Kamal Datta (00:00.142) The books that I've read kept saying, save your legs, save your legs, don't go out too fast, don't go out too fast. I tried so hard to follow that advice, but yet my quads were gone. Kamal Datta (00:16.367) Welcome, Herbs. Glad to have you on the pod. Hi, Kamal. How are you? Doing great as well. Looks like you came from Iran. Yeah. I'm, yeah, so I'm a bit sweaty, so apologies. I've literally just got back from a two-hour run, so I'm just training for the Berlin Marathon. So, yeah, so I had to stick to the car, so. Yeah, Berlin training should be on the, almost on the peak. You're ramping up the miles probably, right? Yeah. For Berlin? Yeah. So, yeah, so I did about 25 kilometers today. in two hours. Yeah. So just trying to keep going from the fitness day from running Boston. You want to talk a lot about Boston. So let's quickly start with a quick introduction and to share your background a little bit where you're from, what do you do and we're to talk a lot about Boston today for sure. I'm Harps. I'm 45. I live in the UK. I'm from a place called Reading, which is in Berkshire. And I started road running at the age of 40 during lockdown. And I just, prior to that, I used to just run on the treadmill, just an obligatory five or 10 K as part of a gym routine. But in the UK, we were allowed an hour's exercise during lockdown. So I started running to process all the learning after homeschooling three children. So yeah, so that's how it kind of started. And then I participated in my first marathon last year, which was the London Marathon. nice. Yeah. So I tried to get a place by ballot for a couple of, for about five years. I didn't succeed. So I then ran for charity. Let's talk about what drove you to start running during the pandemic. I know you said you three kids, had a family. I'm sure you have a professional career. It's balancing all this. What drove you to start running? Because I'd say lot of commitment if you're chasing all these big majors as well. was just thinking time, you know, just therapeutic thinking, processing things that happen in the day, just a time for me just to, it wasn't about, so when I started running, I wasn't on Strava. I didn't have any technical watches. I used to just have a Casio, just a plain Casio watch. So I would just look at the time. Okay. It's, you know, Kamal Datta (02:33.582) Hoppers four, I'm going to go out for an hour, hoppers five, I'll come back. And I just started kind of like that. Then I eventually got a little strap to strap my phone to my upper arm. And then I slowly progressed to an Apple Watch and an Elgamen. Yeah, it started very basic for me, just about having time for myself really. Nice. And then you ran 2025 Boston Marathon. It said you ran London prior to that, Boston? Yes, I did. the Boston journey kind of started. visited Boston in 2023 as a family and I fell in love with the place. saw something in one of the hotel lobby areas about the Boston Marathon. And then I started learning about the history, about Catherine Switzer and her journey and how... You know, she participated in it and I was really drawn to that. So I started looking at BQ times and the advantage of getting older, I guess. I knew that I had to get somewhere between 3.45 and 3.50. So I aimed to run London to get a BQ. That's a great way to start. So yeah, so that was my kind of, you know, target aspiration goal. And then even the night before London, did a lot of visualizing. I looked at photos, I looked at my, know, reasons why I was running it. Catherine Switzer's photos of her trying to be taken off the course. And I finished London, my first marathon in three hours, 25, with about a 15 minute buffer. That was 2024, I guess. Yes. Yes, it was 2024. Yeah. yeah, because I was... You I didn't know much about the BQ, the kind of parameters of how much BuffRite would, you know, so I just hoped that it would be enough to get me through and it was, and I was very, very grateful for that. That's, that's awesome. That's good to hear. Now, so you went into London to go for a BQ. Was that, that was kind of the goal? That was my goal. Cool. And then, I know you are from London area. Kamal Datta (04:56.578) How was the training part for getting ready for Boston? think it's still called getting ready for Boston, right? It is, yes. So after London, I had the kind of marathon blues. So I looked at what else I could run. So I ran Berlin too last year. I did say, I just needed a goal to chase something to keep it going until Boston. So I carried on training through the summer for Berlin, managed to run that. in 316 and then I kind of going during the winter months and training officially started for Boston in January. I did a lot of research. I bought the Boston Marathon Training book. I didn't have a coach or anything. I just incorporated Hills into my running, ran about 90, 95 kilometers a week and also started signing myself up for races locally. to test my fitness and different courses, different elevation. So in between training for Boston, I did decide myself up with three local half marathons in our local area. Yeah, kind of did it like that and just ramped up the mileage weekly and focused on nutrition too. Nice. Now you're an out of town participant for Boston. How was the planning part? You said that you've been to Boston prior where you got inspired to run Boston, but I was... I'm curious as you plan for the trip, I'm not sure if the family traveled with you, but how was the planning for the Boston Marathon weekend for you? Yes. So my husband and two of my children came with me. It was one of the best weekends of my life. It was absolutely fantastic. The city breathes the marathon. Everybody is so supportive after you finish. know, congratulations Galore from Hotel Lobby's. Whether you're staying in that hotel or not, they still welcome you with, you know, open arms. Yes, we planned, we were familiar with the city, so we stayed at the same place that we had stayed when we visited because we're familiar with the surroundings. I did a shakeout run with Tracksmith on the Saturday, which was fantastic. We, I know they say, you know, stay off your legs, but we did explore. Kamal Datta (07:16.642) the city of Fairbit and