Of course, it takes a lot of self motivation and you also have to be really mentally strong. I believe in the simple philosophy — ‘runners never give up’. My personal best has been finishing half marathons in 1 hour 40 minutes, but I wanted to attempt something different this time which is why I applied for Guinness World Records and Limca Book of Records.”
To achieve his goal, Zele is also undergoing rigorous training and practice. His diet plan is strict and measured. He starts his day with a banana and dry fruits before heading out for his run. “I make sure I am out for running at 4 am in the morning. After that I have a glass of protein shake. Breakfast consists of sprouts and lunch at 1 pm. Evening snack comprises a glass of fresh juice. Dinner is at 8.30 or so and I am off to bed by 9.30 – 10 pm,” he shares.
Zele believes that the beginners can find a lot of support from various groups like Pune Running if they take the first step. He adds, “Don’t aim at running 10 miles in your first go. Try walking and running from time to time. Because once you get injured, you take a long time to recover. Stretching is also a must if you want to avoid cramps or consistent body pains. It takes a lot of determination and patience. I have sometimes felt dizzy and even fell down at one point, but I pushed it aside to continue my practice.”
