'Best thing about running is I can eat what I want!'

Sugandhi Garg heads the Product Development group for Vichara Technologies, a US-based software boutique in the Capital Markets domain. A functional expert in Structured Finance, she heads a team of 30.

When she is not dealing with client deliverables and strategising, this mother of two is out there, running. A self-professed fitness enthusiast, she says she is most happy when doing yoga, Zumba or kick-boxing.

Q. When and how did you get hooked on to running?

Sugandhi Garg: I have always been a fitness enthusiast and have been active most of my adult life dabbling in yoga, kick-boxing etc. After the birth of my son, I was looking for a way to lose some of the mummy weight. I was inspired by a group of runners in my condominium who would go for their runs early morning - summer or winter. One day, I thought that I would love to be like them. And here I am, three years on, running half marathons myself.

Q. Tell us a little about the marathons that you have run.

Sugandhi Garg: I have run eight half marathons in the National Capital Region (NCR). Going forward, I would surely love to run some races abroad. I also want to run a full marathon someday soon.

Q. What is the difference between running in India and elsewhere?

Sugandhi Garg: I started running in India so it is special for me. But it is a different experience running abroad as people there are very friendly and encouraging. Also, the best way to explore a city is on foot. When I travel, I always ensure that I have my running gear and sneak in a run whenever possible, whether it's Chinatown in LA or along the sea coast in Barcelona.

Q. How much in advance do you start preparing for a marathon?

Sugandhi Garg: Running for me is a year-long activity for me. However, in summer, my running schedule goes a little out of sync due to the heat in the NCR. One has to wake up really early to fit in a run, and often my running mileage drops a bit.

Ideally for a half marathon, one needs to put in a good 2-3 months of training with proper attention to diet, nutrition, recovery and sleep.

Q. What is your fitness and diet schedule?

Sugandhi Garg: I work out around 5 days a week - 3 days of running and 2 days of strength training or yoga. I try to stay away from all added refined sugar. Being a vegetarian, my biggest challenge is getting high-quality protein from vegetarian sources.



Q. How do you balance your work schedule with running?

Sugandhi Garg: I don't travel a lot for work so I have been able to balance my running and work without much effort. I have a very supportive husband who gets the kids ready for school on days I go running. When I work late nights or travelling, I try to compensate by doing pranayam and stretches, and eating wisely.

Q. What's the most challenging race you've run?

Sugandhi Garg: My second half marathon was a run in Greater Noida on the F1 race track. While the track was good, there were many hills and it became intensely hot for early March. So, that was a bit of a challenge.

Q. What is the best thing about running?

Sugandhi Garg: Running for me is my "me-time" away from work, family, to-do lists, deadlines. It helps de-clutter my mind. When travelling, I get to explore new cities on foot, and the best thing is if I run I can eat what I want.

Q. How does running help you deal with boardroom blues?

Sugandhi Garg: The days I manage to squeeze a run at the start of day, I feel the most energetic and clear headed. That helps me work more efficiently and be more productive at work.

Q. What are the (life) lessons that one can look forward to from running?

Sugandhi Garg: The most important lesson I have learnt from running is that it's a game of the mind. If you think you can do it, you will. I started out being out of breath at 400 meters and now I can run 21 kms without stopping. I am also contemplating running my first full marathon in 2017.

Q. Is there any incident or anecdote that you may want to share?

Sugandhi Garg: I was in Jim Corbett last year for a run and we had to stop running to make way for elephants crossing the road. I felt such a thrill, being one with Nature.

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