I am a marathon and ultra-trail runner and also an event organizer. I am an Architect by education and after working for 6 years in Delhi, I moved to the mountains to pursue my love for the outdoors in 2016. Being close to nature is what I thrive on and my lifestyle revolves around it, be it as a runner or an organizer. It keeps me grounded and also challenges me to expect more out of myself as a human being and as an athlete.
Up Close, and Personal
To me, sport is stands for…
Happiness, freedom, expression, a way of life…
A sports personality I look up to…
Cortney Dauwalter
On a typical training day…
I do: warm-up, mobility exercises, run/rest as scheduled and strength workouts. Depending on the weather and location, I try to do some skiing, slack-lining or climbing too.
I gear up with: Nike/Hoka shoes, Shorts/tights, T-shirt, Salomon vest.
I eat: During runs- Elite drink mix & Gels. During the day – Oats, fruits, musli, dal, chapati, Indian sabzi, veggies, rice. I have been following a plant-based diet for the past 3 years and love the effects of it on my body.
I listen to: Indies, Sufi, soft and soothing music.
I recover with: Taking a balanced meal, Unived Elite Recovery Mix and Unived Pea Protein Powder.
I cross-train with: Hiking, Cycling, Slack-lining and Skiing.
My idea of an effective weight training session is…
Taking a balanced meal, Unived Elite Recovery Mix and Unived Pea Protein Powder
The moment I discovered my athletic potential was…
In school, my sports officer made me play every sport there was. Be it basketball, football, swimming, rifle shooting, horse riding, I enjoyed each one of them and was fairly good at it as well. The athletic journey started much later in 2014, when my friends encouraged me to take part in ADHM. With hardly any preparation and just on whim, I finished the run in 2:00:32. Although I couldn’t walk properly for next 14days, but the idea that I can do much better with training was born.
The toughest aspect of being an athlete…
Maintaining the disciple in every aspect of my lifestyle – Training, Eating, Rest and Mindset
The three biggest lessons I have learnt so far in my athletic career is…
1. I am only as good as I have trained for.
2. There will always be lows and highs, wins and losses, peak performances and injuries, I need to learn to embrace them all. It is all a part of the game.
3. To listen, get inspired, reflect but choose my own path, that defines me.
Before a big race, I tell myself…
Go out there, just have fun and do your best.
The toughest competition of my life was…
The High 5’s where I ran 5 half marathon in 5 days on Manali Leh Highway crossing one high altitude pass each day. It was tough because I wasn’t trained and just took it as a challenge. I was the organizer of the race as well, so managing and running at the same time came as a double whammy for me.
The most memorable moment of my sporting career so far…
Crossing the finish line of EcoTrail Al Ula 80km race, where I came 2nd place. Being on the podium in an international race is an incredible feeling. The invitation for this race came at a point where I was at my lowest (physically & mentally) and I took the race as my comeback. With just 7 weeks to train, I had put-in all my energy on this one goal. The execution of the race couldn’t have been better and those 9hrs will remain in my memories for long.
My training sanctuary is…
Anywhere as close to nature as possible. (Preferably mountains)
My dream starting line is…
Representing India at an International Ground.
I nourish my soul with…
Going out up in the mountains for a run or a hike.
Unived helps me by…
Recovery Mix and Protein Powder – help me recover fast and effectively. Endurance Gels – I use them during my long training runs and marathons.
I have chosen to associate with Unived because…
Products by Unived are based on scientific research and is backed by feedback from the Elites in sports. They have maintained a good standard in products and values. I would like to be associated with a such a motivated and good brand. I also resonate with the brand in terms of like-mindedness and accomplished athletes.
My favourite Unived product is…
Unived Elite Gels, Pea Protein
My 2022 goals are…
Mountain and Trail World Championship, Nov 2022
100km World Championship – Sub 8hr 30min
Marathon PB – Sub 3 hrs (by January 2023)
My 2022 race schedule is…
30th April – Bangalore Stadium Run 100km
June/July – UltraTrail Race to qualify for MTWC
27th August – 100km World Championship
September – Self supported Trail running projects in Himalayas
11th-14th Nov – Mountain and Trail World Championship
18th December – Asia Trail Masters Final
Other Adventures by Nupur Singh
Hiking and Outdoors
• Mount Yunam (Alt 6100m) (Alpine Style) – base to summit to base in 26hrs
• Friendship Peak (Alt 5250m) (Alpine Style) – base to summit to base in 33hrs
• Lahaul & Spiti Valley Trail Running tour Sept 2020 – 150km and 6000m ascent in 4days at an
Average altitude of 4000m
• Pune to Goa Cycling in Monsoons July 2019 (Bike packing) – 850km|10000m gain – 11days
• Pin Parvati Pass Trek (Alpine Style) 2018 – 4days
• Manali to Khardungla Cycling in Sept 2014
