Nalini Kumar
PhD Student, University of Florida
About me
Aloha!
I am a PhD student in the ECE department at UF –just another graduate student who spends hours poring over books, or sitting in front of her computer.
I joined Team Asha in Fall 2010, not that long ago, and I have a strong feeling it will be a long association. I sincerely believe that education is our birth right and key to a better tomorrow. We, Team Asha volunteers, work hard and dedicate our time, so we can provide underprivileged children in India with basic education.
I am training for the Gate River Run at Jacksonville on March 10, 2012. It is an amazing feeling to think of the difference that I am going to make to the lives of so many children by running 15k. Of course, you and I need to work as a Team for it.
My running experience
I learnt about Team Asha during my very first week in Gainesville. All the stories of people running long distance races sounded really cool but unbelievable. But, in March 2010, some friends ran the Gate River Run and inspired me to join Team Asha.
I started in September ‘10, and despite some minor injuries and major graduate courses, I have been running with Team Asha ever since. I have never run before in the twenty something years of my life (well except for those few 100m races in 5th grade). I did Gate River Run last year, and finishing the race was an exhilarating feeling.
While, the goal last time was to finish, this time it is to endure and finish faster - get seeded. Having trained for the past year - through scorching summer and numbing winters, I am optimistic about finishing in decent time.
My request
From 100m to 15K has become a dream. And with my dream are attached dreams of hundreds of kids in India. We, Team Asha, run for a cause, to help educate underprivileged children in India.
It is easy to just sit and empathize, but if we don't get up and take a step ahead, who will? I sincerely hope I can do many more of these races, and do my part. Remember, a small amount from you and me makes a big difference in their lives. We owe it to humanity, to give the opportunity of education to these kids, so they can build a better future - for themselves and for our country.
Join me in bringing a smile on the faces of these kids!
