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.

History was made on October 23rd 2005 when Jesper Olsen ran from Luton to Greenwich, completing a journey of over 26,000 KM which he had begun in February 2004. Jesper is now, officially, the first person to have run right around the world. Jesper has been supported enthusiastically by runners and onlookers all over the world, and we were grateful that the Sri Chinmoy AC was able to contribute in a small way to his amazing run by providing a support car and some co-runners for the last four days (Derbyshire to London).



For full details of Jesper's "World Run", see www.worldrun.org

You can also read Steve's story of four days on the road with Jesper.

There are pictures in our online gallery too.

                       

Maria's   Marathon Experience.

My marathon experience started early in the morning when our bus broke. Just a few minutes on the highway and we were set in the new bus - I was sure, there is no way to escape from the marathon.

Not in a highly marathon mood I went to the lap. But what a peaceful and beautiful lake appeared in front - covered with   purple dawn colours and coming to the shore with countless tiny waves. The sky in yellow soft pearl   with a few violet stripes through it and someone sitting on its shore.

I jumped in my trainers ready for the race and then slowly walked to the start line surrounded by hundreds of spiritual runners. One song   was roaming around in my mind:   " May my Master every day play a thousands inspiration drums and aspiration flutes inside my heart's God-Fulfilment Dream."

There was a silent moment- a rare experience before a race and then the river started flowing towards its destination, I saw by my left side Si Chinmoy in   bright blue trousers and pink top contemplating us.

That was the epic journey. I hoped I will survive till its end, after my hard training of 2-3 miles a day. Soon my speed increased and I got the feeling of the spiritual consciousness around and above me. This Pure Consciousness was just pulling me ahead. The weather was not hot but here I want to mention a quote from Alo which best can describe my feelings at this moment.: " .you can be dynamic in extremely hot weather. When we offer our utmost energy to the cosmic forces, we will get abundant energy in return. "


Chanting Supreme   I was keeping my speed with Someone's Grace.

There was a magical combination of seaweeds, plenty of water and bio plasma every lap which helped me. Passing by the water station flying with a cup in hand I thought ; " O.K. this water will help me not to collapse somewhere on the track from dehydration." Grabbing a full hand with seaweeds I   swallow them with the thought: "This is for my blood, not to faint unexpectedly", Then throwing a cup of bio plasma in my throat I said to myself: " Every pain go out of me, now!"


I saw Sri Chinmoy. Then I keep on. The Journey and the Smiles around me. Beautiful.

On the seventh lap the melodious symphony   got some troubling notes inside and soon it grew in frustrated crescendo. I stopped to drink water and couldn't keep on running after the fatal cup with liquid. Self-pity, shame and ego drops were falling on me, till I was walking. Such an effort every strike.   All my parts on strike.

At some point I saw Vedika in front of me, running slowly. I tried to indentify myself with   her and imagined all the ultra races, she has finished and all the pain through which she has gone. And I thought that this marathon is also a very long ultra race and I have to finish it And the body was the only instrument through which   it can be done. So I have to do just a few tiny running steps , so that I can continue my journey. Soon I revived with normal speed.

The eight lap came, with the thought in my mind: "Now is the time for you to rest more, if you do not rest now, when you will rest? So I didn't plan any hurry up before the finish line. That was my mind plan, but soon some other part of me, (probably my heart) I felt that an inspiration corridor   was open in front and I entered. Wandering why I have to do this, I saw unexpectedly Sri Chinmoy in his electric car driving slowly on the track, so I had to keep on my speed, trying to run as quiet as possible and as soulful as possible.
           
When I thought for rest again, on the road was walking Ranjana with a
smile. My fingers were showing unknown mudra, closing the energy cycle.                                                            

No more than mile before   the finish I felt someone running   next to me and I hang up to him in a relaxed mood; " If I am gona die now, then let me die ."

