Runner of the Fortnight Bhasker Sharma
Bhaskar Sharma is a familiar figure at RFL. Certainly one of the veteran RFL runners, you will catch Bhaskar at almost every RFL run. On the occasion of him completing 12 marathons over the last 12 months, we caught up with him as he talks about running and what keeps him at it. We present Bhaskar Sharma, the Runner of the Fortnight.
1. How long have you been running and when did you start?
I have been jogging 6-8Km a few days a week for over 25 years. I ran a 10K race in Belgium in 1983 in about 42 minutes. However, I decided on going
longer distances in late 2001, when I met an Indian marathon runner in the US of my age group.
I then set myself a personal goal of running a full marathon by the age of 45 years. I completed my first Full marathon in Chennai in January 2003 after which I had a couple of years break due to injuries and not being able to balance my work and personal life.
My second FM was in April 2005 and since then I have managed to run regularly.
By the way, Runners for Life also took shape around this time and played a huge role in my running consistently: directly through organised runs and events and indirectly by enabling me to connect with other wonderful runners.
2. What do you enjoy about running?
I started running, like so many of us, to be able to enjoy eating and drinking and at the same time manage my weight; and then it became addictive – I now look forward to the satisfaction and thrill of a ‘Runners High’ in the morning which also helps me handle the professional and personal challenges the rest of the day.
Running has enabled me to discover myself. I am now hooked on to the ability to set a goal and work towards achieving it.
3. Which are the events you have taken part in and what are your best timings?
Overall I have run 17 official Full marathons/Ultras and 6 full marathons at RFL organised runs. This includes 4 Full Marathons in Mumbai, the 2 Bangalore ultras as well as marathons outside India such as New Jersey Marathon, London marathon, Richmond Marathon and SunTrust National marathon.
My best FM timing is 3 hrs 57mts at SunTrust National in Washington Dec in March 2009.
My best HM timing is 1 hr 49 minutes at Hyderabad in November 2006.
4. Your advice to someone who wants to start running.
Set realistic goals and work towards them with perseverance, patience and passion. Consistency and discipline are the two other important factors. Do not get fazed by others achieving longer distances, faster timings etc.
Everyone began at their ‘start point’ and worked their way up. Also remember that in running, as in life, there will be ups and downs; work within your limitations and enjoy the process as much as the results.
5. You have just completed running 12 marathons in 12 months how does it feel and what next?
It feels great to have been able to achieve a stretch goal that probably few runners have achieved in this part of the world. The wonderful support and camaraderie of fellow runners made it a truly awesome experience – I enjoyed each and every run though some were much tougher than the others. This experience also reinforces the fact that the human body is capable of being stretched much further than what we normally think.
My short term goal is to take a couple of months off from marathon running (after Hyderabad). Long term, I intend to run lesser number of FMs (maybe a maximum of 4) per year and focus on being able to do sub 4 FMs consistently – I have done only one so far and never in India. I see this as a much bigger challenge than running 12 FMs than 12 months – it is far easier to do more number of slower long runs than to do faster and faster runs. (I do envy people like Ashok and Madhu here). Running faster also increases the chances of injury, especially at my age.
Thank you Bhaskar, is there anything else you would like to mention?
As an experienced veteran runner I very much enjoy meeting other runners and helping/mentoring them to achieve their running goals.
I have been fortunate enough to participate in every edition of SCMM so far – did HMs in 2004, 2005 and FMs thereafter and I hope to continue to make a trip to Mumbai every January as long as my physical, mental and economic condition allows me to do so.
Well there it is- we are sure the title ‘Marathon Man’ is an apt description for Bhaskar. Click here to look at the timings for the Marathons Bhaskar has taken part in.
You can also check out Bhaskar’ s blog here
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Rahul Chauhan on -
congratulations on your feat : 12FMs in 12 months. quite a "dean" thing this side of the world.
thanks for sharing your expriences
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Permalink Reply by ashok on
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He is the "man" :) ... yup, now focus on fewer but better prepared and faster marathons in future - let me pace you for a sub 4 sometime in India :)
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Permalink Reply by Gulprit Singh on -
Hey Bhaskar, you are really a source of inspiration to us !!!!
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Permalink Reply by Dileep Mouleesha on -
12 marathons 12 months - you would put Pheidippides to shame. Great going!
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Permalink Reply by Jayadeep Purushothaman on -
Great going Bhaskar!
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Permalink Reply by Amit Joshi on -
Hi Bhaskar,
We can only dream about maintaining the fitness levels you have maintained at your age....do share your diet and strengthening techniques for the benefit of everyone on RFL...
keep miling and raising the bar...
Cheers!!
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Permalink Reply by Running Minds on
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Bhaskar, you are great sir. next time when i meet u cubbon park, pls allow me to touch your feet :-)
superb performance and consistency... wish you injury free health and good luck for all your future runs.
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Permalink Reply by Muralidhar Seshadri on -
Hi Bhaskar, 12 marathons in 12 months is very inspiring feat.......great going
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Permalink Reply by sridhar srinivasan on -
Hi Bhaskar,
You are "Dean Karnazes" of India !! I am always inspired by you to run Marathons.
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Permalink Reply by Satsang Randhelia on -
Dear Bhaskar,
Many many congratulations on your12/12 act !!!
With such a great feat, immense running experience, mentoring nature & inspirational qualities you can easily be called the big daddy of hobby running in India :)
Cheers!
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