14 Dec 2017  |   04:09am IST

The Marathon Man

Vinayak Gaonkar from Margao, one of the stars of the Goa River Marathon, who completed the 21 km marathon in approximately 1 hour and 32 minutes, will soon be heading to Colombo, Sri Lanka to participate in the triathlon Ironman 70.3 event. In a chat with Café, Vinayak talks about what drives him

Karsten Miranda

 

 

In the last couple of years, the number of fitness

enthusiasts in Goa who are taking up cycling, swimming and running has increased rapidly. Vinayak Gaonkar from Margao is one name that has been standing out in this circle. If you praise him, he will be quick to play down his own achievements and will point you in the direction of other athletes he feels have achieved much more. Vinayak’s recent efforts include the Goa River Marathon wherein he covered 21 km in close to one hour 32 minutes.

It also marked the best run he has ever had. What made this feat truly special was that the Goa River Marathon was where it all started for him; it is now part of his preparation for the mighty triathlon Ironman 70.3 event (with 1.9 Km swimming plus 90 Km cycling plus 21.1 Km running) to be held in Colombo, Sri Lanka.

Before this, Vinayak participated in several running events including almost all editions of Goa River Marathon and other half marathons held in the state as well as Mumbai and Bangalore. He has also participated in endurance cycling events such as the tour of Nilgiris in the Western Ghats and cycling races in Goa and Bangalore. He also completed his first Olympic distance triathlon in Goa earlier this year, where swimming has been a relatively new sport for him. Talking about how he got into all this, Vinayak gives credit to the cycling and running communities in Goa that inspired him and many others to take up the sport. He participated at a cycling event where he met fellow cyclists and he says that’s when he knew this is something he was going to love doing. He also feels that the vibrant community plays a big role in helping one improve and that there are many people behind the efforts he makes.

“Fitness does not just help in sports; it also plays an important part in the professional work you do. Endurance sports has given me lots of patience and a much healthier mind at work. There’s a feel good factor and activeness in day-to-day life,” says Vinayank, who has been working at Goa Shipyard as an engineer (manager) for the last eight years.

Speaking about how he juggles his time between work and training, Vinayak says that there’s no secret formula; it’s just a way of life for him.

“I try to train at least four days a week in the mornings and put in long hours during the weekend. I train according to how I feel that day, as forcing things can have an adverse effect and may lead to injuries. If I feel tired, I just go for an easy spin on the bike or a walk or spend some time in the pool instead of doing specific workouts that are scheduled,” says Vinayak.

Vinayak’s message to those who want to get into this space is to have patience and discipline and be consistent, cautioning that the transformation is a slow process. “One cannot run a marathon or ride for 100 miles by just getting up on a Sunday morning without building a minimum base for such effort as the after effects will be hard. I remember running my first half marathon after running few days prior to that event; I wasn’t able to walk properly for few days after that,” he says.

“The goal need not be always to bag the gold medal in any event. As amateur athletes, our main aim would be to stay fit and compete against ourselves. That itself is the simple goal one can have. As you progress with the training, competitiveness comes in naturally and you fall in love with the sport,” he adds.

Among the other things that one must develop, he feels mental preparation is a must, especially if one is going to take up sports that test endurance. “Mind has to have control over your body as the body tends to give up sometimes. All minds cannot be the same, so it is necessary to prepare the mind by proper physical training. It is only when you are properly trained that the mind can get that confidence to keep you fighting on the course,” he advises. He also stressed upon a balanced nutrition approach, eating at the right time and in right proportions and taking adequate rest.

Speaking about what inspires him and how he has now become a role model, Vinayak says the list of role models for him personally are long but it’s the everyday stories that are truly inspiring. “Just looking at older people competing in marathons or a woman who balances home and work performing in triathlons is inspiring. I have read stories of people turning from couch potatoes to professional athletes. As you get involved in the sport, you meet many super humans who will inspire you in some way,” he concludes.