MULTI-DAY RACING UNDER THE NEW YORK CITY SUN, MOON AND STARS*** 2007 Self-Transcendence 6 and 10 Day Races***
Apr. 25-May 5, 2007
PART 1. WHEN A 2 MILE FUN RUN IS HARDER THAN A 397 MILE 6 DAY.
My legs are heavy, the balls of my feet are on fire, and-- most painful of all-- my swollen, chapped and ulcerated lips, mouth and throat feel as if someone is dragging a sharp rake over them. My daughter Amalia surges ahead on the path only to stop repeatedly and look back to see what is wrong with Poppa. A fast P.E. teacher of her's hollers good-naturedly at me, asking "What's wrong 'Pops'-- is she too fast for you old man?!"
It is Wednesday May 9, I am attempting to jog a mile or more at the Polk Elementary School Health Run with my kindergardner daughter, and just three days earlier I have finished the New York Self-Transcendence 6 day race. It is difficult to explain (especially with my cracked and infected lips, mouth and throat!) , even to fit school P.E. teachers and coaches, the nature of a long multi-day race.
PART 2. BUT JUST HOW HARD IS A 6 OR 10 DAY RACE?
One common question I am asked by US ultrarunners goes along the lines of "How do you keep forcing yourself back out onto the course, day after day, when you are REALLY weary and hurting physically and mentally?" Firstly, as with any ultra race, IF one has prepared well beforehand, any physical or mental problems are lessened. I believe in my case and that of many other runners with whom I chatted, some of our training days and weeks were more difficult than this multi-day race. This does not mean we ran upwards of 120 miles a week or back-to-back 50 miles runs (in my case I rarely IF ever run over 25 miles in one day or run in training).
Secondly, the same things that motivate me mentally to keep plugging along in a hard marathon or 100Km race work in a multi-day. If you have completed a 24 Hour the jump to a 6 day should not be overly difficult. In addition to pleasant and motivational thoughts to consider, little things such as a fresh pair of shoes or favorite shirt or tasty drink or food (of which there is an endless variety and amount at the Self-Trans. races!) can make all the difference in the world.
Some people like to listen to music or talk radio (I prefer singing songs to myself, as my old friend Bob Oberkehr and I did one night in tandem, grinding out various greatest hits of the Eagles or Beatles!) The top runner in the NY 10 day this year, Petr Spacil, bounced a handball during much of the first 7 days, but then put the ball down and shifted into overdrive for the stretch run. My old friend Trishul Cherns recommends breaking the race down into manageable smaller blocks. Trishul finished the famous 3100 mile race around Edison High School in 50 days 3 hours while never looking at more than one 8 hour block of time the whole way.
PART 3. SPEAKING OF "HARD," THE ROADWAY MUST BEAT YOU UP?!
One of the most prolific US ultrarunners in history, Brooklyn's Luis Rios (who at age 59 did 525 miles in this year's 10 day), once observed before a multi-day: "My greatest concern about the race? That nobody gets hurt." Unfortunately, in a race of this magnitude, no matter the surface, there will be injuries and illnesses.
All runners have their own "achilles heels," and for me there has not been a multi-day event in which my mouth, lips and throat did not become infected, dried out and sore. Womens' world road record holder Dipali Cunningham theorizes that in pushing hard day after day we break down the immune system, and she has certainly battled her own mouth and lip problems in her many, many multi-day races (she has just won the 6 day event in Flushing Meadows, Queens for the 10th consecutive year).
SHINS: By far the most common injury in the three New York 6 Day events I have contested has been in the shin area. Some medical staff believe as much as 95% of the injuries at this year's races were in runners' shins. In collecting data from various PhD Kinesiologists, massage therapists, chiropractors, P.T.s, nurses and the like-- all of whom have worked with serious, world class runners-- I found some general agreement as to causes (please keep in mind that I have absolutely no medical background myself).
In an event like this there is extreme repetitive motion. This weakens muscle and connective tissue fibers. Inflammation and poor circulation excacerbate the problem. Many runners, pre-race, may have weak calf and ankle muscles. Olympian and P.T. Ted Corbitt, who helped out at the race, reminds that "'shin-splints' is not just one condition. The muscle along the shin bone may be sore/ inflamed. Or the sheath for the muscle tendon may be inflamed and swollen so that as it rubs hard, you can feel it lumpy or may even hear a noise as it moves; or "keeper bands" for the muscle may be inflamed ... ." (and the list of causes goes on)
Heat helps the circulation while ice reduces it, hence at the New York races various combinations of moist and dry heat and even warm cabbage leaves were used to alleviate shin pain. This is also why some runners who did self-taping jobs had trouble-- tight tape further constricts circulation. Once circulation is improved tissue should become more elastic and some of the cellular damage should be repaired. Personally, professional New York chiropractor Mitch made some adjusments to my hips and legs which seemed to help dissipate my shin and ankle pain tremendously.
