A record turnout of 50 runners on the Sri Chinmoy Mile in Bristol's Eastville Park saw 5km victories for Clevedon AC's Jason Williams and Westbury Harrier Jenna Curtiss. Click here for Full Results.

We woke to grey skies and cool light drizzle on the morning of the London Marathon.   Four of the Sri Chinmoy AC were heading for the start at Greenwich; Hemabha, Bhauliya, Dhavala and myself.   This is an account of my marathon   experience, from start to finish.

Having never run a big city marathon, the sheer scale of the event and numbers of people travelling to the start was  
somewhat overwhelming!   I wondered how easy it would be to run at my pace with thousands of other people all  
around!   The organisation of the London Marathon is, of course, second to none and as soon as I reached the start  
area and saw how big it was, and well laid out, I relaxed a little.   The drizzle had turned into proper rain by this time,  
and kept most of us in black bin bags or plastic windcheaters until the gun went off at 9.45am.

The atmosphere at the start was fantastic.   Despite my inevitable worries about the next four hours, I couldn't help but  
feel excited and optimistic along with the runners all around me.

As we turned the corner out of Greenwich Park, the start line came into view and a surge of joy carried me over the  
line in good spirits.   I started my watch and settled into a comfortable, steady pace.

I was in the interesting situation of not having   run one step for over a week on account of a bad cold, and had no idea  
how my body would react to running a marathon!   Two or three days before the race I wasn't at all sure if I should  
actually run, but now I felt determined to give it my best shot and see what happened.   Anything is possible, after all.

I noticed a runner up ahead who was carrying a "9-minute-mile pace" flag and decided I would get ahead of him.    
During the entire race I didn't once check my split times.   I just thought, as long as the guy with the 9-minute pace  
flag doesn't go past me, I'm doing okay!   My friend Bhauliya and I were both aiming to finish in 3:45 - 4:00 but had  
started in different areas.   We had hoped to meet where the three separate starting routes merge at 3 miles, but when I   saw the sheer volume of people running, I soon abandoned all hope of finding her and resigned myself to running the  
race alone.

For some time I tried to run along the blue line in the road that marks the shortest route to the finish.   It kept my mind  
off the distance ahead trying to keep close to the line as it disappeared under thousands of pounding feet.
The support along the streets of London was just unbelievable, and gave me no small measure of encouragement and  
joy.   Local residents had all come out to cheer on the runners and they seemed happy despite the rain.   Some people   were using the event as an excuse for a street party and music blared from many houses, streetside DJs and pubs.    
There were quite a few live bands too which added to the carnival atmosphere that prevailed those first few pain-free  
miles!  

The runners around me were in high spirits and had the energy to cheer as we passed TV cameras landmarks,   or particularly vocal supporters.   There was a friendly, entirely non-competitive feeling to the race.   We were all there to run as well as we could, many for charity and some as their first marathon.   It was as though we were all on the same side of a team where the other "side" was the 26.2 miles we had to cover.

Turning the corner at around 6 miles to the Cutty Sark tallship was a surprise and a thrill.   It stood dramatically  
silhouetted against the sky beyond the hundreds of runners on the road ahead of me.   In its ancient beauty it seemed  
to be watching us all.   The sight filled me with joy and I continued on, buoyed a little by the experience.

Shortly after this the route took us under a road bridge, where a drumming band was playing.   It was loud and raw and  
incredibly energising.   All the runners near me enjoyed it as I did; I think I sped up that mile somewhat!

It was the mile after this that I noticed my friend Bhauliya just ahead to my right.   We were happy and surprised to  
have met each other!   We exchanged a few words about our early race experiences but I soon realised that I didn't  
have enough breath to run and talk so we ran together, but kept silent, for most of the race.   It was very reassuring  
having her there.

We ran on, over Tower Bridge, which was packed with spectators, and passed the 10 mile mark in fairly good time.    
At around this point I started to feel my legs getting sore; not from fatigue but more the cold I was still struggling to  
shake off from the previous week.   I prayed that I could be given the capacity to run through the stiffness because I still   had a long way to go.   Just remembering the true source of the energy that had given me the capacity to run gave me   a real boost.

