The 6 Miler!

Another week went by and it was time for the next weekend training session with the team...
This time it was a 6 mile run. Having done 5 miles the last week, I was feeling quite good about this one and ready to attack it.

It was a beautiful summer morning as we all assembled at 8.30 am at our meeting point.. and this time the honoree for the event was invited. The honoree was Harold, a young boy who is suffering from both Crohn's disease and Cerebral Palsy. He was accompanied there by his parents and little sister.

I remember his story from the first time we saw him at the information session. His father talked about how Harold suffered from Crohn's disease and as such a young child, they had to take immense care about his diet and lifestyle. And then.. they found out he had cerebral palsy too. How Harold and his parents cope with not one but two such debilitating conditions is beyond my comprehension. His father had said, it was a whole different game.. it was tough. I thought that was understatement and tried to imagine, without much success what a day in their lives would be.

And I just thanked the powers that be and mother nature that I was not in such a position. And yet, here they were as a family, looking cheerful and thankful for what they had. And that's when we started on our 6 mile run.

I finished with energy to spare and felt thrilled! I was almost halfway there. I am confident I will finish this.. but I need your help!

Yes, I'll help!

My first 5 mile run to which I almost did not go...

Well.. here's my first update.. Today I went running with the group... and I almost did not go. My back decided to start troubling me on the day of my first long run... I was supposed to run 5 miles for the first time.

I woke up at 7 am and realized my lower back was starting to hurt. Do I go? Do I not? I had been waiting to try out the first 5 mile run for a while and even relaxed the last 2 days so that I am in shape. And now the darned back...

I went anyway... As we gathered around, one of the participants updated us on how her son was going in for surgery on monday to get his colon and appendix operated ...
And then another participant told us how her nephew had been suffering in the hospital and had lost 15 pounds in a week. He is 29. I am 27.. I shuddered at the thought of that happening to me.

And then I felt glad I'd gone after all... I ran, slowly but surely with my mentor and finished the 5 miles. We ran at a slow, relaxed pace, stretching on the way and I my back held up.

So here I am , another saturday, a little more... a small but sure step towards my goal.

And to make this meaningful, I need your help... A small step from your side can and will contribute to making this a really meaningful effort. You don't want more people, young or old, to have their colon removed or lie in a hospital suffering from these diseases.

So do you want to make a difference?

Yes, I do!

Can you cut back on some luxuries?

What I am asking of you is to cut back on some trips to starbucks, or a few drinks at the bar or a trip less to that favorite restaurant. Why? Your cutting back has the potential to improve the quality of lives of many others. Would you be willing to do that? Read on...

Yes, I would!

For the last few weeks I have been out twice a week running at least 3 miles at a stretch. Its a challenge but I am enjoying it! Where do I have to get to? 13.1 miles.
Yes, if the number seems familiar, its for a half marathon. I am running this half marathon to make a difference to millions of lives the world over who suffer from Crohn's and Colitis which are collectively known as Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD). It seem daunting and 13.1 miles seems like scaling Mt Everest right now but I am going to try!

Why am I running for this cause? Sure, I could have run for Cancer, AIDS or a variety of other illnesses that terminally affect a lot of people. But Crohn's and Colitis are two examples that are under-represented since they are mostly not terminal illnesses. However, they cause a lot of pain to the victims and affect their quality of lives in a very adverse way.

Many cannot be outdoors for more than a few hours for the need of a toilet and many don't have the freedom of diet that most of enjoy. Some victims of Colitis have to have their colon removed, sometimes as early as in their teen years. And contrary to perception, it affects many races including my fellow Indians.

I have been told by friends that someone they know has the disease, I have seen a mother speak out her fears because her son is going to have surgery for colitis and even met someone who has had their colon removed. I am taking this as my cause to help similar people so that the future generations do not have to go through this.

So please consider donating to this cause. It might mean cutting back, but your cutting back on these luxuries of life can help someone else live a normal life.

Oh Yes I can cut back on some of my luxuries!!