When he arrived at the 3100 this morning Asprihanal was one very content and very satisfied runner. The fact that 63 long hot miles awaited him did not seem to faze him one whit. In a just a few hours more, Asprihanal, the Flying Finn, will reach the end of his 3100 mile journey and will be able at last to fold in his gossamer wings and rest at last. True he was never photographed soaring above the course but his feet most often seemed only to glance and lightly brush along the surface which most of the others had to stride relentlessly upon with hard and determined steps.
He made it look easy when it was not. The great ones, no matter what the sport always make the most difficult thing look like child’s play. If one can even come close to comprehend running 3100 miles you might picture hard warriors daily battling pain and fatigue. Asprihanal ran most often like a child enjoying continuous joyous ptranlay. His late spiritual teacher said of him, “running for him is like us drinking a glass of water.”
The greatest of the Finnish runners Paavo Nurmi once said, “Mind is everything: muscle – pieces of rubber. All that I am, I am because of my mind.”
Asprihanal has a much different perspective on his beloved sport. For him the strength and endurance he exhibits comes from a far different reservoir of capacity. It is one that can offer much more limitless stength and joy than the mind, which so often battles doubt as much as it savours determination. For him it is his heart that has drawn him here for the 9th time. It is only his heart that he truly obeys. From it he finds the strength and capacity to endure. And within it he will find his true reward, which comes not just when he crosses the line this evening, but also when he offered each step, each pain, and each glorious moment along the way.
To listen to one’s heart, the source of the most divine of inspiration is a victory in itself. To act upon it, as Asprihanal does is to embody the teachings of his teacher in a profound and tangible way. There is no trophy and glory for acting upon self-transcendence. It is simply a victory of the heart and spirit. It also inspires others who might not want to run 3100 miles but maybe they will be moved to go one step further in whatever endeavor their hearts have offered before them.
Once again he comes first, but when he glances over his shoulder at those who follow he will not see competitors. He will see a unique running family cheering him on. In turn, their oneness with him they also see their own victories in and through him. And when the last of his fellows crosses the line he will see a final fulfilling satisfaction as well. For only at that time will the race be truly over for them all.
Because of his angelic speed,
His heart enjoys
The beauty and purity
Of the higher worlds.
Excerpt from Ten Thousand Flower-Flames, Part 94 by Sri Chinmoy.
He steps out of the car for the last time. He pulls the Finnish flag from his pack and will lightly wave it in the still air that can feel no breeze. He stretches at the curb as he has done every morning. Then with stiff steps he makes way along the short route to his chair greeting all who will be here tomorrow and he will not.
He stands at the starting line savoring a moment of peace before the last few miles fall away like grains of sand within an hour glass.
All of them will say it has been a hard race for him. There could have been a chorus of’ what ifs’ regarding this years race. Had he not been sick on day 29 and lost nearly a day of running, or dwell upon the other problems that have come now and then. But Asprihanal is all about the present. Today it is enough to see it done and see it done well.
“This is the toughest race I know of.” He talks about the challenges of other distances but knows nothing compares to the difficulty of the 3100. Of this year’s race which this will be his 9th time he is not sure but says, “I think it is either my 3rd or 4th best time. At my best I averaged 71.7 miles a day.” He believes he is averaging a little over 70 miles a day, a little better than last year’s total. “It has been quite a tough race. One thing though is that I have been going to 12 most nights. This is something I did not do my first 5 races. In that way I feel that I have done my best.”
He talks about his flag he was waving this morning with such delight and says, the blue represents all of Finland’s water and the white represents its snow. He is obviously proud of his country. “I always liked Finland. It is a small country but quite good. Each country has their own good and bad qualities. He says that Sri Chinmoy once described the qualities of Finland as, “all Angelic, all Angelic.”
“He showed once more that definitely he is one of the top of the world distance runners.” He appreciates how for the first 14 days he averaged 75 miles a day. “This is really really world class.” Also few he thinks, could come so quickly back from the health issues he had on day 29. “He is really a good person and I really like him, and really admire him.”Ananda-Lahari.
“Asprihanal is an amazing runner and an amazing person. He has such an amazing child like personality. His running is incredible. He is always in a happy joyful, simple, consciousness. It is really nice to be around.” Grahak
“He is a champion for me, within, without.” Petr
“He is great. If he goes at his flying speed, wow it is so cool to see. He is a gem at the run. It is really so inspiring to see” Pushkar
“He has inspired us here the whole race. Flying here every morning. For me he is a special runner and a special person. I cannot imagine how it is possible to run 75 miles for 20 days. He was almost dying and still running.” Vlady
Victory comes and victory goes.
Defeat weeps and defeat lingers.
Experience soars and experience lasts.
God smiles and God dances.
Excerpt from Europe-Blossoms by Sri Chinmoy.