SCMM 2014 - Mumbai Marathon AND the Samarpan Family

Sunday, January 19, 2014

Live in the Moment, Run with the Movement

Last year the charity I usually supported did not take part, hence as part of Corporate Challenge I ran for United Way of Mumbai and wore the Samarpan scarf for the first time during the run. The scarfs energy worked and this year Samarpan family officially participated in the marathon! Energy always works! This year was the first year the Samarpan Family was taking part in the Marathon. Pujya Swamiji had given His approval and blessings in July 2013 saying, “Do something different, go ahead, but take contributions from non-sadhaks,” ( This is for the Ayurvedic Medical Centre project at Sindavadar Ashram, Rajkot).This was a master-stroke as propagation of Samarpan movement and fund collection could take place simultaneously. Yoga Prabha Bharati Seva Sanstha Trust got itself registered with United Way of Mumbai, the charity partner for the movement in August 2013, thus paving the way for Samarpans first time participation in an international event.

I had already registered for the half marathon as an individual when the registrations opened as we had not at that point in time got clearance for Samarpans participation in the event. I had been running on an average 9km per day for about three months. I had completed 21km in 2:27:22 hours, my best time ever on 11^th January, so I was quietly confident of doing pretty well this time. Regular meditation and a diet of fruits and juice for breakfast and sprouted beans with salad of tomato, beetroot, onion and cucumber with butter milk meant that I had a low carb high protein diet which helped – dinner was two whole wheat breads with cooked vegetables. In fact I was doing 9.5km in just about 55 minutes.

The weather forecast three days earlier had mentioned that the temperature during the marathon would be cold. I interpreted it as Pujya Swamiji’s chitta was on the city three days prior to the event ensuring that the temperature cools down making it conducive for running long distances. When Pujya Swamiji had asked the date of the event I had mentioned 19^th January, and He had said he will be in Anushthan and I had replied that He would be looking at us from up there with his chitta. He had laughed heartily at that – but believe me He was there during the entire run!!

Felicitation of Anuragji and Ambareeshji at Churchgate station by Pramukh Acharyas and Trustees

I woke up at 4.00 am and was in meditation for 20 minutes, after which I got fresh and started my stretching exercises. This time too I carried the camera in a waist belt pouch along with my cell phone. We had a couple – Aashutosh and Mona, who accompanied us for the second year running. My wife dropped us off at Mahim causeway from where we walked down to the holding area. The holding area was better organized this year at the area below the flyover near the Bandra East fire brigade location. This year they had created 7 sections A to G based on finish timings of the previous year. It was already around 5.45am and the run was to start at 6.00am. I did some more stretches and then walked into the holding area. I walked down to the A section (which for some strange reason was my start section!) which was right at the front which was a huge advantage as you got a clean start ahead of the crowd. I took some photographs on the way in. The half marathon start was the biggest so far – more than 14000 runners!!

At the start:

Just before the start

At 6.00am the run started with the VIP and elite athletes being sent off first

 after which the junta was told to go. There was a huge roar along with cat whistles from the runners and off we went. I hit the timing chip mat at around 6.01am. The start was very steady as I started running at the speed I had trained for. This year the run was smoother as the start was straight onto the bridge which was wide enough to avoid bunching of runners and I got off to a smooth running rhythm. We got onto the road leading to the sea link, the broader road actually helped in easing the crowd, with the runners also now spread over a larger area. As I got on to the sea link I took photographs. In a few of the photographs even though I saw people on the camera screen what has come out appears to be energy or is it zero exposure effect – leave it to the viewers to decide. I personally felt it was the Guru Energies watching over the event. 

                                      Guru Shaktis present or zero exposure - you decideI continued to run at the speed I had trained for, this year there was water, energy drinks, oranges, cooling stations kept at regular intervals on the entire route. The run was very smooth and I had decided not to take a water break till the 10km mark. I finished 10km in 58 minutes and was well on the way to better my best timing. I reached the 13km mark in 80 minutes, averaging about 6.30 minutes per km. I ran this distance non-stop except for stopping 7-8 times for a few seconds each for taking photographs on the way. After the 13km, it was on to Peddar Road which is known as the HEARTBREAK HILL – 2.5km uphill!! In hindsight I probably made a big mistake, because I decided to walk this distance uphill!!! The walk actually cooled the warmed up muscles – I should have jogged slowly uphill rather than walking – I guess one learns every moment of one’s life – this is a lesson for next year I guess! It was very also very cold once we got onto Marine Drive hence I decided to walk-run, walk-run. The last eight km took me 70 minutes so you can imagine my state – my calf muscles were cramping up so my speed naturally slowed down. 

About 5km from the finish as we came onto Marine Drive, I saw a glorious sun rise with a huge flock of birds rising into the sky, welcoming the runners. Just as we got onto Marine Drive the lead vehicle with the elite full marathoners for company came into view. I got to take photographs this year as I was prepared and ready for them as they literally flew across the surface!

