The beautiful view during the woodside run.

At the finish with my friend Sandeep of my first 18 miler!

18 miler!

With both Peninsula and South Bay Run Teams attending, this regional run was the hardest training run of the season with the course touring them through beautiful and hilly Huddart and Edgewood Parks. It was an absolutely gorgeous day, which definitely made the run a whole lot better!
Later on both South Bay and Peninsula Teams got together at Woodside Elementary School for our famous Honoree potluck. It was a great way to get better acquainted with my team members and with our honorees. Who wants to be social after running 18 miles?.....you might ask. Well, we surely do! The turnout was amazing and the assortment of food was to die for. Some people say that they can't really eat after a long run....funny how I never seem to have that problem!

$170 in one day!

Got commitments for donation from Prasun ($70, wow this is great), Ammar, Suresh and Hitesh Shah for a total of $170 today. Thanks a lot guys. I am really grateful.

Watch the Ind-Pak match and help raise funds for Cancer Treatment

The Ind-Pak 6 match cricket series has really picked up steam and the two arch rivals, India and Pakistan, are tied 2-2 in the 6 match ODI series, with Pakistan snatching a win in the fourth match with a 4 on the last ball! This series is bringing out the classic Indo-Pak rivalry, with emotional and nail biting finishes.

My friend and colleague at Riverstone, Praveen, has agreed to open up his house for Riverstone employees/few other friends to help me out with fundraising for Cancer Treatment. People who plan to attend will get to watch the 5th and 6th ODI between
India and Pakistan. During the match, I am organizing a fundraiser. As part of the fundraiser, food will be served. So participants can watch cricket at the same time help raise funds for a good cause.

Weekend fundraising efforts...

I am planning a fundraiser on May 2. Spent some time today going around to various local businesses to see if I could get some gift certificates, coupons donated for the fundraiser. Had no success, but picked out valuable lessons on what not to do while asking for contributions. I realized small business owners are pretty wary of soliciters, especially if they have been around in the area for sometime. Owners of new stores are much more open to ideas to advertize their business. Also found that megastores like Albertsons, Longs Drug are much more professional in talking and handling fundraising soliciters. Selling is a tough business. I hope I have better luck tomorrow, I am planning to go to Costco and some other big stores.

$200 donation!

Got a commitment of $200 from Hanh. This is awesome. Thanks Hanh. This is the largest commitment till now. This week was good. Also got commitment from my friends: Sarang, Sreek, Shailendra and Kirti. Thanks a lot.

Fundraising blues

With 45 days to go for the fundraising deadline and with only $25 raised till now out of the $2800, I am surely getting the fundraising blues. I need to get creative and that too fast!!
Will sit down today to brainstorm on fund raising ideas. Till then....

Sawyer camp 14 miler

This Saturday, I ran the my first 14 miler at the beautiful Sawyer camp trail in San Mateo. I missed the warm-up and stretch exercise as I was late. And this time, unlike the last time, I was not fortunate. The lack of warm-up and stretch took its toll. The early part of the run was tough as I developed cramps in my left IT band. I almost walked the first 2 miles and was thinking of giving up when I met a team member, Jean Frederic, who stopped to teach me some stretching exercise for the IT band. After the stretch, I decided to give my last shot and run till the 3 mile mark and turn back. However, the stretching worked like a charm and soon the pain subsided. I decided to complete the run. It was an amazing experience. When I reached the 7 mile turnaround point, I was the last one on the team to reach the half way mark! I decided to pick up speed. I didn't want to be the last one at the finish line. The last 2 miles were physically tough but ego is a funny thing and it can make you do things your muscles don't want to. Long distance running is more a mental challenge than a physical one. My sore leg muscles and knee joint will testify that. The Bangra DJ dance party on Saturday night in the city didn't help either. This overdose of physical activity and nocturnal gyrations required a 13hr sleep recovery on Sunday.

Run by the lake at Sawyer Camp 

After the 14 miler - Sandeep , myself and Ruchita

Run by the lake at the Sawyer camp