Sufiya worked in the aviation industry for almost 10 years before she started her running career in 2017 when she ran her first half marathon in Delhi.
After starting running and realising the benefits for her health, it became her passion and she decided to quit her job and focus full time on running. Sufiya has combined her passion for running while promoting her message of HOPE (Humanity, Oneness, Peace, Equality) through her runs.
Sufiya is now a professional ultra-runner with three years of experience in ultra-running and long run expeditions.
In 2018, Sufiya became the fastest female to complete the Great Indian Golden Triangle Run (720 km in 16 days) and entered the India Book of Records.
Taking forward her message of ‘HOPE’, Sufiya took on her next big challenging by deciding to run from Kashmir to Kanyakumari. She completed the run of 4,000 km in just 87 days in 2019 entered the Guinness Book of World Records!
Sufiya shares more about her running journey and the challenges she has faced and overcome and also provides advice and top tips to help you with your running.
Listen to Sufiya now as she shares her story on the Tough Girl Podcast
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Show notes
Not using a surname
Living in Delhi and working as a member of the ground staff at the Delhi International Airport for 10 years
Leaving her job in 2018
Wanting to make a change in her life
How her job was affecting her health
Getting into running in 2017
Taking part in marathons and wanting to explore more places
Running her first ultra marathon 52km
Running The Golden Triangle which connects 3 main cities of India (Delhi, Agra and Jaipur)
2018 - “Run for Humanity and Run for Peace” - spreading good vibes and positivity
Not coming from a sports background
Deciding to run from Kashmir to Kanyakumari in 2019 in 87 days
Having to choose between her job and running - choosing running!
Not being financially strong and starting crowd funding
Defining HOPE - (Humanity, Oneness, Peace, & Equality)
2021 - Running the Indian Golden Quadrilateral Road (6000 km in 110 days, 23 hours)
Why running is like meditation
Running as a woman in India
Getting lots of support from the local people
Being very positive
Being inspired by her parents
Being inspired by Michelle Kakade who ran the Golden Quadrilateral in 194 days
Logistics of The Great Indian Triangle Run
Running on a small budget
How her body coped with running 45km everyday
Feeling tired and exhausted
Not having a coach and not being strong
Dealing with an IT Band injury
Doing yoga and meditation and working on having a positive mind
Paying for her running and lifestyle
Struggling to get sponsorship and dealing with financial problems
Having 6 months to train for the Kashmir to Kanyakumari run (4,000km)
People helped by the people while on the road
Dealing with a collapsed lung and ending up in the hospital for 5 days
Not being able to stand up
Dealing with bad traffic, pollution and construction works
Why it was more than running and a world record
Her mission and message of HOPE - (Humanity, Oneness, Peace, & Equality)
Wanting to contribute to her country
Nutrition and not following a proper diet while on the run
Eating the local food and taking protein powder, and BCAA during expeditions
Running in the heat and the humidity of India
Feeling happy with her life and the decisions she’s made
Planning a big project for 2023/2024 - Running around the world and planning the route
Hell Race - running 500 km in 5 days at elevation
Needing to acclimatise her body and spend time in the mountains
Being active on social media
Filming all of her runs and sharing them on Youtube
Final worlds of advice to motivate and inspire you
The power of believing in yourself
Social Media
Instagram: @sufiyasufirunner
Facebook: www.facebook.com/sufiya.khan.714
Twitter: @sufirunner
Youtube: SufiyaandVikasWorld
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