200 metres before the finish line,   Atulya and Wendy   catched me in a very spirited mood, intended to pass me with a smile. I gave my last surrendered breath, sprinting happily with them and we flew together through the finish line. ( To be correct they were 2 sec. in front of me).      

So that's it. I did it for 4.36, as never before.
Compassion Flow from the whole. A Gratitude smile from my all.

The 100-mile London to Brighton run (1984,5 or 6?)

That summer Sri Chinmoy was encouraging us to transcend ourselves in our manifestation as he himself was doing. I got a call from Purohit suggesting a 100-mile run to Brighton and back over a weekend. We had five weeks to prepare. The girls were going to play netball for 24 hours! Purohit worked out the course and support vehicle and I got together a running programme. On the road we had four runners - Richard, Sarvosmi, Purohit and myself. The runners had a variety of long distance experience. Whereas Purohit and myself had attempted 4 or 5 marathons, I think Richard had suffered only one or two and Sarvosmi none at all! He was the really brave one.

We started running at midnight on Friday just outside Her Majesty's Prison on Brixton Hill. Purohit had worked out the distance to be exactly 50 miles to Brighton. Our programme allowed us a 20 minute break every two hours. We hoped to cover 9 to 10 miles between breaks and reach Brighton at midday. The summer night was beautiful and everything went well as we ran southward through Streatham, Thornton Heath, past Croydon, away from the built up areas and onto the A23. The breaks were threatening to become longer than the prescribed time and I had to play timer and encourage the runners back onto the road.

Gatwick Airport was about half way and almost a marathon distance. While the temperature remained cool the increasing weariness in our legs and the blisters did not seem to deflect us from our goal. The dawn brought in an increasingly hot day. The cars on the road could see us now more clearly and the fear of traffic dissipated. We had to stay together as a group and not allow anyone to fall behind. We were all really tired by 10am. Doubts about making it started to plague my mind and I comforted myself with visions of the sea and the healing effects of soaking in the brine. At midday Brighton was still a few miles away. We crawled through its suburbs wishing the sea to be around the next corner. We had to fight our way through the many tourists strolling idly along the narrow pavements and finally there it was..the pier, the pebbly beach, the sea! I could hardly walk on the beach..my blisters hated the pebbles. It was a great relief to fall into the caressing arms of the sea and let my bodyweight be supported by agencies other than my legs. We all needed to shower so we decided to go to the local swimming pool, swim and then shower and then,,,,,,,,,,eat a good meal. All this took time as the runners moved slowly and tried to keep the thought of the return run out of their minds.

We cheered up considerably after eating a cooked meal but the lack of a night's sleep was affecting everybody, even the support group. We agreed to sleep for an hour or two and then start the return run before sunset. Amazingly I felt quite revived and my blisters seemed to have subsided. Within 5 miles Sarvosmi dropped out. He had not taken the opportunity to swim in the pool, which we all felt had been restorative. The run back in the dark was quite hair raising because of the traffic and the bright headlights. We could not keep up the pace we had maintained on the way out and the group started to spread out. All three of us started walking at different times. I could see Richard in front of me wandering across the road rather dangerously. He was suffering from a lack of sleep. He decided to give up and take a seat in the car. Progress was slow and just before dawn outside Gatwick Airport Purohit decided that he could not go on. It was around about this time or soon afterwards that a strange change came over me.

It became clear to me that I was feeling no pain or fear in my body. I was running without making an effort - not fast, but freely and easily. I was floating on air. I could not believe it. I had covered 75 miles and I was now running as though I had just started. Pavitrata joined me for a couple of miles. Sweat was pouring off me like raindrops. I was bubbling over with happiness and joy. The support car passed me and Rod stuck his head out and shouted, "Take it easy, you've still got a marathon to go." Immediately fear took hold again and the pain I had felt earlier in all parts of my body returned. The joy vanished and the struggle started up once more. It was a crawl back to Streatham..We finished in Clapham instead of Brixton. It was 2pm, Sunday.

