Self-Transcendence 3100 Mile Race

Archived – click Post Title to view all. Nidhruvi is celebrating her birthday at the 3100 mile race today.  It is not a new thing for her to run for 18 hours around a New York city block on this very special day.  She did after all run the race twice before, in both 2013 and 2104. I am not quite sure now if the course was generou enough to smile beneficently upon her efforts back then. Today at least the sun is shining, the air is dry, and the day ahead looks to be as perfect as it ever gets here deep in the final grinding days of June. This morning I interviewed her, and though the weather was being nice to her this day I was not so.  I started of with a tough question.  I was curious what she would like for a birthday present?  Both from the Supreme, the world, and from herself.  Her response, not unexpected, “that is too early to ask.” Nidhruvi not unfamiliar to tough challenges then replied, “Surrender.  Just to be able to surrender no matter what.  And through this surrender then to be the most perfect instrument for the Supreme and for Guru.” I was curious to know why surrender is so difficult for all of us.  “I guess there are many reasons.  We are still so very much human.  We live in our own little worlds.  There are so many things that we don’t know and we have to learn.  I think it is learning by doing.  Step by step you learn…

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.” Continue

Archived – click Post Title to view all. 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…