Off and on over the past week at the 3100 mile race Ray Krolewicz has been a significant presence. He has helped fix cars, fix feet and more importantly the lump of grey matter sitting in a lot of peoples heads. He has inspired and guided, not just those on the course but any all who so easily got swept up in his loving personality and sometimes boundless energy.
He is one of the very few who was personally invited by Sri Chinmoy 10 years ago to come and run the race. But was advised at the time that the moment for such an undertaking had yet to come. In 2014 at age 59 Ray decided that it was the right time, and though he may have been disappointed at not completing the 3100 miles he settled for a not too insignificant 2014 miles instead.
Today he is appropriately wearing a t shirt which says, “Go Beyond.” Before he left the course I talked with him. I first wanted to know what drew him here so much over the past week.
“Seeking motivation for life in general, running, and this event specifically.”
What he came away from his race here in 2014 he says, “sore feet, sore legs, a lot of friendship, and a lot of understanding of things much bigger than me.” Foremost he says though he says, “things aren’t as easy as they look.”
“I would like to finish this race some time and not just be here. I can be here and help and give encouragement and everything but I would like to come here and actually complete this event.”
“I was at the 2007 6 day race in Flushing Meadow and I had a conversation with Guru which I frequently did since I first met him in 1983. And I talked about this event, and that I hadn’t gotten to run it because of teaching and working summers. Which took a large block of time. He told me that I should come and run it. I said this year? And he said no, not this year. You will know when the time is right.”
In that race he says, “I gave it my best shot. I don’t regret that but maybe that wasn’t the right time? Maybe the right time will actually happen later.”
“I think all events combine the inner and the outer. There is an intensity to every event. This race you have to very carefully stretch it out and spread it so that you don’t burn out. But if you were only running a 5 km race, and really seeking to excel and do the best that you can do. You have to look for both the inner and the outer to succeed and do the best you can do.”
“I want to continue running and maybe improve my running. I know I can never be again the runner I was in the 1980’s, but I think I can be a lot better than I have so far in the teens. I would like to find that place where I am running as well as I can run with my age. And not just be out there merely participating. But actually trying to do performances.”
“Even when I was gone for a few days I checked the site. I am jealous of the runners. I am envious of the fact that they are here and continuing on and I am coming in bits and pieces but being here has in fact been motivational and inspirational to watch them and help me achieve whatever I can achieve going forward.”
Ray feels the race is a great teacher. It helps you learn to be able to accept whatever is happening. “Good days bad days. We have watched different runners every year, this year in particular have good and bad days and recover and then come back. It teaches patience.”
“It is one of the things that Sri Chinmoy tried to teach all of us. Be patient. Know when the time is right, not just for this event. But for everything, and work towards the larger goals in life.”
Today
I shall powerfully
Dominate my mind
And request my heart
To untiringly motivate my life.
The board after day 6
The camp is quiet
Yuri getting the food table ready
Very soon heavy rains will come
Yolanda is first
Her table
Harita and Savita arrive
Nisanga has one more day before he goes home
Medur working on the webcam
Kaneenika arrives
Sasha helping Andre with his feet
Nirbhasa arrives
Last minute things
Start Day 7
Very soon torrential rains come
Harita and Nidhruvi
Kaneenika
Yolanda getting some help from Suhashini
Still all smiles
Swamiji
Vasu
Still umbrellas
By 10 the rain stopped. Vasu once again did 68 miles
He has 419 miles and during the rain knows the importance of taking good care of your feet.
Talking with Utsahi
Lots of umbrellas
Nirbhasa did 65 miles
He has 402 miles
Nirbhasa is in 2nd place
Having a coffee on the go
Kaneenika did 60 miles
Kaneenika is the leading girl with 367 miles
Flower
Harita did 60 miles
Getting a massage
Harita has 365 miles
Pink friend with pink flower
Smarana did 48 miles
He has 361 miles
Wet friends drying
Yolanda did 61 miles
She did the most mileage of the girls
She has 358 miles
Flower
Nidhruvi did 52 miles
She has 354 miles
Andrey did 60 miles. He has 341 miles
Wet and on the fence
Alan updating the board after it has dried out
Ananda-Lahari did 53 miles
He has 334 miles
Getting some advice
Ananda-Lahari in camp
Flower
Sergey had a very good 62 miles
Sergey has 333 miles
By mid morning
“That rain has just ruined my new sofa. Now I will have to go all the way back to Ikea and get a new ‘Ektorp’.
Enthusiasm Awakeners
Click to Play
When we encourage others
With no personal motives,
We raise high, very high,
Humanity’s progress-standard.
Sri Chinmoy, Seventy-Seven Thousand Service-Trees, part 9, Agni Press, 1998
Thanks as always.
Rain, shine & wind – the metaphor warps up the race in one morning.
Ambarish
Thank you so much! Great people!
I’m waiting for the webcam to work, especially during the rain 🙂
Looovely squirrel!
We know from other runners that even to get to the starting line is an amazing achievement and we remember Ray running here in 2014. Determination is written in his face. May he find the place and run again!
hat a great female team we are having this year. CONGRATULATIONS YOU ARE ALL AMAZING and I thank you for your inspiration It is also raining in Salzburg. Utpal thank you for keeping my life line open,, Much gratitude Bigalita