Dave and I of the Sri Chinmoy Marathon Team made contact with Jesper and arranged to meet him at a hotel south of Derby in the Midlands. He'd said that it wasn't his usual style, but it had been the only place to stay in the area. Luxurious it certainly was- the bed seemed wider than it was long! But it made no impression on Jesper who had slept on the floor at home for a year before beginning his epic journey in preparation for the hard times ahead.

I've never met a man who's just run 26 000 km(the distance he completed the previous day!), and was delighted to feel instantly at ease with this wonderful human being, who literally radiates enthusiasm, joy and humility. I immediately felt immensely privileged and unconditionally welcome. Wow! What a dude! And those eyes.

It was a perfect English autumnal day. Blue skies, golden leaves,
golden sunlight and crisp, fresh air. Jesper sent his position by
satellite, stretched and we were off. He was entering the 26 000's and I was entering my first kilometre yet he was full of energy,
cheerfulness and encouragement. The first 10k we spent chatting happily like old friends- Jesper has a special gift in making others feel relaxed in his company. The conversation often returned to the striking parallels between ultra-running and the spiritual search. This was no forced platitude designed to please his Sri Chinmoy Marathon Team support crew, but a thrilling expression, from his very depths, full of the joy, enthusiasm and eagerness of self-discovery.
It was literally breathtaking! How happy we were! OK, so we were going the wrong way(!), but a connection had been established for which I am extremely grateful.

Jesper's constant concern was for the members of his support team.
Always thanking, always encouraging and inspiring. We stopped every 5k or so to stretch(after 26Kk you must NEED it) and refuel on chocolate and cola. Nutritionists would no doubt proudly assert that it's impossible to run around the world on this diet, but the longer we spent with this Great Dane, the more obvious it was that his ‘fuel' was coming from within. (Dave and I needed something a little more
substantial and the delights of the egg butty from a roadside caf
fitted the bill)

We ran through Leicester, a vibrant city of 280 000, with one of the
largest Indian communities in the UK. At this point we were going past the marathon distance- my previously longest run. The enthusiasm and energy emanating from Jesper, and the inspiration which was now flowing freely within me, made this self-transcendence smooth and inevitable. We finished the day at Kibworth Harcourt after 52k, tired and happy- a stunning sunset sealed a perfect day. Jesper looked as fresh as he had when met him, I honestly don't think I saw him break into a sweat once! And those incredible eyes of his beamed with eagerness.

We drove back to Leicester to find our digs, and after a shower, our
happy and hungry crew found themselves in one of the hundreds of Indian restaurants to be found in this city. Jesper spoke of his reasons for doing the run- not for name and fame, but because it hadn't been done before. The challenge had called out to him and he felt compelled to meet it. He felt that it must be similar to the guys who had first climbed Everest, who had done it,"..because it was there."

 More and more, he said, the run had become about the people who had joined him in support of his adventure. About the experience of
sharing, and the insights into himself and humanity he had garnered
along the way. People everywhere, he had found, were essentially good. The media picture we are treated to is hopelessly inaccurate and represents only a tiny fraction of humanity. He was brimming with Hope.

 He spoke of how the run had become special, even sacred and that he was continuing in a spirit of simplicity and purity. He pointed to our own spiritual lives, and said that he was running around the world with the same principles. In fact, I was now unable to distinguish between the spiritual life and the World Run. His meeting with Sri Chinmoy on the west and east coasts of the US had clearly left an impression on him, and he spoke with great warmth, affection and surprising insight about our team's founder. He would use the term ‘Guru' when talking about him, and it was said with such sweetness that I often felt I was with another one of Sri Chinmoy's students.

He spoke of the other runners who had started with him- especially the Russian, who had a very different approach to the challenge. To him, it had been a struggle and nothing else. Grim determination every day to the end. To Jesper, running is joy and without this joy, he wouldn't be running. Joy is victorious!

