
It is a matter of pride that we have an Ironman among us. Raghul Shankaranarayanan has completed the intensely gruelling Ironman Triathlon, one of the world’s toughest one-day athletic events. It is a long distance race that involves 3.8 km of swimming, 180,25 km of cycling and 42.2 km of running – without break, and to be completed in 17 hours!
Raghul is the first from Tamil Nadu and one of only 10 Indians to have achieved this. That makes him one in 100 million!
Here is an interview of his published in Connect, our weekly newsletter. It shows incredible attitude and never-say-die spirit – qualities that I believe are part of the Polaris DNA.
There is always that one moment in any gruelling sequence of life that decides whether you are going to make it or break it. What was the most challenging moment of this triathlon for you? The swim, the cycle, or the run?
Each discipline was gruelling in itself but personally, cycling was the toughest. The 2*90 km course had rolling hill climbs (ups & downs). In the 2nd lap, while I was cycling up the hill, my right adductor and left IT band cramped, so I got down to mitigate the cramps by self massaging those muscles. Many cyclists got down during those hill climbs to walk up those hills but I had made up my mind that I shouldn’t advance while I am off the cycle, so I mounted my cycle and resumed. Also after 130 km mark, I lied down on the ground with my feet lifted, to ease the pain on my lower back. After a minute or two’s rest, I resumed cycling. The tough got going. It took me 7 hr 32 m to complete 180 km and this is where I personally feel that there is a lot of scope for improvement.
How long have you nourished this ambition and how did you prepare yourself for it?
Here in Chennai, I have been participating in different triathlons starting from sprint distance to Iron distance triathlons from Sep 2012. A friend of mine, ignited the idea of my going international while I was volunteering in a triathlon event conducted by Chennai Trekking Club on 23th Mar 2013, since then it has been a dream. My preparation for the event was extensive and varied but the highlights were swimming 2 km into Bay of Bengal, cycling Javadhu hills from Chennai & back and running 80 km in the Kodai hill range spread over 2 days. Strength trained regularly for all the muscles using my own body weight and speed trained in athletic track. I didn’t have any coach but referred educational videos and valuable inputs from the experienced.
Since when have you been swimming, cycling, running?
I started serious practice of swimming from early 2013 before which I could barely swim 50 m. In the month of Jun 2013, I started cycling long distances like 200 (10 hr), 300 (15 hr 30 m), 400 (22 hr) & the longest of my record was 530 km (37 hr), after which I regularly cycled on weekends. On 7th of Oct 2012, I ran my first half marathon in the CTC’s Buckingham Canal Marathon. After being an active participant in these events, I quit smoking and this athleticism has become more of an addiction to me, which serves better too. “Quit Smoking, Do Good…”
What are the other characteristic qualities (apart from physical endurance and training) do you think a person must possess to achieve something of this magnitude?
The triathlon is a challenging event for the mind more than the body. Endurance, patience and perseverance are qualities that one learns and nurtures during the course of preparing for a triathlon. A ‘Never say die’ attitude is mandatory. One must mentally prepare but this works hand in hand with the physical building. For example, whenever we workout we’d be better off with a companion. But sometimes, we have to come out of our comfort zone and train alone as well. I used to run 30-35 km, cycle 100-150 km or swim 3-4 km on weekends all alone to prepare mentally. Watching inspirational videos will not take us too far but will only indulge us in the habit of watching them. “Stop Watching, Start Doing. Inspire!”
How would you describe the impact of this “Ironman” title on you as a person, and as a professional?
This triathlon challenge pushes us, as humans to help them find our boundaries and push ourselves beyond them . It brings out the Iron character in us. It is not about doing that distance but it is about being an Ironman in at least those things that we passionately do. There is an Ironman in everyone of us and to bring it out, we have to stop blaming or wondering and start performing. After all, “Anything is Possible” is Ironman’s motto.
What kind of support you received from Polaris? What are your future plans?
It was tough to get support from Polaris initially but later I found my way through and met the right people. I was reimbursed for the event’s registration fee and my flying charges, which helped me a great way. In particular, I would like to thank Mr. Raymond Arogyaswamy, Mr. Ananda Krishnan, Mr. Vijay Rangaraju, an ex-employee and our Chairman Mr. Arun Jain.
There are only around 10 Ironmen in India but none of them have got qualified for or performed in the Kailua-Kona Ironman, a world championship event. In order to qualify, we have to arrive in top 50, in any other Ironman challenge. Now that I have made my Ironman dream a reality, I want to dream to become an Indian Kailua-Kona Ironman. With continued support from Polaris, I don’t think making that a reality is too far away. “Dreaming is hard as it is meant to come true”.