After 2 days of running Harita Davies has more than proven she belongs with this extraordinary group of distance runners attempting to complete 3100 miles. Among the women athletes she ran the most laps on day 2 and is currently tied with Kaneenika and Nidhruvi for 2nd place (4th overall). She starts her 3rd day here looking great and showing no obvious wear and tear from just running 128.9 miles.
“Ever since I started meditating I started running. So since I began my spiritual life, it was always really a part of it. I was very fortunate to have it instilled in me by Subarata who was a great runner and one of the center leaders of the Sri Chinmoy group in New Zealand. She had done many ultra races she really really encouraged us and showed how meditation and running go really well together.”
“I grew up playing sports, my parents are really into sports so for me it was something that I was brought up with and I know that it saved my life in so many ways. As a teenager when ever I had a hard time and went into sports it made me feel that everything was going to be okay.”
“So my running is like that in so many ways. Whenever times are difficult or challenging I can just go out for a run. You feel like everything is taken away. You feel clear and you feel light. It helps you to stay much more positive.”
“A lot of people say that I seem like such a happy person and that I am really lucky for that but I would say that is something that I have worked at very hard. Running is a big part of what helps me to be able to do that.”
“Ever since I first saw the 3100 mile race I just had the feeling that it was inevitable that one day I would do it. But I had no idea when and I always thought maybe in 10 years time. But last year I realized, I am 42, and 10 years more?
“Last summer I got the inner inspiration and at the time and hadn’t been thinking about doing the race at all. I was always projecting it into the future. So I was really surprised that I got inspired to run the race this year.”
She describes her position as one that she would never attempt the race at all unless she could be happy while doing it. “But every time I looked at the race it just looked like torture. I couldn’t conceive of how I could do it and be happy.”
“After I ran the marathon and the 47 mile race in August I had an experience. Even though my body was really suffering. On a deeper level I felt so much joy and happiness. Then a couple a weeks after those races I was handed a book on the 3100 mile race, and I suddenly went…..O NO! Now I can see how it is possible.”
“The more I meditated and thought about it I felt, if you have the inspiration to do something, you should follow that inspiration. Sri Chinmoy said that inspiration is like a bird. You should reach out and catch it and not wait for it to land. If you really feel as though you are following your heart, which I really try and do in my life.”
“I really try and follow my inspiration. I feel Inspiration is a most powerful blessing. If you have an inspiration to do something you have to see it as a tremendous blessing. I felt inspired and that is why I am here doing it.”
“Whatever experience I have doing this race is what I am meant to have and will make progress from it.”
“I am grateful so far, but it is still so early. Everybody knows that the race is a tremendous opportunity to just live in the moment, and that is a thing that we all have to learn how to do……..and be happy.”
You follow
Your heart’s love.
Your life’s happiness
Will follow you.
The board starting Day 3
No runners
Harita and Kaneenika are dropped off
Stutisheel taking pictures
The vans are parked on the other side of the road due to street cleaning
Sergey
Andrey
Harita’s friend
7 minutes
Suhashini getting ready
No comment
Ray taking pictures
Vasu arrives
The girls
Nidhruvi getting some help with her knees
Smarana and Nirbhasa
Start Day 3
It was a wet night but the sky starts to clear
Vasu leads the field with 142 miles
He ran 66 miles yesterday
Later in the morning he receives the daily printed poem
Alan counting with a very smart hand crafted tartan phone case
Smarana ran the most miles yesterday with 68
As the morning heats up he changes hats
Pushkar preparing a concoction
Flower
Nirbhasa ran 65 miles he has 137 miles
Going through camp
Ray doing some motor vehicle repairs
Kaneenika did 59 miles yesterday
She has 128 miles
She is running well
Shoes drying from yesterdays rain
Nidhruvi ran 60 miles yesterday
She like the other 2 girls has 128 miles
Nidhruvi on 168 st
Andrey did 58 miles yesterday
He has 120 miles
Yolanda did 53 miles yesterday
She has 113 miles
Yolanda 168 st
Vanaraja counting
Sergey did 47 miles
He has 107 miles
“I just don’t understand why people fence off the flowers.”
Ananda-Lahari did 51 miles, he has 105 miles
flower
Andy Cable was at the start of the race on Sunday and he is a warm and familiar presence at the race. He has made an appearance at the race for most of the past 12 years. He tells me that he has signed up for Yolanda Holder’s 52 day challenge. “I am going to do 2 miles a day and I am going to do my first 2 miles here today.” The criteria he says is that one should complete at least a mile for 52 straight days.
“Day one is different here because everyone is well rested and nothing hurts. The runner’s minds still work. Probably day 4 is when reality sets in. I don’t really know.”…….Andy declines an invitation to try the race and find out for himself.
Andy says that unlike nearly all other races the runners here don’t really compete with each other. “They are all in the same boat together. They help each other along. Someone will finish first overall with the fastest time but the race is more a personal experience than a competition.”
Comparing it to a 6 day race Andy says this race doesn’t even compare. “When you run 6 days you abuse your body but you can heal and recover afterwards. In this one you have to heal yourself while you run. Adapt and keep going.”
“It is always inspiring to be at any of the Sri Chinmoy marathon team races. There is a lot of positive energy. You can’t muscle your way through this type of race and be successful. There has to be a surrender to the race and accept what you receive and repeat as necessary each day.”
Click to Play Interview:
Pushkar reads the daily prayer
Click to Play:
Enthusiasm Awakeners
Click to Play:
Speak without words.
You will be happy.
Dedicate without proclaiming.
You will be happy.
Love without being loved.
You will be happy.
Surrender without being subjugated.
You will be happy.
Become without being known,
without being caught,
without being sought.
You will be happy.
Great Interview with Harita, so inspiring! Thank you so much Utpal
Hi! My morning begins with very inspiring report from the 3100 Race! Thanks!!!
Thankyou for the interviews, photos and bringing us closer to this incredible world – inspiring, uplifting, fascinating and beautiful.
Great report! A special thanks for that last poem. Dynamite advice from the Top!