Simple but elegant and energetic Anu Vaidyanathan, India’s only Ultraman enjoyed her Monday evening at the Jus Booster Juice with a cup of her favorite smoothie. A Tete-e-tete with the tri-athlete…
Childhood
Anu says she was wild and energetic as a child. Born in Tamil Nadu she was brought up by her parents in Bangalore. Then emigrated to US and study Computer Engineering at Purdue University.
Anu as an athlete
Anu who is on her late twenties developed her passion of being a tri athlete when she was 18 years. The iron maiden Anu easily takes up a 3 day event which consists of 10k swim, 150 k bike ride, 84 k marathon. She has won her age group at the Canadian iron distance event in Ottawa. She also finished Ironman Brazil, Montreal Marathon, and Geelong Half Ironman in Melbourne, China, New Zealand and a qualifying half-ironman World Championship in Clearwater Florida.
Her Inspiration
When asked about her being an athlete Anu says “As a child I was a bit wild but not until 18 years that I seriously gave thought of becoming an athlete. When I was in US I used to run around the campus to avoid the cold getting on to my nerves. Then started cycling and swimming. Then thought to combine the three and here I am as a tri athlete. My father is probably my inspiration. He used to go for this crazy bike and swim races back at home…. So in a way I think I had it in my blood”.
Athlete or CEO
Anu gives a shot to both passion and profession equally. Apart from being an athlete Anu is also a founder CEO of a software company called Pat N Marks established in Bangalore. “Having got my PhD in Computer Engineering I don’t think it is fair to keep that part of me asleep. I have my own office and a great team of professionals working in it and I am happy with it” beams Anu.
Managing time
“Managing time to meet the needs of both profession and passion is a bit hard but I meet the ends some how. I run daily in the morning finish my bike circuit and get to my office. When it comes to office I try to be punctual wanting to set an example to others. I don’t really have a fixed workout routine but I can’t be for sure with out doing some thing to tone and tune my muscles. My short term goal is to race more consistently. I usually workout more vigorously when I am at the edge” says ambitious Anu.
Message to aspiring athletes
Anu who was turned down by government is a bit sad about the tri athlete iron man being an offbeat sports and not much recognition and exposure is given like prime sports. Yet she said how she wishes many people to take up such sports and work on it. “Fitness is every body’s right and eating choices must be made right. This is just not for an athlete but for all. Ultimately we are responsible for achieving what we want so we have to do what is right. So there is always a way when there is a will no matter who recognizes you or not”.
Meenakshi.PL