Being Ironwoman: Fitter body, happy mind
On February 16, I finished my first Ironman 70.3. For the uninitiated, this entails a 1.9 km swim, 90 km cycling, and 21.1 km run. The total of 113 km needs to be completed in one go with sectional cut-offs within nine hours. I finished it in seven hours and 50 minutes, with an overall rank of 13th amongst 48 participants (46 of them were men).
To some, this may seem a little unimpressive — after all the man who finished first did it in six hours. If it was 2015, I would’ve been unimpressed, too. Back then, I weighed 85 kg and had never run more than 10 m. Not even as a kid.
I spent physical education periods in school finding excuses to while away my time in the shade. Up until 2015, I had no idea what it takes to be an Ironman. But then, I fell in love with running. I ran a half marathon in Delhi in 2015 where, along with my husband, I finished the Dream Run of six km, huffing and puffing. I have come a long way from then.
Now, I’ve finished countless half marathons, a couple of full marathons, and many triathlons, earning a few awards along the way. Yet, the sweet sense of achievement that I got on finishing that first six km is unbeatable. It was the first time I had challenged my body and mind into doing something I could never dream of doing — running.
Five years later, weight loss is just one of the many good things that have happened. Sure, I’ve been able to lose 25 kg and keep them from coming back — but that’s hardly the focus now. These five years of running, participating in smaller distance triathlons to Ironman 70.3 have been fulfilling.
In all these years, I have never quit a race. Many times my body has tried to revolt, but then my mind took over. Ironman 70.3 would not have been possible without my regimental training schedule which entails waking up at 4am. I don’t remember the last time I slept in on a Sunday!
Honestly, I don’t even check my weight anymore — the last time I got on a weighing machine was a year ago. But I know I am okay because my mind is engaged, happy, and calm. From being a person who couldn’t run 10 m to completing 113 kilometres — I have come a long way and gained so much. A fitter body is just one of them.
PAYAL S KAPOOR, WHO RECENTLY FINISHED HER FIRST IRONMAN 70.3, TALKS ABOUT HER LOVE FOR RUNNING AND FITNESS