Friday dawned, a drizzly, sore-legged morning. Roger from Cardiff had called to say he'd be early, so we had plenty of time for a hearty breakfast and to stock up on chocolate and cola! The great, the good and the ever generous Run and Become provided Jesper with his 27th pair of Asics Kayano's via Roger, and by 9 we were driving to the starting point anticipating a wet day. The A6, a busy main road running the length of the country, was the road of choice now. He wanted the direct route to London, and not take the chance of getting lost on England's intricate tapestry of minor roads. Jesper said he was a little tired and was preparing himself inwardly for the last two days and the double marathon on the last day. Nevertheless, he definitely looked fresher than I felt, and still those amazing child-smiling-eyes sparkled with eagerness and goodwill.

The weather forecast earlier in the week had been disturbing to say the least, with storm warnings and heavy rain predicted. However, after the first 5k it was necessary to remove our showerproofs as the autumn sun smiled benignly. The name Robert Garside was mentioned. I discovered that he had inspired much anger from the ultra-running community with his exposure as a cheat in his alleged round the world run. Ever wide-hearted, Jesper attributed at least part of the inspiration to attempt this run to him. Apparently, around the time of his exposure, many vitriolic e-mails poured into a popular ultra-running web-site attacking Garside, prompting Jesper to make a heartfelt plea to the running world - ‘what is the mileage in criticising this guy, if you want to do something, do the run!' Within hours, other runners around the world were expressing their willingness to try and demanding an approximate start date! This was a reality check for Jesper and it was also the moment when the dream began to be transformed into reality. Inspiration had truly struck! Jesper set himself the task of figuring out the practicalities. The dream, the inspiration was so strong that not only was it going to keep him going for 26 000k, but it was also going to attract financial sponsorship, support and admiration right around the world. Never underestimate the power of dreams!

My own running that day ended after only 20k- my legs were protesting from the previous day and I spent the rest of the day exchanging superlatives with Roger about our new friend. We stopped 14 miles short of Bedford, and Jesper stayed in Kettering.
The morning of the penultimate day was marked by the addition of three new friends. Devashishu and Suswara from the Sri Chinmoy Marathon Team and Tony Mangan, a regular on the Irish ultra marathon national team and world record holder for 48 hours on a treadmill(about 230 miles!).

After another hearty breakfast and loading up with chocolate and cola, we were on our way. Jesper really seems to appreciate contact with people and he was again in fine spirits, offering enthusiasm and
gratitude to us all. It was sometimes hard to believe that we were in
the presence of a giant, so unaffected and humble was his manner. Tony was tired from an overnight crossing from Ireland, I was tired from running further than ever before and as usual, Jesper looked as fresh as if he'd just started.

At the end of another days running we were joined by the irrepressible 62 years young Finn known as Aimo, or the Iceman (he likes to run 100k races in the arctic snow!). A passionate supporter of the run and Jesper, with a capacity for talking which I've rarely seen rivalled! Combined with his quiet and reserved buddy, also from Finland, we were turning into quite an eclectic band of happy runners and helpers. Jesper's obvious joy was reaching new heights.

Six miles north of Luton was the end of the day where the eight of us
spent a surreal half hour having the most animated exchanges imaginable next to a busy dual carriageway and a roadsign, on 2 feet of hard shoulder. The joy of the moment was sweeping away all practical common sense, and of course it was wonderful!

We left Jesper and Co at a hotel in Luton and the Sri Chinmoy crew went back to London to pick up reflectors and other gear for the dark and early start to the final day. It was an early start, so early in fact, that we passed a retiring Match of the Day devotee on our way to breakfast at the world famous Torpy Towers! We flew down the M1 and were standing in the reception of the hotel at 2am as Jesper and friends assembled. There were two additions- the German sponsor Oliver, who had promised to run the last stage(every credit) and Dirk Thys, a Belgium runner, known to our friends in Australia as a regular in the Sri Chinmoy 24 hour race out there. The banter was good, the energy was high and the final day beckoned- 78k to victory!

