My Marathon Odyssey

"What do I learn From my helplessness? I learn a most significant lesson: Surrender to a higher Power – The Power that acts in And through me And in and through all, The Power that does And the Power that eternally is. - Sri Chinmoy

I had really done my best to prepare for this, my second marathon, but the day arrived rather sooner than I would have chosen. My aim was just to turn up and do my best to finish!

Turning up was not as simple as I had hoped though. Our bus driver got lost, affording us an extra hour to enjoy the scenery, but at the back of a bus on winding country roads this was not so much fun. Finally we arrived, but travel sickness had really taken hold of me. When it was at its most expressive and spectacular, a passing megaphone heralded "fifteen minutes to the start!" I had no choice but to laugh, especially knowing I was still at least five minutes' walk from the starting line! Forget warming up, forget stretching, Egoscue, sun-block, insect repellant, Vaseline or carefully stashing my energy gels. I had no time to even tie my laces properly. I threw my bag down by a tree, just managing to grab my MP3 player. All attention on the state of my stomach, I ran to the start just in time for Sri Chinmoy's opening meditation.

"At least I am here on time," I thought. "At least I have my music too..."

"Low Battery," my MP3 player replied, and went blank. "Oh well, er...at least I'm here on time, let's just go."

In retrospect, I am so glad things began as they did. My mind did not even get a look-in. There was not one opportunity for anxiety or doubt; just arrival and survival. As I passed Sri Chinmoy at the start, I remembered that cheerful surrender to God's Will is a choice. "Let's face it," I thought, "I'm in no state to do this just with my own physical capacity anyway. Something deeper than that will have to get me round!"

I felt such a surprising amount of joy for the whole marathon. Although I finished in 6 hours, 53 minutes, (last in my age category), I FINISHED against the odds. I was smiling almost all the way! Sometimes my joy would not be contained and bubbled into laughter. The smallest thing would expand into a wave of joy and gratitude. Sri Chinmoy's aphorisms recited out loud by a spectator, a new MP3 battery, a cup passed, a smile, a clap, a wave, a drummer, a singer, a graceful swan on the lake, my name called out loud with enthusiasm, an upturned thumb from a faster friend as she passed. These outer jewels would buy me so many steps to make up so many miles. The brightest jewel – a glimpse of Sri Chinmoy every lap.

Believe it or not, I ran almost all the way. I had to stop and stretch out whichever was the most seized up part of my being around every mile, so that's what took the time! In the beginning it was like being part of one great organism, constantly spiralling clockwise. Everywhere on the track, everyone and everything seemed as one force moving forward. The energy of the first few laps gave way to such tangible peace as the last few of us carried on and on... and on. The feeling of oneness with the beautiful surroundings, and with my friends who had already finished made me feel like I was not alone, but just a part of something great and good; something much, much bigger than just me.

In the last two laps I was visited by pain in my ankle. Could I make it even walking now, or would I be stranded on some far side of the lake? Don't think, just run! The baking heat of midday, and my heavy and uncooperative limbs seemed so separate from my joy. Somewhere it could blossom unhindered by these lesser human limitations. I was literally crying with joy and gratitude that I had made it to 20 miles let alone 26.2.

My smile just broadened to my own astonishment. I watched the leaves fall in a chorus of beauty describing in unison Sri Chinmoy's majestic piano music on my headphones. Often, not another soul was in sight save the odd frivolous squirrel or dignified swan. In the distance the speckled mass of finishers sat in a haze beneath the trees. Could I really hope to be among them? I must just do my part and put one foot in front of the other. Sometimes I noticed a surprising phenomenon. If someone encouraged me, or if I encouraged someone, the pain would physically lessen. Sometimes even silently feeling empathy with others, especially the many runners more physically challenged than myself, would ease the physical pain. Not always, but very often.

6.53. Self-Transcendence? A walk in the park for some. For me, although it took much longer than last year, my experience and my consciousness far, far transcended last year's. By God's Grace and with the presence and inspiration of Sri Chinmoy, I completed almost seven hours of joy and meditation. How can I ever express my gratitude for this and for the myriad tireless kind deeds of the Sri Chinmoy Marathon Team along the way? A start would be to focus on the next Self-Transcendence Marathon where I may have another chance to offer my tiny physical capacity for a higher goal and purpose.

Sumangali Morhall