NYC Marathon for Omprakash!

The Northface Endurance Challenge, 6/13

I ran my first marathon 8 years ago: the Nike Women's Marathon in San Francisco.  I think I did it because there was chocolate on the course, and a dude in a tuxedo presented you with a Tiffany's necklace at the finish line.

Now, as I approach my 7th marathon, I run because I love having a goal to train for- it's a way to see the city and be outside almost every day.  I like the way I feel when I'm "in marathon shape"- and because I love it when my metabolism shoots up and I can eat everything in sight.  But the real inspiration for running the NYC Marathon is that I get to run across my favorite city in the world,  supported along the way by my fellow New Yorkers, and I get to support my favorite organization while doing so.

I joined Team Omprakash last summer, when they offered me a volunteer grant to travel to Costa Rica to film their Cross-cultural Education Workshop.  It was an extraordinary experience, to learn about Omprakash and their mission to connect individuals with free international volunteer opportunities, while supporting a myriad of non-profits and NGOs around the world.  In one week, I was totally on board with Omprakash and their partner organizations- which champion education, health, economic development & the environment.  You might say I drank the Kool-Aid.

Now, a little over a year later, I've committed to dedicate my time, money and body to support Omprakash and their partners.  I'll be running the New York ING Marathon- 26.2 miles through the 5 boroughs of NYC, and raising visibility (and $2,500) for Omprakash.  After 6 races (one earlier this year)- running is the easy part.  That's why, for the first time ever, I'm sharing my training here- to let people know what it's like to train for a marathon in New York City, share my running routes & experiences while raising money for Omprakash.  I know tens of thousands run this race every year, but it's still hard to do, and that's why I'm proud to do it for a cause I believe in!

Follow me here, and share your own experiences training & running in New York City!