At 3am we were stretching and making ready at the start point. Of the runners, Suswara, myself and Oliver the sponsor,were the only runners who weren't experienced ultra-runners. The pace was quite brisk at the outset and many doubts as to my own capacity for this clouded my mind.

Jesper had stressed at the start, that it was a priority that we all
run together and he quickly set a pace which was comfortable for all.
Nevertheless, the first twenty odd miles were a bit of a blur for me as I was struggling with some pains. I welcomed each 5k stage, and my goal through the night was just to reach the next 5k. Jesper was clearly thrilled to be reaching his goal and to be surrounded by friends and our group turned into a bit of a party!

The morning was truly beautiful, and with this the pains in my knee and achilles dissolved into a general tiredness and stiffness, which was our general condition. How happy and grateful I was! There was a very strong energy and a feeling of oneness in the group now, and inwardly I was certain I could finish, with the constant support of Jesper and Co.

Running into London was like a dream. Devashishu and others from Sri Chinmoy Marathon Team had worked tirelessly to plot a brilliant route, and that side of things went without a hitch. It could have been very different, and we were all very grateful. He even arranged a cappuccino from the Starbucks in Barnet at around 9am- a more welcome and delicious coffee I have never tasted!

At Finchley we met up with more members of Sri Chinmoy Marathon Team and Amelia led the runners towards central London, past some ridiculously opulent homes in Hampstead towards the river. The day was now in full swing and many people were enjoying the sights of this great city, as we weaved our way towards Greenwich.

As we ran along, Tony shouted,"This man has just run around the
world!" Bemused looks, nervous laughter or a simple"Yeah, right,"
greeted us. Hardly surprising, as it's probably impossible to form a
conception of what he had achieved. Jesper himself had previously told us that up to the 3100 mile (the length of the world's longest race in NY) and 5000k(plus a little more) distance, he had had some frame of reference. But at 10, 15, 20 and 25,000km it was only big numbers, marking a journey into himself and the hearts of those who came into contact with him.

Finally we stood at the entrance to the park at the Greenwich
Observatory. Respectfully, all the runners filed behind Jesper as he
ran the last 200m to the finish. Family friends and the press had
gathered there to celebrate one of the last great challenges of the
world falling to this humble Dane.

Aimo had claimed that Jesper was the only man alive who could have
completed this odyssey, but I'm not sure he would agree with that. He conquered the world and in doing so, demonstrated its possibility. The door is now well and truly open to the next intrepid soul to take up the challenge - with Jesper's blessings. In his own words,"Records are there to be broken!“

Steve
Sri Chinmoy AC Cambridge
October 2005

When I started managing a café a few years ago, I gave up all hope of running a marathon ever again. I could barely run once a week. However, Sri Chinmoy's comment last year to those who did not run touched me  deeply and I felt determined to do it this year, even if I walked the whole way.

I took the marathon at a steady pace and kept cheerful. I tried to be without expectation for any outer recognition or encouragement from Sri Chinmoy, who was watching everyone. To my delight he did catch my eye at one moment and His eyes were full of deep twinkling humour. It lifted me immensely not only out of the marathon struggle, but also out of my life struggle - something we all have. I tend to take the café and other outer life situations a tad too seriously sometimes!

As I ran towards the line I heard some shouts, I looked at the clock which read 4.59.55. So I sprinted for the line and made it in exactly 5.00.00hrs.

Nurari

One of them even made it back! The protagonists are all still active club members, and if you take part in our "Self Transcendence Races" in Bristol, Cardiff, London or Oxford you may well have met them: Richard (London), Purohit (Bristol), Kaivalya (London) and Sarvosmi (Oxford).

