April 25th…. Inside My Heart

“Its been very good.  I have really enjoyed it.”  After completing 2 days Vikena Yutz from Columbus Georgia is leading the 6 day women with 142 miles.

This will be her 4th 6 day race but the first time that she has come to Flushing Meadow for the Self-Transcendence race. “I have wanted to do this for 4 years.  It just worked out that I could come this year.”

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“When I started doing multi days I read about this race and another one, and that is what inspired me to do them in the first place.  To come here was very important for me for that reason.”

Vikena says that 18 time champion Dipali Cunningham was also a big reason for her coming here.  “I was really sad to hear that she was sick.  I was afraid that I wasn’t going to get to meet her.  Because she has inspired me, and helped me without even knowing it to do what I do now.”

When I ask Vikena if numbers on the board matter to her.  She says that for the most part she is running for the simple experience of participating.  “I would like to have a goal that I would like to meet, but I am just trying to stay inside.”

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She has a dedicated team supporting her and Vikena is also impressed with the presence of all the other runners and helpers.  “Everybody is so joyful and happy here.  It is a unique place and I really like that.  I think it is how I envisioned it.”

I have only
One thing to do:
To stay peacefully
Inside my heart.

Sri Chinmoy, My Christmas-New Year-Vacation Aspiration-Prayers, Part 47, Agni Press, 2006

May 16 1985, Sri Chinmoy with Fred Lebow at 1,000 mile race in Flushing Meadow.

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Taking a peak at the board as the end of 6 days approaches

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10 day board

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Achim has been battling a bad back

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He is pushing as much as he can

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Soren has moved up into 3rd place

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Sarah

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A bright clear day

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Arun

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Yolanda does a headstand for the 85 day in a row.  She also has run 379 miles in the past 6 days.

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Wai

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Janos

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Budjargal

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A resting cyclist and a running Ushika

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Tatiana

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Bipin working on the generators.

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Anna

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Gautami working on her feet

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Gautami working on her feet the other way.

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Suparna

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A tree

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George Biondi the handler

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Erlinda the handilee

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Vikena crossing the finish line

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Sergey taking lunch

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Lunch for the helpers

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Nipura the chief cook being splendiferous

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vinati

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Pedrag and Richard enjoying the moment

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A gathering runners looking at the board at noon

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Ed and Sarah taking a closer look

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Some just keep running

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Karteek on the road

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Karteek taking a break

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The dugout

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Patanga taking a break

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Roger

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The street

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The boys

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Getting a massage

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Working on the feet

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Ratuja

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Going by the Heart Garden

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Rimas

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Vasuprada takes a break

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David putting in another mile

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David

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Peace rock

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Pushparani and Manoshri

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This really does help

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Richard learning about the sea

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Making the turn

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Kimberly

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Lyalya

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Mark and Anna

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John

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Hoskuldur’s son is coming to help him tonight

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Georgs talks with Stutisheel

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Gudrun and Vasuprada

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10 day counters

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The Worlds Fair

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I hold God
Not inside my head,
Not inside my hands,
But inside my heart.

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3 thoughts on “April 25th…. Inside My Heart”

  1. A warm greeting from Austria!
    Reading the stories and seeing all the known and unknown faces from around the world,makes me really wish to be once more part of this unique running experience.
    Making miles is just one part or let us say the means to experience much deeper and profound experiences, that influence you even long after the race is over.
    Thanks to all the runners and helpers and of course writers for inspiring and sharing this extraordinare chapter.
    Smarana

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