Soon we passed halfway.   I was very happy to see the half-marathon mark, even though I know that in a marathon 20  
miles feels more like halfway than 13!   At this point the course loops around the Isle of Dogs before turning onto the  
Embankment for the final few miles.   It meant that we could look over to the other side of the road and see the elite  
women's race as it approached 21 miles.   I looked out for Dhavala who was part of the Elite race and to my surprise,  
caught sight of her as she shot past in the opposite direction.   That brief connection with another friend from the Sri  
Chinmoy AC was inspiring, especially as she was running so much faster than us!  

What I had heard about this section of the route proved true - it was probably the hardest part of the race for me.   Some parts were a little empty of spectators and even though my ears were glad of some quiet, I missed the support.   The route around the Isle of Dogs takes in some disused industrial areas and quite uninspiring streets as well as a road tunnel which felt long, hot and airless.   I tried to use my imagination and remembered the peace of the Self-Transcendence Marathon at Rockland Lake, New York which I'd done last August.   Sri Chinmoy would drive his golf buggy around the shady lakeside course, offering us his silent blessings and encouragement as we ran.   That thought kept me going, and distracted me somewhat from the growing pain and stiffness in my legs through the toughest part of the marathon.

By mile 20, the other side of the road tunnel and into the final section by the river, the support from the crowd  
seemed to have doubled.   Rows of people, four or five deep in places, lined the course on both sides and gave  
much-needed encouragement (and sometimes jellybabies too) to the flagging runners.   I gritted my teeth and began  
counting down the miles.   Each one seemed longer than the last - I was in fact slowing down as my legs felt sore, stiff and absolutely unwilling to run any more.  

By mile 24 (2 miles to go!) I began to feel better as the crowds yelled and cheered louder still.   The tall, familiar outline of Big Ben had appeared on the horizon and I remembered to smile despite the ongoing struggle.   Sri Chinmoy encourages us to smile in an effort to defeat our "enemies"; in this case, the remaining few miles of the race.   It helped immensely.   I began to enjoy the sensation of nearing the finish line and also being on familiar ground: I run by the river at Westminster sometimes in my lunchbreak.   Knowing the area well helped to quantify that strangely long final mile.

The final few metres were simply thrilling.   Through St James Park to Buckingham Palace and the finish in the Mall I  
was exhilarated and emotional.   I crossed the line in 3:50:59 (a PB) and   with tears of gratitude streaming down my  
face.   I could hardly believe that considering how my legs had felt for much of the race, I had run a PB.   I give full credit to the Supreme for having given me the capacity to do it!   Crying uncontrollably, I stumbled through the finish chute and was helped by a marshal at the other side.   "It's okay," I said through the tears, "I'm happy."   "I know," she  
replied.   "You're making me happy too."

What an unbelievable race.   I turned round to see Bhauliya finishing just behind me, and smiled.   The journey was  
over.   I hope to remember the experience always!

"My Lord, my Lord, my Lord,
My running is the rose-beauty
And jasmine-fragrance
Of my God-blossoming heart."
                                                                Sri Chinmoy

Without the constant inspiration and encouragement of my spiritual teacher, Sri Chinmoy, I would never be able to run even two miles.

 

Me running the Marathon is purely my teacher's achievement and it totally blows my mind. I am deeply grateful and honoured to be his student.

 

Ramita Kvirencova

Sri Chinmoy and the Concept of Self-Transcendence

By Manatita


"You can always do more" says spiritual athlete Sri Chinmoy.   "Today's goal is only the starting point for tomorrow's new dawn.   At every moment we are transcending our previous achievements.........our goal should be our own progress, and progress itself is the most illumining experience."

This 73 year-old meditation teacher is himself a perfect example of his teachings.   Originally a sprinter, Sri Chinmoy began making his transition to longer races in 1978.   Within 9 months he ran his first marathon, and a year later had completed 7 marathons and two ultra-marathons (longer than 26.2 miles), plus a dozen or so other events.   He was then 48 years old.

Back in his native India, Sri Chinmoy was the decathlon champion for 12 years in the spiritual community in which he lived from the age of 12 to 32.   He was also the area's fastest runner, winning the 100 metre dash for 16 years in a row!

LINK:our USA web site has a gallery of early Sri Chinmoy pictures.

