Beyond the Finish Line: Venkat's Journey to Active Aging

hen most people reach their mid-50s, thoughts often turn to slow down, taking it easy and relaxing into retirement. But for Venkatraman, it was only the beginning of a new chapter focused on helping others achieve their health and fitness goals. With a background as a chartered accountant and successful entrepreneur, Venkat could have quickly settled into a comfortable retirement after selling his BPO company in 2014. However, his passion for running and a personal mission to share the positive impact of exercise led him in a different direction. "It was too early to retire," Venkat notes. "And it's also harmful to get into atrophy and sloth and not do anything. So I decided that I'll do something that is passionate and has a social cost. I ran the first edition of the Mumbai Marathon in 2004. And of course, I did the dream run then. And then I trained and ran the half marathon. And I've been running a half marathon since then. I've run about 169 half marathons so far,” Venkat explains.

Venkat's journey to starting his company, "You Too Can Run,” was profoundly shaped by his own health scares and recovery through running. In 1985, his father underwent emergency bypass surgery, opening Venkat's eyes to the risks of heart disease early on. Yet it wasn't until 2007, after years of dedicated marathon training, that Venkat suffered his own heart attack and required bypass surgery. “I underwent a bypass surgery in 2007 after three years of running. And running, in a way, saved my life because I developed the collaterals that are alternate bypasses to the block, and I got saved because of that." Remarkably, just 11 months later, he was running again. “After about eleven months, I again ran the half marathon."

Word of Venkat's recovery spread fast, with many seeking his advice on whether they could take up running despite their health conditions. His consistent reply, “If I can run after heart disease and surgery, you can too,” inspired his company's name. Since founding You Too Can Run in 2014, Venkat has grown far beyond simply being a platform for runners. He now oversees an entire ecosystem of events, brands, training programs, and support services, all designed to promote community and make running accessible to more people. Being in his 60s, you wonder what drives this lifelong athlete to push past typical expectations for his age group. Venkat cites both fear and vanity as key motivators. "There are two basic emotions that spur people into action - fear and greed," he says. On one hand, he wishes to avoid health issues like diabetes or becoming sedentary. But vanity also plays a role. "I want to look trim, I want to look slim, I don't want to look my age," Venkat admits. "My friend likes to say good habits are as easy to form as bad habits. We should think of how the dynamics of addiction can also work in the good habit sense. How can you do good things that are addictive?" Venkat points out. For him, running has become one of those healthy addictions that he looks forward to each morning.

When we asked him what advice he would like to give someone just starting to run, he recommended working with a coach. "Would you do your own dental surgery? Would you open your car and fix the engine yourself?" he asks. Just as those require expertise, running properly necessitates guidance. "When you take up running, even cycling, people think, 'Oh, I'll just sit on a bike and pedal,'" Venkat explains. But form and technique are important to prevent injury, especially in the initial stages. "It's always better to go to somebody who can train you well and put you on the correct path." In his own running journey, Venkat benefited tremendously from coaches. "I was fortunate to get good coaches who could tell me how to do it correctly." He endorses group running as well for the added "social accountability." Being part of a team allows members to motivate and look out for one another.

With his company, You Too Can Run, Venkat aims to promote running on a large scale through community initiatives and digital tools. While the organization does not offer direct training, there are plenty of entry points for newcomers. They provide resources for both coaches and runners to access independently. This includes recommending local trainers, publishing directories of running groups, and Venkat's own books "From Sofa to 5K" on getting started. By developing scalable tools rather than direct programming, You Too Can Run aims to support running participation at a broader level. Newcomers and coaches can benefit from the resources to independently start or enhance their running journeys as part of a vibrant community. 

While Venkat’s journey in the running world has been marked by many unforgettable moments. One moment he shares with us is of him meeting and interacting with Eliud Kipchoge, a running legend. Notably, Venkat's work in training cardiac patients caught Kipchoge's attention, and he featured Venkat on his Instagram, a rare honor for any runner.  However, moments that continue to impact him daily are in the stories of everyday heroes – individuals who face everyday challenges with unwavering determination to prioritize their health. He finds it remarkable how people, despite adverse circumstances, still find the motivation to take steps towards better health. Venkat says, "I feel that this lady has all the circumstances against her, and she's still motivated to do something."

This spirit of perseverance drives Venkat's commitment to supporting every runner, no matter their speed or background. He tracks the final runner to cross with them at each of his races, ensuring they celebrate finishing together. "We want to make [them] feel that, no, you are the last runner, but you're still important to us," Venkat explained. His goal is to encourage lifelong wellness for all. Where others see limitations, Venkat sees potential and reasons to keep motivating from within. 

As he reflects on his recent Ladakh half marathon, it becomes evident that his passion for running transcends the pursuit of medals or national recognition. It's about setting personal goals and constantly striving to be better than before. One of his upcoming projects will be working on a unique course, "Training the Aging Athlete," to provide coaches with the tools and insights needed to train older active agers. His vision is to bridge the generational gap in coaching, ensuring older adults receive guidance tailored to their unique needs and challenges. This approach will add more life to their years and foster a deeper understanding of the aging process and how to optimize fitness at every stage of life.

In Venkat's mission, we find an inspiring commitment to inclusivity, education, and a passion for promoting lifelong fitness. His journey is a reminder that it's not just about running the race; it's about ensuring everyone can cross the finish line with strength, health, and a sense of accomplishment. Be sure to join us this Friday, as we welcome Venkat, our Guest Speaker, who will share his incredible journey with us live.

Article written by Ashwini Kapila at GetSetUp. Onto his second career, after being a banker who served in the financial services sector for over 28 years.