"If you want to run, then run a mile. If you want to experience another life, run a marathon." - Emil Zatopek

Why I run?

I live in New York city, a place where you can find people jogging in the streets, parks, sidewalks at any time of the day or night, rain or shine. I always looked at the runners with mixed admiration and jealousy, and wondered how they could run so effortlessly. Then I looked at my miserable self, I couldn't even run a mile without huffing and puffing. I wanted to be a runner but I lacked the discipline and motivation for sustaining it.

I heard about the Asha marathon training program when my friend Sheela (you can see her picture in the backdrop) trained with them last year. I realized it was more worthwhile running with a set goal. I committed to run a half marathon at first. After monitoring my progress and commitment in about two months of training, I decided to attempt the full marathon. I ran the DC Marine Corps Marathon on October 26th, 2008 in 5:56:44. Before this, I ran the LA Disneyland half marathon on August 31st, 2008 in 2:37:16.

I have written a detailed account of my race experience and training in a blog.

Why Asha?

Running a marathon is a huge personal accomplishment to me. I have chosen to dedicate it to the education and well-being of underprivileged children in India. Where majority of the population lives below the poverty line, the basic necessities for survival take precedence over education. Ironically, education is the key to break away from this vicious cycle of poverty and have a chance for a better life. In absence of a social system to ensure the education, health and upbringing of children, it is upto us individuals to step up and take responsibility.

Asha is doing just that. Asha for Education was founded in 1991 in UCBerkeley as a volunteer action group for basic education of children in India. Today, Asha is actively involved in over 800 projects in different parts of India.

Asha tops Charity Navigator's rating for good fiscal health, low administrative overhead and protection of donors' rights.

Asha is a US-registered non-profit (501 (c) 3) organization so your contributions are 100% tax deductible. In India the donations are 50% deductible under Section 80G of the Income Tax Act.

Seeking motivation...

As my training schedule intensifies, my body complains with soreness and pain all over. Some days running 5 miles is a breeze. Some other days, I am limping and struggling to do even half a mile. In moments of low-motivation and demoralization, I see these pictures that my co-runner took in her recent visit to one of Asha's projects in India. It helps me regain my motivation and infuses a sense of reality and purpose to my fund-raising.

An amount of USD 25 (INR 1100) is sufficient to support a child's living and education for a month. I have pledged to raise USD 100 per mile I run, an amount of USD 2620. This amount will keep a child in school for 8 years.

How you can help?

You can donate to my cause using your credit card by clicking on the Donate� link above. You could also send a check to me. Please make the check payable to Asha for Education� and write my name (Sampada Sonalkar - Marathon�) on the Memo line. Please contact me (sampadasonalkar [AT] gmail [DOT] com) for my mailing address.

Thanks a lot for your best wishes, support and generosity. Thanks for believing in me and my cause.