Sri Chinmoy says that we all have unlimited potential.   Nothing is impossible if we can get beyond the barriers created by our own minds.   To bring our capacities to the fore we need faith, discipline and the determination never, never to give up!   Life is not made for failure, but for progress.   We should never give up, no matter how many times we try and fail.   Eventually nature itself must surrender to our determination.

Sports, says Sri Chinmoy, bring dynamism and power into the body.   Physical fitness is also of great importance in our lives.   If the body is in good condition, we can perform all our life's activities well.   So it is important to run or do physical activities every day in order to become strong, healthy and dynamic.   If we are physically fit we are better able to keep ailments and other uninvited guests from entering into us.. This synthesis of outer fitness, accompanied by inner fitness through meditation, is present throughout the teachings ond activities of this spiritual master, sport philosopher and champion athlete.

In the act of competing, we are always competing to beat ourselves.   The other athlete is necessary, but only in so far as to bring out the best in us.   Success and failure are simply experiences that come to us along the way.   We can go beyond them.   Sri Chinmoy says:  

"The determination in your heroic effort will permeate your mind and heart even after your success or failure is long forgotten."

And on competition:

"We compete not for the sake of defeating others, but in order to bring forward our own capacity.   Our best capacity comes forward only when there are other people around us.   They inspire us to bring forward our utmost capacity, and we inspire them to bring forward theirs.   That is why we have competitive sports.   The seeker-athlete never tries to compete with others, but only tries to transcend his own capacity."

"Transcendence", for Sri Chinmoy, indicates a natural evolutionary drive that is part of the earth itself.   All levels of the earth creation, he teaches, are striving consciously or unconsciously to improve.   When this striving is conscious, as through meditation, progress is made more quickly.   Physical fitness is the quickest and simplest means to bring the qualities of endurance into an individual's consciousness.   However, the philosophy of self-transcendence can apply to any area of life's activities, from the physical to the cultural and spiritual.

Sri Chinmoy has excelled in many sports including football, volleyball, table-tennis, tennis (which he played for two hours daily until in his early sixties), and weightlifting.   He has also majored in the art forms of painting, music, poetry and writing.   To date he has written over 1,450 books, painted over 200,000 paintings and composed over 18,000 devotional songs.   He can play over 100   musical instruments and has performed around 700 free concerts around the world.   The list of his achievements is endless.

Today, the Sri Chinmoy Marathon Team are at work in over 300 centres in more than 50 countries throughout the world, providing the public with over 500 races a year.   The Team's longest race is an elite invitational 3,100 mile event.   They are also famous for the Self-Transcendence 2-mile races held on a one-mile loop in many countries throughout the world.   Acting on the inspiration of Sri Chinmoy, the Team tries to to bring forward the inner capacities of the runner such as cheerfulness, courage, endurance, and the determination to transcend their own capacities.

I would like to finish this article with two inspirational sayings of Sri Chinmoy:

"Every day, when morning dawns, we should feel that we have something new to accomplish.   We are running and every day we are advancing.   If we are aspiring, we are always in the process of running.   When we start our journey in the morning, we should feel that today is the continuation of yesterday's journey; we should not take it as a totally new beginning.   And tomorrow we should feel that we have travelled still another mile."

"Determination can change your mind.
Determination can change your heart.
Determination can change your life altogether."

This year the Sri Chinmoy AC fielded a team of over two dozen runners in one of our club's flagship international events - the Self Transcendence Marathon in Rocklands State Park, NY.

Dhavala from Edinburgh (pictured) won the women's race for the second year running, with a PB of 3.05. Dhavala's father Tarit was the second UK runner to finish, claiming the trophy for third vet 50+ in 3 hours 25 minutes.

Results for UK finishers are shown below. Full results can be viewed over on the U.S.A. pages of the Sri Chinmoy Marathon Team, who also have an excellent Self Transcendence Marathon Gallery.

