A two-time Ironman title winner, Abhishek Mishra has also completed the Ultraman Florida. Mishra quit a corporate job in 2011 and took up running as passion. “The sport bug continued to bite me after I ran my first marathon,” he says. Ever since there has been no looking back. In less than a decade, he has participated in several marathons and long distance endurance sport events. An author, triathlete, Ultraman, Ironman, motivational speaker, sports and event consultant and founder & CEO of Tabono Sports and Events Pvt Ltd, he surely wears many hats with elan.
*Do share your earliest memories as a child.
I remember how hyperactive I was. A few days ago, I was thinking of my activities in school and the time when I was the President of my House in class 11th and 12th. So much energy and enthusiasm for any activity.
*Were you always inclined towards being healthy?
NO! But I was always inclined towards sports. Majorly volleyball, football and athletics. This continued till my engineering days where I participated in national level sports meets representing my college.
*What are the different components of an Ironman challenge?
It is an endurance triathlon where an athlete needs to swim 3.8km, cycle 180km and run 42km.
In 2017, I was invited to race in ULTRAMAN Triathlon in Florida, USA, where swimming is 10km, cycle 423km and runs 84km .. all three need to be finished in 36 hrs!!
*What kind of training does one undergo for this ?
Any athlete or sportsman who wishes to finish a full-distance triathlon or Ultraman Triathlon needs to first build the base in all three sports. Like knowing the technicalities of swimming, cycling and running. Then they need to build endurance for all three. Once that is achieved it takes 6 months to 12 months of focused plan and training to be a strong triathlete to finish these races.
*What is the criteria to compete ?
Mostly, all over the world, for full distance triathlon like Ironman Triathlon, Herculean Triathlon or X-treme triathlon anyone can register and participate. But in races where distances are more than full distance, an athlete needs to qualify and to be invited to participate. Like Ultraman Triathlon or Hawkman Triathlon. These races have qualifying criteria basis format and distances.
*Describe your meal plan please.
This is very specific to any individual and the way they train be it a runner, a triathlete or someone who follows healthy living. I am against any processed supplements so I eat what my mother used to feed me. My day starts with soaked figs, almonds, walnuts, etc. and then post-training/workout I eat fruits… Lots of fruits till I feel full. An hour later I eat my breakfast followed by lunch, then some snacks by 4:30, followed by dinner between 7 pm to 8 pm. All major meals include whole food and lots of seasonal vegetables, rice, grains etc.
*Do you never indulge in junk food ?
No. The simple reason is I don’t feel like or get the craving to eat any of those. Be it Indian junk like chole bhature or samosa, etc. or western. There are 2 major reasons for this one. The first, my parents never indulged us in junk food… and the second is that I got aware at the right time to understand that it is not good for me or my family. Even if it’s for a day. It is very important to understand that there is no such concept as CHEAT DAY. It is all about attitude and belief. If you follow this one cheat day philosophy, you will never know how soon it will become your habit, and then you will work reverse to find one good day when u don’t eat junk or do something good for your healthy body.
*Please share your reason for writing the book.
To share what mistakes I did in life and make sure anyone who reads it can avoid those. This book *RUN to REALISE*: Aspects of Life is for all teenagers and millennials, to understand the difference between words like Ego and Self-respect, between Reaction or Response or Position vs Growth.
*Who are your role models ?*
Eliud Kipchoge and my friend Milind Soman.
*What’s next?
Training for HAWKMAN Tri- Swim 15km, cycle 400km, Run 100km.