Team Asha Silicon Valley Running 2023

Target Races and Timeline

  • Couch to 5k/10k

    Training Start Date: March 4, 10 am at Baylands Groove
    Target Race 1: Airport Runway Run at San Carlos Airport – April 16, 2023
    Target Race 2: Western Pacific Race at Fremont- April 22, 2023
    NOTE: Registrants can choose either of the races or both.

  • Half Marathon

    Season 1
    Training Start Date: April 22, 2023
    Target Race: SF Half Marathon – July 23, 2023

    Season 2
    Training Start Date: July 1, 2023
    Target Race: San Jose Rock ‘n’ Roll – Oct 1, 2023

  • Full Marathon

    Training Start Date: April 22, 2023
    Target Race: Humboldt Redwoods Marathon – 8th Oct 2023

Take the first step towards your goal!

Team Asha Couch 5k/10k training is about to begin. Join us for an open-for-all run at Baylands park, Sunnyvale on Saturday, March 4th at 10 am. Come talk to our coords and coaches to learn more. Please fill the COVID-19 Waiver prior to the event.

Registration for 2023

  • Target races

    Team Asha running program will train you to run a 5k/10k, half marathon and full marathon in 2023.

  • Personalized coaching

    Team Asha Running program focuses on individual goals. Whether you are a first time marathon runner or a seasoned runner, our coaches can provide a training plan that will bring out the athlete in you and help you achieve your fitness and marathon goals.

  • Extensive training

    Past runners have found the program to effectively balance the right amount of mileage, long runs and practice races. Through a carefully selected combination of muddy trails and tarmac paths, the training runs accustom you to the terrain of the marathon destination.

  • Expert coaches driving performance

    All our coaches have run several ultra marathons and have inspiring stories to share at each run. Their expert coaching have improved performace of both first time marathoners and seasoned runners.

  • WORKSHOPS ON APPAREL, NUTRITION, AND EQUIPMENT

    In addition to the runs, the training program targets and educates runners on aspects like shoes, hydration, clothing and mental preparation.

  • Team Support

    Accomplishing a task like running a marathon requires a sustained team effort. Finding individuals or groups to run with is especially important to individuals preparing for any endurance running event. Team Asha training program is committed to providing strong team support. Since our teams typically include runners of all levels, the team and the expertise of the coaches can help you reduce and overcome the strain that comes with sustained training over several months.

  • Volunteer driven

    The program is completely driven by a bunch of volunteers who are passionate about the cause of Asha for Education. All our coaches, mentors and coords volunteer their time to make the program successful.

  • we run so they can read

    Team Asha athletes raise funds for Asha for Education, Silicon Valley chapter, which helps support education initiatives for underprivileged children in India.

Training details

  • Weekday and weekend training runs

    All weekend runs will be on Saturdays. You can choose a weekday training slot based on your schedule and location. All runs will have extensive pre/post run stretching sessions. The course will be selected based on the terrain and climatic condtions of the target run.

  • Strength/Core workouts

    Coaches recommend personalized strength and core workouts to improve your endurance

  • Individual guidance

    Guidance from our professional coaches for runners of all levels. Guidance from mentors on running and fundraising goals

  • Extensive stretching pre/post run stretching sessions

  • Fully supported runs with water stops and energizing stations
  • Weekday runs will help you improve your endurace to run long distances over the weekends.
  • Team support on your target race. Our coaches, mentors and volunteers will be there to cheer you and help you complete the race.
  • The fun at every run!
  • Just show up every week.. for its fun to run as a team!

Orientation and Info Sessions

Couch to 5k/10k Info Session

When: March 11th, 10:00 am
Where: Los Gatos Creek Trail, Basketball Court at the E Campbell Ave and Gilman Ave intersection

Season 1 Info Session

When: March 19th, 3:30 pm
Where: Sports Basement, 1177 Kern Avenue, Sunnyvale, CA 94085

Season 2 Info Session

When: TBD
Where: TBD

Fundraising

If you are worried about committing to the program, we invite you to the first two runs which are open to all without a need for enrollment or a commitment to fundraise.

By 4th weekend run, you would be required to ‘recommit’ to our program: a commitment to finish your fundraising target as per our deadline.

  • 5K,10K Run
  • $200
  • Half Marathon (SEASON 1 and 2)
  • $750
  • Full Marathon 2023
  • $900
  • Fundraising Deadline
  • TBD
All the money raised through this program gets distributed among 20+ NGOs that we work with across India.
Donors like you help us ensure that kids don’t just attend school and they actually learn. We support our project partners in India who have diverse education needs – it could be a supplementary school, school with special needs, vocational training classes or digital education.To give a brief idea of some of our projects:

To learn more about our projects and locations, please visit http://sv.ashanet.org/projects/.

Asha for Education is a 100% transparent and volunteer driven organization. Every single $ you raise is dispersed to our projects. All the coaches train athletes for no cost and in fact many of them fundraise just like any other athlete enrolled in our program.