Dhavala	Stott	F	17	03:05:36	7:05/M
Tarit	Stott	M	47	03:25:41	7:51/M
Stephen	Guy	M	53	03:26:53	7:53/M
Roger	Chamberlain	M	63	03:29:50	8:00/M
Amelia	Lloyd	F	169	03:59:03	9:07/M
Joanna	Kane	F	195	04:07:40	9:27/M
Bhauliya	Moss	F	211	04:10:19	9:33/M
Suswara	Payne	M	230	04:16:41	9:47/M
Harashita	Wardrop	M	272	04:26:22	10:10/M
David	Johnson	M	274	04:26:37	10:10/M
Uranta	Kane	M	325	04:38:52	10:38/M
Indrani	Mehta	F	346	04:43:58	10:50/M
Adarsha	Kelly	M	350	04:44:58	10:52/M
Hemabha	Jang	F	376	04:50:27	11:05/M
Piyasi	Morris	F	393	04:56:16	11:18/M
Sahana	Gero	F	399	04:58:40	11:23/M
Janaka	Spence	M	494	05:29:33	12:34/M
Fran	Chamberlain	F	503	05:33:21	12:43/M
Elizabeth	Strain	F	543	05:52:34	13:27/M
Bhashini	Neve	F	548	05:55:23	13:33/M
Shinja	Frederiksen	F	585	06:27:05	14:46/M
Nurari	Merry	F	587	06:27:17	14:46/M
Hita	Hirons	F	593	06:30:23	14:53/M
Stefanie	Wheeler	F	625	06:49:24	15:37/M
Anna	Curtis	F	630	06:51:55	15:43/M
Arpita	Stott	F	635	06:53:17	15:46/M
Diane	Channing	F	dnf.
Janani	Spence	F	dnf.
Udasina	Hansford	F	dnf.

 

The Marathon was held at a picturesque country park north of New York City. The weather was nearly ideal, with the sun shining. After a silent meditation and prayer by Sri Chinmoy, the race started.

I was lucky. I had the best job at the marathon. I was one of the lead cyclists.

At the front I had the opportunity to watch the race unfold. Luke and Gyula were the early leaders. After about seven miles, Gyula broke   away and went at his own pace. It was great to watch Gyula run; he maintained a very even pace from start to finish. His half marathon split was 1.16 (half of his finish time of 2.32). He didn't slow down all the way to the finish. It was also quite exciting being at the front, as many of the lap runners were eager to cheer on the race leader. Later on I went round the course, and this dynamic energy was not as prevalent. However, it had been replaced by a quiet and peaceful feeling, which was fitting for the beautiful surroundings of the lake and trees.

Back in 1980 on a Saturday morning in June, 20 runners assembled for a 7 mile race in Hyde Park, London.

The race consisted of 3 3/4 laps within the park. It started alongside the Serpentine lake and finished in pleasant parkland.

        Left: Ongkar in familiar pose recording at one of our races, and with daughter Dipika, who also runs for Sri Chinmoy AC, at our course in Battersea Park.

The winner was John Hensman from South London in a time of 36.17. Another runner, Mark Pickard, came fourth but could not stay for the prizegiving as he was scheduled to run the Woodford to Southend 40 mile road race later on that day! At that time, Mark was the most consistent ultra-runner in the UK, so a 7 mile race at 8am was just a warm up for the big one.

This modest race was the first ever organised by Sri Chinmoy AC in the UK and very quickly more races were organised until about 300 people participated in 5 mile, 10k and 10 mile races within the following 12 months.

Following on from this, the venue for the races changed to Battersea Park, where we still organise a large programme of races each year. Particularly popular are the 2 mile Monday evening races held every summer.

At the time of writing, the next race is a 10km on Saturday 11th September at 8am in Battersea Park, and if thats too short a distance then there is the 24 Hour rack race at Tooting Bec Track on 9 & 10 October.

Very soon after that first race in 1980, other races were held by Sri Chinmoy AC in Ipswich, Bristol, Oxford, Edinburgh and Cambridge. (Editor's note - more articles about our club's history coming soon, courtesty of Sanjaya our Ipswich race director).

Ongkar.

"Run and Become
Become and Run
Run to succeed in the outer world
Become to proceed in the inner world"

Sri Chinmoy
 

I hadn't run so much before this marathon and when I was standing on the start line my goal was to finish the marathon in under 7 hours.

When I finished in under 6 hours I was so happy and grateful to Sri Chinmoy for his inspiration.  

Hopefully, next year I will do better and I have promised myself I will run more.   Lets see next year.

To find myself on the start line of a marathon, after several years of injury woes (and the accompanying battle between optimism and despondency that comes with them) was itself a miracle for me. Less than a year earlier a couple of miles had been enough to bring back knee and foot pain as inflamed tendons and muscles protested, telling me I should give up running and do something more sensible. Still, somehow through a combination of physiotherapy, off-road training, the much vaunted egoscue exercises and most of all divine grace (without which the other items listed would be futile) I had made it to Rockland State Park ready to run.