I have mentioned this in other reports on multi-days, but many HEAVY, modern-day running shoes (a.k.a. "walking casts") are part of the problem. I noted that 6 day winner Pekka Asprihanal Aalto wore light Nike racing flats much of the time, and my own shin pain dissipated when I switched exclusively to my VERY lightweight Spira flats. I also did 1 mile in socks only, and the shin and ankle pain was much less than when wearing a heavy training shoe!
And about the "hard" road surface: Personally, I felt the loop we ran was certainly acceptable, but then I prefer running on smooth pavement to rough and bumpy gravel or dirt. I do think a rubberized track or path is more forgiving and faster. I have run on faster, flatter paved loops, but with some minor patching up or rerouting, our Flushing Meadows route (a 1 mile modified lollipop shape) could be just about perfect. I never had a blister, and was less sore in my legs post-race than after some 50Km trail races with steep rocky downhills.
Another frequently-asked question is "Don't we get sick of the 1+ mile loop" (and the correlary-- what do we THINK about while going 'round and 'round?) I will defer to all-time US marathon great, and Comrades Marathon winner, Alberto Salazar, who did much of his ultra training on a treadmill and the 1 mile Amazon loop in Eugene. He explained that after running for many years one KNOWS what to think about, and how to stay motivated. 10 day 4th placer Trishul has run more competitive miles than anyone living. The aforementioned Bob O., Luis Rios, even a 30-something runner like Aalto (whose accomplishments include a speed hike of the Appalachian Trail, various multi-day XC ski races, plus several top 3100mile race efforts) all KNOW what to do to stay fresh mentally.
Remember, while in the USA 50 and 100 mile trail races rule, in the rest of the world (as with the US 20+ years ago) shorter road and bike path loops are the most popular ultra venue. But even then, I state as I have for years that in a 'round-the clock road race I generally see more wildlife (and more of EVERYTHING at night) than I do in a trail race going all night. I believe that any US ultrarunner who really WANTS to run a long road ultra can, and as has been shown in various scholarly articles over the years, the surface probably won't even "beat you up" as much as many steep or rocky trail.
PART 4. BIG RACE IN A BIG PARK.
While Dipali was cruising to a strong and steady if a bit less than normal 443 miles in the 6 day, several men were making dramatic statements in the two super-long races. Asprihanal Pekka Aalto, a mail carrier from Finland, began the 6 day modestly behind several fast-starting USA runners, then made a decisive move as he went on to win with 505 miles. Veteran observers noted that Aalto and Dipali were probably the two most efficient, smooth-striding runners in the races. This race was a warmup for Aalto as he is entered in the 3100 mile race (held a few miles south on a shorter and shadier loop around Edison High School) that starts June 18.
Meanwhile, in the concurrent 10 day event five men (including USA runners Glen Turner and Bob Oberkehr) went over the 1,000 Km (622 mi) mark led by Petr Spacil of the Czech Republic with 670 miles. Petr seemingly took it easy the first 6 or so days, always smiling and chatting with other runners fast and slow while often bouncing a handball along the bikepath. Petr's "warmup" for the 10 day was a 131 mile 24 hour effort a month earlier.
Pushing all these world class athletes was a record field of 82 starters (41 in each race), including representatives of 22 countries and 12 US states. The largest ever New York Self-Trans. multiday field meant many logistical adjustments for the race directors, cooks, handlers and medical staff.
The park is BIG (8 miles around, and including the Mets' old and "new" Shea Stadiums, the US Open Tennis Center, an ice rink, a Zoo, an old-fashioned carousel, plus various museums, ball fields, ponds and swamps) and our 1 mile bike path loop accomodating, yet there are times this year when our route gets somewhat clogged like the surrounding Long Island, Van Wyck and Grand Central Park-Expressways. Two major rainstorms during the races were the main culprit here as they completely flooded parts of the pathway and forced runners to bunch up as they sought out the highest and driest route. This is a good, historic race course BUT desperately needs some resurfacing and/or relocating (Queens Borough officials-- take note!)
An old adage observes that "the way to ultrarunners' hearts is through their stomachs," and at these multi-day races the green wooden kitchen building is truly the heart of the race. Head Chef Sushovita Taylor and experienced assistants Danka, Plobita and Company turned out one great meal and snack after another, around the clock. Sushovita's background as a professional baker is obvious to runners and helpers alike as her gourmet treats (blueberry cobbler, apple crisp, rice and bread puddings, all manner of cakes and pies-- often served a la mode, and the list goes on) are quickly devoured. Six day 2nd placer Serge Arbona states simply that "this was the best food I have ever had in any race."
