Under the best of possible conditions the Self Transcendence 10 day race started.
Before the start there was still lots of preparation going on. Rimas sets up his tent.
Budjargal from Mongolia is relaxing because soon he will be running
Runners pick up their race numbers from Sahishnu.
Others find time to relax in all kinds of ways.
Helpers sign up for shifts to cover the full 24 hour period each day.
Manoshri goes over some last minute nutrition points with her helper Mom
These feet of Giribhu will not be able to enjoy a moment like this for some time.
Chris Mak is a 54 year old runner from Hong Kong and has gathered around himself an amazing crew for his first 10 day race.
Click to Play Interview: ‘Mileage and Self Discovery’
For some the work does not end.
Niribili has a long history with this race. At age 69 she will prove once again that age is not a factor in self transcendence
Adrian MacDermott ran the 6 day race and he is now back again to try the 10 day race.
I ask him if his race last year was the longest distance he had ever run. He answers without hesitation, “It certainly was.”
“I had been doing 24 hour races for a few years.” He has done an 8 day race in Monaco a few years ago. “I thought if I can do 8 days than I can do 10. But this is a much different experience.”
I ask Adrian to sum up his experience last year here. “I must admit that I went out there and had a good first day. To be honest I didn’t give my feet enough time to recover. I didn’t treat them right. I didn’t keep them cool. Basically I went out there and thought I was invincible. That is the truth of the matter. As a result my feet went into trauma.”
“Every other day I had to have my shoes cut extra wider.” He said that after that he went seeking the widest shoes he could possibly find for the next race. “Unbelievable.”
He says that it is the challenge that has brought him back. “It is the challenge know that I can do better. Push myself to my limits, both physically and mentally. But now I know that I have trained harder and trained right for this event. I know I can do better. I just want to do the best I can.”
When asked why not do something a little easier. “Personally it is all or nothing. It is in for penny in for a pound. If I am going to take on a multi day I am going to do as many days as I can. There are plenty of 6 day races out there and maybe I will enjoy doing a 6 day race again one day but….”
Last year Adrian ran 475 miles in 6 days.
When asked what he would like to see at the end of 10 days. “I am going to say exactly what I said last year. A million meters is still my goal. If I don’t reach that fair enough. But if I beat 475 I am happy. I will be honest with you. It justifies me returning.” He says the million meters is still his goal, and he will continue to pursue it until he reaches it.
“I will get older and I will get wiser and I will do it. That is my challenge”
Click to Play Interview:
Sahishnu introduces the 10 day runners
Click to Play:
Aidas a 43 year old runner from Lithuania
There are many visitors to the park on Sundays
Ananda-Lahari
Atmavir
Budjaargal from Mongolia
Elena
Spring has finally come
The great Fred Davis
Coming back to camp
A very determined Georgs
And another George also determined.
Flowers along the course
Giribhu
Kitchen is working hard but having joy.
Lunch
Manoshri finally gets to run.
The sun is shining for today at least.
Sarah is the one to watch for big numbers.
Nirbhasa is a bystander this year. He has another race in mind later in the summer called the 3100.
Tatjana and helper
A sight every runner will see many times.
Baladev
Chris Mak and his great crew.
Mikhail
Olexsander
Vasuprada
The tents will be quiet for many hours
Sara
Magnolias blossoming to perfection
Chris moving on.
Anna
Karteek has swum the English channel 11 times. Last year he ran the 6 day race and is back again to participate in the 10 day.
Click to Play:
https://vimeo.com/125416837
If your mind wants to challenge something,
Then let it challenge peace.
If your heart wants to challenge something,
Then let it challenge love.
If you want to challenge something,
Then challenge perfection.
So happy this event is being covered with such detail from the very beginning! One day I would like to attempt this race and it’s nice to be able to be a part of it now with so many stories and videos…I’ll be watching every day…good luck to these brave souls!, Pushparani