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.