Chef Taylor and Crew's contagious smiles and "Keep up the great work!" are typical of the caring, loving nature of all race workers here. Racewalker Andy Cable felt "The volunteers always went above and beyond what was expected."
Even when it is cool and wet I enjoy running at night and feel a special bond with the nighttime crew. One especially stormy, rainy night nearly all runners seek cover while Trishul and I walk for hours with our umbrellas over our heads. Bundled-up graveyard shift leader Medur Wilson and RD Rupantar cheer us on enthusiastically. To show you the type of thing that can pray on the tired mind of a multi-day runner, I note early on that one of Rupantar's running shoes is unravelling and dragging at the heel. Each day the shoe seems to fall apart a bit more. Later in the week I discover we have the same shoe size, and I vow to send him a new pair!
A 10 day runner from New Zealand, Jade Lynn, has his wife Amy, 5 year old daughter Shakti plus extended family here helping out all over the course. Shakti and her young Australian friend Jack (whose Mom, Karina Ward, is also in the 10 day race), like typical kids, sprint back and forth on the paths, cheering on the runners in between climbing on the dinosaurs in the playground, doing all manner of wonderful artwork (at one point they chased me while wearing robot costumes made from recycled food boxes), and playing with their many stuffed animals.
PART 5. YES, WE HAVE DINOSAURS (AND SKUNKS, DUCKS, GEESE, MUSKRATS, ETC.) ON THE COURSE.
The realistic-looking dinosaurs we pass that are part of the playground at the south end of the loop are made of concrete and wire, remnants of the 1964-65 World's Fair's "Dinoland," a Disneyland-like area that at that time had nine full-size dinosaurs (some of whom were robotic and quite scary to youngsters-- take my word).
Other "critters" along the course are living, breathing and at times chasing us. It being more-or-less migration season and the park being in the middle of the Atlantic flyway, US ultrarunner John Geesler identifies various birds as well as animals for us (what I was convinced was an otter turned out to be a muskrat, but the skunk I saw and carefully ran wide of was definitely a skunk-- trust me, do not get between a skunk and an overflowing trash can). One day urban school kids practiced wilderness skills as they set up tents and used binoculars to identify and sketch many of the park trees and animals. One UNUSUAL animal high in a tree beneath which runners passed turned out to be a young woman who serenaded us with song and poetry.
Fan support for the runners came in all shapes and sizes. CNN filmed segments of the race daily for a health special with Dr. Sunjay Gupta. In addition, filmmaker Utpal jogged alongside runners with a boom mike and camera.
One warm afternoon as some of shuffled around the flowered rotary that is part of the park's "Sri Chinmoy Drive," we noticed what we thought was some poor soul whose car had apparently stalled pushing his car nearby. When this same tall, muscular man was still pushing his car in circles next to our course several hours later, a helpful race musician explained that this was TV and Guinness Record Book celebrity Ashrita Furman, practicing for yet another world record car-pushing attempt. My kids and I have seen Ashrita on a FOX-Kids show, the Disney Channel and CNN over the past year, each time for different unique records (including but not limited to pogo sticking, balancing a tall pole on his head, running with a real bengal tiger, hopping on one leg, catching grapes in his mouth, etc.), the most important of which is he holds the most Guinness Records of any individual.
While Ashrita inspired us with his own self-transcendence, the above- mentioned musician (a former national class marathoner), Virendra, jammed on the drums and sang for hours most days. He and guitarist/ keyboardist Kodanda (who would REALLY get his tall,lanky frame boogeying!) would always smile, wink and adjust the tempo as runners approached.
PART 6. SMILE OF THE BEYOND(** the name of a breakfast/ luncheonette popular with runners that is a few miles south of the 6 and 10 day course)
"Harmony is the brightest smile."
--Sri Chinmoy, HARMONY
Just as musicians Kodanda and Virendra would grin and nod positively at the runners as they passed by, so I tried to always take time to smile and thank the lap counters and race workers on each lap. While I had no personal handler per se, I had different old friends and well-wishers come out daily. Several friends/ spectators observed that it looked like I was never really pushing, never in any stress, as I was generally smiling and often waving at other runners or race workers. Petr Spacil and I bounced his handball back and forth on several days, Luis and Roman and I tried to stump each other with sports trivia questions, I stopped to hang upside down from a large tree branch at times, I even chatted by cell phone with my wife and children on some loops.
