Time Is Flying - Nürnberg - Rome - New York

Running inspiration from Tegla Loroupe at the World Harmony Run in Rome

Only four months to go.

My training is still relatively "easy-going" compared to a serious triathlete. But I know from experience, if I do too much on a daily basis, I will get injuries. In between longer distances right now I am swimming or running for 45 min. or 1 hour a day, plus a little bit of weights. After my meditation-retreat in New York next week, things will get more intense and biking will start.

The 6 hour Self-Transcendence Race in Nürnberg on March 15 with its spring-like temperatures was great cardio-training (more on my German blog - using an online translator can give quite an amusing angle to the German version!), although 46 k in 6 hours is "nothing" compared to some of my ultrarunning friends who are training for the 10 day Self-Transcendence Race in New York, running 40 and 70 k back to back on 2 consecutive days just like that. But it is futile to compare myself to them. I am always happiest, if I can take inspiration from others and try to do my best in a given situation. So I was perfectly happy even though I finished with 100 m less than the year before - due to a bit more body weight and 15 minutes in the medical tent, but speeding up again at the end and feeling fine afterwards. This is what has always inspired me about Sri Chinmoy's philosophy in regard to sports: the main thing is not to challenge others, but to challenge yourself - with the help of others.

What gives life its value,
If not its inner cry
For self-transcendence?

- Sri Chinmoy

Team work: my dad (helper on the bike), Pragya (organiser), myself and Inessa (helper)
more photos

The European Opening Ceremony of the World Harmony Run in Rome on March 27th was a very special training: running with former marathon world record holder and UNICEF ambassador Tegla Loroupe and hundreds of children with a flaming torch as a symbol for world harmony and friendship from the FAO to the Colosseum, the Campidoglio and on .... (see the report and more photos on www.worldharmonyrun.org)




For me the World Harmony Run, which dates back to 1987, is like an ultra-ultra-ultra-marathon. One may think the goal of world harmony is millions of miles away, if it can ever be achieved. But each little step or contribution of each individual brings the goal closer, and here each little step is so much more joyful than not doing it! Each step even embodies the goal itself. By embarking, as an amateur athlete, on a challenge like the Channel Triathlon I hope to be able to inspire people to feel that with our inner power and vision more things are possible than we normally would dare to dream of.

Next will be the Heidelberg Halfmarathon on April 27th, which is quite challenging due to the hilly route. This week was my last chance to run basically the whole route as a 2 1/2 h training run. It is extremely scenic, winding along the philosopher's path to Ziegelhausen and back on the other side passing above the Heidelberg Castle, with beautiful views into the Neckar valley, and I enjoyed every bit of it, having picked a perfect day and time weatherwise (dry and cool, early evening.)

In regard to swimming I am yearning for open water - the indoor pools are just too warm! But the Neckar is not really tempting, I love clear water. Cold showers have been my only cold-water training this year. Maybe in New York next week there will be a chance to take a dip in the ocean at Jones Beach! The next long swim will be May 1st, just before the 12 hour race in Basel, and then the first Dover-weekend is coming up!

Gertrude-Ederle-Award II

Some additional background information:

The Gertrude Edele Award "for the most meritorious CS&PF English
Channel swim by a woman" is a very special award. It is named after the first woman who "conquered" the English Channel in 1926, after only 6 men had succeeded, when people thought it very unlikely for a woman to be physically capable of completing such a challenge. "Trudi", by the way, was a German immigrant with a U.S. passport.

One biography says about her:
"Ederle was among the first real sports heroines to prove that women were not physically inferior or incapable of strenuous activity.... With determination and hard work, she illustrated the potential for women who practiced hard and maintained their dedication... The accomplishments of Gertrude Ederle will always serve as evidence for the endless possibilities for women in sport." http://www.edwardsly.com/ederleg.htm

This award is a very fitting tribute to Vijaya's determination, faith, perseverance and true "never give up"-attitude in a spirit of self-transcendence - qualities which make her one of the shining female athletes of the Sri Chinmoy Marathon Team and which also support her in her challenging work at the United Nations.

Gertrude-Ederle Award 2008 to Vijaya Claxton of the Sri Chinmoy Marathon Team

(photo courtesy of Nick Adams)

At the annual Channel Swimmers' Dinner a few days ago, hosted by the Channel Swimming & Piloting Federation (CS & PF) in Dover, a number of channel swimmers were honoured for their various achievements during the season of 2007.

Among them Vijaya Claxton (USA), swimmer friend and fellow member of the International Sri Chinmoy Marathon Team, who received the very special Gertrude Ederle Award "for the most meritorious CS&PF English Channel swim by a woman in 2007", along with the Cape Storm Award 2007 for the longest solo swim of 2007. Vijaya had to brave and battle the waves, the currents and continuing seasickness for 22hrs 27 mins. Amazingly, she looked extremely good after her swim and was shining with inner satisfaction. It had taken her several attempts over a couple of years to finally succeed - while working a responsible fulltime-job at the United Nations, making her a glowing example of Sri Chinmoy's motto of "never give up".
More about her swim