went to the finish line and took lots of photos. It was just the most wonderful weekend. nice. That's good. And you stayed in downtown area, the start at the finish line area? We stayed coast to the finish area. We stayed not too far from Boston Common, about a mile away. Cool. Because that's one of the things that people have to figure out. Shall I stay in the finish line area or the start line or somewhere in between? And then everybody has their kind of reasoning why they choose where to. But yeah, I think most of the folks choose to stay around the finish line because, know, I was talking to someone who had almost a half an hour commute back to where you're staying and you didn't like it the first time. And then he changed his routine in the next race onwards. But yeah, that's great. Now let's talk about the race day experience. So you took probably the shuttle bus to the start line. from Bosnia and Yes. that was just, yeah, it was such a unique experience and you read about it, you watch, you know, videos about it. But until you live it, you know, and experience it, just even though you're experiencing it, it feels rather surreal. You kind of, I dressed in just old tracks, clothes to kind of like, give when we got to Athletes Village. So I was about a mile. Just over a mile walk, which was lovely because it gave me time to process everything before I got to Boston Common. And it's very well organized. The buses are there, so you slowly board the buses based on your color of bib and you're giving timings beforehand. And I got on the bus and that's where I had my first breakfast. You know, I just met a lovely, lovely young lady and we just chatted all the way through. You do feel, you know, you're traveling all that way about 50 minutes and you think I've got to run back. But it's just incredible. In Athlete's Village, was just, you know, was, there's music blasting. You know, your heart starts beating a little faster and you kind of have to pinch yourself that you're really there. Everything just for me ran smoothly. The toilet queues were not long. One thing that I absolutely loved was there's a table laid out where you can leave your possessions that you no longer need. Kamal Datta (09:38.198) So should you need a little bit of Vaseline or some sun cream or some jelly babies, which are British sweets that I took with me because I don't use gels. So you can leave them on the table for somebody else to take if they need them, a banana perhaps or tissues or whatever you have excess of. So yeah, I took my... Jelly Babies. I took some Easter Flavoured Jelly Babies because it was Easter time and I left those there. And then you just walk down to the start line, which feels very surreal. then the course itself, as you know, it's an undulating course, very much downhill to begin with. And you have that voice in your head because all the YouTube videos that I've seen or the podcasts that I've listened to, the books that I've read kept saying, Save your legs, save your legs. Don't go out too fast. Don't go out too fast. I tried so hard to follow that advice, but yet my quads were gone. By the time I got to the mid course, I was praying for uphills because downhill hurts so much. wow. Okay. I tried really hard to say, it was my, think looking back in hindsight, I did hill training, but I didn't do enough downhill training. And I think I, in hindsight, I should probably do more of that, I think. So what was tough? it because of the constant downhill that was kind of hard for you? Yes. Yes. Initially for the first, I would say eight to 10 K, I think it was. Forgive me if I'm incorrect. I'm just a bit hazy for my run, but it was very much downhill and quite steep downhill. you do try to, I think, I think you kind of always need to take, let gravity take over. because I was trying so hard to pull myself back. think I strained myself even more. I should have just, you know, kind of gone with the flow really. And then of course you have in your mind, you know, the three Newton Hills and Heartbreak Hill, which is, I think the hill itself is not too bad if you've done the training, but it's the timing in where it comes. comes at mile 20, which is when you're exhausted. Kamal Datta (11:51.886) And most people tend to hit the wall there and it's very, very, so you've got to almost save yourself there. So I knew about that. So about half a kilometer beforehand, I took some nutrition just to get me up the hill. So yes, it wasn't too bad. And then, um, of course, then, you know, you see the sit-go sign and you, you know, you think you're nearly there and you've still got a little bit to go. So yeah, it, went really fast. The course went really fast. it's a great trade on the course and water. One thing I'm curious about, you looks like differently started the course. very well before you participated and then you ran the course. I was as curious, you were mentioning that all of the videos says don't go fast in the downhill side. If you want to compare between what was you heard or listened to in different videos or part versus what we experienced, would there anything you would change if you want to run to the next year? Yes, I would love to run next year. I would absolutely, I'm hoping the time that I got at London will get me another BQ this year. But yes, I would, I will definitely train more downhill in my, in my training. So let my quads get used to that. I was so focused on those three Newton Hills. I was so fearful of those Hills. did incorporated uphill training and then the advice that I got, you know, be conservative the first. half of the course because of the downhill, don't go out too fast, your quants will get destroyed. I think I stopped myself a bit too much. should have just kind of, as I said, let it flow a little bit more. I was so conscious not to go too fast. And in doing that, I think I forcefully stopped myself and I put a bit too much, yeah. yeah, so I did speed up in parts, but I did, I was very, very mentally also conscious about that. I had that voice in my head saying, don't go out too fast, don't go out too, yeah. So, yeah. Definitely looks like you did London, Boston, you're doing Berlin next. Looks like you're on the path for six majors. I would, yes, I