Of course this is a race, I want to do my best, and most of the time even if it appears I am not I AM trying my hardest and DO know what I am doing. While this is my third year here, it is such a long, almost unimaginable distance that I just can't go out all business-like from the start. Connecticut 6 day racer Andy Cable feels "The Sri Chinmoy races are more like a 'Runners Retreat' or 'Runners Fantasy Camp' than a race."
Everyone is different, but for me I have to have a little fun along the way. Some runners like to say "what if" and "I would have-could have" and suggest to me that had I not pulled off and reminisced with Ted Corbitt I might have added an easy mile. Or if I had not stopped several times late at night to sing a few original verses of "Breakfast in America" (both the original Supertramp version as well as the current hit sample/ re-mix by Gym Class Heroes seemed to be on everyone's radios) for the lap counters maybe I could have gone faster. I counter that if I do not stay fresh mentally I will lose the inner desire and physical ability to keep circling the bikepath.
Several US ultrarunners have asked how a such-and-such 6 or 10 day mileage compares to a 100 mile time or 24 hour distance. There are SO many factors involved in such a comparison. Both the 6 and 10 day winners had run 130+ miles in recent 24 hour races.
I feel that going into this 6 day that I was in perhaps 117-118 mile 24 hour shape, and I know I was in 3:14 flat marathon shape. Plenty of experienced multi-day runners concur that a 400 mile 6 day is a national class effort, 500 miles is world class, and anyone doing 600 miles is one of the top 13 runners of all time. Certainly the five men over 1,000Km in the 10 day are TOP national class ultrarunners.
I have friends who while mostly trail runners (and world class at those events) also follow road and track results closely. There is much agreement that Dipali Cunningham's domination of multi-day racing and this 6 day event in particular are on a par with Ann Trason's Western States win streak (this is not saying Ann or other women are not better overall runners). Also, 6 day winner Aalto's easy win here on a loop which while scenic is not the fastest road course, coupled with his many, many other multi-day wins and high placings, make him-- Kouros and Schwerk aside of course-- one of the greatest multi-day runners of recent years.
My final total may not have been 400 miles or many other things, but the self-transcendent (somehow I perservered to a PR in a race where I never felt good for any length of time until day 6!) inner experience and "international gathering of friends" outer experience here have made me a richer person. As handler, race photographer and runner cheerleader Jurgen Ankenbrand opined, "It is just too bad that countries can't get along as well as individuals in sporting events."
Jurgen also recommends that we "Try the unknown ... challenges of ultrarunning." For US runners who have only done trail races, I say give a road event or multi-day a try. The excitement of running next to a lake, under a full moon and bright stars, in the middle of the USA's biggest and most romantic city at night should not be underestimated.
"Neither the sun nor the moon is ever anxious to complete the endless race."
--Sri Chinmoy, SUN, MOON, STARS
PART 7. ALWAYS YOUNG (but not always a quick recovery)
ALWAYS YOUNG was the name of a book about four-time US track Olympian (at four different distances) and steeplechase medalist George Young. "Always young" also describes how I still feel physically and mentally, much of the time, during and after an ultramarathon. As Swiss multi-day standout Martin Wagen has philosophized, "We are so lucky to be out here running."
While running hard with Dipali and the always-smiling Harita Davies of New Zealand on the final morning, I expressed some dismay and sadness that I "had nothing left in the tank" and was going to come up just short of 400 miles. Dipali reminded me to think of my children, to feel the child in my heart, to RUN from my heart. For me there could not have been more positive, motivating advice.
I think all ultrarunners may benefit from running with the playfulness and heart of a child. So as the clock wound down and the huge post-race picnic and awards ceremony got set up, I took off as hard as I could, smiling and trying to finish on a high note. I sung the old Supertramp song "When I was young, I thought that life was so wonderful-- a miracle ... and all the birds in the trees-- they'd be singing so happily ..."
The race ended while I was at the south end of the loop next to the dinosaur playground. With one of my very best and oldest friends, George Rose, who had driven down from Boston to help out, I jogged over and climbed onto the realistic brontosaurus I had passed 397 times.
PART 7. BUT WHY WOULD YOU WANT TO DO THIS RACE AGAIN?
Minutes after finishing, while getting a paradoxically painful yet relaxing massage from Praduit on top of a picnic table, some runners and passersby asked "will you be back next year?"
As with any ultra where one has had overall good experiences, even the most tired runner will feel drawn back to the event. The Sri Chinmoy Marathon Team and race supporters have gone out of their way to make me feel like a local, like part of their family. All runners are treated equally. Of course this event is longer than most ultras, but even in shorter SCMT races I have done there is a wonderful sense that everyone is part of a big family. Longtime race director Sahishnu observes that this "was such a team effort that I feel truly blessed to have been able to watch and absorb everyone's experiences in some way."
