The Phenomenal Sportswoman

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This is the story of Nitin Nadkarni, a school friend, and his wife Chitra, who is a phenomenal sportswoman. She is an inspiration, having completed the Devil's Circuit recently. Before that, she did five of the six World Marathon Majors and the 90 km Comrades Ultra Marathon. These are extreme physical events that must require  high degree of strength, stamina and perseverance. 

When I wished Nitin personally on his birthday, I commented on the super fitness of his wife. This started a conversation that revealed these astounding facts. Would you believe that all these incredible achievements were achieved after crossing the age of 50? 

When I enquired on what motivated her, I was told she was a runner in her school and college days and had represented at the district level. After marriage all this took a back seat as she was a working woman and was also managing the family. She had made a bucket list in which she wanted to complete the half marathon at the age of 50. This is how it started. Since then she has completed over 20 full and half marathons and has always been a podium finisher in all the Indian events including the Mumbai Marathon. Her motivation is totally self driven. Once she runs a 10 km race, she wants to complete a half marathon, then full marathon, then ultra marathon, then half Ironman and now the full Ironman.

Having completed the half Ironman, she trained for the full Ironman and is the very first Indian woman to do the feat at 58 years! It is Trialthon that  consist of a 2.4-mile swim, a 112-mile bicycle ride and a marathon 26.22-mile run, raced in that order. It is considered one of the most arduous and difficult one-day sporting events in the world. 

Credit goes to Nitin as well, as without his and the family's encouragement and support, such major achievements are not possible. In the same measure, our achievements can also be traced to our partner's and family support. Needless to say Nitin is very proud!

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