Day 14… Perfection’s Gate (June 29)

“It is so relaxing, I don’t have to worry about anything.  It is a different experience, but I am grateful for the experience.  I think any part you take in this race is a very blessingful experience.”

Kaneenika has come to the race this morning as she has for the past 2 weeks to fully take part in several new, and not insignificant roles for her.  Unlike the past 4 summers in which she was here running in the race itself. This morning she sings with the regular Enthusiasm Awakeners singing group and then she speaks with Harita as she runs.  Her past experience in many many multi day races is extensive .  So she is able to assist and encourage Harita in many ways.

“I am a runner, and I do miss the running part.  On the other hand, since I can’t do it, I am enjoying the other part.”

It has become obvious, over the past few days that a few runners have been having very challenging experiences.  As for what advice she would offer them, ” Sri Chinmoy advised us not to think about the next day,  the next lap, or even the next step.  You never know what will happen.”

“I remember a story from last year when I was having a hard time.  I was feeling that I must be a very lousy runner.  I was only able to drag myself around.  There was a man who used to come twice a day by the course and I thought he probably didn’t even notice us.  But obviously he did because when I was having my dilemma, doubting whether I should even be here or not.  He says to me, O great running.”

Kaneenika was shocked that he said this and looked around, as if he must have been speaking to someone else.  “So then I smiled at him and he added, nice smile too.  That gave me a real boost to continue.” She feels it was just another example of how the race is able to work its subtle magic on all those who take part.  That there is always more to what we can do and how much more we can transcend ourselves.

“What I used to do in my first 3100 mile race when things were really tough I would just laugh.”  Kaneenika points towards the other side of the course along beside the Grand Central service road.  “I was hoping that nobody would see me.  It was really helping me. I would just get energy, and be in a good mood and go on.”

“It is all about Self-Transcendence.”

The board at the Start of Day 14

Camp early

No runners yet

Medur has set up along with Garima

Ashprihanal arrives

Ushika

Diksha is counting and has brought flowers

Harita and Suhasini

Ushika

Ananda-Lahari

Todor

Databir has brought Nirbhassa

Harita

Start of Day 14

Mostly clear day

Dipali’s Race Tips

Ashprihanal has 866 miles

He ran 48 miles yesterday.   Digestion issues

Dr. Mitch Proffman came by to help the runners.  He poses with Ashprihanal and the lucky triple 8

Flower

The Self-Transcendence 2 mile race which celebrated its 35th anniversary a few days ago.

Nirbhasa has 847 miles

He ran 63 miles

Getting some help from Yahva

He is 19 miles behind Ashprihanal

Green

Jadranka with a new tshirt

Vasu has 831 miles

Vasu ran 56 miles yesterday

He is 4 miles ahead of Smarana

Vasu

Green

Databir and Abakash visit

Smarana has 827 miles

He ran 63 miles yesterday

He is 10 miles ahead of Ananda-Lahari

Flower

Ananda-Lahari has 817 miles

He ran 63 miles yesterday

Running well

Flower

Harita has 766 miles and has moved up to 6th position

She ran 60 miles yesterday

She has the same mileage as Todor

Flower

Todor has 766 miles

He ran 59 miles yesterday

Todor

With his helper

Doing well

Flower

Jadranka updates the board

Ushika has 759 miles

He did 48 miles yesterday

With Todor

With Max

Max with encouraging mail for Ushika

It is a long road

Flower

Poem of the Day held by Jayashri

Each

Self-giving thought

Is a

Rainbow-Beauty

Sri Chinmoy

June 29 2006

The Japanese Maple in front of Thomas Edison High School was planted there by Sri Chinmoy on October 11th 1975

Enthusiasm Awakeners