SCMM 2015 - Mumbai Marathon & the Samarpan Family

Sunday, January 18, 2015

 

This year was the second 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 was a master-stroke as propagation of Samarpan movement and fund collection could take place simultaneously. Yoga Prabha Bharati Seva Sanstha Trust (YPBSST) got itself registered with United Way of Mumbai, the charity partner for the movement for the second year running, and this time we were given 45 charity bibs based on last year’s collections. We had actually got the third highest average collection per bib hence the extra bibs this time. Three educational institutions managed by the Sadhana Education Trust ran in our support along with an educational institute from Vasai in the Student’s Challenge section. We also had made a team under the able guidance of our corporate acharyaa and Shri Malav Doshi to participate in the Kingfisher Bindaas Bande Contest and in setting up a stage for promoting Samarpan Meditation. Hectic preparations and practice went in for the singing and the contest. It was great team work performed in a spirit of love and joy. The joy and energy displayed was something to be believed.....in the end all the hard work paid off, as we won the first prize in the Kingfisher Bindaas Bandhe contest. Kudos to all the team members for a great job done. God and Gurudev Bless all.

Samarpan Bindaas Bandhe contestants on stage

Bindaas Bandhe contestants after winning the first prize

Bindaas Bandhe contestants after winning the first prize

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 YPBSST participation in the event. I had been running on an average 9km per day for about two months. I had completed 21km in 2:17:43 hours, my best time ever on 3^rd 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 10km in just about 58 minutes. I had lost 7 kgs in weight and weighed in at 67kg. The aim is to try to get to 62-63 for next year’s marathon so that I can target a sub 2 hour half marathon.

The weather forecast three days earlier had mentioned that the temperature during the marathon would be cold. The ideal running temperature for good timings in a marathon is said to be 12 degrees centigrade. It must have been around 13-14 degrees on Sunday morning.

I woke up at 3.30 am and was in meditation for about an hour. In meditation I requested Swamiji to connect and give me the energy to push forward if the body protested. As I said this my Sahastrar went cold and energy started flowing down from my crown chakra and engulfed my entire body. I was quietly confident that I had HIS blessings. Then I got fresh and started my stretching exercises. This time I had decided not to take the camera and take any photo while running so as not to disturb the running rhythm. We had a couple – Aashutosh and Mona, who accompanied us for the third 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 too they had created 7 sections A to G based on finish timings of the previous year. It was already around 5.30am 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 was given for achieving targets as a Change Maker) 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. Rahul Bose gave a kind of pep talk and fooled around a bit with the compere. The half marathon start was the biggest so far – more than 14300 runners!! Arati had got me a Garmin runners watch which you could set for giving lap timings and which tracked distance through GPS and google maps. This watch had been a great motivation as I could actually analyse my runs and at what point I got drained out, so that I could plan my future runs accordingly.

 

Rahul Bose giving pep talk to the runners at the start

Selfie of Ashu, his wife Mona and the self before entering the enclosure

 

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. I was doing an average of 5.40 minutes a kilometre.

I 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. Yesterday I had felt I was getting a bad throat, but I prayed and did not take any medication, hence mouth dried out a bit faster this year. The run was very smooth and though I had decided not to take a water break till the 10km mark, I picked up a bottle just after getting off the sea link. I finished 10km in 58 minutes and was well on the way to better my best timing. I reached the 15km mark in 93 minutes, averaging about 6.20 minutes per km. I ran this distance non-stop. This year I had mentally decided to tackle the HEARTBREAK HILL and ran upto the Carmichael Road signal. After that I walked briskly for 150 metres then jogged, walked, jogged. Then I hit the downward stretch and completed the 16^th km in 5.45 minutes. The last five km took me 40 minutes because my brain cheated me. I was thinking I was will under my personal best, if it was not for the trick my mind played I am sure I would have come in under 2:15.

While running up Peddar Road when I started feeling a bit tired, I mentally thought about Swamiji and then connected to the collectivity of Samarpan Family on Marine Drive, and as I connected I was showered with cold energy which encircled my crown chakra and then ran down my body, just as had happened when I was meditating in the morning. The energy was so powerful that automatically my palms opened and I ran with my palms open in front of me. I got quite a few strange looks but I was focussed on the run and enjoying the energy. I did this three more times and every time it was the same energy which gave tired legs strength to go forward and pushed me to my limits. Jai Baba Swami.

About 5km from the finish as we came onto Marine Drive, I slowed down a bit as my mind was telling me I had a lot of time! Then I kept jogging at a much slower pace at about 7 minutes to a km.

