Ray Krolewicz has been visiting the race, on and off for the past few days. His presence here comes directly out of his boundless enthusiasm for distance running and in no small way as well, his affection and love for the 3100 mile race itself.
Though he entered the race only once, in 2014, his infectious spirit seems to be in some inexplicable way woven into the very fabric of the race itself. He has been making trips here every summer for at least the past 6 years. For the past few days he has been living out of his car and takes the discomfort as inconsequential when compared to what the 8 runners in the race have to endure on a daily basis.
When asked what his relationship is to the race he says, “affection.”
“Affection is always a 2 way street. You cannot gain affection unless you are willing and successful at giving affection. ”
“I don’t think it is a hard event. It takes focus. It takes dedication to task. But if you think about the joy of all day all you have to do is something you already love doing and that is running and being among friends, and being taken care of.”
“The food here is phenomenal. So there is nothing but affection all the way around.”
Ray was going into the NYC 100 mile race the next day. Something he was looking forward too. But he says that the intensity of the 3100 mile race in every aspect sets it apart from any other race.
He reminisces about his conversations and relationships he was able to establish with all the runners in the unique atmosphere of the race. “I think everything we do changes us inside. But I think here in particular. The intensity of it forces you think about different aspects of life. The time commitment. If I can put 52 days into this how about putting time into this or that other activity.”
“I was unsuccessful when I ran here. I joke that I was beat by over 1000 miles. (He ran 2014) That is the point. Even something that would look like a failure in another aspect of your life. If you gain from it, grow from it, and accomplish some part of it, it is still better than when you started it.”
“Every race is a school. Every run is an experience that you can learn from. You just need to keep your eyes open and your mind open. You talk about mindfulness and Sri Chinmoy talked about it a lot. So mindfulness opens us, no matter what your experience is. Learning to enjoy what experiences the world has to offer, and what all the different people in the world can offer you as well.”
Part 2
The Board at the Start of Day 11
Early
14 minutes
Ushika
Harita
Ananda-Lahari
Clock
Ashprihanal
Vasu
Putting on shoes
Harita
Boys
Soon
Start Day 11
The day starts off overcast but soon will be hot and sunny
Ashprihanal leads the race with 679 miles
He ran 68 miles yesterday
Shadow
He leads Vasu by 8 miles
Flower
Vasu has 671 miles
He ran 46 miles yesterday
Friends
Doing a skit with Nirbhasa
Prayer list
Last day of school
Flower
Nirbhasa has 656 miles
He ran 63 miles yesterday
Joy
The long path
Green
Smarana has 643 miles
He ran 63 miles yesterday
Drying shoes
Flower
Ananda-Lahari has 633 miles
He ran 60 miles yesterday
Feet
Camp
Flower
Ushika has 601 miles
He ran 60 miles yesterday
Crowded sidewalk
With the birthday boy Max
Shadows
Flower
“Usually I try and avoid processed foods but when I am at a baseball field I just lose control.”
Todor has 586 miles
He ran 60 miles yesterday
Todor working on Todor’s shoes
Running well
Flower
Harita has 583 miles
She ran 60 miles yesterday
In the crowd
Shadow
Her helper Anita
Camp
Flower
Today is Max’s 27th birthday
Nirjharini made a cake
Anita and Nirjharini
Savita and the Daily Poem
Enthusiasm Awakeners
― The Jewels of Happiness: Inspiration and Wisdom to Guide Your Life-Journey
Hi Utpal,
Please, say happy birthday to Max on my behalf.
Thanks!