Preparations for running...

After a month of trying different things, I am finally getting physical therapy for my knees. Second week into the therapy now and it is feeling much better. I have been off running these two weeks..

Working on strengthening my gluteal muscles and getting electro-massage to loosen my ITB.. iliotibial band that runs on the outside of the thighs.. Man, I've started learning biology and human physiology all over again..

Hey.. I want to start running sooner :-)

The Fun - Snapshots

Thanks to Vamsi, here are some snapshots of the fun that is marathon training!!!

Snapshots from the field!!

The fun continues...

Why Marathon & Why Asha?

TEAM ASHA is a premier endurance sports program that trains people for half and full marathons. Team Asha gives one the chance to discover not only the magical benefits of running but also the supreme joy of affecting the life of a child with every progressive step.

Since 2000, they have trained more than 750 marathoners from different walks of life. 99% of them successfully completed a full or a half marathon. Train. Run. Educate.

Asha for Education is a non-profit organization on a mission to catalyze socio-economic change in India through education of under-privileged children. Of the 68 Asha chapters worldwide, three are right here in the San Francisco Bay Area: Asha Berkeley, Asha Stanford and Asha Silicon Valley.

Over the years, Asha has succeeded in touching the lives of thousands of children through its various educational initiatives and projects. Although the primary focus is on education, Asha also addresses issues affecting human life such as health care, environmental concerns and women's issues. Asha will continue to evolve in keeping with the needs of the hour and the needs of our country (India).

Asha for education is run by a diverse group of committed volunteers who take personal interest in researching and identifying worthy projects in India. We mobilize the needed funds and also work closely with the projects right from inception to realization.
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My grandmom used to say "Whenever you get a chance to share your knowledge or better still, help somebody learn - do that. That is the best gift you can give to not just him but his entire family. And it is equivalent to feeding 100 hungry persons." I think Asha embodies that spirit.

One of my school friends, who later went on to BITS Pilani and then to Univ of Wisconsin - Madison for her MS - she was one such volunteers who came back to India and was handling some of their educational initiatives in South India. (I am trying to reach her.. Lets see if I can find out what she is upto now.)

That is how I had heard about Asha. And now, in the bay area, I heard of Asha again and I took this opportunity to be a drop in the ocean. I am a part of Team Asha 2008 - training for the Chicago marathon on Oct 12th, 2008.

Like I said, education is the best gift I can give to anyone, especially the underprivileged child. And I am willing to go any distance in fulfilling that child's dream. I am willing to go 26.2 miles this year.

Kudos to Asha.. Kudos to Hope.

Inching forward - a 9-miler!!

Another couple of 'firsts' to record for my last weekend run (Saturday, 7/5) - the first time I was running at the Sawyer Camp Trail in San Mateo/San Bruno... It is so beautiful.. the trail runs around a lake surrounded by hills and for the most part, you can run in the shade of the hills and trees.

For the 'first' time, I was running with my own fuel - fuel belts are an important part of any long-distance running gear. I should put up a pic of me in the fuel belts.. they are like two pistol holsters on a belt that you tie around your waist - Actually, two bottles in pouches on the belt - one for water and another for Gatorade or some such electrolyte/sports drink (suit yourself!)

And for the first time, I was to touch double-digit mileage. The suggested target was 10 miles for the Chicago Marathoners of my kind (first-timers). But, with my knee just about getting back to shape, I was skeptical if I would even run two. Anyway, after the warm-up run and the stretching, I started my run.. fully armed (water and Gatorade :) and at my own pace. I decided to do a series of one mile runs interspersed with half a mile walks. After some false alarms at mile two, I could complete nine miles in less than two and half hours.

I am pretty happy with my first 9-miler and I know it can only get better!!

Thanks to Parag - Some pics of the beautiful trail.. Hey, look at the fuel belt!!