                   Elite Athletes - full marathoners -flying across the turf at 20km per hour!

                             Sun Rise at Marine Drive with some tired half marathoners

As I came near Catholic Gymkhana I saw the sight which I had been anticipating for a long time – the yellow T-Shirts of the Samarpan family along with banners, drums and ‘dhamal’. On seeing them suddenly I was energised and started running and waving and shouting – I spotted Pratapbhai who was waving and shouting ‘Borkarji, Borkarji’ – which is something I had missed from school and college days when I used to participate in athletics with friend cheering. As I passed a cold shower of energy washed over me and I passed by that spot around 8.05am – I looked to my left and I spotted Anil Pagareji running behind me taking a video! God Bless him. J

This year I saw 3 people collapse during the run all from Marine Drive onwards – one was frothing at the mouth -  person in his mid-thirties. I would like to mention here that long distance running requires practise and a good diet with a healthy life-style. It is not for people who want to prove a point or who do so for the sake of fun….it could prove dangerous. Pres reports the next day said that four people were hospitalised with serious cardiac problems and another 3000 were treated for various injuries! Just goes to prove my point!

                         Refreshing energy from Samarpan supporters near Hindu Gymkhana

                                 Daudo daudo daudo was the chant from Samarpan supporters

We passed the Radio Mirchi music group who were playing high energy music – the energy which was flowing from there was amazing, I was bathed in cold positive energy. Similar energy I felt at the Navy Band performance at the 18km mark. I had completed only 17km in two hours that meant I had just half an hour for completing the last four. At 7 minutes per km it was going to be touch and go! The last two hundred meters or so, I sprinted and finished the race strongly, and finished nine minutes slower than last year. The official time came in at 2:31:21. At the finish my calfs were tired and cramped and as I walked a guy in his mid-thirties tapped me on my shoulder and said run to the finish – and I suddenly found energy and told him ‘lets’ go’ as I sprinted the last 150 metres or so to the finish weaving my way through a couple of girls who were not giving way! After the finish I called Arati (my wife) and told her that I had finished – she said “so soon!” I laughed and said yes – this was about 11 minutes faster than my last years’ time but still 50 seconds of my best. I guess if I had not taken photos I would have beaten my best time in spite of the cramps! But what life without photographs to refresh memories – what say!!

              At the finish - making way through two ladies who were refusing to make way...

                                              The Finish 21.097 km at last......whooooosha....

This time the arrangements were different at Azad Maidan – as soon as we entered on the right was the recovery tent where volunteers were applying pain balms and massaging tired muscles. I went in and waited for ten minutes for somebody to come – as I sat down my calf muscles really cramped and it took me all my will power not to shout in pain!! I raised my legs in the air while lying on my back to let the blood flow back – which gave me instant relief. Then I massaged my calf muscles, did some stretches and walked out a bit disappointed at the attitude of the volunteers as two of them who were in front of me after finishing with their runners walked away even after repeated requests by me and a couple of others for assistance!

I called Ruchitaji, Malavji, Ramnathji, Kajalji who did not take my calls – I had told them that I would join them around 8.45pm – I went looking for them but I guess by that time they had already entered the Dream Run enclosure. I called Khamankarji and he took the call saying that he was going back. He congratulated me on my finish. He also mentioned that he heard the Samarpan theme song on Radio Mirchi with one of the sadhaks saying a few words about Samarpan! I then collected my refreshments and finishers’ medal and went off to the Procam VIP enclosure as I had the privilege of getting an entry this year as a part of their Dream Team. The Procam counter was full of Dream Teamers and VIPs who had finished having a variety of snacks which were on offer – sandwiches, dosas, idli-sambar- cornflakes and milk, variety of juices, salads etc. I just had an orange juice as I went and sat down in front of one of the 4 TV screens watching the elite athletes finish – one of the messages flashing was that the runner was doing 19.4km per hour – I was flabbergasted!  This was 2.5 times the speed at which I had been running – LOL J. I took a juice and relaxed as it was quite cosy inside. Evans Ruto from Kenya won the race in 2:09:33 hours and I watched the finish on TV. I then left the Procam tent much relaxed with the muscle cramp easing up and called Arati. I told her I am coming to her aunts’ place. In the meanwhile I spoke with Archana Chudnaik who said she was waiting with all the Samarpan supporters and our Samarpan Dream Teamers had not yet reached the turnoff point on Marine Drive. I then went to Chiya’s house and had tea and biscuits. After about half an hour I left around 9.45 and decided to wait for our team at Metro, the Dream Run finish point. We were to go out for lunch which was organised by the Trust – Arati was to join us but she had some work and as it was getting late – she left for home.

