Thinking About Running a Multiday?

Why run for 6 days, what inspired you?

Seeing other multiday runners. I was really fascinated by their capacities. How they were able to run for so many days, experience pain and problems, and in spite of this, still keep going - overcoming them. I was amazed at how they find their inspiration, how they keep happy, in a good mood even though they go through so much pain. Going to their limits and beyond - transcending. Tapping into a deeper potential and finding all that strength inside of themselves to do it. I was fascinated by these runners and wanted to try it.

What kept you going, when it hurt?

When you’re running you connect with strength, happiness and peace, which I find in my meditation. You don’t think of things, you just get out of your mind, and live in the moment. If you think about your pain you wouldn’t be able to keep going and my meditation helps me to be in control of my thoughts.

What was your daily schedule?

The course was open 24 hours and we camped off to the side of the course. A typical day would begin by getting up early, ideally around 4am. You get up and after a few laps you have breakfast, all my meals were in cups so that I could take them around with me and keep moving. I took an hour break at lunch time, and finish late into the night. Next time I will take more frequent shorter breaks, maybe in 10 mile lots. That will help my body recover faster

Did you follow a special diet?

I am vegetarian. The race kitchen supplied really good vegetarian food. Everyone is different, but I like lots of carbohydrates, vegetables, protein shakes and ofcourse I took a lot of supplements. I like my food blended – it is easier to digest. Most of the runners had no helpers, but what was the importance of having a handler to you? First of all having someone there, when you’re not doing so well. But with a handler you can focus only on the running, the handler works everything out for you so it keeps you from thinking or worrying about things. You become almost like a child, everything becomes much simpler so easier having someone look after you. A handler thinks for the runner and it saves you a lot of time and energy.

Would you have any advice for a first time multiday runner?

Train!!! Start slowly, be patient. Don’t get overcome by ambitiousness, it’s about the experience, about testing your capacity. Don’t put pressure on yourself. Take more rest, take it easy and enjoy. You learn a lot about your mind, body and rest of your being. The first time is like training really – you see where you are and can work from there.

What is your overall summary of the ‘Self Transcendence 6 and 10 Day Race’?

It’s a life changing experience. Being out there all day and seeing the sun come up and the moon rise. Watching all the running heroes on the track and the wonderful people in the camp. It brings a lot of good things inside you to the fore. I don’t have any regrets, even though I had a lot of pain. All the organisers and helpers at the race are volunteers and were working really hard, all their dedication makes the race special. They aren’t doing it for money but for the love of it. It really makes a big difference, and the organisation was great! I am grateful to each and everyone who made it possible. Sri Chinmoy (founder of the events) visited the race and shared his encouragement and inspiration with the runners. One time, on a hot day, he bought us all ice creams. That gave us all so much joy! He was a sprinter in his youth and, in later years, an ultra distance runner and encourages people to challenge their own capacities to discover their real potentials. That is why the events come under the banner of ‘Self Transcendence’. I am deeply grateful to him for making these events possible and appreciate his philosophy.