“I am young. At times my husband says that I am not, but I know better,” laughs 52-year- old Urmila Surana, who has participated in 25 marathons from 2015 and had a podium finish in all. “My daughters are both married and my responsibilities are over. Now is the time to explore my capabilities.”
Surana’s fitness routine is strict. “I wake up at 4.30 am, workout for an hour, finish the kitchen chores, go for swimming class, and badminton sessions. I also do yoga and have recently started cycling. I go to bed by 9.30 pm everyday. Sleeping early and taking a day off from workouts once a week is important for the body to recover.” She is also particular about her diet. “I am a vegetarian. So I eat lots of sprouts, sweet potatoes and drink orange and beetroot juice.”
Her interest in marathons began after reading an article on the Coimbatore Marathon. “I enrolled for the 10K in the veteran category. And I came first.” It took her six months to progress to 21K.
“That was also in Coimbatore and I came second.” But she doesn’t have good memories of this marathon. “I was tired and exhausted. I spoke to fellow runners and understood that I lacked strength training. So I enrolled for swimming lessons.” Playing badminton also helped her to build up her endurance.
In January, she participated in her first 42K at the Mumbai Marathon. “I could not sleep the previous night. I was worried about whether I would be able finish it. But it was smooth and I enjoyed the run. That evening I got a call saying I had got the second place for my time of four hours 30 minutes. I was surprised.”
Surana has run marathons in Chennai, Hyderabad, Bengaluru and Kochi. “The Hyderabad one was the most difficult. It was a 21K and we had to run over six steep bridges. This year I am going to enrol for the 42K with 16 bridges.”
She has been selected to represent India at World Masters Athletics Championships to be held in Spain in September. “The selection process was long. I had to clear the district, state and national level trials. I am now qualified to participate in 800m, 1500m, 5K and 10 K runs and the 5K walk.” She has been training since November last year. “My coach Vairavanathan gives me confidence. I am enrolling for the Kochi 42K marathon this year. If I win, I will get a chance to participate in the Boston marathon. I know I can do it.”
She believes that everyone should take some time out for themselves to stay fit. “One hour is all it takes.”