am. I'm trying to accomplish all six majors in less than 12 months. So I ran Boston and six days later, I ran London again this year. awesome. Okay. That was a good for age place that I had. Kamal Datta (14:12.142) fortunately and then I've got Berlin on the horizon in September and then followed by Chicago and New York. Wow. So you're doing all six majors in the same year, the same calendar year? Well, Tokyo will be 2026. Okay. Tokyo is the one. So that's why. Okay. Yeah. that would be, yeah. Yes. Yeah. Correct. Oh, all the best. That sounds a pretty aggressive goal and I'm glad that you are pushing it through. That's all the best for the remaining. So that covers our what's next part. looks like you are on track for the next, at least three, for the three fall majors for sure. Cool. Now, tell a little bit about your support system. Definitely put together a support system as you are chasing these goals for the six majors. How does it look like for you? In terms of what do you mean in terms of how I'm? For support system, there are a couple of things. Support from your family, support from maybe local running clubs, support maybe from coach. or you're putting, you you started your own running group. How does the support system look like to chase these goals for you? So currently it's just me, myself and I, I run on my own. I would love to join a running club. It's something that I am seriously looking into, but it's just family commitments. They usually train in the evening and then, It's just, you know, with family life and everything, sometimes it can be tricky to get away at 7pm at nighttime, but it's something that I'm definitely looking into. In terms of support from the family, they have been absolutely brilliant. They are my number one supporters. I've always got a poster waiting for me when I get home from the local runs and they loved coming to Boston with me. And then obviously they cheered me on in London. So yeah, I hope to join a running club because I think running is all about community. And when I have participated in mass events or local races. I love meeting new people and I've made lots of friends that way. Meeting people, whether in Berlin, whether local races, local half marathons out or Boston or London. So I just love meeting new people and finding like-minded people. So that's definitely on the horizon. You highlight one point. I think it's a very critical. You know, definitely can find a running club, but I think the biggest challenge when you have, you know, Kamal Datta (16:29.794) you know, have family, family commitments, then, you know, maybe the professional commitments you have to keep is just sticking to the scrooge and honor them, right? Because, you know, all the running club have their group runs on a set cadence, right? and weekly run and say at six, start in the evening or the weekend run set at seven. It just having that commitment to be there, it's a big challenge because it has a lot of things going around. And I totally hear you because that's sometimes, you know, for me also, it's a challenge because, okay, Saturday morning seven and my son has some activities. Now we have to like weigh in and like, okay, can I drown on sun instead of Saturday morning? But still I can hit the weekend long run goal. But at the same time, I can keep up those commitments that, you know, absolutely, it's just a struggle constantly. hear you. You highlighted a very good point. Yeah, absolutely. So that's, you know, that's something that I would love to do. just think I love the conversational pace running with friends. So if I, you know, if I can have social one with a friend, I would always prefer that to running on my own because it's so lovely just to catch up and have it, you know, have a chat, tick off that easy run pace as well. But when I do run on my own, just, it's me and my podcasts that I listen to. That's cool. All right. Couple of, rapid fire questions. Treadmill or non treadmill? Oh, is it treadmill or road? Indoor training with treadmills or no treadmills? I started off running on the treadmills. I have to say, I go. And sometimes when it's very, cold here, I do run on a treadmill. yeah. Favorite shoe brand, either for training or for the race day? So I started off in A6 and I've only just started wearing carbon plated shoes. So I'm a bit late to the game. But I'm loving, I love the Adidas Adizero range. And is the same for both training and race day or you have different? So training A6, usually I train in just A6 gel Chiano and then running Adidas or the Nike Alpha Fly. For the race days? For race days, yeah. And are you into smartwatches? Yes, I've got my Garmin 4Runner. Yeah. Garmin 4Runner, okay. Let's go look at what's your favorite one to go to. Kamal Datta (18:51.212) What's favorite race day gel or energy or nutrition that you go for? Just sweets. I don't have any gels. I fill my pockets with different sweets. It's like a bit of a mixture going on in my pocket. So whatever I can get my hands on. I think you already mentioned you listen to podcasts. So I was able to ask music and no music during runs. So every PR that I've done is without music, no music. So London and Boston was with no music, no podcast, nothing. was just, yeah. And I just wanted to really soak up the vibe completely and not have anything to distract. I just wanted to be surrounded by people and just soak up the atmosphere. So decided to run with nothing. I did want to start off with music, but I had no Wi-Fi connection up in Boston, up at Athletes Village. So I gave up and then took my pods off. But yeah, so on training, when I'm training, training, doing the fast or a tempo and I like to have music on, it just keeps me going, keeps me focused. Coach or no coach or self coaching? Self coaching so far. Yeah, I think you're definitely as figured out, you know, looking all those, trained for all this and know, BQ also that's kudos to you. So that's awesome. Thank you so much. Harps, it was great to have you on the pod. Thank you sharing your story and your journey and wish you all the best for the next majors. And I think you're wrapping up six majors in Tokyo in 2027. Not 2026, not 2027. Thank you so much. Thank you very much, Kamal. Thank you.