Petr turns 3100

This will be Petr's last day at the race. From today on, his little green ball will no longer need to bounce up and down, for mile after mile. He will no longer need to get on his bicycle, in the early dawn hours, and zoom across the desolate streets of Queens, to come to this little concrete oval. In just a few hours more, in just 47 miles of running, Petr will have smashed his record on the course by 4 days, and set a new Czech record for the 3100 mile course.
Abichal had a magnificent day yesterday. Each day, like his 60 mile day yesterday, gives him breathing room on breaking his record.
Ananda Lahari also had a stellar day. If he keeps this up he will definitely make the cut off.


Pavol has been very regular in his mileage, but it is now impossible for him to finish 3100 miles. He has been upbeat and heroic throughout the past 48 days. It is just not clear when his battle will be over here.
Suprabha who defies age and distance is running her age for the past 2 days. She has 457 miles to go.


Many visitors come to the 3100 over the long course of the race. Few however show up, before 6 am, like Barbara Sorrel from Delmar NY, did this morning. She had to leave home at something like 2 in the morning to come here and drop by for just a few minutes. She is running a 12 hour race, a little later on here in Queens.


This is the face of a true champion. If only the camera could show the hearts of all these glorious and brave ones. We will know how many miles each has run here, but we will never know what battles that were waged within their inner landscape. And when their journey finally concludes, on that precious last lap. One that defies the limitations of earth and lifts them up, to new heights in heaven. Do we honor them enough, for the battle won, the victory achieved here. A valiant struggle, that serves not just them, but us as well.

Petr tells me, "I had good mileage, I enjoyed yesterday, especially last night." He is full of energy and enthusiasm this morning. If I had not seen it for myself, I would only think I was running with a morning jogger, not someone who has run almost continuously for 48 days.

Over the summer he tells me he has met many people and become friends with some of the regulars. Not just those who pass by, but even those who make use of the playground in the far corner of the course. Perhaps it was his bouncing rubber ball, but he tells me that he became friends with one of the hand ball players there named Redley. He says he calls him Lion King, perhaps because he seems to rule the handball court. He tells me how Redley's sister shoots baskets for hours and even plays with the boys there.

About this time, Paramesh Ananda, a local Swami comes by in the opposite direction on his daily run here on the course. Petr is in very much admiration for him and his discipline of training here. He also says he runs quite fast. He says that often when he is running in the same direction, they will in a good natured way, try and, "race the monk."

We talk about our meeting before the race in Ketan's cafe, which took place way back in June. He admits, that he was a bit scared at the time. He had run the race last year and was well acquainted with the ordeal he was setting himself up for. It seems however that once he got going he has done remarkably well. He has averaged 63 miles a day, and though it has not been pain free, he has had no major injuries or setbacks. His shinsplints, knee problems, and quadriceps, never were a factor.

What happens within, he says, is another matter, "Inner battles, during the day, you can't imagine." Of course you never feel alone when in this situation. He says, "when somebody is in trouble we help them." For him the main battle each day is to get to 111 laps by midnight. He says, this number is a mantra for all the runners here. He says to achieve this every day, "is a victory for Guru."

We have talked about the mind set of the runners at length. He says for him, "consciousness is the most important thing." He says that some people have no idea what is really going on here, when they pass by. That is, just people driving by in their cars. But even those, who do know a little more, and see the numbers on the board can't appreciate fully as well.

He talks about Smarana who will be finishing tomorrow. If you just looked at his daily totals it would not tell what he is going through to achieve that daily 111 lap total. All of those laps came from steady and relentless walking. He goes on to compliment all those who have shared the course with him, and been his brothers and friends.

For him bouncing his little green ball has been a key to his happiness. He is all gratitude to Pratishruti who gave him the idea. For him, it calms his mind and gives him joy. He tells me how, when others come and see him running and bouncing a simple thing like a ball, it gives them joy as well. He says, "If you are happy you can give to everybody. If you are just pushing, you give nothing, it is a team race. Nobody does this race alone." He describes a moment in the race when Pavol gave him a scolding about his attitude. He says the scolding was like a blessing. It was not meant in a hurtful way but rather one of encouragement and he took it that way. He says, "Pavol helped a lot, I was feeling sorry for myself."

