Rahul Vaidya, Senior Coach
I’m Rahul, one of the Senior Coaches here at Netrin, and I’m passionate about helping others unlock their potential through science-backed training. But before I became a coach, I was just an ordinary guy trying to figure out fitness for myself. This post is my story—a journey from being an overworked professional to becoming an ultramarathoner. Along the way, I have made countless mistakes, learned tough lessons, and discovered the power of evidence-based training. I’m sharing my journey to inspire you, whether you’re just starting out or striving to reach the next level in your fitness journey.
The Wake-Up Call
If someone had mentioned to me a decade ago that I’d become an ultramarathoner, I would have laughed in disbelief. Back in 2013, I was living in Hong Kong, consumed by the demands of my 9-to-9 corporate job. Back then, my idea of staying active was walking 1.5 kilometers to and from the metro each day. I thought I was healthy—after all, aside from a slightly elevated lipid profile, I didn’t have any major health concerns. But the truth was, I hadn’t exercised or played a sport since my university days.
That August, during a family vacation in India, boredom led me to the clubhouse gym. As I filled out the gym form, I was stunned to see my weight staring back at me: 98 kg. To make matters worse, the scale calculated my body age to be 20 years older than I actually was. It hit me hard—if I gained just two more kilos, I’d need to draw an extra box on the form just to write my weight. That moment was my wake-up call.
The First Steps: From Couch to 10K
Determined to make a change, I started working out daily at the gym. Then, Eric, a colleague and avid footballer, suggested I try running to shed the extra weight. He even convinced me to sign up for a 10 km race just three months away. My first attempt at running was a disaster—I couldn’t even jog more than 200 meters without needing to stop. Undeterred, I came up with a simple plan: jog between two streetlight poles, then walk the next two. It was miserable, but I refused to give up .
Over the weeks and months, I began to see progress. On race day, I was 6 kg lighter and incredibly nervous. Eric ran alongside with me for moral support. To my surprise, I finished the 10 km race three minutes ahead of Eric! That moment was exhilarating—my first taste of a runner’s high. I fell in love with running that day and vowed to run a marathon someday.
Chasing Progress: Lessons Learned the Hard Way
Fueled by my newfound passion, I dived headfirst into training. Like many amateur runners, I relied on the generic plans I designed myself, borrowed from websites, and following “bro science”. Six months later, I completed my first half marathon. I had followed a sub-2-hour plan to the letter, but race day didn’t go as expected. I struggled the entire way, and by the end, I barely had enough energy to muster a smile for the finish-line photos
The same pattern repeated over the next couple of years. I participated in 3-4 events annually, but my times stagnated, and post-race misery became the norm. Meanwhile, Brandon, a fellow runner, seemed to thrive—always crossing the finish line with a smile and boundless energy. He was a trail runner and an ultramarathoner, and I couldn’t help but admire him. Inspired by his example, I decided to give trail running a try. The softer ground, undulating terrain, and connection to nature were a welcome change from pounding the city’s concrete streets.
In 2015, on a whim, I signed up for a beginner-friendly 50 km ultra trail marathon with a 12-hour cutoff. My running group advised against it, insisting I should complete a full marathon instead. But I was determined. The race experience was brutal -I threw up every time I tried to eat, cramped in every imaginable muscle, and finished delirious with exhaustion, barely within the cutoff (with exactly 3 mins to spare).
The haunting question lingered in my mind: Why? What was I doing wrong? Despite my dedication to training and hours spent following advice from running websites and YouTube, I was stuck on a plateau. The plans I created, borrowed, or followed either didn’t work or simply weren’t the right fit for me. I realized I needed a deeper understanding. That’s when I decided to pursue formal education and learn the science behind it all. I enrolled in university to study exercise physiology."
Education and a New Beginning
Enrolling in university to study exercise physiology was a game-changer. Every chapter shattered my old beliefs, replacing them with evidence-based knowledge. I learned that my training had been fundamentally flawed. To achieve my dream of running ultramarathons, I needed to go back to basics—build my aerobic capacity, master running at lower heart rates, and train smarter, not harder.
I began volunteering at ultramarathons, often at night checkpoints. Observing experienced runners taught me invaluable lessons about running gear, nutrition, and hydration strategies. I realized that without planning, failure was inevitable in any tough endeavor. These interactions shaped my own philosophy and approach to ultra-running.
