Day 8. The Happy Way (June 25th, Utpal)
Andrey Andreev has been a regular at the annual 10 Day race in Flushing Meadow. For 10 straight years he has participated and his performances culminated last year in 2016 when he set his personal best of 629 miles. The kind of miles that clearly demonstrated that he had the capacity to take the large step up to the Self-Transcendence 3100 mile race.
So far he has put in 7 days and is getting ever closer to going longer and further than he has ever run before. He likes to keep the mood light and is quick to find humor and make a joke. This morning when we talked he told me his race was amazing so far. Particularly after yesterday. When questioned further he says, “I got some sleep.” (laugh)
Andrey says that in the 10 Day race there are more options to take breaks and sleep. But during this race the allowance for rest is very very tight. Too much time off your feet and the goal of 3100 miles will disappear. Andrey has 388 miles so far 7 days. He ran 46 miles yesterday.
Asked what has surprised him about the race so far, “I was surprised by the seriousness. But now it has just become normal. I can’t even tell what the seriousness is all about.” Lyalya who is helping with translation interjects, “he is a philosopher.”
