Inside the mind of an Ultra Runner FEAT Amit Bhattacharjee
Inside the mind of an Ultra Runner FEAT Amit Bhattacharjee
Marathons are considered as an ultimate test of will-power while ultra runs are the one pushing themselves to the limits of utmost endurance. Let’s travel through time to know more about the history behind running. Way back in 490 B.C.E, a Greek soldier named Pheidippides was told to leave town to deliver the message of victory over Persia. The town that he departed from was called MARATHON and he had to deliver a message to Athens which was 25 miles away. Legend has it that he ran all the way in one shot, delivered his message and dropped dead right in the spot.
We’ll see to it that this doesn’t happen to you.
Here is an insight from CEP PRO ATHLETE Amit Bhattacharjee, whose passion for Ultra-running is a no joke. He lives and breathes the passion like nobody else. Below is a Q&A with him, so grab your energy bars cause this is going to be no less than an actual Ultra Run.
Firstly, Why do you run?
Like it is the case with all runners, for me as well it all started off with the intention of getting fitter and driving away diabetes. Presently I run to remain fit and also to inspire people to run and remain fit and healthy.
Is this your first Ultra Run?
Although I love running all distances, my favorite distance has been Ultra and it is something that I am passionate about. I have done quite a few ultra runs, both official and unofficial, which are listed below
- In 2015, did my first Ultra of 100KM at Bengaluru Ultra, where I stood second in my Age Category
- In 2016, participated and completed 161 Km (100 Miles) run at Run the Run at Kutch, Gujarat. This race was a self-support format race and is considered as one of the toughest Ultra events in India
- In 2016, I competed in a 50 Km Night Marathon at Ahmedabad and stood first overall
- In 2016, I completed a 55 Km race at Vadodara Ultra and stood first in my Age Category
- In 2018, I participated in ADR Night Ultra held at Adani Shantigram and completed 104 Km in 12 Hours which was the maximum distance covered amongst all participants. The record still stands
- In 2018-December, I participated in a 220 Km race at Saputara Summit 4.0 and completed the distance in 39 Hours and came overall first and which is the prevailing course record
- In 2018-October, I participated in a 100 Km trail race at Mawkyrwat Ultra, Meghalaya and completed in 14hours 32 Min in a very difficult and technical course
- Being passionate about ultra-distances, have run 50Km or more a few times including thrice running Sardar Patel Ring Road, Ahmedabad a distance of 76 Km. These runs are mainly to support fellow runners and to create a culture of ultra-running in Ahmedabad (unofficial)
- In 2017-December, I ran from Ahmedabad to Mount Abu, a distance of 222 km and completed the distance in 39 Hours (unofficial)
At your age, what would be that one element that triggered you to run for an Ultra run?
I always love to challenge myself with the sole intention of competing with myself and improving with age. Initially when I started, I aimed to do well in Half Marathon followed by running Full Marathon. To scale up, I then decided to do an Ultra. During my first ultra at Bengaluru, I realised this is what I love doing mainly as it gives me an opportunity to run in places where I would have never ever ventured in my lifetime. Although I love participating in HM and FM, Ultra gives me a high as there is no limit to It with respect to time on the road or distance traversed.
Which is your next Ultra Run and how are you preparing for it?
The next Ultra that I am running will be a 400 Km distance one in February 2021. I have learnt, although the hard way, that races and events become enjoyable only if I really train hard. The beauty and challenge of an Ultra is that you cannot run an Ultra as a preparation for another Ultra. It is more of creating a simulation of the distance and doing some back to back long runs. Another aspect of ultra runs is preparing the mind for it. As a plan I normally set one Ultra target for the year and work for a minimum 3 to 4 months for it. This gives me the opportunity to prepare the mind too.
While on an Ultra Run, what are the challenges that you face?
As I mentioned earlier, taming one's mind is the biggest challenge during an Ultra. I have seen many times, your body will support you if you have a strong mind. The biggest challenge which comes in an Ultra is how you handle yourself when you hit a low during the race. One is bound to have few high and low periods during the course of an Ultra, similar to our daily life. But by remaining strong and determined, it is possible to overcome the challenges and you are bound to hit a high again. Obviously, all these also depends how well you have trained for the event.