I have not yet been able to track down pictures of the event, though rumour has it that some do exist in a subterranean vault in the Wandsworth area, but here are a couple from that same era for you to enjoy: Sarvosmi (from an early international torch relay) and Kaivalya (from an aid station on the Masters and Maidens Marathon - accompanied by ever-youthful son Devashishu, who hasn't changed a bit).

Hopefully Richard and Purohit will add their memories at some point and supply equally charming photos from the 80s.

Until that point, members of our club here in the UK had rarely ventured beyond the marathon; this early journey of ultramarathon discovery heralded a new era which saw several teams make the trek to Brighton over the following fifteen to twenty years. In recent years the flow of such epic runs by club members has dried up a bit (with notable exceptions such as Tarit and Abichal, how many of us are out there running ultradistance?) so I hope this article inspires a new generation of Sri Chinmoy AC members to take on the challenge.

OK, enough from me, here are the stories!

Kaivalya's London to Brighton story
Sarvosmi's London to Brighton story

 

Roger, Sri Chinmoy AC Cardiff, Summer 2005

"Taper, taper taper." I recalled Tarit's advice. Do you the meaning of the word taper? Rest for 3 weeks before the race. Believe me, your body will be grateful to you!

Here I am on the day before the race, muscles soft like a jelly. Where did all the countless hours of training disappear? I could not feel even one moment of the hard work in my legs any more. I guess the regular massage, healthy nutrition, Megabhuti's liver cleansing once a month, and a taper did the trick. My longest training ride was very easy - forty three miles along the race course on Sunday a week before the race. The beauty of the nature was stunning. Sandy beaches, Malay villages, palm trees, small islands, I was really lucky to be here in this heaven for more than two weeks with plenty of time to acclimatise and relax.   Luckily for me, no big hills this year! The bike course has been changed. On Friday two days before the race, Andreas from Switzerland, Robert from Czech Republic, Linda from Hungary and myself moved to Kuah nearer the race start. I left behind my dear room-mate Julia from Oxford, who was very patiently sharing a room with me, my bike, and all the race gear which was lying just about everywhere.

After Neil almost crashed into me on the bike during the Portobello Sprint Triathlon, because I could not see him from my pony tail, I knew the biggest and only sacrifice had to be done - I had to cut my long hair for safety reasons. Julia was happy to do that.

So finally I was ready for the start. That day I was hundred percent sure that this race was nothing to do with me, but was 99%   God's grace and 1% help from all my dear friends and family who coached, massaged, advised and encouraged me and who fixed my bike! All the credit goes to them.

As the party was on Friday afternoon I did not feel like going anywhere. Finally after Robert's third phone call I made it out from my room. Linda, Robert and myself arrived at the pasta party - once there I was really grateful for this. It was so inspiring to chat with all these great athletes. First we met Roger Price from Houston - it was his 27th Ironman. Diane and Debbie were excitement for my first race - we all exchanged really nice and kind words of encouragement during the race.

Next day. Finally we ended up at the same table as Zsuzsanna Harsanyi, Petr Vabrousek and famous Jason Shortis. Zsuzsanna is a Hungarian professional. She was second, her time 10:16:24. She is sweeter than the sweetest. And none of the photos is doing her any justice. She is much, much nicer. We spent hours together chatting about everything. Petr is a Czech professional. He was fourth in a time of 9:00:06. He is also extremely kind. He stopped during the race to asked a Danish guy who was struggling if he was ok. A real sportsman. We were all totally impressed by Jason - he was first in 8:36:33. He was racing at our Sri Chinmoy Triathlon Festival in Australia (He is Australian). Eventually all of them were holding the torch, smiling for the photos, it was a great evening.

