April 23rd…. Enjoy All The Great Things

The 6 day race is less than an hour old.  I spend a few minutes running lightly with David Luljak who has not been to the race in 7 years and also with Wai Law who ran his first 6 day race here last year.

They are getting acquainted and of course realize that in the many miles ahead they will probably learn a lot about all the other competitors but perhaps even more about themselves.

I ask what kind of things they have discovered so far, and they both laugh and say that at one time they both lived in Long Island.

David tells me about one of his favorite poems written by Sri Chinmoy.  “He said to somebody during the 3100 mile race.  When this person was having a particularly bad time.”

Dave and Wai-16

Perfect happiness
      Is
Enthusiasm minus expectation.

Sri Chinmoy, The God of the mind [songbook]

“I thought that was a good thing to keep in mind.  I love this race, and if I don’t expect too much than I won’t feel disappointed.  And hopefully enjoy all the great things I think about constantly whenever I run these races.”

The 10 day race of course goes on while the 6 day is about to start.  Richard Takata celebrates getting to 200 miles.

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Albena is doing her 2nd 6 day race.

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Sri Chinmoy at the start of the first 7 day race.  October 14th 1988

ckg greets runners

Whenever we do small things
With great love,
God gives us the most
Powerful and blessingful Smile.

Due to illness Dipali is not well enough to compete this year.  She won the race each year for the past 18.  She will return again next year.

https://vimeo.com/163947275

She speaks with Rupantar

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She is very grateful to her crew who have supported her so much over the years.

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Hoskuldur Kristvinsson is a 66 year old runner from Iceland is running his first 6 day race.  His goal is to run 420kms a distance which equals 10 marathons.

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Click to Play Interview:

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Tatiana is running her first 6 day race.  Last year she worked in medical.

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David Luljak finishing some final paper work before he starts the race.

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Johnny before coming to the starting line

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He is a 44 year old runner from Sweden is running his first 6 day race.

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Things go smoothly though it will rain just a little before the start.

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Susan Marshall from New Zealand is running her first 6 day race.

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Rimas and Aidas are both here again.  Rimas has a personal best of 600 miles, which stands as the Lithuanian record.

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The board at the end of 4 days.

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Sahishnu introducing the 6 day runners.

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Wai coming to the line

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Kobi leads with 351 miles for 4 days

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It rains briefly.

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Achim has 300 miles for 4 days.

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Karteek has 192 miles

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Getting adjusted by Mitch in medical

 

albena off to a good start.

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Ales sorting out some lap count issues

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Ananda-Lahari has 277 miles

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Mark Dorion stretching

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Andrei Somov without his jokes

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Karnayati receiving an email

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The message is from Vera.  Karnayati says these notes inspire her very much.

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Anna, Ed running behind her is still in 2nd place with 311 miles.

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Kimberly has 233 miles

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A short stop in the kitchen

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Budjargal with a clothing adjustment.

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He has 262 miles

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Pedrag has 214 miles

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David getting into his rythmn

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Mitch taking lunch

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Elena with 231

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Richard finding out just how much it can hurt

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Misha with 218 and Mahasatya with 234

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Nina cleaning up

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Finish line

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Vinati

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Yolanda has 262

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Ushika

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His feet

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The Russian boys

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Tatiana enjoying the great outdoors

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Soren with 257

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Helping out

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The weather is nearly perfect

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Looking down

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Roger missed last year because of a bad fall.  He is happy to be back running the 6 day.

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Caution

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Priyavadin

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Heading towards the lake

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Nataliya

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Everybody likes coconuts

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Michel and Lyalya

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Magnolias beside the lake

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Manoshri in 2nd with 274

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Kalpa with 220

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Soon the wind will take the seeds away

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John

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A little added color

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Janos

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Some different transportation

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Georgs washing his clothes

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Clothes will dry when the sun comes out

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Girbhu

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Erlinda Biondic

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Enjoying the flowers

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Gautami with 260

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Johnny coming around the Heart Garden

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Today it is Joe Cleary’s 76th birthday

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“It is like coming home.”  Joe Cleary hasn’t been to the race in a few years.  “I think I will be here a little more in the future.”

Joe made his first trip to the race in 2009.  “It was my first 6 day. It was momentous.” Joe went 228 miles but was hoping to make 300.

“I was satisfied for sure.  Thinking back now I was thinking that I needed more rest, and I took it.  I think this time I will be taking less rest.  I will be out there longer.”

“There is a time to be on your own and people recognize that.  Sometimes you just don’t want to be chatting with people and other times you do.”

Asked what is the attraction of races like this.  “I don’t need to figure it out, I just thoroughly enjoy it.  I plan to do it until one foot is in the grave.”

Click to Play Interview:

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Do not be afraid
Of doing great things.
Just regard these things
As quite normal and natural,
And do them spontaneously.
This is the only way
You can bring to the fore
God within you
For His own supreme Manifestation.

One thought on “April 23rd…. Enjoy All The Great Things”

  1. Very nice interview with Dipali! Get your strength back again soon Dipali! Helping is a great contribution and helpers do get special blessings and the atmosphere is amazing, but it is still a big difference to be able to run or do something yourself. This is why helpers in ultras tend to “catch the bug” and end up wanting to take up the challenge themselves!

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