You're running for 4 days straight, so how will you manage your nutrition and where will you take breaks?
As you know by now, this distance of 400 Km will be the longest ever that I have attempted as I have never run beyond 220 odd Km previously; so I expect lots of challenges and some of which will be for the first time. I plan to follow a similar method as my earlier from Ahmedabad to Mount Abu (222 Km). Recovery and proper nutrition I feel is the key to such distances. I believe in keeping it simple and light. My favourite & go-to nutrition plan is Khichdi or Dal Chawal. This gives me the necessary protein and carbs. I love eating in Dhabbas, so surely I will have my solid food in a Dhabba along the route. Hydration being equally important, I ensure to drink sufficient water and take a combination of minerals and amino acids to fuel me. As I mentioned, recovery is very important so I will take regular breaks, maybe initially after every 10 Km and then reduce it based on how I feel. Since the vehicle will be running alongside, I will take a call based on weather, time of the day and how I feel. I will take a couple of long breaks maybe (around 2 hours) to get a power nap and rejuvenate my muscles. A physio will also be accompanying me throughout the course.
How have you invested in your knowledge of the sport? This means, did you get a personalized training plan made for you? Hired a coach? Joined a running club? Set a big goal (with plenty of small goals along the way)?
Well frankly when I started running 8 years back, we hardly had access to coaching etc. in Ahmedabad. But I have been lucky to learn from other’s experiences and what they shared. I am part of the Ahmedabad Distance Runner (ADR) group which also has quite a few experienced runners and this has helped me tremendously in connecting with runners and learning from them.
I feel, to improve consistently in this sport, one has to set long term goals. I decide at the end of every year if I should attempt something big next year and start thinking about it and train accordingly. These days I plan my own training which is based on my goal and learnings from all my running years. Following a structured plan has helped me achieve a Boston Qualification and also do well in an Ultra in the same year. I do not have plenty of small goals as such but basically keep a track of how I am improving in distances such as 5K, 10K, HM and FM as I want to be always good in all these categories especially compared to my peers.
Does proper gear while running help you maintain your pace?
Proper gear is very important in endurance distances. My experience is, if it is not proper it usually starts bothering me and impacting my runs. Especially for an Ultra, it is extremely important to have a proper gear as one has to go on and on and sometimes with the same gear for the entire distance. If it is not proper, chances of injury also increases.
What’s your plan post the ultra-run?
First and foremost will be to party hard and recover. I am counting on CEP's recovery compression wear to speed up my recovery process during the race and on completion so that I can quickly resume running and also avoid injury. I will take a week or fortnight off and have all kind of food and then get back to training and planning what I want to achieve in the next season.
How vital is it for you to wear compression wear? Is it best for recovery or during the run?
There is no doubt about that, especially for endurance sports, proper recovery is the key to quickly get back on your feet during a run in an event and also after a hard training session so that you are ready for the next day. CEP Compression wear is the best in the world and the best thing to use them for both, knee-high Run Socks during the run & Recovery Pro Tights for a speedy recovery after the run.
Are you mentally prepared, and not only physically, to take up this challenge and was it hard to push yourself to do this?
I like to take up challenges which look difficult initially, which was the case always with the Boston Qualification target. Similarly when I took up this challenge, it looks improbable initially but with proper training which I am doing now and as the event gets closer like always I am getting mentally stronger. So physical is easy and takes less time while mental is tough as I have to think and prepare for it the entire day.
What is the environment while running for an Ultra run, is it competitive enough to push you harder to reach your goal?
It depends on the race and how bad I want it. I remember one instance when I had trained hard for 55 Km Vadodara Ultra which is a very technically tough course, I was feeling down and out at around 30 Km. I suddenly realised a runner in my category has caught up with me, since I badly wanted to make a podium finish, I started pushing hard and after around 35 Km I felt rejuvenated again and finally finished the race way ahead of my competitor. In an Ultra run it is more of competing with oneself as the distances are long and competitions are less.
PRODUCTS THAT AMIT IS CURRENTLY USING
Active
Recovery