The day before the race we had the bus tour on the course, the race briefing, and the bike and gear check-in. I managed to get myself together and concentrate on sorting out my stuff, and not forgetting anything from my cycling and running kit. I was a bit nervous but not for long. We went for a nice meal with Linda, who decided to stay longer and help on the race. That was absolutely terrific. While Linda was trying to get some bananas for me from the night market, I went to the race info once again - I was feeling OK. I read the "Spiritual meaning of the Triathlon" by Sri Chinmoy and a card from my dear friend Alison (Ironman New Zealand finisher) before I went to bed. Alison's message: "All this time training and waiting and now the moment is near. Put your foot on the accelarator and get into third gear. Good luck in Langkawi. Put all your training to good use. But most of all enjoy the experience, you will love it."

D-DAY

The Ironman Langkawi begins with a two lap swim in Kuah bay, which starts and finishes alongside a giant eagle statue. The three-loop bike course is fairly flat and is followed by the four lap run course. Total swim distance is 2.4 miles followed with bike ride of 112 miles and finished with a 26.2 mile marathon run.

Dawn. No thoughts. No feelings. No emotions. I just exist. I knew I am where I am supposed to be doing what I am supposed to do. First time in my life, I really trained for a race and I could feel why Sri Chinmoy puts such an emphasis on importance of physical fitness. I experience how does it feel being surrounded with healthy, fit bodies, focussed minds and determined vitals. It was an overwhelming, pure and powerful energy. I was all gratitude for the privilege to make it to the start line. All of us, the pros and the newcomers, had the same goal - to transcend our own limitations. The goal of Self-Transcendence.

Three hundred athletes from thirty six countries started together in the warm waters of the jetty. It was fantastic. I really enjoyed the swim. I had time to bask in the sunshine and send my greetings to Surya the Sun-God who would accompany me today, the whole day long. Well my first shocking experience was when after the second helf point turn I noticed that I needed 47 minutes for one quarter of the loop. God, I won't make it within the cut-off!   I will have to stop the race! Cut-off time for the swim was two hours tenty minutes. In a pool my time was tragic, very slow, 1:36. Probably the current was the reason for my even slower swim in the open water. I was paddling as fast as I could. The way back took only 17 minutes with the help of the current. I was out in four hours three minutes, and very happy that the first task was over. I was still in the game.

Finally on my bike, everything went along very well in the first lap. I was fascinated with Chris Lieto's speed - Bryan Rhodes and Jason were far behind him on the bike. Rebecca Preston was the first girl - it was amazing to watch the pros in action. I saw Robert who was going very fast - Andreas was enjoying himself, smiling and asking how am I, it was nice to get some extra encouragement.

The disaster struck in the second lap - there was no water at the aid stations - my mind was in a state of complete panic. On the next aid station I wasked for water, they said "it's water". Great! Relieved. I poured so called water on my head - it was an energy drink. My hair, glasses, jersey, bike, everything was sticky. I would need to pedal for five or six more hours in 40 degrees heat without water. On top of all this my gear shifter refused to move. LAter on Sean in the bike shop told me that the cable probably got stuck. I felt totally helpless. The ambulance was passing with the fastest speed past me with the sirens on. I saw a few athletes lying on the grass. My body was fine but I started feeling dizzy from heat and lack of water. Suddenly I remembered Scott Balfour's advice - "stay calm whatever happens" - so I kept on repeating this. I was so grateful to him for all the advice, coaching, inspiration. He did Kone and other Ironmans - he's world champion in his agegroup, and Scott shared his top secrets with me - "stay calm whatever happens".

A few tears were rolling down my cheeks when I reached the Kali Temple - Kali is my favourite Goddess. I prayed to her, "Mother..... please don't let me die here, please save me". Mother Kali listened to my prayers - from that moment on my gearshift was working. then we had water at all the water stations.

