Day 48…Our Aspiration-Heart (August 2)

Sporting events have a unique way of capturing our imagination with defining moments of excellence if not transcendence.  Since I was quite small the image of Roger Bannister being the first to break the 4 minute barrier in the mile has always been a feat that continues to inspire me even though that mark has long been surpassed by so many others.

The reason I am impressed by that one in particular is that I have run many miles and though I am far from the caliber of Roger Bannister I can identify with 4 laps of the track at top speed.  But how many of us can even come close to fully grasping the magnificent accomplishment of Ashprihanal here today when he finished the race for the 15th time.

Once you take even a modest poke at all his statistics and records a veritable avalanche of data can inundate you.  I am not a very thorough journalist but I suspect there just may be no one else in the world who has come close to achieving what this 48 year old runner from Vihti Finland has accomplished here this morning on top of everything else he has done.

A letter from his counsel general in New York said, “our warmest congratulations.  You have shown us the Finnish strong will and determination, to make it to the finish line.  We are truly proud of you.”

Sahishnu said, “you are extraordinarily talented, kind, and considerate of your fellow runners and your fellow human beings.  He completed the race in 47 days, 1 hour, and 39 minutes.  An average of 65.864 miles a day.  That is the 36th best performance in the history of the race out of 156 performances.  You are still on top of the board of the 43 runners.”

“This is extraordinary.  You grace us with your presence at every race.  All these feats of incredible endurance, it is absolutely amazing.  I know Sri Chinmoy is beaming with joy, enthusiasm, and gratitude for you and for us being allowed to do this thing.  This 3100 is an amazing event.  As you well know and you grace it with your divine presence.  You are an amazing guy.”

The Board at the Start of Day 48

Camp early

Clocks

Aharan

Ashprihanal

Smarana

Harita

Nirbhasa

Harita

Start Day 48

Weather

A good morning

Ashprihanal starts the day with 3092 miles

Just 8 miles to go

A little tired on the way there

A few photographers to greet him

Looking for the best shot

Singers sang

Fellow runners took a short break

Lots of picture taking

He was congratulated by all

Cooks were honored

Then it was done

Flower

Rupantar on the move

Nirbhasa has 2998 miles

He made 65

Worked on by Mitch

Making 3000

With Peterson

Will finish tomorrow afternoon

Flower

Niriha and friends

Vasu has 2953 miles

He did 64 miles

All eyes now upon him

Keeping hydrated

The finish line approaches

Flower

Sahishnu and Rupantar

Ananda-Lahari has 2921 miles

He did 66 miles

The very long road

Flower

Nayaja

Smarana has 2854 miles

He ran 57

31 miles ahead of Harita

Staying hydrated

Flower

Max

Harita has 2823 miles… the magic number is 2801

She ran 56

With one of the morning walkers she has befriended

Doing well and slowly getting stronger

Flower

Luana on shoe detail

Peterson

Todor has 2774 miles…. the magic number is 2801

He did 62

With Kalpa

With Todor

Flower

Aharan

Ushika has 2489 miles

He did 50

With Max

Flower

Rupantar

Swamiji

Green

Patricia with multiple hands

Gardening Patricia

“Very sad party, potato chips and no dip.”

Poem of the Day held by Karnayati

Enthusiasm Awakeners