He also gives credit to others who help inwardly. Not just by sending emails, and faxes, but also through their kind thoughts and prayers. He says that the shirt that Christopher received from his friends in Switzerland was like a piece of armor. Of all the helpers and singers he is universally grateful. He says of Sahishnu, who is one of the evening race directors, that when he sees him coming up the road he feels as though a lighthouse is coming. Because of his size inwardly as well as outwardly. He says, "When you see him coming, you feel safe."

Of Parvati's group however he is full of praise. He describes them as not just singers but that they also embody support, love, and concern for all the runners. He says that this is, "a most powerful weapon in the inner world." He feels he wants to pay tribute to all who have helped make this race happen for him and the others. He call this, "small drops which create an ocean."



Enthusiasm Awakeners.




Vajra puts up the new daily prayer




The body is the patient.
The heart is the sufferer
The soul is the sympathizer.
God is the ultimate curer.

Guru Sri Chinmoy





And in the category of, you have to see it to believe it. Not only did Asprihanal play the cello this morning at the beginning of the 2 mile race. He also ran 12:42, this after finishing the 3100 mile race 4 days earlier.




And oh yes, he came in third. This is the first time he has ever medaled in the 2 mile race. He has quite a few however, in the longer races.







It is with great appreciation and sympathy I mention that Christopher dropped from the race yesterday, shortly after this picture was taken. His physical problems just proved insurmountable. It got much hotter, and he felt, "absolutely bad." He is here today for Petr's finish, and he tells me, "I feel inwardly I did my best. I did everything I knew. I am happy. I will come back. I have to."

Tomorrow these two champions will complete the 3100 mile journey. Neither is competing against the other, though they are literally on the same lap. Pranjal says, after making 3000 miles, "I am doing my own thing, 3100 is the goal." Smarana says of 3000, "It is just a number along the way."



Miroslav Hasal has come to see Petr's finish. He works for Czech airlines and is a runner himself, though today he is circling the course on roller blades. A year ago he set a high altitude marathon record, by running a marathon around the aisles of an empty air bus 380, flying from Prague to Cuba. The distance of his loop was 66 meters and he did 693 laps in order to run his 4:24:54 marathon. All of this taking place at 36,000 feet, somewhere out over the Atlantic.


Petr finishes in a time of 48 days, 11 hours, and 51 minutes. He will better his previous best time by 4 days and 1 hour. This will be a new Czech record.







A song


The deputy Counsel General from the Czech Republic, Tomas Hart, is here to recognize his remarkable achievement. He says, "I can't imagine someone doing it. What to they think about."
Rupantar said, "he must have had a ball." Sahishnu says of Petr that he embodies the idea of Self-transcendence. He has a big heart and tremendous capacity." Petr says, "Hopefully I can do better next year."
And if there are any missing words, they might as well be repeated now, as he said them last year, and they fit rather nicely this year, as well. Sri Chinmoy said of Petr, "I am very proud of you."

Don't Know how it Works but he is helping Us

Today is one, in which the 3100 mile race, can pause for a while, and take a deep breath. All can reflect back, if they like, at the past 3 days in which there were 3 spectacular finishes in a row. Or rather, one can gather themselves for the next couple of days in which there will be 3 more, just none today.

Some are waiting for the finish line, and others maybe waiting, just for the finish. Though enthusiasm, is a healthy tonic, in which there is never too much, especially when it has to be spread out over so many days and miles.





Petr will be next to cross the line. If the numbers all add up, it should be some time late on Saturday.







Ananda Lahari is pushing hard to make the cut off. He ran more than 56 miles yesterday, and seems to be moving freely now.
Abichal asks why Grahak's box is out on the table. His finish yesterday affords him all the luxuries he has been waiting to do all summer.


For Diganta it is a case of two steps forward one step back. He is not in danger of finishing, only of missing his plane. If he doesn't find more than 60 miles a day in his legs he may need to locate a travel agent.
I am not sure what Stutisheel is looking for. He already found the best miles yesterday, with more than 65.




Another day down hill at the races.




