Thanks for sponsoring Pooja for "Run for a dream" - a dream to make a difference...here is Pooja's experience of running her very first half marathon...in her own words

Dear Friends,

I am happy to share with you that I did cross the finish line at Queens half marathon 13.1 Miles. It took me 2hrs 50 minutes to complete the race. Since this time was less than 3 hrs the refreshments were still available for me at the finishing line;) First of all, thank you so much to all those who sponsored me for our non-profit Lend-A-Hand India (it is never too late for a good cause, so if you were thinking about it and could not get to sponsor me beforehand please go to http://www.lend-a-hand-india.org/donate.php).

Also, thanks to those who came out to cheer me on and called me during and after the run and my friends and family for encouraging me through out the training. I am really glad that I went to cheer Rajesh for last year New York marathon and that's how i got motivated to run. I saw so many people runing in marathon for some cause and thousands of people cheering them. I was one to cheer them and while I was cheering I felt does it really help them but trust me, based on my personal experience it work as some type of power gel. Overall, running a half-marathon was a wonderful experience for me. It was my first long run so I was very much excited for it. To prepare for the half-marathon, I started going to the gym regularly which I never did in my life ealrier;) My husband Prashant was taking care of my son Krishna while I go to the gym so that was a bonus for me. Also, I could eat what ever i want to eat without any guilty feeling about my weight as I was burning more than 400 cal almost evey day;)

As the D-day approached, I was definitely excited and anxious - whether I would be able to finish. It took me two hours to reach the MacNeil Park (Marathon starting point) and all the way I was thinking about the run. On the other hand, all the other runners I met on my way looked so relax that for a min I thought may be they are going for some short run;). I got a call from my friends and family (they did not forgot about my run) so I did not have any escape and I have to run now;) Once I started the run, I was not able to make out the miles they marked on the running track. The whole track was multiple circular loops (1 and 5.1 miles meeting at the same point) and the miles were marked as no. of miles left to the finishing line. When I saw the 8 miles board, I thought I have completed 5.1 miles. I could not believe that and it was good that I didn't believe because it was only 1 mile was completed at that time;)

I was too tired towards the end of the run, but the thought that this run is going to make diffrence in so many young girls and boys and the whole tiredness disappeared and I was filled with new energy. I felt so proud and great after the run. While running I was thinking that I will never do it again but as soon I crossed the finish line the first thing I thought that I will run half marathon again.

What next? I have registered for first NYC Half marathon happening on 27th Aug'06.

Take care,

Pooja


You can contribute by sponsoring Pooja online through PayPal (click on the button below -
no PayPal account required) or by check payable to "Lend-A-Hand India" on the address below.

For a contribution by check, please make the check payable to "Lend-A-Hand India" write "Sponsorship for Pooja's Run" in the memo and mail to:

Lend-A-Hand India
784 Columbus Avenue #10G
New York NY 10025, USA

Read about our volunteers' past experiences
Raj Gilda - New York Marathon (November 2005)
Timir Naik - Run for a Dream (October 2005)
Dina Deligiorgis - Queens Half Marathon (May 2005)
Raj Gilda - San Diego "Rock n Roll" Marathon (June 2004)
Raj Gilda - Paris Marathon (April 2003)