Racing to Save Lives

Welcome to my Team In Training home page!

As you know, I'm training to run/walk 13.1 miles in the Nike Women's Marathon in San Francisco on October 19, 2008 as a member of The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society's (LLS) Team In Training Program (TNT).

I am committed to raising a minimum of $3,800 on behalf of LLS, but have a personal goal of $4,500. Please make a donation to support my participation in TNT and help advance LLS's mission.

You will find weekly updates on my progress below. Please check back frequently to see how I'm doing. Thanks for your support!

All best,

Indira

7/12/08: I went on my first group run today at the Capital Crescent Trail, beginning in Bethesda, MD (http://www.cctrail.org). I was nervous about running and meeting everyone for the first time My fiance, Nevin, came along though, working at the water stop and lending me his support. I quickly found a great trail partner, Andrea Rosenthal who also runs/walks at t3/1 minute intervals. We had a great relaxed run which left me very sore, but pleased with my progress. I ran 6 miles! Who'd have guessed I'd ever say I did that?

7/19/08: 8 miles at the group run! Woohoo! That's more than half my race, and it actually felt good. We ran at Needwood Park in Rockville, MD (http://www.mc-mncppc.org/parks/park_of_the_day/feb/parkday_feb3.shtm). It was a really great trail with plenty of shade, rolling hills and beautiful scenery.

7/26/08: Another 6 miles and a personal best! I dropped 10 minutes from my 6 mile time this morning. My usual running partner, Andrea, couldn't make it so I ran by myself, but there were a ton of TNTers on the trail at every point. We ran on the Capital Cresecnt Trail again, but this time we started from DC and ran towards MD. It was awesome (that last comment is probably due to a runner's high). I wore my brand new sneakers (thanks for your advice Pavla), and they rocked! Love the Asics. Love life. Love your support. Thanks!

8/2/08: 8 miles! So now I've run that far twice. We ran on Rock Creek Parkway, starting from the Candy Cane City part of Meadowbrook Local Park in Chevy Chase, Maryland. See http://www.mc-mncppc.org/Parks/park_of_the_day/jul/parkday_jul26.shtm. The course was great and thanks to the rain, relatively shaded and cool despite the humidity. My timing was a little slower than last week's, but I was coasting (this is a euphemism) up many more hills. All in all, I was happy with my performance. So happy that I let Nevin treat me to a huge hamburger from Ray's Hell Burgers in Arlington. Check out http://www.dcfoodies.com/2008/07/rays-hell-burge.html. It tasted sooo good!

8/9/08: Today we took a step down in mileage. I completed 6 miles in a good time. We ran on the Capital Crescent Trail from Bethesda for the second time. Many of my teammates ran far further than I did because their race is around the corner (e.g., the Rock and Roll Marathon in Virginia Beach). Kudos to them for going the distance! 14 miles on a Saturday morning is a great accomplishment!

8/16/08: San Francisco! I was in town to attend the wedding of my college friend Jess and her groom Jacques. While there I had the chance to run along the Great Highway which is at the latter half of the NWM course. Even though I will not be running that section it was great to just be on the course for my longest run to date: 10 miles. It was cold and wet, but an awesome experience despite it all.

8/21/08: TAPAS and Drinks for TNT at La Tasca in Chinatown was not the fundraiser I imagined throwing. While it was tons of fun, turn out was low and the earnings small. Thank you everyone who could make it, however! It meant a lot to me to have your support. Thanks also to everyone who has donated or pledged to donate. My deadline for fundraising is October 1, 2008, so I am eager to meet my goals!

8/23/08: The Maryland, D.C., and Virginia TNT teams met up at Fletcher's Boathouse on the Capital Crescent Trail for a great run. I, and a handful of fellow runners, completed 6 miles, while many others ran 16 miles! Yes, 16 miles! It was incredible. Looking forward to next week's 10 miler. Good luck to those running in the Virginia Beach Rock and Roll Marathon next weekend! GO TEAM!

8/31/08: Woohoo! Memorial Day weekend. I had a day off before my run which was awesome and restful. I put in a good effort on the trail and am looking ahead to the running the race in a little over a month. Crazy. Time flies when you're training, and fundraising. Speaking of fundraising, a huge thank you to all who have donated and some encouragement to all of you who have been planning to donate. My deadline to reach at least $3800 is on October 1. I still have a way to go, and I hope you can help me! nevin and I are planning a cupcake fundraiser and hopefully taht will generate some proceeds to go to LLS. Beyond that I have faith in my family and friends and their extended networks to get me to my goal.

9/6/08: Hurricane Hannah ran 10 miles with me along the Capital Crescent Trail. It was crazy. We were going to begin our run at Fletcher's Boathouse but they closed the entry due to inclement weather, sending us to Bethesda. I haven't run in rain like that since my freshman year on the CMS Track and Field team. Oh, the memories!

9/14/09: I missed the team run out near Dullas Airport, but I did catch a wonderful half marathon that took place in Bethesda while completing my 12 mile run for the week solo. It was all awesome. The runners were sensational, crossing the finish line spriunting and triumphant. It really was incredible. Realistically, I can only hope to look 1/4 as good on October 19th! I'm ready to try though!