I was pacing myself on 14 miles per hour on the bike, so finally I finished the bike just before the cut off time in 10 hours 24 minutes. Cutoff was 10 hours 30 minutes. I was delighted that I could walk after more than eight hours in the saddle. At this moment I knew I would finish - I had six and a half hours for the marathon. One and a half hours each lap and thats it. I changed slowly , realising that my legs and arms were completely sunburnt. I guess the girls did not put enough sunblock on me after the swim. Soon I had a high fever, but kept on running. I did not want to end up in medical in case they told me to stop. I was so happy to see the others who were struggling on the run - some of them were already finishing. It was just great to have all these people running there on the running loop. I was just copying others - they all had ice cold sponges on their neck, chest, shoulders - so I soon looked like a body builder with all the sponges under my jersey. I was soaked but still I felt I had a really high fever. I started getting well-known muscle pain in my quads. Bioplasma, arnica and energy gels; I stuffed all these in my face with hope to get over it. And then I remember the verse from Sri Chinmoy's triathlon song - "I run with the smile of the beyond" - the whole song is:

"I love my   great triathlon, it shows my heart-gold-vision-dawn, I swim in the sea of silver light, I cycle along the road of gold delight, I run with the smile of the beyond, my inner cry God-treasure-diamond"

So I started smiling even more, I started chatting with everybody. In the fourth, final leg I had my own team - we were all running together it was just great. How I wished that everybody would finish.

I had the greatest cheering crew - many Hungarians like Linda stayed over in Langkawi: Piroska, Tamas, Andrea, Jozsi, Laci and the Ironman finishers Andreas from Switzerland and others who waited for me at the end.

Just before the finish, Linda gave me the Harmony Torch (see www.worldharmonyrun.org - Ed.) it was great to run with the torch through all the crowd, it was so beautiful. The flame was really nice, big, and you could really see the flame from far away in the dark night. I was just so happy. A few athletes came to me after the race and thanked me for the moral support. I felt really honestly privileged to be a member of the new world - the world of Ironman and Ironwoman. People with iron bodies, oneness hearts, sweet smiles.

My family had a most exciting day, waiting for the news, results and pictures on the web site. They were all so happy to see me smiling in the first picture of the second bike lap. My mum wrote: "Daughter, you know very well that I don't fancy all these stupid races, but this was really something special, I am really proud of you."

I would never even make it to the start without the help and inspiration of all these people. Tom Chambers, representing GB in Olympic Distance   Triathlons, was one of those who gave me the starting kick. At that time, in the months after my dearest cousin's passing, I didn't want to run or swim, didn't even dare to buy a bike, and at that time one day he came to the shop and reminded me that I said at the beginning of January that I would like to do a triathlon. He said "I bought three pairs of shoes - and you didn't do any triathlon?". So at that moment something just clicked in me - I knew that I had to do something with my life and I knew that Milan (my cousin) would be proud. The very same day I bought a trainging diary and the very same night I wrote my training schedule and on Monday I bought my bike and this is how I started - very, very, slowly and steadily - crawled - all the way to the finish line in Langkawi!

Thanks to you all without whom this dream would never come true, and most importantly gratitude to my teacher Sri Chinmoy for his blessing and his smile - full of joy and pride.

Agnes finished the Langkawi International Ironman Triathlon in a time of 16 hours 28 minutes, the cut-off time was 17 hours.

I just had time to pick up my Self-Transcendence Marathon finish
photo before leaving New York yesterday, and only saw it this minute. It brought back vividly the fantastic experience of doing this unique marathon.

I am not really a "runner" and wasn't sure whether my knees would hold out for 2 miles, 4 miles or 6 miles, let alone the whole
marathon! However, of one thing I was definitely sure: I was flooded with inspiration to try. From the outset, this was a good experience for me: no expectations, just to "go with the (inner) flow" and to be happy. To be able to feel my inner source doing the work was such a joy.

As it turned out, my legs were miraculously and joyfully eating up the laps and miles, and the knees didn't bother me enough to have to stop early. I finished at 5:28:28 and was the 520th finisher. Now, I've discovered that 7 is a significant number in my life. My marathon time adds up to 7 and my finishing position adds up to 7 too! I have no idea what this means, but I know that the experience of this most special marathon has done something solid for my life.
I am all gratitude.

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.