Last year when Surasa, not only won the women’s division of the 3100 mile race for the 4th time, she also set a new world record.
Back then, at age 56, certainly no one would have been surprised if she had immediately then just simply decided to not ever leave her quiet office job in Vienna and come again and spend a long hot summer running around Thomas Edison high school. Even at the end of May she was not convinced in fact that she was prepared and strong enough to do it.
“Then something changed.” With 14 days to go before the start inspiration came and she booked her flight to New York
“I am feeling good and I am feeling at home. I am happy to be here again.”
“Each year I am saying this is the last time. But then I get inspired and I come back again.”
“This race is always in my mind. It is so strong when you have to do it.”
At the same time it is never completely easy for her to come to the starting line.
“You think when you do this race you must be very strong. When you see some weakness in the body then it becomes very difficult. Then you start to doubt yourself. This is not a good thing.”
In order to avoid pressure Surasa says that she never sets any goals. “I don’t want to have the pressure of just focusing on mileage.”
When asked how she stays so happy she says, “I don’t recognize it. It is normal for me.”
“I have a prayer. Many times I say I just want to run, soulfully, cheerfully, and gratefully. This is my goal that I can do this.”
The outer running reminds us
Of the soul’s inner running
With Eternity, Infinity and Immortality.
Everybody had a good day yesterday.
The quiet time
The van arrives
Checking to see if there are any counters
Kaneenika gets some foot work
Yuri locks his bike
Loosening a tight neck
Yuri checking the daily mileage sheet
Start Day 5
A beautiful morning
Atmavir is still the race leader with 305. He ran 71 miles yesterday.
On the service road
Vasu ran the most miles yesterday with 74. His total is 297 miles
Ananda-Lahari ran 64 miles
He has 291 miles
168 st
Yuri ran 69 miles
He has the same total of 291 miles.
No scaffolding
Ashprihanal had 66 miles
He has 280 miles
“Boy do I love running barefoot on this artificial turf.”
Volodymyr did 64 miles. He has 271 miles
Surasa did 63 miles and has 263 miles
Kaneenika’s daily flower
Kaneenika did 60 miles
She has 255 miles and lots of supporters in the morning.
By the school
Sopan did 55 miles and has 246 miles
The sun peeking through the clouds
Shamita did 60 miles yesterday
She has 245 miles
The turn around the school
Baladev did 57 miles yesterday and has 237 miles
Baladev coming through a busy camp
A little special
Stutisheel did 55 miles yesterday
He has 201 miles
By the school
“It helps me get unstuck.” Nayana is one of a regular group of supporters who come out every morning to inspire and be inspired by the 3100 mile race.
“You know in winter time when everything seems to slow down. If feels like it’s glue.”
“Suddenly the race comes and it is like a volcano. The helps push everything out and get things moving. It is almost like sap starting to run in the trees. It is just thrilling and I am so happy that it is here in New York and I can be a part of it by joining in singing with Parvati’s group.”
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More new members of Enthusiasm Awakeners
Suchitra reads the daily prayer
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Enthusiasm Awakeners
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Each soul
Compassionately and self-givingly
Runs through human life.
