Miles for Smiles for Asha-Seattle

Hello all,

This is my walkathon website! I walked 26.2 miles on November 28, 2004 in 9 hrs & 13 mins @ the Seattle Marathon to raise funds for Asha-Seattle - the Seattle chapter of Asha for Education - a non-profit organization I have been volunteering with for 5 years now. You can check my official time @ http://www.seattlemarathon.org/2004Results.asp by entering my last name "Sircar".

My goal is to raise $100 for each mile i.e. $2620 total. Please support my cause & encourage me by donating to Asha. Your donation is 100% tax deductible & every penny will go to the children in India (since Asha is a zero-overhead org). To donate just click below:

So far I have raised $1900.6 out of my target $2620 from 23 donors.

You can sponsor:

Please read my profile - where I mention the reasons for participating in this challenging & very l-o-n-g walk & what Asha means to me.

Here I want to talk more about my experience so far.

Day 1 | Day 2 | Day 3 | Day 4 | Day 5 | Day 6 | Day 7 | Day 8 | Day 9 | Marathon Day

Pictures

On I-90 bridge	Coming down from the bridge
Approaching the 13.1 mile mark	With the Asha banner & Paro

I started with the high hopes of running the half marathon if the full 26.2 miles become too much. But within few weeks a toe injury jeopardized my training. So I started thinking about walking. But nothing happened in terms of training.

Then fortunately Binay gave me a very timely push mentioning that I need to reach the 20 miles target at least a month before the marathon. & I had to increase # of miles by 2-3 each time. I barely had enough time!

Day 1 = Oct 3
Distance: 8 miles (time taken: 2 hrs 40 mins)

So one fine morning, actually the 1^st Sunday in October, I started out at Marymoor Park with Jay. Now thanks to her 6 miles had become normal. So increasing it by 2 (only) on the 1^st day should be reasonable. I ended up barely able to walk to the car from the track.

Problem # 1: Narrow shoes squishing my little toes
Problem # 2: Cotton socks generating blisters of various sizes & shapes @ diff locations

Solution # 1: There exists wider shoes (marked W, which I found out later)
Solution # 2: Special synthetic socks that minimize blisters

Frankly I was concerned about how much I'd have to invest in such gears.

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Day 2 = Oct 7
Now this was a weekday & I was not going to increase the distance. I started from home along 12 Ave NE heading north. Then turned on Ravenna heading for Greenlake. On reaching there I decided to go one round. @ that time I had forgotten the distance around the lake & to be extra strict did not carry any cash, credit card or bus pass. Just to ensure that I "walk" all the way. I also wanted to go for a concert in the evening. Greenlake seemed to continue for ever after some time & I had no clue where I was wrt the other streets. Towards the end it seemed like I might not make it in time. There was a back up plan though. I eventually returned home (walking) & seriously considering amputation of my little toes. This time I had nylon socks, so the blister-problem was not there. (& I also made it to the concert for which I walked close to half mile). Later Binay told me Greenlake is 2.8 miles i.e. I had walked at least 7 miles!

I also noticed the Greenlake was more populated than Marymoor Park & that having so many people (& dogs) along the way really help!

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Day 3 = Oct 10
Distance: 11 miles (time taken: 3 hrs 40 mins)

Next Sunday it was time to increase the distance by 3 to 11 miles. Again Marymoor. This time I had to go further than I ever had. So unknown part of the track (after the 4 mile mark) seemed like stretching for ever. I turned @ 5.5 & fortunately found a water source between the 4 & 3.5 mile marks. Then @ the end I completely lost the 1 mile marker & got very confused by the construction happening near the Redmond Library. As a result Sree & Srijan came to pick me up from the library. This time I wore my "old faithful" - the tattered shoes that have accompanied me for more than 7 years! But they took care of my little toes very well!!

During these times I was also experiencing pain in the left hip joint after about 4 miles. But could drag on with that.

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Day 4 = Oct 16
This was the worst day of training. I hadn't been up to my schedule & had skipped the mid week walk. The target was more than 11 miles. Sree came along to practice for his half walkathon. Parking was an issue & we ended up driving to Greenlake. It was drizzling thru out & I was very under prepared. So within a round I was drenched, cold & could not see anything thru my wet glasses, which were hanging from my t-shirt. So I could not see any faces & the revitalizing effect of people were lost. + the rain beat down pretty heavily at times. Sree finished his 3 rounds earlier & drove off. I was determined to finish at least 3 & then if possible walk home (another 2 miles). But after the 3 rounds I got so wet & so cold that I decided to take the bus. Fortunately this time I had the bus pass. Walk home from the bus stop was again a very "shivering" experience. In the end I did 8.8 miles (in 3 hrs).

