Completion of Week-1: T-94 days to Mumbai Marathon

This was the most successful campaign first week so far for me. It was successful for a variety of reasons:

1) We got 4 others to get motivated to run and raise funds for a cause.

2) We completed our weekly target - me personally doing 85kms and others putting in another 15km.

3) Great fund-raising achievement with Rs. 75K collected. 

Today I got the opportunity to train with Dr Rajat Chauhan. He is an amazing runner, sports medicine doctor, blogger, author and a very positively minded person. His tips on improving my stamina and speed will certainly help me reach my target time.

For those of you who have donated to the campaign, I sincerely thank you and those who are just about to hit the 'Donate' button, let me not get in the way. The link is just below.

http://www.unitedwaymumbai.org/2768-sumitchowdhury.htm 

Those who are still deciding if this is good idea, look no further. There is never a good or bad time to give back to society and to the under-previleged. Your contribution will go a long way. Please contribute however little you think you can afford. No amount is too little. 

http://www.unitedwaymumbai.org/2768-sumitchowdhury.htm 

We are looking to add more people committed to the same cause. If you are a runner and have a good social group that supports your endeavors, please join the gang.

T-95: Week-1 Day 6 Update: 75kms done, Rs 70K

I am always overjoyed when an action becomes a movement and people start taking pride in their goals. 

We have a new person joining the fundraising group - Shantanu Ghosh along with Animesh, Alok and Amit.  

Here are the commitments:

Amit: Run 100km, Raise 10K

Animesh: Run 300km, Raise 1.5lacs - see his BLOG - had got the address wrong in previous post.

Alok: Run 300km (Fund commitment soon)

Shantanu: Run 300km, Raise: 90K

We just hit total goal of 2000kms between the 5 runners. 

To all the readers of the blog, it is amazing to see the spirit with which each of them have come forward and declared their goals and learning how to run for a cause. 

Managed to do 20km this morning on usual route. Looking for to tomorrow to run with my guru and friend - ultra marathoner and race director Dr Rajat Chauhan. Anyone looking to join us can come to NCPA at 5.30AM in the morning. We are planning to do 15km. 

T-96 : Running achieved 55kms, Donations committed: Rs. 63000

The power of a team can beat any odds and yesterday I think the critical mass of people signed up at add to the miles and rupees to the campaign.

Amit Gogna: Committed to run 100km and raise Rs 10000 - First time runner and first time fundraiser

Animesh Mishra: Committed to run 300km and raise 150000. Regular marathoner and first time fund riaser. Please see his BLOG. It all leads to the same page for donation it does not matter.

Alok Tewari: Regular runner and first time fund raiser. Yet to get firm commitment on distance and funds raised.

We are therefore raising the distance of the group to 1500km - roughly the distance between Delhi and Mumbai to be run by 4 runners.

We need many more to join the camp. Let us collectively join to create the biggest impact.

I personally completed my hour today but it was cycling about 20+ kms over Malabar Hills and Marine Drive. The steep uphill climbs give you all the exercise you need.

T-97 - Reporting Progress - 45km , Rs 60000

A great sunday run yesterday for 21kms, I earned my day off today - to rest and recover. The early morning showers and continued rain (possible powered by Phailin) made it easier but obviously got soaked all the way. I managed to do an hour of swimming as well with Aishani but since it was not a focused session (more monkeying around), I am not counting it as part of the overall hours for the challenge. Today will be focused on getting my book work done.

Have got a lot of support from people and it feels like both the goals (kms and money) is doable and I may have to revise the targets soon. A few people have got ideas and are going to start their own challenge and I am happy to see the viral effect of this campaign. So what is your personal challenge?

Wishing everyone a very happy dessehra and shubho bijoya to all my bengali friends. 

T-99: Total 24km and Rs 45000

Nice crisp morning in Mumbai - Shubho Ashtami today. Had a nice and slow 12km run this morning to continue my 1000km goal. It was an amazing day yesterday with the frenzy of setting up the campaign and actually raise Rs 45000. Thank you Tarun, Ashima, Ashok, Anoop, Anupam, Vijay. You have given me the kick that was required in this kick starter day. Now I am good 66km behind my running target. And it is only day-1.

The most amazing moment came last night at 10pm when I was explaining my goal and fundraising to my daughter Aishani. She got her bag out and pledged Rs 1000 worth of Crossword vouchers to my campaign (that is all she had from her birthday presents). I was touched.

I generally run alone when I am out on the streets. It will be good to get a set of fellow runners who are also committing to a cause - either mine or their own to be out in the streets - somewhere in the world. Come join the campaign.

T-100 - Campaign Kickstarted - 12 kms run and Rs 12100 raised

It is an auspicious day to start any campaign. The songs and dances of Navratri and dhak dhol of durga puja fills the air with a sense of optimism. The Gods are in our midst to bless us all.

The campaign to run 1000 kms in 100 days to raise 5 lacs started off today. The morning rain was a blessing to reduce the high Mumbai humidity for the last few days. Completed 12 kms on this weekday morning to open the account.

The first donation of Rs2100 also came in along with the initial Rs 10000 to get the campaign started. 

Jan 19th, 2014 Minus 100 days - It starts tomorrow Oct 11th

OCT 11th, 2013: T minus 100 days to Mumbai Marathon

From today, Oct 11th till Jan 19th I plan to run 1000 km and will endeavor to raise Rs 500 per kilometer. This will equate to running 10km or 1 hour every day for the next 100 days. You can always visit here to see how far I have progressed in both my fund-raising and also my kilometers.

100 days, 100 hours or 1000 kms running - raising Rs 500 per kilometer

Please support my cause by sponsoring 5, 10, 15, 20, 100km or really any number of kilometres of my journey over the next 100 days and 1000 kms (by donating an appropriate amount - km x 500). 

If any of you want to join this quest with me, please add your kilometers and your commitment to raise funds along with me. I will add you to the list and up the ante. More the better. Please write to me directly:  sumitdc@gmail.com.

All donations received in India are eligible for tax exemption under section 80G of Income Tax Act, India.