#138 - How To Become A Holistic Runner w/ Ganesh Kuduva
In this week’s blog/podcast, I got a chance to catch up with an running coach and author of the book “Be A Runner Forever” - How To Become and Be an Inspired Holistic Runner! His name is Ganesh Kuduva. Genesh went from being a novice beginner to completing ultramarathons and inspiring many along the way.
Hello, my name is Coach Tadris Parker, I have a passion for helping people become healthier one step at a time. My podcast is designed to help share stories of everyday people that are doing amazing things with their health through running, walking, and following a whole food approach. My blogs are my shorthand notes for the podcast. The notes may not always be complete, but they are short and to the point for a quick read. Continue to scroll down for a quick read and check out this week’s photos.
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Coach: You're a running coach and author, what got you into running? Was it something that you've been doing since childhood?
Ganesh: I led a very stressful life with too much sleeping, over-eating, lower back pain, high cholesterol, unable to focus on my job and life, at the end of 2008. That phase of my life made me ponder about how I could lead a better life and lifestyle which made me get into a daily walk and then, it turned into running. And the transformation has never stopped. Have run several marathons (including a barefoot marathon), a dozen of ultras (100+ KM through 24-hour runs). Though I have run during my school days casually a bit, I never ran this seriously and for the joy of running. Running has become a bliss in life now and I look forward to running until I pass this world.
Coach: What did you do for a living before becoming a running coach?
Ganesh: I worked in an Information Technology job for about 22 years, starting in 1997. Did various roles from being a Programmer to Senior Program Manager and Agile Transformation Coach.
Coach: Do you still do the profession or is running your full-time undertaking?
Ganesh: Health and Wellness coaching is my full-time profession now. I started with running coaching as a side hustle in the year 2017. Since then, I have been spending time both on the ground coaching people and transforming them. And also, I am continuing to educate myself about how I could effectively coach others and bring transformation in peoples’ lives. I am also a Certified Coach in Running (ACSM), Yoga (S-VYASA), and recently, Nutrition/Weight Management (ACSM).
Coach: What moved you to write this book “Be A Runner Forever”
Ganesh: The thought about writing a book on running first occurred in me after I finished my first ultramarathon in Nov 2015. By then, I had run for about 6 years, half a dozen marathons and a couple of ultras. By then, I had learned quite a bit about the sport of running (I would not say everything because I am still learning this sport in and out through coaching people who come from various backgrounds!) and I thought, I should write my memoir sharing my personal running experiences and along with it, if I could share many things that I learned to make every aspiring runner’s journey a bit easier, it would be worthwhile. I started writing immediately, but then realized, I should take a few more years to accumulate more experiences and the wisdom which made me give it a few more years. In 2020 as the pandemic hit, I could make more time writing the book as I was working from home. I finished by Aug 2021 and published it. Writing this book inspired me to do more work in the writing space which I am continuing to do now. It consists of writing continued articles on various topics including running, motivation, personal finance, spirituality, learning, achieving full potential, wellness, personal transformation, and reading, apart from writing books.
Coach: What challenges did you face in your running journey and how did you overcome them?
Ganesh:
I faced a few challenges all through my running journey but they all made me what I am today.
Injuries –
While I had several injuries through my running journey, most of them lasted only a couple of weeks except one which stayed for about 5 months and I learned the most from it to prevent running injuries. I have been uninjured since 2017 despite running ultras.
Fundamentals of Running –
When I started running back in 2010, there was no one to guide me about how to inculcate the basics of good and holistic running. Somehow, over time, I learned all of them, either through great people around me or by myself. I emphasize a lot to my trainees about following these fundamentals of running to stay injury-free and follow it as a philosophy to be able to enjoy running lifelong.
DNFs –
Like many other runners, I also had my episodes of DNFs (Did Not Finish) in a few races. Some were easy to take while some were very hard and they all left a lasting lesson for me. I have become very wise now in setting the right running goals for myself. I also emphasize the same to my trainees. All of us are unique with our lives and everyone brings their own set of challenges/abilities from their lives. By setting our own unique running goals (never try to mimic others!), we are only helping ourselves better to progress in running and wellness transformation.