After Sri Chinmoy's opening meditation and recitation of his specially composed marathon prayer, the horn sounded and a thousand or so runners each began that epic personal journey we call the marathon - immediately I was overcome with happiness and found myself laughing and almost crying as I ran - what a feeling, to be in a marathon again!

I had told my friends my target was 3:30, the sort of time I used to do pre-injury when my best had been 3.22, at the Sri Chinmoy Self Transcendence Marathon in Battersea Park (1999 I think). Secretly though, I felt my low mileage training had included more "quality" than usual, as evidenced by a half marathon PB at Stonehenge in May, and I was harbouring unvoiced hopes of a marathon PB.

I knew I would need to come through half way in about 1.35 to have any hope of hitting my secret target, so I went off in a group including Dipavajan, Prabuddha, Stuey and many other guys who looked like they were well prepared. The pace was just over seven minute miling, then settling down nearer 7.30; miles began to roll by as we enjoyed music and poetry from enthusiastic spectators and the sound of our names being called out by friends at the drink stations each time we passed.

It was great to see guys like Harashita, Ongkar and Janaka out there, each enjoying a bigger too-injured-to-be-here-but-running-anyway miracle than I was! Ongkar especially spurred me on with his enthusiastic support when I passed him - so cheerful even though he must have been pushing himself through a lot of pain.

Half way came up at 1.35.14 - bang on target. Then I found my pace slowing, though not too much, and I still felt a PB was a possibility. With a longest training run of about 19 miles I was soon in "uncharted territory", surprised at how alive I felt, if a bit drained and wobbly. Then I slowed further and a PB became touch and go - I hoped I would be able to pull something out of the hat in the last lap, but started to tell myself 3.30 would be good enough after such a long layoff, and that was most certainly "in the bag".

Then, at mile 24, something happened. You know what I'm talking about, a "mid-race spiritual experience". I don't feel like trying to describe it fully, as words won't come close, except to say that I was suddenly, completely, wonderfully, in my heart instead of in my mind. I heard an inner voice - not my own voice, but one very familiar - assuring me of a good time, as if the result I had wished for was being given to me as a gift; I had only to reach out with my determination and take it. I resolved to treat the last two miles like a "Self Transcendence 2 Mile Race", only one where I was starting a little more tired than usual!

100m Ahead of me I saw Narmada, who later finished third among the women, running very strongly and I set about catching her up with the idea that this was the thing to do; not sure why. Soon I was flying along at the pace I had started the race - something I hadn't ever achieved in the closing stages of a marathon! I passed Narmada, feeling totally focussed, breathing hard like I do when racing a short distance, pushing myself with every step. The turn off to the finishing chute came around and I could see the clock still on 3.19 and a few seconds - those final few yards just dissolved and I placed my foot on the line with 3.19.44 on the clock. Immediately I felt waves of ecstacy and gratitude and all I could do as I swayed through the chute was to mumble "thank you, thank you" repeatedly, head bowed, joy coursing though my whole being and blending with the physical sensation of total fatigue and the mental waves of relief.

The Self Transcendence Marathon - a most inspiring race, and a most elevating and joyous experience. Thank you, thank you, thank you!

Only 9 laps the marathon will take

On a 3 mile loop round Rockland Lake.

The water glimmers from the sun

And the ducks and geese are having fun.

 

26 miles I am walking

I really don't feel much like talking.

Into my own world I retreat

As behind me I hear runner's feet.

 

“Looking good!" They shout as past they zap,

“How you doing? This is my last lap!"

But still another loop I have to go

Why does it feel so painfully slow!

 

You may ask why I'm not running.

The answer's easy: not enough training!

So once again I make that promise

Next year: train and do some self transcendence!

Arpita Stott, Edinburgh

Throughout my childhood I always knew that I wanted to run a marathon but the question was always a big how. It just seemed such a distant goal, even more so whenever I ran 2 miles.

Then one day out of the blue grace descended and although I had had surgery on my ankle and   was out of action for most of the year, all the barriers came down in my mind and with three weeks training I completed my first marathon, the NYCM in 1994.