In 2018, our Team Asha athletes raised ~300K. Asha for Education Silicon Valley chapter dispersed 565K to 20+ projects impacting the lives of 28,000+ children in India. Check out our 2018 annual report here.

  1. Start your fundraising early – this helps in reaching out to more people and raise way more than your minimum target.
  2. Most of the profit companies in the Bay Area do company matching. All your donations can be doubled by applying for company match. Check here if your company has a donation matching program.
  3. Every single hour you volunteer for ANY NGO can be used towards your fundraising through ‘volunteer hour grants’.
  4. Another great way to fundraise is to organize a lunch sale at your workplace or in your friends circle. You also get a chance to explain about various projects Asha supports. Read this article to see how a Alumni raised funds.
  5. Lose your inhibitions – you are asking people to donate for a great cause. It’s important to explain why you are training through Team Asha and how proud your donors should be because they are helping every child in leading a better life!
  6. If you are artsy & crafty, this will be an amazing way to show your talent. You can ask people to donate towards your FR for every item you sell.
  7. General donations to Asha for Education by the athlete in the same fiscal year can be accounted towards FR target. (donations to fundraising campaigns such as Work An Hour, Support A Child etc and events will not be considered).
  8. Tips from our Asha alumni.
    Be sure to attend our fundraising clinic to learn more!
I have never raised money for a cause. How do I raise 1000+ dollars?
This is a very valid concern that every new member of Team Asha has. We will help you with ideas, materials, fundraising clinics etc to help you with your fundraising. During every weekend training, your group captain will help you keep on track. Till date, more than 80% of our bikers have raised more than the minimum fundraising targets.
What happens if I am unable to meet my fundraising target?
Team Asha mentors and other Asha volunteers will work with you throughout the program and beyond to help you honor your pledge of raising the target amount. Please see this program as a means of supporting and encouraging the underprivileged children and not simply a biking-training program. Without your fundraising efforts, it would be difficult for Asha to continue supporting these projects. We urge you to do your best to honor your commitment in helping these children. If in the end you still fail to reach the target then you are required to cover the balance by yourself.
Where do the funds I raise go?
Asha for Education is a 100% volunteer driven organization. Asha-SV has a list of projects we support every year. 100% of your donation goes towards the projects because our operating expenses will be covered by the registration fee you pay. If you want to donate to a particular project of your interest, please contact sv.projects@ashanet.org.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does registration fee include?
Registration fee ensures your spot in the marathon training program. All registrants get a free running tshirt. The registration fee is used to cover all the expenses for the marathon training program, so every dollar you raise directly goes to support the education of underprivileged children in India.
Is there a minimum fitness-level requirement?
There isn’t a minimum fitness level to join the training program. However, as with any exercise program, it is recommended that you consult your doctor before beginning physical training.

Every year we get a lot of runners who are new to endurance sports, especially running. 99% of first-time runners have successfully completed both full and half marathons.

What other costs that I need to bear?
There is an initial, nonrefundable registration fee of upto $75. Other costs include race registrations (we will negotiate a charity group discount that can be used during registration for the major races that Team Asha targets), running gear like shoes and apparel, food/drink supplies during long runs. Finally, depending on the marathon you choose, you will bear your travel expenses.

I am interested but I am not sure if I can do it. What do I do?
Feel free to contact program coordinators or coaches to discuss any questions or concerns you may have. Coordinators can be reached at run@sv.team-asha.org.
What kind of commitment is expected from the runners?

  • Train for about 6 months for full marathon and about 3 months for half marathon.

  • Join the entire group for a weekly long run (Saturdays) and track session (most Tuesdays.)
  • Do short runs or cross-training with mentors once or twice a week.
  • Raise funds as mentioned above.
  • Join in the socials and parties, make merry and enjoy with fellow runners.
    • What does the Team Asha training program provide?
    • A comprehensive marathon-training package (for full and half marathons) conducted by professional, experienced coaches.
    • Schedules for everyday training. This will be a well-paced training program consisting of hard-training days, easy-training days, rest days, suggestions for cross-training, strength training and more.
    • The opportunity to draw from the experience of coaches and past runners.
    • The opportunity to network with past marathoners and fellow runners in the local community.
    • The opportunity to discuss ideas with past participants and people who have raised funds.
    • Clinics on running techniques, injury prevention and diagnosis, gear selection, etc.
    • Nutrition clinics (how to train your body to burn energy over sustained periods of time).
    Where do I train?
    Most of are training runs are in South Bay. We have a few long runs in the Peninsula. Long runs will be at

    • Baylands Park – Sunnyvale,
    • Hellyer Park – San Jose,
    • Los Gatos Creek Trail – Campbell,
    • Oracle Trail – Redwood Shores,
    • Alameda Creek Trail -Fremont
    • Sawyer Camp Trail – Belmont.

      • This ensures you dont get bored of running the same trail again and again. For weekday running, you can signup for a group that runs closer to your home.

    What is the training plan like?
    We start from a 2 mile run and slowly increase the mileage every week.

    Questions?

    run@sv.team-asha.org

    We run so they can read