For many non runner but also for most runners ultra marathons (races longer than a marathon) are hard to understand. The longest organized race that exist is the 3100 mile race (about 50 days of running) organized by the Sri Chinmoy Marathon Team and takes place every year in New York.
Ghantika H. is a young ultra runner, who collected some experience in different races. Her longest race was a 6 day race in New York, in April 2000, which she finished with 321 miles (516 km - the distance from Graz over Vienna to Salzburg). Following you will read an interview with her about her preparations, experiences and thoughts about the race.
Question: How old are you?
Ghantika H.: 28 years.
Question: Since when do you run?
Ghantika H.: Since 8 years.
Question: When did you run your first marathon?
Ghantika H.: Half a year after I started to run, it was in Rome.
Question: This is even for experienced runners quite a short preparation time! In half a year from non runner to marathon runner, how can you do that?
Ghantika H.: I increased my daiy training quite fast up to 45 minutes per day, at that time I was very persistant! At the beginning not even rain, snow or ice could hold me back, my running enthusiasm helped me to overcome all this obstacles.
Question: From where did this intensive enthusiasm come?
Ghantika H.: My inspiration comes from my spiritual teacher Sri Chinmoy, from his philosophy, his writings and from the other students of Sri Chinmoy I knew at that time.
Question: Did you have any physical problems through this high mileage?
Ghantika H.: At the beginning I had often kneel pain, but I went on running. After a 24 hour race in Prague I could barely walk, but as the kneel pain subsided after a couple of days it was for definitive. Since then they didn't show up anymore.
Question: I heard already from various runners that the main work for long races is not so much about the outer movement but more about the inner efforts?
Ghantika H.: This is right, running becomes very difficult if the right mental attitude is missing. It's amazing how for example negative thoughts can weaken the body and positive ones strengthen it. I tried from the beginning to keep my mind quiet.
Question: And why?
Ghantika H.: This way I discovered an inner source of strength, that carries me along and gives my body additional energy.
Apaga R, Graz
Ghantika H. is a young ultra runner, who collected some experience in different races. Her longest race was a 6 day race in New York, in April 2000, which she finished with 321 miles (516 km - the distance from Graz over Vienna to Salzburg). Following you will read an interview with her about her preparations, experiences and thoughts about the race.
Question: How old are you?
Ghantika H.: 28 years.
Question: Since when do you run?
Ghantika H.: Since 8 years.
Question: When did you run your first marathon?
Ghantika H.: Half a year after I started to run, it was in Rome.
Question: This is even for experienced runners quite a short preparation time! In half a year from non runner to marathon runner, how can you do that?
Ghantika H.: I increased my daiy training quite fast up to 45 minutes per day, at that time I was very persistant! At the beginning not even rain, snow or ice could hold me back, my running enthusiasm helped me to overcome all this obstacles.
Question: From where did this intensive enthusiasm come?
Ghantika H.: My inspiration comes from my spiritual teacher Sri Chinmoy, from his philosophy, his writings and from the other students of Sri Chinmoy I knew at that time.
Question: Did you have any physical problems through this high mileage?
Ghantika H.: At the beginning I had often kneel pain, but I went on running. After a 24 hour race in Prague I could barely walk, but as the kneel pain subsided after a couple of days it was for definitive. Since then they didn't show up anymore.
Question: I heard already from various runners that the main work for long races is not so much about the outer movement but more about the inner efforts?
Ghantika H.: This is right, running becomes very difficult if the right mental attitude is missing. It's amazing how for example negative thoughts can weaken the body and positive ones strengthen it. I tried from the beginning to keep my mind quiet.
Question: And why?
Ghantika H.: This way I discovered an inner source of strength, that carries me along and gives my body additional energy.
Apaga R, Graz