Week 2

Saturday:

Today I thought I was working while our 2 mile self transcendence race was on. But late on Friday night I was excitingly told that I could start a little bit later and be able to make it to the race. Which of course when you are just finishing a 13 hour day and now realising that these tired little legs are going to have to push themselves in the morning is not the most joyous occasion.

I drove out to the race in the morning and did absolutely no warm up so I was pretty much expecting to have a hard run. My flatmate had just finished her training run, which was a 10km fast run, so was going to be jogging around the track. So I jokingly said to her that she could jog around with me, as my sprinting would be about the same speed. Well let me tell you right now, her jogging is by far faster than any running I have ever done in my life.

For the full two miles I was in a state of shock. Trailing behind her the only thought in my mind was that I would soon pass out on the side of the track due to my incapacity of drawing enough oxygen into my system. I gasped and panted my way around and when I finally crossed the line my legs were lead, my arms were burning and I didn’t quite know how to breathe. BUT I did a personal best time of 15.57!!!!

So after two minutes when my breathing was returning to normal I was over the moon!!!!

However I did quickly add that Garbitashri should only run with me about once or twice a year!

Do not ride the mighty waves
Of dark despair
If you want to sit on the unparalleled throne
Of self-transcendence

From: Ten Thousand Flower-Flames, Part 48, - by Sri Chinmoy.

Sunday:

Today a group of us from the Sri Chinmoy Centre in Auckland decided to go bush for the morning. We all clambered into one of our cars and took off out west where many a beautiful forest, bush trail and beach are to be found. We decided on the Cascade falls. There is a 45 minute walking route around the native bush that leads you up over some boulders to the Cascade falls. These falls are nestled behind a rock face and to get a good view of them you pretty much have to dive into the water and swim around. A feat we have performed many a time, but today... well you can say we chicken out. We do normally go for a run here, but because we had walked we were not in the least bit hot and the icy cold water did not seem that appealing.

Peace is the beauty
Of my heart.
Like the beauty of nature,
I cannot hide it.

From: Peace: God's Fragrance-Heart, Part 1 - by Sri Chinmoy.

Monday:

My normal Monday running route has in it one amazing hill. It is called the Bullock Track. The origin of this name is unknown to me, but every time I start the steep climb I always believe it is because back in the day only bullocks could make it up this tortuous climb and any other means of transport would putter out after the first few metres. But I can proudly say I run the whole way!! I do enjoy the challenge of hills, well on some days anyway... And this hill is one of those hills - I will not let it conquer me.

The roller-coaster path
Of human life
You never denied.
Again, this path
Never dared to challenge
Your will adamantine.

From: Nolini: Sri Aurobindo's Unparalleled Friend-Son-Disciple - by Sri Chinmoy.

Tuesday:

Today was one of those days where it tried to rain, but kind of failed. On my run this morning I was greeted with what can only be described as rain ever so lightly tickling my skin as it landed.

I had a song stuck in my head today as I ran, and it gave me that extra push I needed to run. It is one of Sri Chinmoy's songs - below are the words:

I must be the winner in the race of life - I must must must must!

It has a catchy tune, I will try and track down the sheet music and post it up.

For some reason this song was reminding me that I must fight with my lethargic body and my unwilling mind. That to be a winner in life I must overcome challenges both within myself and in my day to day activities in the world and see them as opportunities to grow. Even as simple as challenging my mind and body everyday to run and take some form of exercise. To keep myself fit and healthy so I can live my life to the fullest.

Wednesday:

Today was a running late day, to fit my kilometres in today I had to run faster! Now after my experience in the weekend, with my 2 mile race, I knew I could push my boundaries a bit further. But not as far as I did on Saturday, I was not quite ready for a repeat yet. But off I went out of breath and pushing my legs to go faster. I can’t say I enjoyed it all the way, but I did enjoy the faster speed at times.

Every day I need
A new wave of enthusiasm-light
To speed up my purity-heart's
Heavenward aspiration-journey.

From: Fast, Faster, Fastest Progress - by Sri Chinmoy.

Thursday:

Today was my longish run day, about an hour and a half. Again I was running late, this seems to be an ongoing experience of mine of late. But no matter, after my initial hurdles of sore muscles and unwilling legs, coupled with a few hills to begin with, after half an hour I was starting to feel pretty good. The initial shock of running had worn off and I once again was starting to enjoy it. By the time I had finished my run and I was going off to work I had this abundant energy and enthusiasm that lasted throughout the day. All the lethargy from this morning had left me. It’s amazing to me how exercise and pushing yourself can give you this extra energy. When you are lying in bed thinking of the morning run, I don’t know about you but for me, I always think if I just let me legs rest for the day I will get so much more energy. More fool me when I let this thought become a reality.

Good-bye, my self-imposition!
I want to make progress fast.
Good-bye, my self-deception!
I want to make progress faster.
Good-bye, my self-glorification!
I want to make progress fastest.

From: Fast, Faster, Fastest Progress - by Sri Chinmoy.

Friday:

Today was one of those hectic days when you can’t fit everything in you need to in 24 hours. I had a short run today, probably about 18 minutes. Not long and I knew I should have done longer. But the only reason I did get this short run in was because I knew I was writing a runners log, and I kind of didn’t have a good enough excuse to not run at all today.

Your life must not be
An overused
Excuse-machine

From: Seventy-Seven Thousand Service-Trees, Part 24 - by Sri Chinmoy.

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