Problem # 3: Need rain gear

Solution # 3: Borrow a jacket

That evening we had a marathon kick off party where Ravi offered his jacket & it fitted me well.

After that down day due to many reason training took a back seat. However I bought a pair of shoes from the about to close down Payless. This time it was 6.5 men's Wide & my toes felt very comfortable in them. Also bought 3 pairs of socks from the Northgate mall Target on my way back from college.

Half Walkathon looked completely doable. But twice that seemed unlikely at this point. So I made a new schedule. This time increase the distance by 2 miles but no other walk. Also put a gap of 3 days between 2 consecutive walks. & made a strong commitment: come what may I have to stick to this one if I want to go for the full walkathon. Fortunately our coach Chuck had told me that I can take one more week to reach the 20 mile target.

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So this is how the 2nd half of the training (actually the better half) went:

Day 5 = Oct 26
Distance: 14 miles (time taken: 5 hrs)

It was a weekday. I made sure that I came back from college early enough & had some rest before heading out. I also decided to try out good old salwars (a pair actually for more protection against cold) instead of the usual slacks. They worked great!

I had just missed the sunset @ Greenlake but enjoyed the evening setting in - the clouds & the sky changing colors; ducks, bunnies & some squirrels around Greenlake & the gorgeous fall colors.

The way I measured 14 miles was - 2 + 2 (home to Greenlake & back) + 8.4 (3 rounds of the lake) + 1.6 (4 oscillation between 2.8 & 3 mile mark). The last oscillation (0.2 + 0.2) towards the end seemed like forever. So I devised a different strategy next time.

From this day onwards I started carrying power bars. I also found the restrooms around Greenlake (fortunately). & stretching after every 5-6 miles became routine. Till now, I'm not sure whether it helps the muscles or just the blood flow in the leg from knee below gets to work with gravity (& not against it)!

Another thing that happened in this 2^nd round is that people started calling during the walk & that kept my mind off the pain (especially towards the end) & thus helped in general. After 9:00 I started calling up people.

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Day 6 = Oct 30
Distance: 16 miles (time taken: 5 hrs 30 mins)

Saturday was kinda interesting. We had stayed up & packed & send off Sree to India early morning. I came back to finish my quota of sleep. But woke up feeling lazy. I recently had had an argument with my friend & things were not resolved. So I definitely was not feeling very up for 16 miles. Fortunately I called Srijan who gave me the moral support/push to get done with the walk instead of postponing it to Sunday. So I left home.

This time I did not miss the gorgeous sunset on Greenlake followed by clouds moving in & then a glimpse of moon playing hide & seek, a bunny running across the road. I really enjoyed these long walks around the lake, quite time with the nature, the darkness illuminated by lights from cars passing by, light reflected from the clouds & of course the moon. & I found the perfect tune to hum along - "We shall over come".

As usual home to Greenlake & the 1st 2 rounds were perfect, 3 round I started feeling the blisters, 4 was tough but the walk back home was easier. As a strategy change I did the 2 oscillations before getting tired & that helped a lot psychologically. + it was weekend & 3000 minutes. I happily chatted away while walking.

16 miles was - 2 + 2 (home to Greenlake & back) + 11.2 (4 rounds of the lake) + 0.8 (2 oscillation between 2.8 & 3 mile mark).

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Day 7 = Nov 3
Distance: 18 miles (time taken: 6 hrs)

This time it was less math & more walk since 5 rounds = 14 miles + 4 miles to & fro to the lake. However I had a full day followed by a talk @ UW. I was initially hesitating to do anything. But fortunately I had to hand over some flyers to Tapoja @ the talk & so dragged myself there somehow.

This turned out to be till then the most strenuous walk. I came back at 11:00 & could barely eat dinner. I was soooo exhausted! + I somehow didn't feel hungry.

However this was the last "weekday" walk & I was glad it was over!! Also my hip-joint pain had completely vanished by then! Knees & lower back now substitute it for one day after the long walk.

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Day 8 = Nov 7
Distance: 20 miles (time taken: 7 hrs)

Now was the day of the grand "20 miles". I got up from a full 8 hour sleep, had breakfast & headed out. After reaching Greenlake I continued walking till the 1 mile mark & came back. Now there was 5 rounds & the way home that was left.

This was the 1st time I was walking during the day & Greenlake looked absolutely gorgeous in yellow & blue & dark green with some reds in places. There were lots of people, children, dogs & pups & that really made me revitalized. The walk became so enjoyable that I called several people (also in the half/full marathon/walkathon) to see if they could join me.

However, there was one slight problem. So far I was walking mainly after sundown. During the day, which gradually became mostly to partly cloudy, my water intake shot up. I had to stop almost every mile for a drink (which naturally increased the restroom breaks).

