Smart runners don't participate in more than three marathons a year: Ashok Nath, Founder, Catalyst Sports

Sportskeeda is proud to present a brand new series – ‘CXOs on the run’. In this series, we converse with industry leaders, entrepreneurs and other high-profile personalities for whom running is a way of life, and how they manage to find time to pursue doing what they love the most.

Meet Mr. Ashok Nath. After over two decades in the corporate world, lastly as COO of a Brand Consulting firm, Ashok took the leap to follow his passion for distance running. Today he is India’s most decorated amateur runner, 4X Boston Marathon qualifier and the Founder of Catalyst Sports. Passionate about running, Ashok seeks to grow and improving the running space, and his venture will shortly undertake workshops on running form and offer mentoring services to enable runners to achieve their goals.

Excerpts:

How and when did you first start running?

I started running in my early teens when I had tons of energy that needed to be expended, and running made that simple.

Which was the first marathon you participated in?

We need to rewind nearly three decades to 1985 and the RATH Marathon in Delhi. Full of excitement, having never run more than 90 minutes in training, but with the confidence of youth, I registered and managed to complete it in slightly over 3.5 hours.

How do you go about preparing for a marathon?

Smart runners don’t participate in more than three marathons in a year, doing smaller distances in between. Given my healthy outlook to fitness, I am always at a good level of readiness and it is more a matter of scaling up or down on the training if there is a running event in the pipeline.

Do you follow a diet in preparation of a marathon?

I don’t really follow a specific diet. However, the last week will seek a spike in carbohydrates, especially the final days. As a runner, my regular diet would be about 60% Carbs, 25% Protein and 15% Fat, and there is no need to change that.

What kind of kit do you use for running?

I usually wear Nike shoes, and I used their Flyknit Racer at the Boston Marathon with compression socks. Also, a standard dri-fit Tee and running shorts. I am finicky about using a cap and running glasses during a race, as that keeps me focused on the task at hand. I use Gels for my long runs and follow a daily supplement dosage of omega-3, calcium, iron and a multi-vitamin.

How often have you participated in the TCS 10k run? Any highlights?

I have been participating in the TCS 10k every year since this event was introduced in Bangalore. The highlight was that across the initial 2 years, I participated in the Elite Runners category along with the Africans and our own National level runners!

What are the other runs you participate in?

My running schedule will have a mix of 10k, 21k and full marathons. I participate in the better domestic running events and enlist in two global marathons across the year.

What other sport do you play or follow?

I play a mean game of table tennis and football and am very good at swimming too.

Who is your favourite sportsman?

Honestly – none. I don’t like to idolise any human being.

Do you have any message to our readers who wish to start running?

“The first step is the hardest”; but once you can get over the hump, you will never be the same.

Read the rest of our series here: CXOs on the run