My journey was just beginning, and I’d soon have the chance to test my newfound knowledge on the trails.
The Turning Point: First 100km Ultra
Reflecting on the progress I had made; I realized the profound impact of my educational journey and the transformation it had brought to my running. By 2018, I had spent a year rigorously training guided by heart rate zones, a practice I now swear by. My philosophy of “train low, race high”—spending 60% of training time in lower heart rate zones to build a robust aerobic base—has become the cornerstone of my success. I always tell people, “If you train right, you’ll reach your potential. No one can perform higher than their potential.”
Armed with my newfound knowledge and training, I signed up for my first 100km ultramarathon. The preparation was meticulous—a four-month plan that combined Zone training, a few tempo runs, strength training, swimming, and long endurance runs. Yet, no amount of preparation could fully prepare me for the emotional and physical rollercoaster that awaited.
Most ultramarathons stretch over 12 to 24 hours, with aid stations scattered sparingly along the route. Runners must carry their own hydration and nutrition, and I was no exception. One of the greatest challenges was running through the night, which demanded not only physical endurance but also mental resilience. Adapting to unfamiliar conditions—like being alone in the dark with nothing but the beam of a headlamp to guide me—was both daunting and transformative
"Failing to plan is, in fact, a plan to fail," I often remind my mentees. During that first ultra, I learned that ultramarathons are as much about strategy as they are about stamina. From planning hydration to eating on the go, everything was a test of preparation and adaptability.
The race itself was a grueling test of endurance. I faced cramps, digestive challenges, and exhaustion but persevered to cross the finish line. The real triumph wasn’t just crossing the 100 km finish line. As I reflect on it now, I realize it was about validating my training philosophy and understanding that this milestone was only the beginning of something greater
Crossing the finish line was surreal—it felt like years of struggle and lessons were condensed into that single triumphant moment.
A Philosophy Forged on the Trails
My love for ultramarathons grew with each race. Trails offered a unique blend of physical challenge and emotional connection. Every race brought new lessons and memories some of which shaped me as an ultra-runner and my perspective on racing. Sharing with you a few unforgettable moments that left a lasting impact
Stuck at Tai Mo Shan: During The North Face Ultra, the road leading to the summit of Tai Mo Shan—Hong Kong’s tallest peak—was freezing cold, with patches of black ice making it treacherous. The conditions were so severe that organizers had to pause the event. My fellow runners and I crawled on all fours up the icy incline to reach the checkpoint. At the top, we huddled together under a shared blanket, trying to stay warm. It was a moment that was both hilarious and humbling, a testament to the unique camaraderie ultrarunners share on the trail. These are the kinds of experiences that often forge lasting friendships.
Malnad Ultra’s Wild Encounters: In the dense forests of Malnad, wild boar encounters are frequent and leech bites are guaranteed. I ended up getting lost on the route during the night segment only to meet up with 10 other runners who were lost as well. We formed a team naming ourselves the “Arrow hunters”, keeping wild boars at bay, sharing food and water, and helping each other with leech bites. We worked as a unit to re-navigate the trail and find the arrows marking the route. Experiences like these add an unexpected layer of adventure to the race. When we were back on track, all of us decided on finishing together as a team at times slowing down for the injured runners than chasing individual timings!
Arrow Hunters Finishing - Malnad Ultra Swollen Feet - Thanks to Malnad`s Leech bites
These experiences taught me to embrace the unpredictable nature of ultramarathons. I believe - “Movement is the basic need for human evolution”. Ultramarathons remind me of how our ancestors hunted—relentlessly and with purpose and teamwork. No wonder an ultra-run gives the same joy our hunter ancestors would feel when their efforts assured survival.
The Mentor’s Journey
Today, I’m not just an ultramarathoner, I am also a mentor to aspiring runners, guiding novice and mature runners both towards their ultramarathon and health goals. My coaching philosophy combines science-backed training methods from books and research papers with personal insights from years on the trails. I focus on holistic preparation—building endurance, mastering hydration and nutrition, and developing mental resilience.
"Health should be a habit, not a task, and it is never too late to start” - This is what I always remind myself and those I coach. I hope my story helps alleviate any self-doubts, and inspire runners at all levels.
Dream big, take the first step — no matter how daunting it may seem.
If this resonates with you, share your story in the comments or reach out to us to know more on how we can help you with your goals.
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