Day 7… Seeking Motivation (June 24)
Off and on over the past week at the 3100 mile race Ray Krolewicz has been a significant presence. He has helped fix cars, fix feet and more importantly the lump of grey matter sitting in a lot of peoples heads. He has inspired and guided, not just those on the course but any all who so easily got swept up in his loving personality and sometimes boundless energy.
He is one of the very few who was personally invited by Sri Chinmoy 10 years ago to come and run the race. But was advised at the time that the moment for such an undertaking had yet to come. In 2014 at age 59 Ray decided that it was the right time, and though he may have been disappointed at not completing the 3100 miles he settled for a not too insignificant 2014 miles instead.
Today he is appropriately wearing a t shirt which says, “Go Beyond.” Before he left the course I talked with him. I first wanted to know what drew him here so much over the past week.
“Seeking motivation for life in general, running, and this event specifically.”
What he came away from his race here in 2014 he says, “sore feet, sore legs, a lot of friendship, and a lot of understanding of things much bigger than me.” Foremost he says though he says, “things aren’t as easy as they look.”
“I would like to finish this race some time and not just be here. I can be here and help and give encouragement and everything but I would like to come here and actually complete this event.”