I waited for the Samarpan Family at Metro from 10am onwards – I ultimately spotted them coming at around 11.20am. I then joined them in the fun, dance and frolic! They must have really had a blast as covering 6km in 2 hours 20 minutes means they would have been dancing, singing and having a blast all the way through! We then had some 20 minutes of fun at Azad maidan with a group photo session and then went for lunch for the bib runners along with Anuragji and Ambareeshji which was organised by the Trust at Status restaurant at Nariman Point.

I heard later that the Samarpan theme song was sung on the Kingfisher stand and Anushka Sharma was so energised by it that when the Samarpan Dream Runners reached the Radio Mirchi stand, she invited Samarpan on stage and said that she was so energised in the morning that she felt she should give us a chance to say a few words to the world. Guru Energies at work here! J This recording was then relayed later along with the song which Khamankarji heard on the radio when he was going home.

When the event was announced I heard a lot of comments on social media and from sadhaks saying "this is not Gurukarya", "this is not authorised" etc. But as this was the first time this event was taking place - I had decided that reacting would be pointless and the event should speak for itself. My desire was everybody should enjoy and EVERYONE DID!! 

It was great fun running and hopefully this event which for a first time participation for the Trust was a huge success with everybody having so much fun that we expect at least 200 runners nest year with 1000 plus supporters lining the roads! With Pujya Gurudev’s blessings I am sure that this too will come to pass – with Samarpan family having its own stall hired to make as much noise and create more positive energy for all.

There were some last minute hiccups a day before with Ruchitaji being stressed out. I spoke with the concerned authorities and all matters were sorted out. I told Ruchitaji that she she forget stress and enjoy herself!! This is because everything is Guruicchha and Gurukrupa. We just have to flow and things happen, having no objections to anything. If some questions crop up I believe it is always for a cause - there are always work arounds for any problem and solutions always present themselves. All you have to do is be and stay positive - then the positive energy does all the work for you.

A brief report abstracted from Ruchitaji’s report on the part I missed is given below:

About 300 volunteers gathered at Churchgate station on the cold, chill filled morning on Sunday, the 19th Jan.2014 at 6am. , to hear and meet our Life Time Trustees Shri Anuragji and Shri Ambareeshji who arrived in Mumbai in spite of their busy schedule to boost the morale of participants and volunteers and stayed at the location till end of the event.

Pramukh Acharyaa Archanaji welcomed the Life Time Trustees and read P. Pujya Gurudev's first Anushtan Message. The runners and sadhaks were addressed to by Shri Anuragji and Shri Ambareeshji. Their presence itself was so electrifying that energy level rose to great height and the Chaitanya that flowed made the morning even colder. It was Sakshat Guru energies present throughout the event.

Later, sadhak volunteers and Trustees were guided to Marine Drive area by Shri Malav Doshi, Shri Ramakant Tawde and Shri Kishore Chikhlikar. Sadhaks lined up to cheer all the Marathon Runners by singing Samarpan song Daudo.. Daudo, wearing Special Samarpan T shirts, cheering and clapping and waving Samarpan flags. Marine Drive patch was chosen keeping in view best coverage by media who were present on the overhead bridge.

On the Dream Run route, The Runners were doing prachar while running the 6 km. stretch , playing dhol and khanjaries and singing Samarpan theme song 'Andhere se hai lade,' specially created by Sadhak Hrishikesh Joshi and his team.

The yellow special Samarpan T shirts, created a sunny wave along the 'Dream Runner' route creating awareness about Samarpan Meditation in onlookers and participants along the Marathon route which was dotted with stages and platforms from which celebrities including John Abraham were waving to the runners and various news channels and newspapers were covering the mega event.

                       Anuragji and Ambareeshji walking with Samarpan runners boosting energy.....

         Group photo post the Dream run at Azad Maidan with both Life Time Trustees

                    Ruchitaji, Heenaji, Seemaji....Stree Shakti in full force.....leading from the front....

30 Runners (including sevadhari Yogiraj and Jeetubhai), 5 individual runners, 2 senior citizens and 1 twenty one km. runner were the ones who held flag and banner of Samarpan Meditation flying high in the Mumbai Sky.

Sadhak volunteers lined up the running pathway, pedestrian area were cheering the runners received many inquiries about what is Samarpan Meditation and few were interviewed by press and Radio channels.

The runners danced and sang on the stages which were sponsored by companies like BMW / Radio Mirchi /TCS etc and mingled with singers thereby being part of their prachar and involving them in Samarpan meditation too.

The Event ended with Life Time Trustees meeting sadhaks and runners and walking together for half a km. of last stretch which ended at Azad maidan again.

Everyone went home with feeling of happiness and looking forward to participation in another event like this.

HOPE TO SEE YOU ALL PARTICIPATE NEXT YEAR AND MAKE THIS ANOTHER EVENT IN THE SAMARPAN CALENDAR GOING FORWARD!! JAI BABA SWAMI AND GOD AND GURUDEV BLESS YOU ALL.