How many miles is a marathon? 26.2 miles Wow, can I run anything shorter? Yes, we also have a half-marathon training program for people who do not want to train for a full marathon. What marathons are we participating in? We are targeting the following: Staten Island Half Marathon in New York, NY on 17 October 2004. New York City Marathon in New York, NY on 7 November 2004 (if you qualify in the lottery) Marine Corps Marathon in Washington, DC on 31 October 2004 Long Beach Marathon in Long Beach, CA on 10 October 2004 Richmond Marathon in Richmond, VA on 13 November 2004. If you would like to run a marathon other than the above, and it is in the Fall, let us know. Why these Marathons? These marathons are beginner-friendly and fit well into the schedule of training in warm weather and running the marathon itself in cooler weather. Where are the training locations? Asha's NYC/NJ chapter will have its weekly long runs in Central Park, Manhattan on Saturdays. If you would like to train in New Jersey, you can join Asha-Central NJ's marathon training program. Is there a minimum fitness level requirement? Any healthy person can train and run the marathon, but it is easier if you are able to walk-run 2 miles or 30 minutes at any speed, though this will depend entirely on your goals for the marathon. We recommend you talk to our coaches directly to discuss your fitness level and marathon goals. Nearly all of the 17 runners who participated in past training programs with Asha-NYC/NJ were beginners who started off running less than 3 miles. All of them completed their marathons. The key is discipline and commitment to the personalized training program. What is Asha for Education ? Asha for Education is a non-profit organization engaged in the task of providing basic child education in India. To read more about Asha for Education's charter and projects please visit the Asha web site. What does Asha provide? Total Marathon Program Comprehensive training conducted by a professional coach Free Race registration, ticket to marathon destination and lodging at destination. Clinics on running techniques, injury prevention, nutrition, gear selection. The opportunity to network with past marathoners Buddy runs What kind of commitment is expected from the runners? 4-5 months of training (train with the team once every week) Weekly training schedule will be pursued individually although our coach might schedule a few days during the week to run with the team. Participation at these week day runs are entirely up to the individual participant. Raise funds-$2,620($100 a mile) if you are running a full marathon and $1,310 if you are running a half marathon-to support the cause of basic education of underprivileged children in India. What do we do during training? We provide schedules for every day training. Well-paced training program consisting of hard training days, easy training days and cross training program Opportunity to draw from the experience of coaches and past marathoners Opportunity to learn running techniques and tips for injury prevention & diagnosis, nutrition, gear selection etc. Buddy runs Nutrition clinics (train body to burn energy over sustained periods) Run with a coach day (one on one with a coach! Here's your chance to get personalized advice) What are the event costs? How much money actually goes towards the cause? We will try to minimize the operational costs as much as possible and we will send more than 80% of the money you raise for educational projects; maybe more if we limit the operating expenses. In the two years that Asha NYC/NJ has organized this program, operational expenses were limited to less than 15% of the funds raised. I have never raised money for a cause. How do I raise 2000+ dollars? Most runners who have participated in this program in the past were fundraising rookies. All of them have raised money past their targets. Runners in Asha Silicon Valley's program, numbering more than 150 over four years, have all met their fundraising targets. Almost all of them did this for the first time in their life. It's highly doable and it's a fun experience too! The backbone of the fundraising campaign will be a letter writing campaign (participants write letters to their friends, colleagues, family asking them to donate for the cause) There are several traditional notions about asking for money that you will need to overcome. Once you overcome these inhibitions, it is really an easy task. People will be glad to support you in the cause. Many people find donating money an easy alternative to committing time. Other fundraising strategies will be shared What happens if I don't make my fundraising minimum? Asha has to keep its pledge of raising more than its costs. In order to keep this pledge Asha makes to the community, we will secure your commitment in the form of a credit card. We will only charge it for the difference between the required minimum and the money you've raised. We will not charge it until the fundraising deadline which will be towards the very the end of the program. Last year, we never had to use this option as every runner raised beyond the stipulated minimum. Where do the funds I raise go? The funds raised will go towards some selected projects. You will have the opportunity to learn about the projects you'll help raise money for. See http://www.ashanet.org/nycnj/projects.html for information about our projects. When does the program begin? Is there a last date to join? The program begins in May. You have until June 8th to withdraw, although we hope you will never have to do that. There is an initial non-refundable registration fee of $100. If you are already running, you could possibly join the program a few weeks after the start date of May 12th; beyond that you will need to speak with the coach who will guage your fitness level before deciding. I'm in. Where do I go from here? Register for the program. Mail in the $100 registration fee and you'll be on your way.