For Abichal this is his 6th race in a row. He is achingly close to setting a new record for himself and for his country Wales. He has recently learned that he is 20 miles ahead of his previous best. The thing is, with 437 miles to go he is on a razor's edge and has no margin for error whatsoever. He has put together a string of good days recently, but as he proceeds on to his goal, there will be fewer and fewer runners left on the course to inspire him. At his present speed he should finish in exactly one week.

As we turn the corner onto the Grand Central service road, he spots Alfredo waiting for his ride. He is there every morning and every morning he smiles sweetly. We begin to talk now about his experience. He says, "Up until now it has been not so bad. I feel the end coming." I laugh as he says it in this way, because it sounds less like a celebration and more like the end of the world.

He pauses to gather his thoughts and explain what he means by this term. He describes the world of the 3100 mile race as a unique and almost separate universe. He sweeps his hand at the traffic zipping by, he refers to everything outside the course as the rest of the world. For him he pictures his finish here as then being forced to return to the real world. One in which the ideals, vision of perfection, grace, and protection are so often in short supply. He says that when he finishes, "it is like the end of a holiday."

It is not as though he wants to prolong his time here in anyway. He is reaching within and giving of himself what he thinks is his best effort. He just feels his capacity and his experience here is quite different than those who can cruise through in under 47 days. Of those he says, "they are killing themselves to get to the finish line, they have the capacity to operate at that level."

He feels that he is not one who can and should push himself to the point where, "I don't care about the body." As one who has been here so many times before he is quite comfortable in his own skin. He knows the race is about much deeper things. "Self Transcendence is what you are capable of, and what else is there."

He feels of himself that there is room for improvement. He has done more training this year than ever before. He had spent some time in Columbia over the late winter working on his training. He did 4 weeks with more than 100 miles and one week at 120 miles. For him having additional races through the year make him sharper and quicker for this race. This did not happen this year.

We talk for awhile about the disparate characters who have made up this years group of runners. Of them he says, "we are all individuals as well as family." When he talks about the 3 who have already finished, I ask him what they have that he doesn't. For him the 3 main qualities one needs are discipline, focus, and organization. He believes that they all had discipline because of time spent in compulsory service in their countries. He has not had that but feels he has it in a different way. He also believes he has focus. However, when we get to organization, he shakes his head, "I am a disaster waiting to happen."

We have come around the course after one loop and he heads to the snack table looking for coffee. He is disappointed. He is told that it will arrive shortly. However he has not taken too many steps when Niriha calls out that she has already poured him a cup of her special brew, and that it is sitting on his table. He is overjoyed and drinks it with relish.

I ask him about any experiences he may have had in regards to Sri Chinmoy. We are passing the place where Parvati's group usually sing and he points to a spot by the wall. He said that on one occasion he felt he clearly saw Sri Chinmoy sitting there wearing a blue t shirt and sitting on a small chair. He was holding his chin he says and was absorbed in watching the runners go by. He tells me, "it wasn't a memory."

He describes in a unique way how he feels his Guru is present here. He describes, that he is like a background layer of energy. He waves his hand at the road and cars, "he is behind this, just not visible." He says his Guru's consciousness is still here. He says, "I don't know how it works but he is still helping us." He illustrates by describing, "if you see yourself as energy. As a pure form of consciousness. He is at that level."


I discover this object on the sidewalk. I can't figure out if it still is or is not a running shoe. Maybe it is being dismantled for parts.




Then they were 10



















































Of course you never know who you will meet out on the course. Abichal insist on a picture with Trishkash.





Petr comes along and thinks its a good idea as well.





I have seen this lady practically every day since day one circling the course herself, often with real speed, and always with real determination. Her name is Verinder, and she is a school teacher who lives in the local area. She suffers from some arthritis and feels that vigorous exercise an hour a day is necessary. When she has done this she also meditates afterwards. What draws her to the 3100 mile course she says, "It is very spiritual. I feel it. It is the in the whole environment. God is everywhere. You have to have purity of mind to see and feel him."


Grahak and Asprihanal have shown up for the Enthusiasm Awakeners Prasad. The girls are thrilled and he is treated to some very heart felt cheers. They eat it close by and enjoy the singing in a way they have not been able to do previously.
In a short while they will go off to the beach. Pranjal offers them some colorful language in a playful way as they drive off. He will be going himself soon enough.


A heart of faith
is a life of
tremendous happiness.

Guru Sri Chinmoy