Coach: Wow, thank you for being so open about your journey. What at the moment are your healthy habits?
Ganesh:
1. Working out 6 days a week – I do either running, cycling, walking, yoga, strength workouts, and sometimes, swimming. I rest strictly one day a week.
2. I try to regulate my eating well. I have been doing that for many years now, which is one of the reasons I have always stayed lean without gaining too much weight. In 2008 where I gained weight and it led me to a stressful life.
3. I try to consistently read books on many topics, primarily self-help topics. I also read Spirituality, Health, Finance, and Running.
4. I do Sudarshan Kriya (A breathing and a wellness practice from Art of Living (AOL) regularly. I also participate in club meditation with that.
Coach: Excellent, I love to read more as I get older. What does your exercise routine look like these days?
Ganesh:
• I do two strength workouts a week – one upper body and one core. Another lower body and core. I do more strength training when I do not have any races to train for.
• One Yoga workout a week
• Number of runs and running mileage depends on the races that I prepare for. I do warm-ups, running drills, post-run standing stretches, floor stretches, and foam rolling which all have been helping me stay injury-free. I truly believe in the philosophy of conditioning all muscle groups to fuel my running without any injuries.
• Cycling once in a while. I used to do it regularly when I actively trained for ultras. Due to the pandemic, cycling has taken a huge break. Hope to get back on the saddle soon.
Coach: Do you Intermittent Fast? If so, what’s your schedule? 16/8 or what...
Ganesh: I never followed intermittent fasting as such, but I do fast every year during Mahashivaratri for a week where I just skip my breakfast which makes it 16/8 intermittent fasting. This practice has nothing to do with my weight loss or anything like that. It is just a religious practice to bring more life to my senses. I generally do not recommend any FAD diet to people or my customers, which includes intermittent fasting while people may have their reasons to follow these FAD diets which I would not want to judge. Of course, they all have their place and value depending on the individual’s context.
Coach: One thing I would like to push back on, is that I.F. shouldn’t be considered a FAD diet. It should be considered as bringing mindfulness to your eating practice. Just as a person should not wake up and run, cycle or swim all day long. We as a society should not be eating from the time we wake up until we go to bed with a late-night snack. Our body needs a break. The black and white lines of fasting windows, allows beginners to start the process of becoming more mindful, as to when to start and stop eating. I don’t think fasting is a license to stuff your face with anything you want. I still encourage a “Keeping It Real” approach. Keep calm and keep your nutrition real.
Speaking about eating, is there any special way of eating that you like to follow?
Ganesh: I strongly believe in a balanced diet from a macros standpoint. I recently worked on my waist size reduction. I brought it from 33.5 inches to 31.5 inches. I do not believe in 3 large meals a day. I take a minimum of 5 smaller-sized meals a day and sometimes 6 as well. I eat only when I am hungry. I never just dump junk in my stomach except for festive seasons 😊. I consume a good amount of vegetables and fruits for the day.
Coach: What are you excited about today, any special projects that you are working on at that moment?
Ganesh: I am currently writing my second book. I hope to publish it by June 2022.
Coach: Let’s tell people how they can connect with you?
Ganesh: Here are my social media handles and contact if you need my coaching services (Running, Fitness, Yoga and Nutrition/Weight Management)
Instagram – @bearunnerforever
Twitter – @RunnerForever2
Coach: Give us one parting piece of advice and we'll say goodbye:
Ganesh:
“Leading and living a healthy life is a foundation to extraordinary living. When people take care of their health (it can start with the physical, but gets onto mental, emotional, and spiritual), they not only change themselves, they make the world a better place.”
“Always, be inspired and live to inspire!”
Pick up a copy of Ganesh’s book: “Be A Runner Forever”
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