Heroes and Heroines..

This is my email to my team - team Asha

Many a word been said before
of this team - heroes (and heroines) galore!
pain is temporary and victory forever
all champions of a worthy endeavor!!

Thank you TEAM Asha!!!!

I am pretty sure I would not have attempted to run a marathon in my lifetime, much less finish a half-marathon.. if not for you guys.

You (Asif; dont remember who else was there that evening) not only stood outside Saravanaa Bhavan and spread the word about the orientation session.... but also caught me at the club at Mountain View downtown and reminded me of the first long run the next morning (well... you know who I am talking about dont ya - Gargi and Reena - who have taken on themselves to spread the word amongst the hip, happenin' crowd of bay area :-)

You marked the route on the trails, you gave me water (and gatorade and gu...) when I was on the trail, you fed me bagel and banana and watermelon when I was sore and hungry at the end of my runs... The operations and volunteers team.

You told me about the right running attire... you taught me to unlearn and learn the right way to run and strengthen... you supported me to overcome (and continue to overcome) my aches and pains.... The coaches and mentors.

You made sure we have more occasions to shake our leg... you took care of our accomodation and transport... you made sure our and our friends dollars reached the right account... Events, travel, finance and treasury teams.

But more than anything else, you are part of a cause that is close to my heart... When we can light the hope in an underprivileged child.. When we can light the stove in that kitchen for the years to come... When we can ignite the quest for knowledge in the world.... We have won. Happy Diwali, folks!! This has been one of my most memorable Diwali.

What a marathon it has been... a marathon we won at the start line...

Special thanks to Sonnie and Anand who waited for me at the finish line with my parents... Bharat and Gayathri (Ram's wife) who also took care of my parents at various points... Chandrika and team who cheered us all along the course... last and certainly not the least, the omnipresent Co-ords who are responsible for this year of fun and fulfillment at Team Asha.

May you go forth and multiply!!

Bhaskar

PS: Special word of appreciation to all you folks with kids... and especially Raju whose kids accompanied us at the tracks :-)

I am a Half-marathoner!!

Yipppeee!!! I ran the Silicon Valley Half-Marathon today.

Words can't describe the feeling... One of body (leg) pain but high spirits!! I finished the 13.1 miles in 3hr 31m 7s 8ms...

I am happy that something I did was worthy of measuring at the milliseconds scale.. !! But, more than that, I am so happy to have finished it... And to have finished with with Team Asha.... After all, how many have run a half-marathon.. and for a cause as worthy as Asha's?

Thank you for your support and enthusiasm!! I can say that as a reason for me to cross the finish line today.

More pics to follow.. Watch this space!

Pics - Chicago Marathon 2008

My Chicago Marathon...

Finally, I did run the Chicago marathon... though I had no chance of finishing it with my ITB/knee pain. Still... I did run for running. And it was great!

I just wanted to do some 10 miles so I can meet my target mileage as I am preparing to run the SV Half marathon in 2 weeks. I was in a decently good shape for someone who has not run much (on land, though I have been running in the water/pool) for the last couple of months. So, I thought I will let my shoe hit the road. And anyway, I was ready to get out (of the marathon) as and when needed.

So, I reached the start line on Oct 12, 2008 at 8am local time. There was a huge crowd - of course, about 45,000 runners had registered. I started in the last few corrals - with the group with the pace of 5hr 45 min. I used the ITB band on my right knee, but unfortunately only one was in stock at the store the other day and I did not have the band for my left knee.

After about a mile, my right knee felt ok, but my left one started to pain. So, I stopped, stretched and restarted. Likewise it went on for about five miles, then I had to walk to complete the rest of the course. I just took one mile at a time. I completed (almost) 12 miles (19.some kms) and then, I stopped.

Well.. I am happy to have done my first 12 miles... my first marathon experience and that I did it at the Chicago Marathon. Nobody can take that away from me.. I have tasted blood and "I will be back"!!!

Here are some times.. subtract 20mins to account for the time my corral actually crossed the start line...



The crowd support was just amazing... almost a million must have been there on the streets cheering us - of which two were my mom and dad :-)

And of course, there have been so many of you who have made the journey to the start line so worth it - you who believed in my cause and supported me with your enthu, time, and money. You coaches, mentors - especially Chakri, Gar'G'i, buddies - especially Reena, Ramya... And the entire Asha family - You Rock!

Chicago and SV Marathons

I am going to Chicago next week, but not running the marathon. They do not have a half-marathon.. otherwise I could have run it. Anyways, I am running the Silicon Valley Half Marathon. That should be fun too. May be not in the same league as Chicago... still..