Its been a while since I have written a report on a run. But, this one was special. Like my coach Joe says "There is something about these ultra distances. People think differently and even appreciate things they usually don't". Here is my appreciation for the world around me. I have made an attempt to give you not one but two stories. There is no comparison between the two and thus this write up in no way is intended to trivialize the amazing effort thats NOT about Grand Canyon.
What lies beneath
Starting in the dark
The Sun rises
Survival
Going back home
Memories and more
Three races for the running four under their belts,
Settled and the results set in their halls of stone,
Not for wimps and whiners doomed to die,
One Rose by crazy Joe on his Cactus throne
In the Land of Bandera where the Shadows lie.
One race to rule them all, One race to find them,
One race to bring them all and in the darkness bind them
In the Land of Bandera where the Shadows lie.
The Goal
We are Asha-Austin volunteers training to run the Cactus Rose 100-Mile Trail Run in Bandera, TX, on November 3, 2007, as part of Team Asha. In the lead up to this grand finale we have also done other runs (Bighorn 50M, Devil's Backbone 50M, Pikes Peak Ascent and Marathon, Grand Canyon R2R2R) .
We are doing this to raise money to make a difference in the lives of the underprivileged in India. Our goal is to raise 4x$100/mile for Asha for Education. You can donate to us by clicking here. You can learn more about the projects that your donation will support further down this column. Please contribute generously and help make a difference in the socio-economic life of the underprivileged of India.
The Indian Slam
Men of the Slam
Ganesh
Is the baby of the team, who was bit by the running bug after losing a bet in 2004. 30 races later, he's an assistant coach for Rogue. His appetite for races is only matched by his appetite for weird trivia. Seemingly benign, he has a sense of humour that could kill. (read: slow death)
Donate to Ganesh
Gaurav
Is one trusting, innocent, simple cat. Doing 20 races in just two years is only one reason why Gau is known as the A+ member of the team. He also goes by Mr. Super-Organized (except for the one time he forgot his running shorts before his big race.. to pack, I mean).
Donate to Gaurav
Santhosh
A.k.a Mr Run-The-Extra-Mile(s) for the team. After 30-some races, and ranking 2nd in his age-group for the 50mile race in Huntsville 2006, he took on the challenge of being a coach to other Asha runners. A word of advice: the easiest way to spot him running is to look for a cloud of dust..oh, just don't blink.
Donate to Santhosh
Vinod
A true Mastermind. He instigates the others to do crazy races and keeps an eagle eye out for crazier ones to outdo previous ones. He keeps the boys on their toes. He celebrated his golden jubilee race at the Grand Canyon. His race history is almost as old as he is. (kidding, he still has a few good years left..)
Donate to Vinod
Is the baby of the team, who was bit by the running bug after losing a bet in 2004. 30 races later, he's an assistant coach for Rogue. His appetite for races is only matched by his appetite for weird trivia. Seemingly benign, he has a sense of humour that could kill. (read: slow death)
Donate to Ganesh
Gaurav
Is one trusting, innocent, simple cat. Doing 20 races in just two years is only one reason why Gau is known as the A+ member of the team. He also goes by Mr. Super-Organized (except for the one time he forgot his running shorts before his big race.. to pack, I mean).
Donate to Gaurav
Santhosh
A.k.a Mr Run-The-Extra-Mile(s) for the team. After 30-some races, and ranking 2nd in his age-group for the 50mile race in Huntsville 2006, he took on the challenge of being a coach to other Asha runners. A word of advice: the easiest way to spot him running is to look for a cloud of dust..oh, just don't blink.
Donate to Santhosh
Vinod
A true Mastermind. He instigates the others to do crazy races and keeps an eagle eye out for crazier ones to outdo previous ones. He keeps the boys on their toes. He celebrated his golden jubilee race at the Grand Canyon. His race history is almost as old as he is. (kidding, he still has a few good years left..)
Donate to Vinod
Four Runners and Coach Joe
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2 comments:
I dont know how i chanced upon your blog, but you guys are really really inspiring. I am just getting into running, half-ran the chicago marathon this year (stopped at 17 miles 'coz the marathon was terminated), but plan to finish 26.2 in Silicon Valley next month. Best of Luck for the 100 miler guys.
this blog story is very very good. love the comparison between the run and the situation with banyan. you should post this on the yahoogroups on a weekly basis.
i think it will bring a much needed second wind to the organization.
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