 

The Self Transcendence marathon in Rockland State Park is an absolutely beautiful and special marathon. However before the event my mind and body were frightened and terrified, a couple of weeks before the race, I developed intense tightness and pain in my legs. I think my body was trying to beg for an escape! Also, all I wanted to do was sleep until it was all over.

 

The day finally came and I dragged my body to the start. We lined up on the starting line and then this amazing feeling came over me: I was not doing the running but was an instrument and the distance had already been done for me. The siren went and I began to run. I became inundated with an overwhelming sense of gratitude, which only increased as the miles clocked up and the goal of 26.2 miles became closer. I felt how far I had travelled and how different and distant the earlier miles were.

 

We ran a 3 mile loop, so every lap one could see the mileage signs of miles already covered: 9, 13, 16, 19 etc. and therefore see how the experiences, emotions and difficulties of the earlier miles had been overcome. It is like that in life; as we travel towards our goal of greater joy,   harmony and inner freedom, we feel that problems and hurdles fade into the past.

 

The most powerful thing about running the marathon is that the philosophy of self transcendence becomes a reality for each and every competitor. Even if we do not come up with a P.B. the mental barriers of distance are transcended. Whilst running the marathon, the heart comes forward and all the barriers of impossibility are destroyed, the qualities of oneness, enthusiasm, joy and gratitude become all pervading.

 

Sahana Gero

 

The Sri Chinmoy Cycling Team has now a dedicated new section.

Kindly visit: Sri Chinmoy Cycling Team

 

Quick Links

Members of Sri Chinmoy Cycling Team

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Training Guide

Results and Records

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

My first marathon! (aka total boredom)

 

So, Reminiscing about"THE MARATHON"-

 

No Blinding Light

No Spiritual Breakthroughs

No Afterglow from Accomplishment

Just Double Jetlag.

 

The Odyssey begins with my flying into the USA the evening before ‘The big M' due to circumstances beyond my control. Having an extremely late night, 3.75 hours of sleep- high on jet lag and starting at 7am the next morning   - believe me, I would have planned this better if I could have.

 

Anyway, here I must admit I did not train - don't spit on me all at once! I have been steadily becoming more unfit and lazy as the years have progressed and somehow I have not worked through all the excuses in the book yet on why not to run.

 

So, the start was great! So many people- one was forced to do little snail hops- would have been quicker walking- but somehow looked totally defeatist at this point of the play. Jogged a bit. It was ages until we got to a sign post."At Last!" I thought. It was only 1 mile- GREAT!

 

I was very good and did not let the old mind tell me anything such as"ARE YOU CRAZY? You must be crazy- 1 mile, and you are dead- 1 mile! How are you going to do 25 more and some? You noo-noo! You Idiot! Give up now and sleep!"

 

So I just kept looking at the scenery around me. Thankfully it was very beautiful as we were running so early.   The light and air felt very clean. Running with other people really helped kill the boredom. More of that later.

 

Also I would personally measure the 3 mile circuit so there would first be the extra pretty bit: in shade and light; then the first refreshment stand; another long run mainly in no shade but going on forever, with finally the second station that my friend was helping at- so I always got the biggest encouragement here (life saver). Then another pretty bit and finally one would hit the singers.

 

Here one was on the homeward strait and this was the best bit- as one would turn a corner and see cheering people in the distance coming very slowly closer. Even when the body was dead the pride would kick in which would carry one until after the crowd at least!

 

So this went on for a while. I ran until 12 miles and really decided that I was much happier walking! The force of self preservation (laziness) is strong within me!

 

I was very happy walking   - I would get a little blue every now and then as so many people were passing me and distance took SO LONG. I would play the game of deliberately NOT looking at the mile signs so I would get a surprise later that would carry me a while on the large number I had run!

 

Then disaster struck.   The mind and body just became bored. They wanted to do something different- anything different really   - did not matter what! I was at 17 miles and I was So Bored that the last 3 miles had been torture. I just could not concentrate on turning the brain off. At this point unless something changed I was going to give up.

 

Luckily for me (not for him- hee-hee) my Father came over to say hi. And I blackmailed him to walk with me a while. I felt like a petulant teenager. I just kept repeating to him"I am SO BORED!!!!!!! I am not really tired, nothing hurts, I am just BORED!" He could not stop chuckling. I instructed him to tell me a story- anything NOT BORING- that he proceeded to do- very badly I may add!