On the way back my friends started planning dinner & movie (possibly both). So we ended up teleconferencing each other during my last part from lake to home. That really made those last 2 miles relatively easier. & needless to say we ate out & watched "The Incredibles". Only Srijan had to provide me ride door to door - I had walked enough!!

But the biggest thing was that my pace was less than 21 min/mile & better than what I had for 18 miles. A good night's sleep for full 8 hours really matters!!

Another highlight of the day was that I met the "Bubbleman" Gary Golightly @ Greenlake!! Some day I'll just go there to watch his show start to end.

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Day 9 = Nov 13
Distance: 23.2 miles (time taken: 8 hrs 40 mins)

After the 20 miles some of the co-marathoners told me I should do no more such long walks its time to wind down. However my plan was to do 22 on Sat & 24 on the following Sat followed by 26.2 after 7 more days. My argument was that the rest are running & they can slow down to a walk after 20 miles if they need to. I'm anyway walking & there is nothing else I can slow down to. So I did not want to take the risk of adding 6 miles on the most important day!

Also there was the question of hill training, which I hadn't done yet. Fortunately towards the end uphill was easier leg-wise than downhill.

So I wrote to Chuck explaining my situation. He told me to go for the 22 miles & then no more. He agreed to my logic but said "there is a reason why people start training earlier." It was late even for hill training. Thankfully he also said "you'll be fine, trust me"!

So I decided to bank on my trips from Safeway (with really heavy backpack & 2 more bags on either hands) along the 50th St NE uphill. As for 22 miles, I was determined to push my limit at this last walk before the event.

Then on Saturday morning I as usual felt lazy & decided to attend a telecon from home rather than during the walk. The call went over time as usual & I headed out finally around 10:30. Goal: 7 rounds of the lake.

Of the few things that didn't work for me:

1. The restroom & stretch breaks alternated a bit initially.
2. There was a rowing competition & many people from diff clubs camped for almost 0.25 miles with chairs, tents & most annoyingly food! Every time I passed them the smell of hot dog would make me hungry & I had only sweet things (power bars) with me. Fortunately by now I also know my favorite types!
3. I spent 40 min (i.e. 2 miles) talking continuously to Melli. That helped the walk but my cell almost ran out of charge. & I couldn't give myself the occasional 5-10 phone-tonic at the crucial last 3 rounds.

However I decided that there is no point in being a super hero & shortened my last 2 rounds to 2.6 miles each (start to the 3 mile mark i.e. 2.6 miles & back) & ended up doing 23.2 miles all together. This leaves only 3 miles to be added on the day of walkathon & that's something I have done before (11 to 14 miles jump).

So here I am @ the end of the training of 126 miles. I'll carry my cell with me on Nov 28 & have asked all my friends especially those who will be finishing before me in their half or full marathon run to call in & let me know when they finished & how they are after the run. I also know that I'll be the longest out there for 9-10 hours. Wish me luck!

& thanks for reading this journal.

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Marathon Day = Nov 28
Distance: 26.2 miles
Time taken: 9 hours 13 minutes

I should actually begin a little bit from the previous day. Arindam & I went to pick up the bib, the chip & other marathon stuff. We met Srijan on our way back & drove together. Then there was a (whole wheat!) pasta party @ my place with 3 participants & 3 support team members. We all coordinated the bus timing & wake up call business.

Next morning after a series of wake up calls & cross checking we were all on board a bus heading downtown. I had forgotten that the routes will change due to the race & so had a brief fight with Ravi & had to walk few blocks before reaching the start line. With barely 10 minutes to spare I was tense. Quickly I pinned the bib & put the chip on my ankle & gave my bag with Ravi. Bash called & some people including Srijan & Sanjay showed up few minutes before the walk started. In the hurry I forgot to go to the restroom but did stretch a bit while waiting for the police to confirm "All clear". 

Since ours was the 1st event of the morning, we had to wait for the police to check that all affected streets are clear of traffic. After some uncertain 5 minute delay we started @ 7:20 am. Initially there were lots of people covering the entire width of 5th Ave. Within 15-20 minutes we started seeing the half marathon runners who started 10 minutes after us. 

The road grew even crowded & the organizers made sure the walkers were more towards a side. I spotted Amit's friend Ravi. Then Tarun came up from behind. But I did not see any other half marathon runner from Asha.

At this point the lines at the restroom's were very long. So I tried to ration on water a bit. 

Very soon we were on the I-90 ramps. Joyeeta called around that time. The sun was up & it felt great! When we were about to enter the bridge the half marathon runners/walkers went on a different route & suddenly the road ahead became empty. But not for long!

Very soon the full marathon runners showed up. The cars passing by honked to cheers us. We cheered ourselves. Again I started to watch out for the "Miles for Smiles" t-shirts & familiar faces. 

