Why I'm Running the Bangalore Ultra

This year, I graduated from running half marathons to running my first marathon. In less than 36 hours, I'm going to be running my first 50k at the Bangalore Ultra. Frankly, I'm not intimidated by the distance. Thanks to my coaches at Runner's High, I'm mentally and physically ready for what promises to be an 8-hour pain fest. But I've often wondered what prompted me to transform myself from a couch potato to a serious runner. Well, here's what a tiny little voice in my head whispered to me while I recovered from a grueling pre-race ab workout.

Incredible People
Here are a few people who've been instrumental in getting me to run.

• Ratnesh: My friend and running mentor. He introduced me to a crazy ultra marathoner, Santhosh Padmanabhan in 2008. I began training with Runner's High in 2009 and never looked back. Ratnesh was always there to egg me on.
• Chandrika: My buddy, navigator, and wife. She has endured several lonely weekends, missed parties, and suffered terrible sun tans because of my runs. A foot injury ended her running stint, but she's planning to make a comeback.
• Santhosh Padmanabhan: An incredible human being whose sheer running capacity and humility has been an inspiration. He's as old as my younger brother, but wise beyond his years.
• Arijit Palbag: My running buddy. We trained and ran our first marathons together. Had it not been for his patience, I would not have been able to finish my first marathon as well as I did.  

The High
Running gives me an incredible high. While modern science attributes the high to endorphins, I think it's also due to the feeling of achievement. The high keeps me going the whole day. It's like a fix and I crave for it every day!

The Pain
I am a pain junkie of sorts. No, not the BDSM kind (not that I've tried), but the aching muscles kind. It's the pain that gives me something to fight against and makes running a true competition - against myself.

The "Purity" Feeling
Running is a pure sport. There are no rules and no equipment - well almost. Participating in a run is a very liberating experience.

The Ego
Running is incredibly good for the ego, no just not good, it's great. When I turned thirty, I felt really bad. I felt old. I felt that I hadn't achieved anything in life. That was four years ago. Today I feel great. I feel young. Running has given me a new lease of life.

The Trail
It's going to be my third run on this trail - my favorite running trail. The trail meanders through grasslands (rare in this part of India) that are being protected by conservationists. The organizers have made the trail much tougher this year, but hey, that's what ultra marathons are all about!