RIRI PATEL , Run Philadelphia Half Marathon.

My Daughter,  RIRI  PATEL ran the Philadelphia Half Marathon today,
September 19th, 2010. 

Inspiring story of Riri

Mukam karoti vachalam pangum langhayate girim,

Yatkripa tamaham vande parmanandmadhavam.

A mute person/ who cannot talk properly (also refers to people who cannot convey their thoughts properly);does; starts talking/ becomes a good converser;

a lame person/ a person who is not clear of his goal; leaps/ starts walking/ becomes clear with his goal; mountains/ difficulties of life; whose grace; unto you; I; salute;

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My Daughter, RIRI  PATEL  ran the  Philadelphia Half Marathon today on September 19th, 2010. 

This is great event for all of us in California. Few months ago, she had mentioned to her husband Virraaj Mehta, that she wanted to do something for underprivileged children  in India. Virraaj, along with Bakuleshbhai and Harshnaben Mehta(In-Laws) encouraged & supported her decision of running the half marathon and fund raising as well .  So she decided to join Team Asha - NYC Chapter to train for the half marathon and to fund raise. 

Riri Patel joined Team Asha (http://www.ashanet.org/nycnj/teamasha/2010/runner.php?rid=7131 ) and start  running to change her life, but more importantly, to change a child's life in India so he/she can get an education.
  
She trained on her own during the week days twice a week and  joined Team Asha for group runs on Saturday's with the help of her coaches, mentors and coordinators.  Every week they would increase the miles for training.  As the days comes near for The Philly Marathon,  she ran 12.7 miles in Central Park, New York during one of her group runs.  Next day she called me and mentioned about her knee pain.  That evening she came to surprise us in California, especially to see her brother Krish who had also suffered knee injuries.   In Sunnyvale, CA, she would do her weekly runs even with the knee pain.  She also ended up injuring her toe which was sore & swollen.  We thought with the marathon two weeks away and her knee and toe injury, she would not be able to run the Philly Half Marathon. 

She went back to NYC after a week.  Her knee and toe was still in pain so she went to the doctors for X-Ray.  The Orthopedic Surgeon said it is  Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome (http://www.aafp.org/afp/991101ap/2012.html  ). She was told to do physical therapy for 6-8 weeks and was cautioned to take minimal effort if possible and and to discontinue the marathon if in pain.  

After 5 days she was to run the Philly marathon and was completely worried whether she will be able to or not.  Then two days after, her tooth started hurting like crazy and dentist said that she had to get surgery.   Riri said she would deal with it later on after the marathon and dealt with the pain.  She was extremely frustrated that it all had to happen that week and the timing was really bad.  However, she had decided that she made a commitment and gathered the courage to run and finish the race as she was doing this for little children in India.  She checked into the Philly hotel late and prepared for the next day.  I advised her not to run as it may cause more damage to the knee & my wife, Mili told her the same.  However, she was determined as always to finish.

Next day on Sunday, September 19th 2010, when I woke up and called her to check on the race and her knee, she gave me the news that she completed 13.1 miles in the Philly Half Marathon, especially in her goal time.  We were very excited and we jumped in joy. We were proud of our daughter.  She described her experience that after Mile 4, her tooth started hurting so she took Ibprofen and Orajel to stop the tooth pain. After Mile 6, she had a throbbing knee pain but she ignored it and kept running (knowing that it could be painful later on as well)  During Mile 12, it became very difficult but that's when she thought about why she was doing this and kept telling herself that it was for the underprivileged children in India and for team Asha. Asha means "Hope"... If you hope for something, you should have the courage to achieve it.  It was Riri's hope to create a difference.  A song that inspired her was "Hum Honge Kamiyab..Ek Din"  There is always hope and one day we will be successful in creating a change.  This is one great step towards it.  


She is very grateful for everyone's support.  Along with great support from Team Asha, she had amazing support from friends/family members who went from NYC with her to support her - Virraaj (her husband), Saloni, Nitesh, Krishna, Robyn & Preet.  They stayed up late making posters for her and cheered her on Mile 1-2 & 4 and were waiting for her and cheering her on to the last mile! 

She Collected, with the help of Family and Friends ,$ 5282.

her initial target was $1600 .

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Asha for Education is a non-profit organization that sponsors educational projects in India. Thier goal is to help underprivileged children become independent and give them a life that they rightfully deserve. The NYC/NJ Chapter of Asha for Education is a zero overhead organization, so every dollar you donate will go towards Asha's projects in India.

They provide personalized coaching, motivation and support to train for a marathon or half marathon.

Team Asha has no race, age, gender or national boundaries. Runners are from mixed races and nationalities all training together, achieving the same goals and cheering each other on.

Running has become an integral part of members lives.

Every Saturday morning, come rain or shine, at The Asha Tree in Central Park from May through October 

Riri Patel Join Team Asha and run to change her life.

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