Enough is also not enough: Vinolee Ramalingam

She was body-shamed, abused on social media, had troubling weight and hormonal issues, but that was nothing compared to the support and confidence her family had in her. She’s the first Indian woman to complete three IRONMAN 140.6, first woman from Tamil Nadu to complete Ironman 70.3 World Championship, France, 2019, first Indian woman to qualify twice in a row for Ironman 70.3 World Championships. Completed Ironman Barcelona 2017, Ironman Italy 2018 and Ironman Cairns, Australia 2019. From a college professor to a professional athlete, certified Ironman coach, here is 35-year old Vinolee Ramalingam’s journey.

I come from a small time town – Thanjavur. My father was always into athletics. In fact, he is also a national awardee. Unknowingly my training for Tri started at an early age. I had a fear of water, and any water body freaked me out. When I was quite young, my father just pushed me into the water. I had no choice but to swim.

I started representing the state and nationals in swimming when I was in Grade 3 and basketball, cycling and athletics and won accolades from Grade 8 onward. My brother was also an athlete. Whenever I had to choose between sports, athletics was my first choice. In 2000, I won my first national gold medal in athletics for 100m and 4x100m relay and one for basketball. I always dreamt of representing India at an international forum. The thought of holding the tri-color gave me goosebumps.

By 2008, I had finished my B. Tech and M.tech. Due to my brother’s sudden demise, I decided to continue with my studies and work while staying with my parents. I was an only child now, and my parents needed me.

I got married in 2010 and shifted to Chennai. After completing M.Tech, I had joined SRM Engineering College as an Assistant Professor. Now, life got tedious as travelling to and fro for work was long and tiring. Life revolved around bus-stops, college and home. I gained a lot of weight post-pregnancy.

My life was running on auto-pilot. I tried to go to the gym and follow a diet pattern, but everything seems impossible to follow due to irregular work hours. In 2016 I came across an event organized by the Chennai Trekking Club (CTC). My husband showed me a picture of the lake for the swim. Swimming has always been a strong sport, and I was mesmerized by the image. I was about to take a plunge after a gap of 15 years! This was my first Tri event. I struggled hard to keep myself fit, and worked hard on my negative areas and completed the event with a sense of accomplishment. The event consisted of a 1.9km swim, 90 km bike and 21km run.

With the 2016 Full Ironman on my mind, I decided to participate in the Hyderabad Ironman 3/4th race with no clue about the technical aspect of the race. This race has been the toughest. I could finish the pool swim of 2.3kms, the bike ride of 130 km easily, but the 32 km run was daunting. Seeing my struggle, the organizers advised me to quit. But the stubborn soul in me wouldn’t quit. I reached the finish line. I could not complete the race within the cutoff time. With no practice and almost negligible body strength, I was still the only woman to finish the race.

In 2017, I was the only woman participant to finish the 15KM Swimmathon conducted by CTC Chennai (2017). It was time to take a complete U-turn now.

There was a buzz about Triathlon. The curious cat in me gathered more information and found it interesting. Taking into consideration my gap from athletics and my weight gain, I decided to participate in the half iron category – swim 1.2 miles (1900 meters), bike for 56 miles (90Kms), and run for 13.1 miles (21Kms). Swimming came easy to me but due to a lack of stamina, I was lagging in running. I didn’t even have a cycle, and wearing a helmet was something new to me.

I made training plans independently and with much reluctance, yet with a firm mind, I finished Ironman 140.6 organized by CTC Chennai in 2016 and 2017. I led the swimming course, but I missed being a podium finisher as running is my weakest sport. For a moment, I was disheartened. I’ve always believed that the podium is not life, but it’s a challenge to myself – to chase my life goals. I worked hard for a year, managing strict working hours and also working on my body. In 2018, I stood a winner at the International Triathlon Championship in 70.3 Ironman distance in Gujarat.

I was progressing slowly but reasonably well. Slowly and steadily, I started to learn more about the races and the terms. Bodyweight and poor running form were still an issue for me. Although the working hours were strenuous, my focus was firm.

