Running Log

... Sri Chinmoy training in the 1970's ...

"Who is the winner? Not he who wins but he who has established his cheerful oneness with the result, which is an experience in the form of failure or success, a journey forward or a journey backward. Who is the winner? Not he who wins the race but he who loves to run sleeplessly and breathlessly with God the Supreme Runner. Who is the winner? Not he whose glory we sing but he who embodies God's Compassion-Light in abundant measure. Who is the winner? Not he who has acquired tremendous name and fame and amassed a big fortune but he who requires only one thing: God-Satisfaction in God's own Way."

I have decided to post up the highs and lows and pretty much everything about my running over the next couple of weeks. I am not an athlete by any stretch of the imagination! I am simply a runner, who tires and sometimes succeeds in setting and achieving goals. My best marathon time is 4.39 (and a couple of seconds), my best 2 mile is 16.11. As you can see I won't be trying out for any Olympics in the near future. I sincerely hope all those people who have ever thought about running, but have shied away for a number of different reasons will get some inspiration from this log. Because trust me if I can do it anyone can!

I only started running when I joined the Sri Chinmoy Centre in Auckland. Sri Chinmoy encourages all of his students who are able to run. There is such a parallel between the outer running which we do and our own inner running on the spiritual path. You need self discipline, determination, one pointed focus and an unwavering faith to accomplish both your outer running and your inner running.

"...Spiritual people often like running because it reminds them of their inner journey. The outer running reminds them that a higher, deeper, more illumining and more fulfilling goal is ahead of them in the inner world, and for that reason running gives them real joy."

• The quotes above are from The Outer Running And The Inner Running - by Sri Chinmoy.