I am running 1/2 marathon this year. Just wanted to share my training experience which has helped me to reach my new limit of endurance.
Last year, one of my colleagues at Juniper told me about Team Asha marathon program and told me to attend information session. I went to the info session with the mindset that this is not my cup of tea. I learned that Asha promotes child education in underdeveloped area/communities in India. After seeing lots of first timers at the information session and people with age groups from 20 to 60 with different fitness level, I thought may be I will give it shot for half marathon. But then we were expecting Aanya and (as usual) postponed my decision to next year 🙂
This year after two of other colleagues insisted, I joined this program. I thought this will be help me get into regular fitness routine. But after joining I realized few things:
– With appropriate supporting activities (stretching / strengthening) it becomes all-round exercise program. There are
two small weekday runs and one long weekend run.
– It’s great stress-reliever (especially if you are running in the evening after long work day)
– Long distance running is not only physical but helps build mental endurance
– Amazing trails around bay-area (best one I liked was Sawyer camp – San Mateo county)
– Giving something back to community while personally benefiting
But the most amazing thing was was the dedication of the coaches, mentors and volunteers. They are just awesome. I have never run more than a couple of miles at a stretch before joining Team Asha. 14 weeks into the program, I can now run 12 miles in approximately 2 hours. The program is well designed with two weeks of incremental mileage followed by one cool down week.
I would recommend this program to all. There is another organization “Team and Training” for training which is also very good.
My final half marathon run is coming weekend (Aug 3rd). I am excited and looking forward to Sunday.
Sandip, I think this is a great undertaking by you. Running a marathon is no joke and hopefully some of us will take inspiration from you. If not to run the marathon at least to do some regular exercise.
Good Luck in your marathon and do send us some pictures.
Wow. I’m inspired now to make use of the good weather we have now-a-days and exercise outdoors daily.
Impressed by your commitment.
Awesome!
Wish you all the best for Sunday!
Sundip – All the best for your first run.
There is another charity which conducts marathon/half-marathon/5k-10k run training in Fremont also http://www.ekalmarathon.org – check it out if interested.
Great Job Sandip. Thats the kind of inspiration and motivation KV needs. Keep it up.
Great job Sandip. Just what I needed – some inspiration. Any beginner interested ?
Wishing you all the best with your run. Hope you convert this to a full marathon next year. A few years ago my friend’s wife ran the marathon with Asha team. That inspired her husband to run the next year. Well, this is not a hint for Leena. 🙂
Jeegar, I’m interested. By no means, did I intend to just write about being inspired and not put it in practice.
And I hope it wont take another year for Rohit to get inspired ;).
Sandip, so how do newcomers like Leena and myself get involved. Basically, what should we do next ?
I did it !
Yday was my final half marathon run and I finished it in 2 hours 26 minutes. The run was excellent and the weather was amazing. It felt great to run on golden gate bridge. The complete route was very scenic with lots of people cheering.
For more details:
http://www.runsfm.com/
Jeegar,
For Team Asha, the registration starts in April time frame. If April is too late, then check with “Team and Training”.
http://www.teamintraining.org/sj/firsttimehere/informationmeetingskickoffs/
Congrats Sandip. Good Achievement. That site give some good stats. Here are Sandip’s details stats
Looks like we just missed the registration deadline with Team and Training. Oh well, atleast there’s no deadline for running around Lake Elizabeth. 🙂
Congrats Sandip!