Shashwat Rao: The Vegan Ultra Runner (We're Talking 100km+)

Meet Shashwat Rao. He's no ordinary man. Unless you think running 170 km at one stretch (for kicks) is ordinary. Welcome to the God-honest-insane world of ultra running. I was introduced to Shashwat Rao when I went to watch local filmmaker Padmalatha Ravi's latest documentary Soul Run at Atta Galatta last month.

Soul Run gave us ordinary folk a look into the world of Ultra Running. The film tried to answer one simple question : what compels people to run distances that don't seem physically possible? Oh, and of course Shashwat is Vegan, another athlete that is a living demonstration of plant-powered awesomeness.

Shashwat was born in Bangalore, and did a bunch of his education in Madras and Indore. He came from a family that put education on the highest pedestal possible. 'Study, study, study' was the mantra in his household. Although, if given a chance Shashwat would have spent all his time playing cricket. He was a super shy kid growing up, so adolescence was not a hot time in his life.

When he was 25 he had a bit of an existential crises. He figured 'half his life was over' and up until then had been doing things ( like getting an engineering degree and an MBA) on auto-pilot. So what did he do in response to his crises?

'I sold my TV, computer, quit my cushy job, hopped on my motorbike and went around the country. I realized, India is a land of tremendous diversity. The cultural influences, dialects, cuisines, and even habits  changed every couple  hundred kilometers. Traversing the 29 states opened up my eyes. That's probably where the endurance element crept into my personality. Riding those long distances gave me a rich appreciation for the outdoors. It's a lesson no one can learn in any class or boardroom meeting.'

So of course I asked him a few more questions in my attempt to  understand how studious boy from Bangalore became an ultra runner. Let's get to it. 

Do you remember the first times you started running? What was the distance and what did you think about it? How did veganism factor in?

S.R: Yes, my first 'official run' was the TCS Bengaluru 10k in 2012. At the finish, my heart was beating so fast, I really thought I was in the middle of a heart attack. I had never run competitive earlier. Did nothing athletic. As a child, I struggled with asthma. If someone had told me back then (or even 5 years before) that people run these distances, I would have deemed them insane. As a young, reckless city-dweller, I quickly realized that my excess partying and general crappy lifestyle had taken a toll on my health - physically and mentally. I thought running was my only way to solve this. I was broke. I was on a pauper's diet. Simple rice and some raw veggies and fruits. So, it wasn't a conscious choice to turn vegan. There was no "Aha!" moment there. Slowly I realized that it was all I needed. I started reading more, questioning more. Two years ago, I went completely vegan and haven't looked back since. 

Let's talk a little more about ultra running. You've run distances that the average human can't even conceive. I learnt a little about Ultra running watching Padmalatha Ravi's  Soul Run.  How many runs have you completed?

S.R: Any footrace longer than the traditional marathon length of 42.195 kilometres is an ultra marathon. Most ultras are run over technical, uneven terrain, with high elevation changes and inclement weather thrown in for good measure. For me, its a time to eat, be happy and revel in the outdoors. It's also a time to absorb what nature has to offer and meet amazing people. I have a bit of an aversion towards screens - be it TV screens, computers, mobile phones or what have you. Running ultras takes me outside, puts me out of my comfort zone and teaches me problem-solving, withstanding barriers of pain, and pursuing that elusive mindset of bliss. 

Here are a few of the Ultras I've completed:

Javadhu hills Ultra 2015- 50K,

 Run the Rann 2016 - 101K,

 The Spiti Run 2016- 168K,

 BTS Ultra, Indonesia 2016 - 170K,

 Malnad Ultra 2016 - 110 K,

 Chennai Trail marathon 2016 - 50K,

 Bengaluru 24 hour stadium run 2017 - 170K

You've run in altitudes where most runners experience hallucinations during their runs. Have you experienced this? Of course we want the details!

