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
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 3rd 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 16th 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.
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.
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
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 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.
