For all those hungry for instant gratification the Self-Transcendence 3100 mile race is not for you. This morning when I proclaim to Ushika the obvious, that this is his 36th day on the course. He says, “Wow, what a journey.”
One thing in addition, that is also obvious about Ushika’s race is that he is running stronger now, after running more than 2,000 miles, than he did earlier in the race. Early on for a short period he struggled to make the quota. “Physically to do this is not possible. But even the physical here has to bow to consciousness. This is the reason I can do that.”
Ushika tells me that one of the helpers of the race was leaving to go to Europe and he wanted to run a lap with him. “He was all in his heart. Almost crying totally touched by the experience of the race. Ushika, you know what. I feel in my heart that you can increase your mileage. Your body may be tired but I feel that you can do more now. He has a oneness heart. That is what I feel.” After this conversation he ran 65 miles, his best since day one. He said the inspiration did not come from the outer plane.
He then tells me that over the bunk in the van where he rests is a picture of a spider web and a poem written by Sri Chinmoy
Spider, my spider,
You build your home
With patience-light.
Against the speedy time
You and your confidence-fight.
You teach the world
What patience can do:
Build perfection’s kingdom
pure and true.
Sri Chinmoy, Animal Kingdom, Agni Press, 1973
“When I saw that picture and the quote I was totally shocked. In a positive way. It happened 2 or 3 weeks into the race that I saw it. I realized then that patience is the topic of my race. It is such a powerful quality. It has definitely added to the experience I am having here. For me it is the main quality of my race and my learning process.”
“This is the first race that I could exercise this quality by the Supreme’s grace.
Ushika feels that as a child he was very impatient. When he became a student of Sri Chinmoy he felt he acquired some degree of patience. This he could use in his business dealings but felt he didn’t have it with himself.
“In many of my other races things went wrong because of my impatience. In this race patience is an outer blessing because the race is so big. I have been able, right from the beginning, to have patience. The first 10 days of the race I was far behind with mileage, but I never felt that I had to push it, to get to the 109 laps.”
Ushika says also that the arrival of his first helper Patanga made a huge difference in his race. “Then I was able to do the required mileage.”
Yesterday the rain was quite heavy. “In the rain you need a lot of patience.” He also describes that he was having a problem lifting his legs high enough. “I had my third fall, and I tripped most powerfully a few times. So I sorted out the parts of the track where I run, I walk, and I go slow. This worked for yesterday’s rain.”
The Board at the Start of Day 36 … *Note totals may not be accurate. Magic number is 2086 *
Heavy thundershowers late in the day
Early morning showers
William arrives
Kobi with Vajra in the dry medical tent
Early
Konstantin helps Aharan this morning
Surasa arrives
Vajra leaves
Kaneenika picked up by Savita
Vasu surprised greeting
The girls
Nearly time
The start of Day 36
Light rain comes and goes
Vasu did 67 miles
He now has 2418 miles
He leads Kobi by 61 miles
Flower
Kobi ran 64 miles
Kobi has 2357 miles
Receiving the morning mail
Day 36
Flower
Ushika did 64 miles
He has 2137 miles
The big yearly handball tournament took place yesterday on the corner
He and Smarana tell a joke
Flower
Sopan did 60 miles
He now has 2118 miles and is 19 miles behind Ushika and 15 miles ahead of Surasa
Having fun with Smarana
Flower
Surasa ran 60 miles
She now has 2103 miles
With Vasuprada
Flower
Kaneenika ran 61 miles
She now has 2069 miles
The results of last night’s wind and rain
Working on her feet with Leelavatee
Back on the road
Flower
William did 57 miles
He starts the day with 1991 miles
Late in the morning he will establish an age group record for 2000 miles
Team Sichel
Then on for another long long day
Flower
Sahishnu gets ready to update the boards
Smarana did 54 miles
He starts the day with 1984 miles
Spending time with Sopan
Flower
Camp
Ananda-Lahari did 60 miles
He now has 1932 miles
Flower
Swamiji
Drying shoes
Sahishnu and his weekend wrap up
Click to Play:
“Come on Bob. Please don’t be mad. I didn’t say you were short I said that you were small. Let’s just finish breakfast.”
Poem of the Day read by Vasuprada
Click to Play:
A surprise guest of Enthusiasm Awakeners
Enthusiasm Awakeners
Click to Play:
The success-road
Is paved
With patience and perseverance.
So much wisdom every day uttered with such sincerity and humility.
Go, great warriors!
Thank you Utpal – thank you runners – thanks also to Vajra, Aharan and all the helpers
everything is amazing, selfgiving, transforming – gratitude, gratitude, gratitude !!!!