 

Then he ended up keeping me company for the next 9 miles. Ho Ho! And people think I am a push over! Yak-Yak-Yak!

 

We chattered which was very nice and I was happy so I walked faster and faster. In the end we were walking at about a 12 minute pace! I was even overtaking some runners- Joy!

 

At the last straits my ego let me run and I was surprised at how much energy I had. I finished and sat down as soon as I could. Such joy to just sit!

 

Well conclusions- I never thought I would be crazy enough to even attempt this. But it is true. It is all in the mind. It is just a number. Anything can be achieved if we can just turn the brain switch to OFF! I will definitely be running another one- fear of the unknown has been washed away.

 

Who knows with a little bit of training this time I will try to attempt running the whole time. I will also plug my ears into music next time to force the brain to drain!

 

I was hoping for a little weight loss after- but no such luck- if anything I think I put some on with all the crisps I ate!

 

As I said at the beginning- there was no envelopment of light etc etc. But I surely felt that someone was being super-super kind and indulgent towards me up there. Wouldn't be the first time either!

 

 

 

 

Marathon Day

It's marathon day. I am standing at the rear of the field, waiting patiently for the race to start. I have not trained for this race, and have therefore promised myself a leisurely stroll in the countryside, empty of urgency, and of an indeterminate length which I consider to be flexible and open to re-adjustment at all times. 'Let's just see how it goes,' I say to myself. To me, everything at the beginning of the race is rather curious and incongruous - the aid stations, the large numbers of athletes in running clothes, the starting line, the number which I am pinning to myself. I'm not paying much attention to these things, as they are all vaguely disturbing and are somewhat spoiling my very pleasant illusion of informality.

So started the day on August 25, 2004 in upstate New York.

Now, before I go any further I should explain to you what I was even doing on that starting line, as you are most likely wondering by this point. The odd and inexplicable thing, even to myself, is that I actually enjoy these marathons alot. Even though I am so painfully slow; even though I am so challenged in the realms of dynamism, speed and discipline, I still love to simply cover distance. Part of me, inexplicably, loves that slow, patient crawl over the miles, and it feeds something inside me in a way that I can't even begin to understand, let alone explain.

So I began my journey cheerfully enough on that morning, even though I was such an unlikely candidate for the job by any usual and measurable criteria. And for nearly 7.5 hours thereafter I mostly just immersed myself in the beauty of the park. Now, if you were able to actually run that marathon, maybe you didn't have time to stop and stare. I did. I stared alot. Actually, I stared alot without stopping, which is just fine when you're travelling at my pace (no speed wobbles here). And so I gazed at the water and the reflections of the sun. I watched the geese and the swans, which seemed to be everywhere. I looked at the deer which grazed right by the side of the track once the faster runners had disappeared from the course. I watched what (if the world's animators are doing their jobs correctly) can only have been a chipmunk when it scampered across the path right in front of me.

So, I guess that my journey was just different. It wasn't to do with speed or targets or pacing. It certainly wasn't to do with the miles melting away under my feet, or even with the joyful action of running itself - as I mostly just had to walk. It was slow and clumsy, inelegant and laborious,   and probably bordering on the pathetic by many people's standards. And yet how can I be remotely negative about that day? In my heart-of-hearts, really I can't. The surroundings were idyllic, I suffered no illness nor significant discomfort, and my whole being ended up deliciously exhausted by the sheer distance, a unique sensation   which only the marathon distance or greater can yield up. And when, after 7 hours and 22 minutes, I finally staggered home, somebody even put a medal around my neck. Yes, it was all very good.

I have been lucky enough to complete, in my very limited way, all three of the Self-Transcendence Marathons which have been held in upstate New York, and I have to say that I really treasure this event. OK, I wish that I were not so painfully slow, and I wish that   I had even an iota of discipline   buried somewhere deep within my being so that I would train more thoroughly for the event. And yet, with all of these difficulties   and incapacities of mine, I still wouldn't miss these marathons for the world. In conclusion, I really   have to send my most sincere thanks to the organisers (who did all the hard work and didn't get to play), and my congratulations to all of the other participants, but particularly to those very few brave   souls who were behind even me   but somehow still managed to finish the race.

Sarada