endurance and transformation: Adharanand Finn in talk with Hari on going the distance

the running pilgrimage

For Finn, running has always been more than an exercise—it’s his unique way of self-discovery. His decision to run 1,400 miles around Ireland in two and a half months was as much a spiritual journey as a physical challenge. Covering nearly 20 miles a day, he used the run to reconnect with his Irish heritage and explore the legends and stories woven into the landscape.

• The idea was inspired by pilgrimage traditions, where movement itself becomes a way of seeking meaning.
• The experience brought him closer to nature and allowed deep reflection on the purpose of endurance.

training and resilience

Despite beginning the Ireland run with an injury, Finn adopted the mindset that “the run becomes the training.” Rather than over-preparing, he allowed the miles themselves to build his endurance.

• Early fatigue made even 20-mile days exhausting, but over time he adapted, later rising to 35-mile days.
• The final week pushed him to his limits as his body began to falter—reminding him of both the fragility and resilience of human strength.

This approach highlights a core truth of ultrarunning: resilience is built in the doing, not just the training.

the world’s toughest races

Finn’s explorations took him into the no man’s land of ultramarathons, where human limits are constantly tested.

• The 3100-mile race in New York: participants run 100 km daily for 52 days, circling an, admittedly boring, single city block.
• The Barkley Marathons: infamous for its brutal terrain and an almost impossible completion rate.
• The Backyard Ultra: runners take on a loop every hour until only one remains—sometimes going on for over four days.

These events, extreme by design, reveal the power of persistence and the mindset required to endure suffering.

mental fortitude in ultrarunning

While physical conditioning matters, Finn emphasizes that the greatest ultrarunners succeed because of their mindset.

• Acceptance over resistance: enduring discomfort without fighting it.
• Stability during highs and lows: avoiding overconfidence in good moments and despair in tough ones.
• Focus on process: concentrating on the rhythm of running rather than obsessing over the finish line.

“Running long distances is about staying present,” Finn reflects, “not getting lost in either the pain or the expectation.”

process and training philosophy

Finn champions the philosophy of embracing the athlete’s process rather than chasing outcomes. Training hard, he notes, is a way of honoring the journey itself.

• Kenyan runners’ mantra: “Train hard, win easy” encapsulates this mindset.
• Discipline in training allows race days to feel less like a battle and more like a flow experience.
• Even in multi-day events, staying steady and consistent outshines sporadic bursts of effort.

sustainability in running

As running’s popularity grows worldwide, so does its environmental footprint. Races attract global participation, often requiring long-haul travel, which raises sustainability questions.

• Some organizers now promote local race options to cut down carbon emissions.
• Incentives for eco-friendly choices, such as carpooling or sustainable gear, are gaining traction.

For Finn, balancing passion for the sport with responsibility toward the planet is an urgent conversation the running community must embrace.

technology in sport

Technology passes through the veins of the world like an ever-expanding bullet. Sports, especially running, is no exception, but not always without controversy.

• Super shoes have helped break records, yet raised debates about fairness and increased injury risks.
• Wearables, GPS watches, and running apps provide useful data but strip away the joy of instinctive running.

Finn’s advice is simple: use technology to support training but don’t let it dominate the experience. “The best runs,” he says, “are often the ones where you forget about the numbers.”

closing thoughts

Adharanand Finn’s journey is a reminder that running is more than sport—it’s a way of life, a teacher of resilience, and a mirror for the human spirit. His reflections encourage us to:

• Respect the process as much as the outcome.
• Balance technology with intuition.
• Approach endurance not as conquest, but as discovery.

This episode leaves listeners with a simple yet powerful idea: running long distances can reveal not just our physical limits, but also the untapped potential of the human mind and heart.

Much like ultrarunning, where endurance, discipline, and adaptability define success, businesses today must balance speed with resilience. This is where Infosys BPM’s outsourcing expertise becomes highly relevant. By combining human judgment with advanced automation and AI-driven insights, Infosys BPM helps organizations streamline complex operations, enhance efficiency, and build long-term sustainability. The same principles that fuel endurance athletes—resilience, focus on process, and continuous improvement—are embedded in how Infosys BPM partners with enterprises to drive digital transformation at scale.

about the speakers

Adharanand Finn, Author, Journalist, Podcaster
Adharanand Finn is a British author, journalist, runner, and podcaster whose Sanskrit name means “eternal bliss.” Born in London in 1974 and raised in a South London ashram by Irish parents, he has spent much of his life immersed in running cultures worldwide. An accomplished athlete, Finn has competed in ultra-endurance races, including 100-km and desert super-marathons, experiences that shape his acclaimed books Running with the Kenyans, The Way of the Runner, and The Rise of the Ultra Runners. A former Guardian subeditor, he now writes widely, leads running retreats, and hosts The Way of the Runner podcast.

Hari Ram, Finance Transformation Leader – Infosys BPM
Hari Ram, the Finance Transformation Lead at Infosys BPM, collaborates closely with CFO's organizations to drive and achieve their Finance agenda encompassing technology and business processes. As part of our exploration into AI's applications across various domains, Hari is engaging with industry leaders to grasp the implications of AI and identify crucial insights and potential considerations. Stay tuned for valuable perspectives on the evolving landscape of AI and its significance. #FinanceTransformation #AI #InfosysBPM.