I got to know about a triathlon race in Barcelona, and it attracted my attention. I wasn’t sure how to register for an international event. Google came to my rescue. I noted down everything like a sincere student, prepared an Excel sheet and jotted all the pointers – the course, elevation, cut off timing, the country’s temperature, and other factors.
The next hurdle was to take necessary permission from the college and plan the trip’s budget.
My friend Ashwin briefed me about the racecourse, and I was petrified to know about the elevation. I had just four months to prepare, and I was not ready to fail. Seeing my dilemma, he suggested that I keep this race as a target and chase it with all my might. I did so.

Four months went by in a jiffy, and I was all set for my first ever international race. We reached Barcelona three days before the event. It was our first trip outside India, and we all were anxious. Once I assembled the bike, I went for a trial and faced two punctures. Although I knew how to mend the puncture, it took me 30 mins. I mentally prepared myself to hurry up because I’d lose time in the race in case of such a mishap.

On the bib collection day, the officials informed us that wetsuit was a compulsory requirement for the race. I wasn’t carrying one and so, rented one for the race. The swim trial was challenging in a wetsuit. I have a heavy chest, and the wetsuit was suffocating. My limbs felt stuck, and I was breathless. Standing at the shore, I was almost in tears, even though swimming was my strongest sport, I felt choked. I closed my eyes, meditated for a while, and remembered what all I had gone through for this race. I found my heartbeat coming back to normal.

“If your mind is free you can perform way better than your practice.”

I completed the swim course in one hour and 20 minutes, and gracefully finished the race in 14 hours and 53 minutes. 

Once back from the race, I was back to college and house chores. There was hardly any time left for the training. It was getting difficult to focus on work, home and training in parallel. My husband understood my confused state of mind and suggested that I leave the job and focus only on the training. I was doubtful. Triathlon is an expensive sport, and if I left my job, our household income would cut to half. I mulled over it and finally took the tough decision, going by my husband’s belief and confidence. I left my job.

Now, my single-point focus was Ironman, Italy. I learnt that the course was tough with difficult hill climbs. Hence, I trained hard with hill reps. We used to drive 300kms away from my house, my son and husband would be in the car while I practised the climbs. I laid emphasis on my running form as well.

We reached Italy a week before the race. Upon arrival, we lost our baggage. We only had our backpack left with us. We somehow managed to reach our hotel. Being on a stringent budget, it was tough to have a proper diet.

I received my bike after two days. Due to inadequate hydration, I got cramps while swimming. Cycling was not easy either, as I had two falls. Running anyhow being the most challenging vertical in triathlons, was tough to tackle. I was dehydrated. I had no idea about energy drinks or gels. I somehow managed to finish the race in 15.27 hours. 

I was utterly disappointed with myself. I thought about the confidence my husband had in me. How much my young son had contributed to my training by being patient. And, here I was putting up an abysmal performance. That race taught me many life lessons. At this point, I realized that although it is essential to be fast in a race, it is equally important to build up endurance strength and take care of all other aspects for a more robust finish.

Cairns is known for a challenging route, extreme weather conditions and a rough sea. Race officials also mentioned that we might have crocodiles and sharks as our co-swimmers. It was creepy. We reached the race site a week prior. It was important for me to get acclimatized. Due to the rough sea, I wasn’t allowed a trial swim. I would go to the beach each day and stand there, gazing at the sea. The sight gave me jitters. For the first time, I started doubting myself. The confusion was visible on my face.

Rakesh comforted me. He told me not to worry about the DNF but to take learnings at every step. I had always stood tall with his confidence, and when the swim trial opened, although jittery, I set my foot and stretched my arms in the sea. On the race day, the sea was at its worst behaviour. With my eyes closed, I visualized my son and husband at the finish line, and it was enough for me to plunge into those waves. I finished the swim in one hour and 24 minutes. The first lap of cycling was smooth, but then the headwinds came thrashing into my face. It was a challenging task to battle those winds. I kept chanting a mantra, “Do or die, and I am surely not dying.” I touched the finish line in 15 hours and 23 minutes.

