"I weighed 106 kilograms when I was in school, but now I'm down to 56 kg, and I run 34 kilometers a day — sometimes even more." (More Sports News)
What a powerful statement, right? But it’s not an exaggeration; it’s the true story of Nupur Janu, a 27-year-old marathon runner from India. She has completed 18 half marathons and nine full marathons, and become the youngest Indian to run the Ironman Kalmar in Sweden, a race that includes 3.86km of open-water swimming, 180km of cycling and a 42.2km marathon.
The inspiration behind this incredible transformation from being overweight in school to becoming the fittest person wherever she goes is "my mother", Nupur says.
Her mother, Anita Janu, started running in 2015 and is now a 50-year-old marathon runner preparing for her eighth Delhi Half Marathon, which is scheduled for October 20, 2024.
The Janu Family Tradition
Hailing from New Delhi, the Janu family remains committed to fitness despite living in a city whose residents are commonly plagued by sleeplessness and the temptations of fast food and resulting obesity. Nupur's father is a retired Army officer, mother marathon champion, sister in the National Defence Academy, and she's herself a senior consultant at a top recruitment firm in Gurgaon.
Nupur dreams of becoming an Olympian and representing India in the triathlon event — a field where very few from the country have ventured. And, the entire family makes sure to run at least one marathon together in a year.
"This isn't my profession, not even a source of earning; it's just my passion. So, I manage things despite a busy job," the 27-year-old said in an interaction with Outlook India.
In 2022, Nupur and her mother took their passion to the international stage by competing in the legendary Comrades Ultramarathon in South Africa. "It was the 100th year of the event, and we became the only mother-daughter duo in the history of the Comrades to finish the Ultramarathon," Nupur said.
What Being Overweight Means
Nupur narrates: "When I was a kid, I didn’t even know that being overweight was an issue. My family never made me feel that way; they never forced me to work out and allowed me to explore my own journey.
"One day, my teacher pointed at me as an example of being overweight during a class, and it felt a bit strange. I came home and asked my mom about it, and she shared her own story. At that time, she had already started losing weight."
She adds: "I began to closely follow her path. It was inspiring. Eventually, I asked my mom to help me; I wanted to be an example of fitness, not of being overweight. That was the day I decided to embark on my journey."
Asked what are their plans on running together as a mother-daughter duo, Nupur said, "I wish to do that forever, as long as possible."
Wanna Run?
What advice would she give to new runners looking to go for their first marathon? "Sleep early, wake up early. It’s not that difficult. Just be strong with your willpower and mentally resilient. Start running every day. There are no excuses, as running can be done anywhere, everywhere.
"Don’t stop. Be consistent. You’ll not only become an athlete but also say goodbye to the health issues that come with being overweight. Things will align automatically."
Talking about her own tryst with running on potentially unsafe NCR roads, Nupur says, "In the city, I would start running at 4 AM on the highways, which isn't the safest choice sometimes. But I was never afraid because my mother was always there with me. Whether it was early morning or late at night, running on roads where crimes had occurred, my mom and dad were right behind me, supporting me every step of the way."
Nupur's weight-loss journey was guided by the unwavering care of her mother Anita.
Due to her office work, she sometimes struggles to find time to train outdoors, but that’s where treadmills come in — she runs for miles to stay in shape.
The family has personal trainers and a physiotherapist, whose expenses they bear themselves.
Reflecting on her transformation, Nupur says: "When I look at my old photos, I hardly recognize myself, and it feels good internally. It was tough at the beginning, but I knew I had to do it, my willpower was strong."
She adds, "We didn’t want to sacrifice our favourite food before, but it turns out we were just fooling ourselves. We didn’t need to give up anything; we just needed to work out to burn the calories and eat homemade meals. Fast food is really not healthy — just avoid it. You have a healthy alternative for all of those dishes."
What is she up to these days? "I'm focused on marathons as always along with my job, but now I’m gearing up for triathlons. I believe I can excel in these running-cycling-swimming endurance races. I'll be participating in events like the Ironman Kalmar."
Does she believe she has a genuine shot at the Olympics? "Absolutely! I have my sights set on Los Angeles 2028. I’ll make the most of the time leading up to it, and since it means representing my nation on a global stage, I’m ready to take that leap and make it happen, whatever it takes."
