“Not easy in the morning but everything good, very good.” There are many days when I wish I could emulate Vasu’s unblinking optimism and devotion. Here now running for the past 20 days I have never heard one bad word or even a hint of a negative expression.
He starts the day having already run 1404 miles. A distance that would have taken him all the way from his home in St Petersburg to Southern France. Mornings though take a while for him to get going as he would like.
“The day is good, everything very good. Something inside has to wake up and then push me a little bit. Step by step I need to increase my speed.”
“In my case I try to pray and meditate in the morning and it gives me some energy to increase my speed. In the morning it is not so easy. But after the Enthusiasm Awakeners come and they sing. It helps me a lot. Steadily I increase my speed. I do meditation that also helps me.”
Vasu says that his routine also includes reciting the daily prayer that is delivered to the course each day. After which he listens to recordings of Sri Chinmoy’s music. “When I listen to music my mind relaxes and I do not lose energy. I can run then step by step better and better.” He also visualizes his spiritual teacher singing within his heart.
“During the day I also try and speak with other runners. We inspire each other to continue.” This routine he continues he says almost all day.
When asked if every day is good. Every day is a good day. “God makes for us each day and we should be grateful to him for that day.”
The board at the start of Day 21 …. the magic number is 1192 (Note the totals may not be up to date)
Aharan setting out yogurt
A cool morning
Yolanda arrives
Kobi’s massage
Messages for Ushika
Generator problems
Surasa arrives
William at his table
Yolanda takes a picture
Kaneenika comes
Smarana works on shoes
Ananda Fuara restaurant is the days sponsor. Garima takes a picture
Vajra leaves
Putting on shoes
Ushika
Nearly time
A few precious moments
Start Day 21
The day could not be better
Vasu ran 67 miles
He now has 1404
Vasu leads Kobi by 22 miles
Flower
Alexei cleaning Vasu’s insoles
Kobi ran 65 miles
He now has 1382 miles
Oscar and friend
The legs
On day 21
Flower
The children’s fountain
Smarana did 57 miles
Emails of support.
Smarana has 1213 miles
Flower
Aharan
Surasa did 58 miles
Surasa has 1209 miles
Running well
With Vishvarupani
Flower
Sopan did 63 miles
He now has 1208 miles
Shoe laces
Silhouette
Flower
Ushika ran 61 miles
He has 1194. 2 miles above the magic number
With Max
Silhouette
Flower
Yolanda did 60 miles
She has 1179 miles
With helper Laila
Cute dog alert
Looking strong
Flower
Ananda-Lahari did 42 miles
He now has 1170 miles
Flower
William did 63 miles
He now has 1164 miles
Speaking with his helper Alan they are trying to recover the miles gradually. But he is taking advantage of the much cooler weather
Coming through camp
Telling a joke
Flower
Kaneenika did 52 miles
She now has 1152 miles
Encouragement from Dipali
Flower
Aharan handing out the daily poem
“Remember, just watch the race and not the snacks.”
Sahishnu updates the board
Rachel is visiting from Virginia and is checking out the race
Poem of the day read by Karunamaya
Click to Play:
Enthusiasm Awakeners
Click to Play:
Step by step,
I am leaving my old, unaspiring self
Far behind me.
Sri Chinmoy, Seventy-Seven Thousand Service-Trees, part 30, Agni Press, 2002
Another great report with priceless advice which anyone can keep in the mind and heart. Thank you Vasu.Thank you, Utpal. Praise to the weather gods!