Success Stories

Bharath
Life was all peaches and cream (or should I say Lassis and Samosas) till that trip to the doctor a few years ago. He pats my gut and goes - “This is the core of your problem“, and warns me of dire consequences if I don’t get my act together! A good friend of mine suggests that I join Team Asha - from zero to 26.2 miles in 6 months. I think to myself - who’s he kidding? Here I am, huffing and puffing to walk for 10 minutes. I show up at the Spring Run and try the 5K and much to my surprise, finish the whole thing without passing out! After attending the information session and listening to the knowledgeable coaches and inspiring stories of ex-runners, I am hooked! From a blubbery out-of-shape couch potato, the Team Asha program has transformed me into a lean (well relatively speaking J) mean running machine. The awesome coaches, co-ordination team, and training program helped me overcome the physical and mental demons and helped me successfully finish my first half and full-marathons! Since then, I have been hooked, and have continued running pretty much throughout the year (including training in the off-season with a bunch of dedicated Asha runners) and run several half and full marathons. Running is not a chore anymore - it's a lifestyle choice, and I am proud to be a card-carrying member of this Marathoner's club! And, the fact that I am where I am (being able to make the above statement) - I owe it all to the family called 'Team Asha'! And for this, I keep coming back year after year to share new experiences and forge new bonds and friendships!

Kashyap
I still remember the days when I was not able to run even a mile. I had to stop at least 5-6 times to get my breathing back under control and run again. My aim was to run 3-4 miles and I would be happy. That’s when I met Rajeev (THE COACH) and when he asked me “Do you want to run a marathon?” I looked at him and told to myself that he must be joking. I didn’t say anything on his face but said will think about it. 4 ½ months later, here I am writing my post-marathon experience, which I never ever dreamt of.
I finished in 7hr: 12min…very very happy. I could see the Asha group cheering us. It was an amazing feeling crossing that finish line and to receive the finisher’s medal. It is one of the most dreadful races for human endurance test and we made it through.
Running has also opened a lot of avenues for me. My physical fitness level has gone up, I don’t get bored. There is no B&T (Bored or Tired) word in my life now. Whoever is reading this; I would strongly encourage giving it a try. If you don’t enjoy, you can always drop off. Running is a life-changing event for me with lots of good memories and true friends. It has``induced a sense of satisfaction and pride in me.

Anu Singh
Mile 24…Pain is severe so we start thinking about the children. We tell each other to think of the children who may have little money for education and how their lives may change for the better once they receive money from Mukesh uncle, Lalitha aunty etc. I imagine children receiving their high school certificates and the pain seems to lessen.
…200 yards to go and I see my dear Raj, Video in hand beaming and Nishad, my son, who runs towards me and grabs my hand. He runs with me and keeps saying "Look Amma I am faster than you". I see myself moving fast but in slow motion and the crowd that is jam packed on both sides are cheering. Energy surges thru me and I speed up and there is Tony. His face is all red and full of pride and he shouts "Anu…Yes!". I smile and feel I am flying and hear my name "Anuradha Singh" from ASHA coming in. I cross the line 5 hours 26 min.
As I look back I know that the love, camaraderie, laughter, jokes, music and elation of belonging to such a wonderful group of compassionate folks is the highlight of the marathon. Each and every one had to win the battle of mind over body and it was not an easy battle. Our success lies in our strength as individuals and as a team and of course in our training program. I salute my gurus-Rajeev and Tony. My medal I share with them and my family who supported me and cheered me on always.

Padma
I hated running from the day I was born. My only reason for running the Asha marathon was the cause. Kiran & I were thinking of doing the Team in training triathlon, but our attachment with Asha made us choose the marathon. I was very scared of running & doing it.
...mile 25 - last water stop - I almost passed out! Thanks to the lady at the water stop - she held me (thus stopping me from falling on the ground) Sprinkled water on my face - lot of it! :-) I woke up, she asked me to sit down, without answering to her, I started running again! It was like my whole purpose in life was to run - I had no other thought, but to run! The thought of quitting just didn't occur - it was like all my thinking power was switched off. Passed the last hula dancers(kids), danced with them too.
By this time I could see the white tents which indicated the finish line. I was wide awake. I saw my hubby & the rest of the Asha runners with placards & cheering & running towards me. I got so excited - I just ran! Unknowingly, I took my fuel belt & started swinging it & sprinted to the finish & had a magnificent finish. After I crossed the finish, someone stopped me to put my medal & then I realised what I had done. I would've dropped dead the next minute, but Kiran came & held me. I headed towards the shower & burst into tears!
I don't know why I was crying, but I didn't stop for the next 1/2hr. It was an emotional moment, an undescribable moment of my life.

Rajesh Phillipos
I was at the 40km marker. And like everyone else, totally out of energy and running on willpower by now. I didn’t see the 41km marker and it looked liked I was running the last 2 km for eternity. As I crossed a bend, I saw Padma run towards me with a placard that said 'Go Asha' on it (or something like that). She was super excited and full of passion, screaming 'Go Rajesh Go...you have one minute left'.
It took me some seconds to register and then some ways ahead, I saw the first time tracker go 3:59:02. And then I saw Tony screaming 'Go... you have a minute left... you can beat it'. Out of nowhere, I got this surge of energy (I borrowed it from Padma and Tony) and bolted... like in the track workouts. I passed eight or nine runners and I hit the finish line, my eyes on the clock 3:59:45. I screamed in joy, agony, happiness, pain and deliverance. Hugged and shook hands with all the Asha members who were egging me on.
That one minute summed up what the training was to me. A great team effort of helping each other and sharing our struggles and joys together. As our lives intersected the last 5 months, we are all the richer by the experiences we've had.
We are marathoners!