S.R: Honestly,  I find this hard to put in words. Altitude plays a major role in the physiological functioning in humans. At higher altitudes, the air is thinner and oxygen is lower compared to sea level. Improper acclimatization and physical exertion in such conditions are detrimental to one's health. One often feels nauseous and a headache is guaranteed. I think hallucinations are triggered by lack of sleep and calorie depletion. I felt like a zombie just trudging along aimlessly. Vision is usually blurred and the mind  plays tricks on you. Common objects like stones may take any other form and appear threatening. Once in Indonesia, I had an out of body experience. Like I could visualize  'tiny me' from up afar. Such memories are vague and often short-lived. I try to remain in the present. Accept the fact that the mind is wandering and focus on the controllable. One foot in front of the other.

Do people ask you a lot about your diet? Are people usually surprised (or just confused) when you tell them you are vegan? 

S.R: Not really. Food is so significant for everyone in equal measures. That's why people are strongly opinionated about it. We don't normally comply if people tell us to change our food habits, do we? But we observe, learn by example. Meeting one of my heroes, Scott Jurek was instrumental in my diet change. I studied, experimented with what I put into my system and analysed myself. Changes were gradual but certainly positive. For example, I feel fresh and light even after a 50K training run, ready for the next day. No muscle soreness or that heavy feeling you get after belting a plate of biriyani. I do not like to preach to others. I can only shine a light on this healthy path. I suggest people to give it a try and decide for themselves.

What are some of your favourite running sustenance foods? What would be an ideal-after run feast?

S.R: Hmm. There is a difference in running and racing. While I'm racing (pushing hard during events), I prefer sugary drinks, electrolytes, and simple carbs like bananas.  I love sodas too :-) Coke, Mountain Dew and such, but I would not recommend these to others. During training runs, its mostly Ragi powder, homemade energy bars (made of dry fruits) and nut butters. I find Jus' Amazin's range of products to be super tasty and calorie rich. Thank you, Shilpa for those samples. After running for so long, the body doesn't want to eat much anyway. There are many fancy recovery protein drinks, energy gels etc in the market - I can't afford those. Simple carbs and cold beverages are my choice ;-) and I'm not too fussy.

What does veganism mean to you? Does running and veganism intersect with a sense of spirituality for you?

S.R: Veganism is my choice. It's my little contribution to the world. I might have had the odd cup of tea and I have consumed honey. I'm not dogmatic in that sense. It's just a conscious choice to be the best, most authentic version of me and do my little bit for the planet. Spirituality, well thats an interesting perspective. Yes, running does have its spiritual connotations - as mentioned in various studies about the runners high, release of endorphins and the like. In that sense veganism enables me to pursue that state and live a holistic life.

What are the hardest mental and physical walls you've hit when ultra running?

Hitting a 'wall' is common. What makes ultra running unique is that you hit the 'wall', many times. There is always redemption around the corner. Physically, I have had severe cramps, external injuries, total calorie depletion, vomiting, crippling diarrhea, tendonitis and even broken bones. Then, there is that moment when you push through. You find reserves of strength you never knew existed. Physically, I experienced excruciating pain in the mountains. The skin on the soles of my feet were ripped and trashed. Single digit temperatures and persistent rain added to my woes. On seeing the sun rise, I reached light from a dark place - literally and figuratively. I experience a very challenging mental block on a recent 24 hour run around a 400 m track. No start line, no finish line, nobody to push you through - just you against the clock. After running 170kms, the high was unparalleled . All these experiences, I consider lessons. I have lofty goals, which I pursue relentlessly.

Does shashwat's life kind of inspire or at the very least keep you in a state of minor shock?

Check out his website to read about his runs. Oh and here are some books that have influenced him.

Shashwat Recommends

Eat and Run by Scott Jurek

Finding Ultra by Rich Roll

Born to Run by Christopher McDougall

Man's Search For Meaning by Viktor Frankl

Seeing the Sunrise by Justin Langer

Documentaries: Cowspiracy, Forks over Knives, What the Health