Bhashini's Marathon
"The last lap was all joy"
This was my Third Self Transcendence Marathon and the first one that I can honestly and genuinely say I enjoyed.
It started at 7am with a prayer and silent meditation given by Sri Chinmoy. I could not hear the prayer but was extremely grateful for the sense of peace this meditation instilled in me and the other runners.
The first two laps were a real effort physically but as I passed the start for the second time I was lapped by the lead runner who was being cheered enthusiastically by all the helpers. This gave me a new lease of life and I ran the next few laps with much more energy. I had set my watch so I could run for 10 minutes and then walk for one. During the one minute's walk I tried to feel gratitude as Sri Chinmoy suggests. It helped me so much to remain happy and positive throughout. This is the perfect way to counteract the negative thoughts of the mind and the body's feelings of pain and exhaustion. This course (9 times around Rockland State Park Lake) is great because you get so much support each time you pass the aid stations and you get a real feeling of oneness with your fellow runners: shared suffering and a shared goal.
Laps seven and eight were the most difficult - thanks to Jayashri and Bandhavi for getting me through them with their energetic encouragement from the water station.
The last lap was all joy. I said goodbye and see you next year to each part of the course. I was so happy that after months of preparation and 51/2 hours of running it was about to be all over. There is nothing in my experience quite like the satisfaction of reaching the finish line of a 26.2 mile race.
Bhashini Neve
London