I was eager to reach France. We reached there five days before the event. This time, it was hassle-free with our baggage intact. Nice has the toughest bike route with 40 kms climb in a 90 km cycling route. I wanted to try it out at least once before the race. The day after we landed, I headed for a practice ride. I ended up doing 70% of the route as I was lost halfway, with my mobile draining out. I was out on the road the whole day and somehow managed to reach the hotel. But this helped me in successfully completing the event. 

It was a struggle in every race to reach the finish line but for this race, I touched the red carpet with a wide smile. I got the perfect finishing photo too and completed the entire course in seven hours and 50 mins. Races, training, routine and discipline became my second name.

Upon completing Ironman 70.3 Shanghai, China, I got qualified for the Ironman 70.3 World championship, Taupo, New Zealand, 2020, making me the only woman from India to be prepared for the 70.3 world championship twice in a row. I am waiting for the event to give in my best.

I was born and brought up in a tiny town. My father never differentiated between my brother and me. I grew up listening to his race stories and what it takes to build an athlete. His achievement taught me two major traits, discipline and sincerity. From a very young age, my father showed much confidence in me and allowed me to make my own decisions. He made me travel independently in a local transport for an event when I was just 11 years old. I came back home with a medal dangling around my neck. I have never let him down since.

I have always been the only girl in most of the competitions. Boys have more physical ability than girls, and competing with them made me push beyond my limits. I always won all athletic events, surpassing boys. My school supported me a lot and encouraged me to participate in all competitions without pressuring me to study. I wish that India should have such an education system where every child is encouraged to participate in sports and grades become secondary.

Leaving my job was a tough call. I lost my financial independence; our household income reduced, and managing training expenses was challenging. While discussing my confusion with my father and husband, they told me, “Vinolee, you are qualified enough to get back to work whenever you wish to, but it is equally important to follow your passion and accomplish your dreams. Do it now.” For one of my races, I raised money through a fundraiser. I don’t have any help at home as I do all chores on my own. There are lots of ways and means by which we save money for my events.

I married Rakesh in 2010. He always stands by me in all my choices, anxiety, fears, doubts, accomplishments, failures. I can lean on him whenever I need strong support. He has seen me cry, comforted me and held me tight when I was about to fall. At every finish line, my son and he are my loudest cheerleaders. That one loud cheer from my son, “Momma, you can do it” is enough for me to reach the finish line with a grin. They accept me the way I am. Rakesh is my critic too. He prepares my race performance report and then discusses where I went wrong. My Family is my mentor, coach, teacher, supporter and cheerleaders.

Mommy strongest

Yes, I do feel guilty about leaving my job, pulling in my family at 3 am for training as my husband drives and son sleeps in the rear seat and unable to dedicate time to my son during training days. I have shared my guilt story with my family, and all they have to say is –

“Be a winner, we are there with you, always.” 

Ironman 70.3 World                             Championship

Thyroid, hormonal imbalance and lots of accumulated body weight post-pregnancy made running tough for me. After Barcelona, I took structured training and was able to cut off both weight and running time. I reduced fat, but my thighs and breasts were heavy. The doctors advised me to undergo some hormonal surgery, but I refused. 

After my accomplishments, Scott sponsored a bike, and Unived sports, nutrition. I posted a few pictures on social media with the bike, and I got some hideous comments on the post –

my body, weight and capability were questioned. My husband was upset when he saw the comments; this disturbed me. I filed a complaint against the abusers. I wanted to clarify that no one is allowed to comment on any woman about her body type or skin colour.

I made the message loud and clear – don’t do this to any woman.

Social media is a great tool to inspire people. It is equally important to understand that social media fame is short-lived.

My postings tell my story of strength and determination. The body that we are dwelling in is short-lived, but the experiences that we have in our heart is immortal.

I have a tough periodic cycle. I take adequate rest during my period as any workout leaves me with a high fever. Whenever I feel fatigued or tired, I immediately pause my activities and allow my body to take a rest and recover adequately.

 Each race is a journey, and the medal tells the story of the force behind me.