BENGALURU : Long-distance runner Sudha Singh is back in training at the Sports Authority of India Southern Centre here after swine flu laid her low just after the Rio Olympics. She had participated in the 3000m steeplechase event, but could not make it past the heats.
OP Jaisha had also tested positive for the disease, and the two were hospitalised here for a few days, before returning to their native places. “We had trained very hard before Rio, and I even got a record in the Diamond League. But I did not have a good feeling. I didn’t know if it was because of the fever. I wanted to run but couldn’t,” Sudha said.
“I never thought that after having trained so hard, it would be such a disappointment. I had body pain, and used to take combiflam thinking the pain was due to the journey. Even for about a month after coming back, I was not feeling right,” she added.
The 30-year-old said she had been training for steeplechase as well as marathon. But she ultimately decided, along with national middle and long distance coach Nikolai Snesarev, that she would run in steeplechase.
“Since I was training for marathon, my steeplechase timing was good. In May, I clocked 9:31.86s (Federation Cup, Delhi), and in the Diamond League (Shanghai) I bettered the national record with 9:26.55s. My coach hadn’t decided if I would do the marathon or steeplechase, but finally asked me to run the steeplechase because my timing was sixth in the world,” she revealed.
Sudha feels Nikolai is a tough taskmaster, but the discipline helped. “It was tough. That is why we probably left the national camp in Ooty for a month,” she said with a laugh.“We were naturally worried, but then came back and started everything anew. My coach said I should be aiming for 9:15s. His regimen was perfect to perform well. We also learned what discipline was. Otherwise, we couldn’t go anywhere or do anything. We had to eat only boiled food. He wanted army-like discipline. But I won’t be in this sport for another ten years. Therefore, I’ve to train hard and will continue training under him,” she opined.
The UP athlete concluded by saying she would concentrate on steeplechase and marathon, but it would be upto Nikolai to decide which one to take part in. “My job is to just stay fit,” she stated.
vivekphadnis@newindianexpress.com