Yesterday, on his 31st straight day of running Annanda-Lahari ran 77 miles. It was 10 miles further than anybody else had run that day and was only surpassed by his very first day of the race, in which he ran 82 miles.
To see him caught up free and unrestrained in the realm of speed is to behold a full throttled miracle. It can be hot, and it can be stifling humid and with his head protected by his large floppy hat he just goes and goes. Almost defying the intolerable friction of concrete and heat.
“I did 77 miles so you can say in a way that it was special. But every day is special.” Ananda-Lahari explains that there are also days when he tries his hardest and is still only able to make a much smaller number of miles.
“Yesterday I pushed hard and also had speed. So it is not my choice. It is the Supreme’s choice.”
“Somehow I felt already the day before that I would go for higher miles. It worked.” When asked if he got joy from the big mileage he says no. “Yesterday I was pushing pushing pushing and no real flow.”
“Early this morning I was falling apart, but now it is getting better and better. I can run very well now. We need patience and perseverance.”
“It should be easy. I know it is like that. You just need to enter into your heart and enjoy the whole day. Then we run and run and run. This is the goal but there are many many times when it is extremely hard.”
“You can’t just think too much ahead of yourself. So you stay focused. I have this lap to make and then the next one. You can’t think of the whole day because then you might think. O God, how am I going to survive this day?
The Board at the Start of Day 32
Rupantar does his video
Smarana
He is 22 miles ahead of Nirbhasa
Sadanand and Yahva have been an excellent crew
Sahishnu arrives
Vasu has 1964 miles
Vasu is 16 miles ahead of Ananda-Lahari
With Vladamir one of the morning regulars
Anita and Launa
Ananda-lahari has 1948 miles
Doing very well
Morning snacks
Smarana has 1916 miles
Had a remarkable turnaround from a bad blister
Clear path
Flower
Anita and Nirjharini
Harita has 1888 miles
She did 63 miles yesterday
One of Harit’s shoe boxes
Todor has 1863 miles
Taking the adjustment for a test drive
An unregistered contestant was removed from the course by Arpan. Has a street name of Raga. Been already reported for mischief on Normal road.
Poem of the Day held by Natalia
I do not
Measure God’s
Blessingful gifts.
I only treasure
Them.
Sri Chinmoy
July 17th, 2006
Enthusiasm Awakeners
Oneness is the reality of peace on the canvas of time.
Sri Chinmoy, AUM — Vol.II-5, No.11,12, November-December 1978, Vishma Press, 1978