Consistency crucial for excelling in running and life
“Son, your ego is writing cheques your body can’t cash?”
That is a problem I see with most runners who have recently picked up running. In a very short span, they want to run faster and longer in every race. We need to be able to back up our desires of succeeding with a solid foundation. That simply doesn’t happen overnight or by day dreaming.
Once as a 10 year old he ran 3 kms non-stop in 16 minutes and I was over the moon that he could move. Others might think it’s a good time, but it’s all relative. Today he finds it embarrassing to own up to that effort.
Harsheath was asthmatic from 7 to 15 years of age, unable to run even a kilometre non-stop. As a 14 year old he landed up at Wynberg-Allen School, a boarding institution in Mussoorie, where running has been integral part of education for 130 years. Harsheath found himself going for runs at 5:30 in the morning, not enjoying as he would struggle breathing.
He felt left out as more than marks, what you do on the field matters a lot more there, at least in the student body in a boarding school where the intent is to impart them education which goes way beyond pay checks and certificates.
Harsheath met amazing ultramarathon runners like Dr William Andrews (one of the original three who attempted 222 kms at La Ultra - The High), igniting the flame to wanting to run like them.
In the first year at school, the maximum he ran was 6 kms, that too with a lot of struggle. It didn’t help that he had the pressure of being my son, as I had run 125 kms on the school’s 125th anniversary.
Meeting Haile Gebrselassie (set 27 world records), a great runner but even better human being, made Harsheath desire to become a better runner.
Next year he ran 10 kms building it over 4-5 months for his first half marathon. He didn’t train as he should have but ended up finishing that in 2 hours 20 minutes. He would run when there was a race but not train for it.
“Have two glasses of water. Go shower. Take rest.”
Harsheath says that after every run Mr Champa, my sports teacher too, who back then would run behind us with a cane, would yell, “Have two glasses of water. Go shower. Take rest.”
With Alag Natrajan aka Matkaman, the man who caters to hydration needs of the poor. Every day in summer he puts 4,000 litres of water in matkas set by him.
Golden words that don’t sink at that tender age. Without proper hydration and nutrition, just running isn’t going to take you any where. A shower helps you recover and keeps infections away, which are known to happen if you stay in the same clothes for hours after workout.
Rest is crucial for recovery and performing at peak levels, something most runners fail to get their head around.
He managed do a few more half marathons over next two years at school getting his time down to under 2 hours in the hills of Mussoorie.
Viren has constantly reminded him to push harder but consistency has consistently been found missing.
His best time for 8 kms was 37 minutes. Ok times, but not even close to what he is capable of.
At Wynberg-Allen School he had always been a ‘also ran’ but with no extraordinary performance.
Earlier this year he attempted 55 kms at La Ultra - The High in Ladakh crossing 17,400 ft pass.
Masha Segal (crew from Soto Grande International School), Mukul Oberoi, Harsheath Chauhan, Purva Narang and Bhupinder Suhag getting to the finish line of 55 kms at La Ultra - The High.
“I got lucky. I had not trained for it. Going on a trek helped but by no means is enough. I participated because I love running.”
We agreed that if during the race I told him that he wasn’t keeping up the pace required, he would graciously accept defeat and drop out. He managed to get to the finish line.
The quote that welcomes you as you enter Wynberg-Allen senior School, and reminds you yet again just before you leave.
A couple of months ago he joined Knox College in US where is part of the cross country team. For the first time in his life he started following a structured training plan as much as all along he has had free access to me, but he had just taken things lightly.
Knox College cross-country team (2019-2020): Chris, Blake, Miguel, Juan, Alex & Harsheath
His coaches Adam Flyte and Evander Wells make sure that it’s not about just running faster, but slowing down too to make him last longer at the desired pace.
Evander is a junior Olympic athlete with a best of 10.49 seconds for 100 metres. He helps with running drills.
“It’ll hurt but it’ll be worth it.”
They also focus on overall fitness. The cross-country team has to do strength training three times a week and do cross-training twice a week which could involve swimming too.
Alice H. Lee, assistant coach Track & Field, helps with structured and focused strength training for the whole cross-country squad.
From being the slowest in the team, Harsheath is now performing at level which is deserving of having his place in it. He is now consistently able to run 8 kms cross-country races in 32 minutes. During his interval training he does 1 km in under 3:30 min.
“It’s not about these numbers, whether distance or time, it’s about life. ”
All these times are relative and but it’s about the improvement he has been able to show in last 2 months. Harsheath coyly admits, “it’s consistency that has helped me get better in such a short time.”
“Success isn’t always about greatness. It’s about consistency. Consistent hard work leads to success. Greatness will come.”
Harsheath’s 32 min for 8 kms at cross-country or 55 kms at La Ultra - The High, are nothing to brag about. He is capable of a lot more, and so are you. Please become consistent for magic to happen.
“It’s not about every four years, it’s everyday.”