As I came near Catholic Gymkhana I saw the sight which I had been anticipating for a long time – the white-blue T-Shirts of the Samarpan family along with banners, drums and ‘dhamal’. On seeing them suddenly I was energised and started running with my left hand raised to them and there was a loud roar as I passed them. As I passed a cold shower of energy washed over me and I passed by that spot around 7.55am.

The last kilometre was proving difficult as even though I had the stamina and strength for some strange reason I was walking. After coming to the flora fountain turn it became extremely crowded for the last 800 metres to the finish. I tried running but it was difficult to weave through the mass of people so I had to walk, jog, side step and try to make my way through. One of the elite runners came through, as I reached the 400 metre mark with great difficulty. From the two hundred metre mark I went to the extreme left and sprinted down to the finish. Time taken 2:20:00. My Garmin watch said I had run 21.250 km rather that 21.097 which is what the course distance is supposed to be.

At the HM finish with my best time 2:20:00

This time the arrangements were different. The exit was on the road adjacent to Azad Maidan – as soon as we entered on the left was the recovery tent where volunteers were applying pain balms and massaging tired muscles. I went and stood in line to collect the refreshment pack and medal which were being given on that enclosed road itself. After collecting the refreshment pack which left a lot to be desired I entered Azad maidan after being made to climb a red carpeted ramp. As if a red carpet is going to alleviate the pain of climbing steps with sore muscles post a 21km run! Once I reached Azad maidan I looked around for the Procam tent which was at the very end. I went in as an invitee and helped myself to plate full of freshly cut fruits like papaya, watermelon, grapes, apple, guava and bananas. After eating the fruits I went for a foot massage which greatly helped in keeping the muscles supple and warm, unlike last year where I had cramped badly!

 Samarpan Bib Runners on the march

 Samarpan Bib Runners on the march

At around 9.15 I set out for Marine Drive where the Samarpan family had its own stage and band playing music. Shree Ambareeshji had come and was a great motivating factor for the sadhaks to come and enjoy themselves. There were at least 500 plus sadhaks which created probably one of the largest group of supporters for this edition of the marathon. Announcements were being made on how to get to know about Samarpan and its causes. Also the Samarpan songs created especially for the event were sung to chorus by the supporters. Lots of games were held for the Dream Runners – I saw people from Air India, Dena Bank, Nanni Kahli and several other institutions come and enjoy at our stage and go. Everybody had a great time and our group of Bib runners came at around 11.00 am and suddenly the tempo and energy levels went up manifold as a massive roar of support came from the crowd of supporters. The lead participants got onto the stage and then there was about half an hour of total ‘dhamaal’ in which Ambareeshji was an enthusiastic participant. Around 11.30am the police came and politely told us to wind up as 11am was the cut off time for all the stage artists. At 11.30am we left and then walked towards Azad Maidan playing the band, singing and dancing all the way. There were quite a few sadhaks and sadhikas who were motivated to participate in the half marathon next year. Let’s see if they convert motivation into action. 

Some innovation by the sadhaks to click photographs with their face inserted

Air India participants in DR having a ball

 SM Dream Runners at the SM Stage

 

Selfie at the Stage on Marine Drive

 

 

A couple dance by some NGO participants

 

Shree Ambareeshji waving to the supporters from the stage

 

 Post the Dream Run at Azad Maidan

 After reaching Azad Maidan we had a group photo taken and then everybody dispersed and went their separate ways. But all in all it was memorable and great fun with the first prize in the Bindaas Bandhe contest the icing on the cake. – JAI BABA SWAMI

 

Ruchitaji report in brief:
The concept of the Bindaas Bandhe contest was created by Ms. Manisha Chorge with Mr. Malav Doshi. The skit by Ms. Manisha and the make up played a big role. The Masjid Bunder sadhikas and Nixita were part of the dance troupe and the choreography was done by Mr. Hemant. Lots of rehearsals took place and there was amazing energy and a power packed performance with the theme of environment and its protection. Bystanders clicked lots of pictures with the 'tigers' and with children waving out.

The snacks were left behind at Hindu Gymkhana and the sadhaks carried them from there to Azad Maidan even without the Bib! More than 550 sadhaks participated and everyone was of the opinion that this time it was far better than last year. Amazing Energy!!!

Some Media exposure the next day in Mumbai Sakal - Marathi and Gujarati

 The bottom left photo.

 

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 next 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.