If one needs any reminding that the results on the board are not the only thing that is important here at the 3100. Than taking a closer look at Ashprihanal helps to illustrate just a little more clearly that numbers are just one small aspect of the true race.
A year ago now Ashprihanal was 4 days away from a world record. He had run on average 75 miles a day and on this day had 2757 miles. This morning he started day 36 with 2315 miles (785 miles to go). There is no question of course that Ashprihanal will complete the distance. But now that looks to be as much as 13 more days away.
As someone who has already run the race 13 times you can’t help but see in him that the race still has powerful lessons and experiences to offer. Ones that are not really visible to us who watch him lightly skipping and flying up the street.
“The numbers are definitely getting better and better.”
“I always like it when you get to the last week and you can say, ah, this is the last Saturday. But there is still time for that.”
“Last year was only for the world record and nothing else. So I shut down everything else.”
“Last year was the time for that and this year I couldn’t do it.” Ashprihanal accepts this wholeheartedly, that he is not going to be breaking records every year and that simply being part of it and doing his very best is his only option.
I ask him if he would call his experience this year fun. “It is a little bit of everything. Sometimes it is fun and sometimes it is not.”
“I am definitely trying to have fun. I am trying to enjoy. But it is not easy.”
“It is still nice. I am running pretty good.” One big improvement is that he has lost a persistent cough that had lasted a long time.
“I am happy.”
God enjoys watching me
When I enjoy my pilgrimage
To my oneness-heart-home.
The Board
Wide view
The weather continues to be hot
“Am I on time?”
Onions ready to help with Auyervedic heat exposure treatment
Misha pouring drinks
Vajra leaves
Van arrives
Kodanda getting ready to play
Baladev working on shoes
Rupantar working on video
The girls
Start Day 36
First steps
Bouncing along
Atmavir did 51 miles
He starts the day sharing the lead with yuri who also has 2332 miles
Getting mail from Sahishnu
On the curb
Yuri did 64 miles the most of anyone
His 2332 miles is still 116 miles less than last year
He is being particularly careful of the heat
A small friend
Ashprihanal had 62 miles.
His 2315 miles is 17 miles behind Yuri and Atmavir
He gets mail from one of his climbing friends with pictures when they climbed Mount Fuji
A little treasure
Vasu had a little better day yesterday with 57 miles
He now has 2230 miles
Always ahead
Kaneenika had 52 miles
She has 2185 miles and is 18 miles ahead of last year
Always greener
Surasa also did 52 miles
She has 2130 miles
Taking a stretch
Having a picture with Vishvarupani
Matching
“I am pretty sure that Squirrels cannot keep track of the runner’s laps. I just have a tiny problem with the pencil.”
On the job training
Baladev did 54 miles. He now has 1958 miles
Camp
Sopan did 44 miles. He has 1954 miles
Service road
Stutisheel did 46 miles
He now has 1949 miles
Enthusiasm Awakeners lighten everybody’s steps
The way it is
Ananda-Lahari did 41 miles
He now has 1817 miles
Hard shoes
Uddipan bagging ice for the runners
The board at 10:30
“I love coming out here in the morning to sing.” Savita is one of the regular singers with the Enthusiasm Awakeners and with their anniversary on Wednesday. I thought I would get some stories about coming to the race every morning.
“It is wonderful to sing Guru’s songs. These songs that Guru wrote are really life lessons. We can get so much from them. Sometimes one line. Sometimes more, they are packed with so much wisdom. They can help you right through the day.”
“I think it really helps the runners. They often stop their running and walk by. They want to receive Guru’s light from the songs.”
“It is also so wonderful that so many other girls have come to join and be part of it. It is like one big family early in the morning singing.”
“The race brings back so many special memories for me of when Suprabha used to run. I felt such a close part of the race when she was running.”
Sahishnu’s Weekly Wrap Up of the weeks events
Click to Play:
Bileena reads the Daily Poem
Click to Play:
Enthusiasm Awakeners
Click to Play:
Question: How much importance should I give to athletics? I am always wondering if I disappoint you by not training and having running goals.
Sri Chinmoy: Your inner running is infinitely more important than your outer running. If you can run two miles a day, I shall be very happy. And if you can only run five times a week, I shall not be as disappointed as you think. But try to run daily, so that your body does not enjoy either inertia or revolt.
Thank you for that question and answer reminder about running — immortal advice for all of us.