At the turn around point, the line to the restroom was very short. So I took my 1st break. Just in front of me was Nick in a Asha t-shirt, without which I wouldn't have known he was running for Asha. Then after a good stretch I headed out. It was gorgeous around. I made sure to watch Mt. Rainier this time also. 

Very soon I spotted Binay & cheered "Go Asha". After a while it was Vidyanand who came over to "hi 5". Then Binay & 3 other Asha runners passed me. Meanwhile a runner/walker crossed me saying "You are actually smiling". Took me a while to connect that with our slogan "Miles for Smiles" on my back. Earlier another lady = walker had complimented the shirt.

As I walked down from the bridge Vidyanand joined me again & we walked together for a while before he picked up his speed. Few miles later Sibu da called & then Shayon when I was @ 11 miles. I was headed towards Seward Park & could see the runners coming from there. I saw Sethu & Nick & then finally Arindam. Last here when he ran & I cheered, we saw each other only at the beginning & at the end. This time he had to cross me at some point & we should meet several times & I was getting worried! Then it was Binay for the 3rd time & those 3 guys. This time Binay seemed less stressed & cheered back.

Soon I met Paro & Abhishek waiting near the park. By this time all the runners had overtaken us & I knew very few walkers will be behind me. So inside the park was my 2nd restroom & stretch break. This time no line at all! 

At 13.1 miles Paro & Abhishek were waiting. It was Abhishek's brilliant idea to move to this spot instead of standing where they were. I had my "lunch" ( = a banana) while walking. Paro & Abhishek walked with me. Then I spotted the Asha banner in Paro's hand & demanded they have to take a picture of that with me & I was not going to stop or slow down! After few attempts Abhishek succeeded. Then they left after walking almost a mile with me.

Till now I was doing 19 min/mile & was pretty happy about my pace. But from now on the road was almost empty. @ 17 miles it was nostalgic since last year Preeti & I were waiting there to cheer Amit, Raj & Arindam. Sibu da called again around 18 miles. We talked for quite some time & even discussed politics while I was walking! Since most of the Seattle Marathon support crew were also packing up at one or two places I had to ask for direction (just to be sure). I definitely did not want to loose my way & make it longer than 26.2 miles!! Around 19 miles was the next stretch break. By now I started on my power bars & water intake was up. Other thing after 17 miles was that they had the half marathon mile markers as well.

Then Melli called when I was near the 20 miles. Sometime before Arindam had called & mentioned that he finished in 4 hrs & 40 mins. I was thrilled - this is a great improvement from almost 6 hours! + he seemed to be in fine shape judging by his voice. At 21 miles Preeti called with Raj's time & to cheer me. Till 21 miles my pace was 20 min/mile - I could hardly believe it. Blisters made themselves felt. & the hill came & went. For walking by that time uphill was ok but downhill were painful!! 

Then it was into the Arboretum. The temperature dipped a bit but kept my jacket off since that would have covered my bib! With so few people left I wanted to make sure people & the support crew understand I am a participant & might need assistance. By this time the roads had opened up to traffic & I had to carefully choose between footpath (if it exists) & main road (depending on how few cars were there). The problem around this time was that the regular water stations were not always there. Also if they were there the restrooms were not. So often I had to choose between water & restroom depending upon my need of the moment (or mile!).

Around 23 miles Binay called & asked where I was. He said he will meet me in few minutes & I honestly was a bit confused! Then I saw a car approaching & it seemed to be Abhishek @ the wheel. Few seconds after the car passed me Binay came up cheered & left. That unexpectedly meeting a known face after several miles & the cheering definitely gave me a huge moral boost. It also made a difference because I knew there are none at the finish line & I was trying to make sure someone will come to pick me & be there in time. So some of those coordination was also happening. In fact I reminded Rahul to bring a camera & told him exactly when I will finish.

Another interesting thing was that the support crew was pretty much following me. So I kept meeting the same people after every few miles & they were very supportive. Still each mile seemed very very long at this point. But given my overall pace I was pretty calm. Once out of Arboretum I was again on the regular city streets & had to obey the traffic rules. Sunil called around 24 miles - another unexpected call & very timely call. 

Then came a very big help!! One of the support crew member walked with me for the last 1.2 miles. I guess this was primarily to ensure I don't loose my way. Psychologically it made a huge difference!! We talked all the way & he would go ahead & press for the walk signal @ every corner. During the last mile Vidyanand called again. & then I entered the stadium. 

The grass felt so soft & nice after the hard roads & the end was near. I got the medal. They took off the chip & I got a much needed bottle of (unfortunately) chilled water! I had made it - 26.2 miles in 9 hour & 13 minutes!! A life time experience!!! 

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