Thanks for sponsoring Raj Gilda for Paris Marathon (April 2, 2003)

Dear Friends,

Bonjour !

I am happy to share with you that I did cross the finish line at the Paris Marathon. It took 19,260 seconds (okay, that is 5 hrs 21 mn) to cover 26.2 miles with each and every moment worth it.

Overall, it was an incredibly beautiful experience (what else can it be? seeing Paris on feet for free !!!!) and I am really glad that I chose Paris for my first marathon. As the D-day approached, I was definitely excited and anxious - whether I would be able to overcome jet lag (marathon started at 2 am EST - what if I fall asleep...), if I am hurt, would they be able to understand me...lastly what if they come to know that I am from George Bush' country and that too, a graduate from University of Texas at Austin...but standing among the 33000 participants near The Arc De Triumph and looking down at Champ Elysee took care of all those apprehension and here I was, ready to take off...

Starting on Champ Elysee, passing Concord, Louvre Museum (somehow I missed Notre Dame - I hope I did not take a wrong turn and then came back to the right track without realizing it..) was really an overwhelming feeling. Since 9.00 am on a Sunday morning is probably too early, understandably we did not have much of a crowd support in the beginning but the mysterious smile from Mona Lisa was enough to keep us going.

Barring a toilet emergency - duly taken care of at Mile 6 (I was carrying 50 cents coins and did not know that those were not accepted for the paid toilets on the street) I ran pretty smoothly (I wish I can say, without a sweat..) till Mile 24. We ran through one of the most beautiful parks in Paris, ran along the river Seine, passed by the Roland Garros - the venue French Open and yes, also thru the tunnel where Lady Diana died. Running by Eiffel Tower at Mile 19 was like a dream come true. There were bands from different countries at each kilometer which really cheered us up. My better half and my friends managed to catch me at six different points - it was really great to see the familiar faces on the way.

As they say real marathon starts at Mile 20, for me it started at Mile 24. Somehow last two miles seemed like eternity - I ran out of energy and was dying to walk at any point - but this is where all the support, encouragement and cheers by all you friends came into play - just keeping my head down, taking one step at a time, humming "every breath you take, every move you make"...I made it to the finish line. Looking back, nothing can compare the feeling I had while crossing the finish line. I am really happy that we have been able to raise enough money to take care of one year operation of "Lend-A-Hand India" due to the generous support from all of you. I don't think I could have made it without support from my better half, Sunanda (for all those early mornings and lost weekends), Charu (for inspiring me to run this marathon), friends like you (for not getting tired of listening to my marathon training stories) and those - whom I saw in Paris and called me from US - it really meant a lot to me.

What next ? my dream is to run a marathon in each continent..will see how it plays out, 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 in this never ending year long winter....

Finally, as someone has said... "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...."

Merci...,

Raj

Interested? write to us