The weather is trying its hardest to be the big news at the 3100 mile race. It is in some ways transcending itself from any of the previous 13 editions of the event. It just may be the hottest race on record. A fact that is impossible to ignore when you have to spend 18 hours a day out in it. Yet for those who are truly committed to the race the heat and humidity are just part of a grand assortment of difficulties that can occur when you are running here. If you thought you have never had a problem in your life you will undoubtedly find an opponent of dimension, and ferocity, that you never dreamed possible in your life confronting you at some timer or another while you are on the course.
Most of us would love to be able to achieve success easily and bask in radiant beauty at every moment. The race, like life itself, is not so generous with its sweet charms. Without adversity there is no way of making progress or ever really appreciating what we have and what we really cherish. 2 runners, who for the moment, find themselves on the opposite ends of the success and adversity spectrum are Asprihanal and Stutisheel.
This morning Asprihanal will pass the fabled half way mark in the race, and so far, despite the heat is running consistently and strongly. He does not have to look not too far back over his shoulder and see that the big man from Slovakia, Pranjal, is slowly inching his way towards him. But barring catastrophe he is still almost a day ahead of him.
Stutisheel on the other hand is going through an epic bad patch in which his leg injury is causing him not only discomfort but also makes it impossible to even run. His daily totals are about half of that of Asprihanal. They are 2 experienced runners and between them they have run the race a total of 15 times. It is so easy to celebrate for Asprihanal and be sympathetic towards Stutisheel, but in the grand scheme of things we can only see a fraction of the battles that are waging deep within them.
What is being conquered by smooth running and easy miles and what is being overcome by being able to push through adversity. We all must plum the depths of our inner strength and reveal ever new invaluable experiences within ourselves.
Slowly, steadily, and unerringly
We are marching towards our destination.
Aphorism by Sri Chinmoy
“I just opened it and read it.” This morning before coming to the race Stutisheel opened a book and read this aphorism. For the past 3 days he has been in pain and been barely able to even walk smoothly, little alone run. He tells me how much inspiration and hope reading it has given him.
“Not fast, not up and down, but unerringly. That is the poem for my day. Sometimes runners do face themselves with all problems.” He says he has an inner feeling that he will be running again soon. He says this experience inwardly than will eventually manifest itself outwardly as well. “It is a matter of 2 days before I resume my quick speed.”
Start Day 23
“It was very hot.” Ananda -Lahari describes the weather yesterday and promptly laughs. “It is a great opportunity for us to learn to like it.” He ran an impressive 63 miles yesterday and when you run beside this slender man from Slovakia you get the impression that the weather is just not ever going to be a problem for him. “It doesn’t bother me so much.”
He describes in his early years at the race, “it was a disaster.” He describes that being in the sun all day was a real problem. He is pale and says that he just couldn’t seem to avoid being sunburned, no mater what creams or lotions he used. He uses sun block now but says he doesn’t have to use it as often as in earlier years.
He says that the sun no longer saps his energy very much either, “I am getting used to it.” As for humidity it is not a problem either, “I am not sweating so much.”
Yesterday he was part of a little skit and describes how he really got into his part of the running meditation. He took it quite seriously and was chanting ‘shanti’ (peace) while he ran and instead of invoking peace he found himself falling asleep instead.
He was enthusiastic to be part of the little theatrical production. Even though it has little to do with running 3100 miles it inspired all those who took part as well as for those who watched. “I think it is part of our path to create new things.”
I tell Ananda-Lahari how impressed I am with his consistently positive mood. “In the beginning I don’t think I was so much happy, because I had so much pain. This was difficult to be happy. Than I got used to it. The pain is gone now basically. There will always be some pain there, but let’s say that is under control.
It is definitely a challenge to be happy if you are doing well and also if you are doing not so well. The secret is to stay in the heart. The pain doesn’t bother us the weather doesn’t bother us. We are not tired, and we are able to stay in the heart. Then we can run only because of the joy of running. Not run because I want to cover 60 miles but because I like running. Because I want to do it for the Supreme, and be grateful for this opportunity.”
About an hour into the race this morning Asprihanal completes 1550 miles. It will not be until late tomorrow that the next runner, Pranjal, should do it.
Asprihanal says, “I am celebrating by drinking a half of cup of water, because I am half way.” Without much fuss he than runs on.
The Ukranians having some joy.
Surasa also finding joy.
Pushkar at peace.
Purna-Samarpan dreaming dreams.
Pranjal the big man.
Pavol and shoe repair.
Petr in a good light.
“Yesterday we did this skit.” Dharbhasana is describing the 4th of July performance that took place in the morning which was all the more remarkable when you consider how much effort was put into it, and yet how joyous it ultimately turned out to be. “Everybody performed a different running style. It was in the morning. Something we were doing for Independence day. It definitely brought about a whole new sense of joy and happiness. I think we all felt it. It was all tangible, for that moment, but it lasted a long time.”
“Because we had that little moment of happiness it brought about such a feeling of peace, and ease to the running.”
He then describes a skit that he and Asprihanal did this morning. In involved a running shoe with a banana peel stuffed inside. As Asprihanal went by the singers he drops a piece of peel.
“Asprihanal, what on earth are you doing?”
“I am just adjusting my brand new slippers.”
“It was just some light hearted humor to give them some happiness…. and give us some.”
God claims me as his own
very own.
Alas, when will I be able to claim God
as my own, very own?
When?
Poem of the day written by Sri Chinmoy
“I think every day we try and realize how we can claim the Supreme to be our own. That we can do our duty on earth, and try and please the Supreme in his own way, without sensing our own desire, or our own quest for satisfaction.”
When I ask him whether or not he will be affected by the heat. “I am about to find out.” He says the earlier hot days were okay. “It was a struggle to get through the day but they didn’t slow me down. What I noticed was afterwards. When the days cooled off and you thought you could actually pick it up and make up for some lost ground. I just felt so incredibly exhausted from it.”
He mentions that some of the runners are planning to jump in the nearby fountain and cool off later when it gets much hotter.
Last night I had very very very
Significant dream.
I saw My Lord, clasped His Eye, and kissed his Feet Supreme.
Song composed by Sri Chinmoy
Performed by Enthusiasm Awakeners
Last night I had a very very very significant dream
Slowly the mind
Becomes clean.
Steadily the heart
Becomes pure.
Unconditionally the soul
Manifests the Supreme.
Supremely our Beloved Supreme
Fulfils Himself
In and through His creation-child.
Excerpt from Ten Thousand Flower-Flames, Part 1 by Sri Chinmoy
Last night I had a very, very, very
Significant dream.
I saw my Lord, clasped His Eye
And kissed His Feet Supreme.
Asprihanal says, “I am celebrating by drinking a half of cup of water, because I am half way.” Without much fuss he than runs on. – He does not need it he is the champion but you Utpal are so fortunate to get this picture in the box at exact completing the 2480 km halfway point, it must have been a celebration within seconds. What a relief running home from there.