Thanks for sponsoring Raj Gilda for NY Marathon (November 6, 2005)

Dear Friends,

I am happy to share with you that I did cross the finish line at the New York Marathon. I took 18,420 seconds (Okay that is 5 Hrs and 07 Mnts – I was just trying, not to give you sense of how long I really took – just in case you are wondering- no, I was not the last person to finish – there were 7,441 people behind me). I was also faster by 35 minutes as compared to my first New York Marathon in 2003 (this is what happens you don’t do very well first time, things can only get better :)

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

Sincere thanks to those who came out to cheer me on and called me during and after the marathon, my colleagues and friends for encouraging me through out the training and not get bored with my horror stories from the training runs (or, if they did, never let it show) and my better half, Sunanda – for living through all those early mornings and lost weekends to train for the marathon.

Even though it was the fourth marathon for me, each time it has been more and more fun for me…the two million people showing up on the street to cheer on the marathoners, my wonderful running buddy Min who made those miles go by so much faster, the inspiring finish in the Central Park where I have logged in countless number of miles or the feeling that each and every step that I took, got us closer to realizing the dream of making a difference in lives of poor young boys and girls made this marathon experience truly special.

What next? - May be the marathon on the Great Wall of China or Victoria Falls in Zimbabwe as my dream is to run a marathon in each of the seven continents, but for now, I am happy that for next few months to come - I don't have to eat bananas and bagels, drink seemingly endless bottles of Gatorade and get up at 5.30 am to run :- )

Finally, once again my favorite quote -

"What is at the summit of courage, I think, is freedom. The freedom that comes with the knowledge that no earthly power can break you; that an unbroken spirit is the only thing you can't live without...."

Gracias!

Raj

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