Another Ageathon

The day started quite early for me and two good friends who volunteered to be my handlers on the first shift of what was to be a very long day of running for me. Since the time I was 26 years old, I have run my age in miles around or on my birthday. Back then it was easier, as I was a young runner who ran marathons regularly, which officially is a 26.2 mile race. As I grew older I became an ultramarathoner, thanks to the inspiration and encouragement of Sri Chinmoy, the founder of the Sri Chinmoy Marathon Team and the World Harmony Run.

Svetlana logs up the miles.

Racing long distances was always a personal challenge to me and others who felt that to transcend oneself in positive and healthy ways, one has to challenge oneself with new goals. Since running has been one of my favorite forms of exercise and personal challenges, I have tried to stay in shape to be able to run at least a few marathons a year. When it comes closer towards the end of July, I know I have to be healthy and fit enough to run over 50 miles now. Although my birthday is in 2 days in Chicago, today was the only day where it could fit comfortably into our schedule.

Last night I was worried about the weather and terrain as lately it has been quite hot, humid and hilly. Today, though, was quite a change and a blessing for this long ultramarathon. The whole day was overcast and cooler, only in the 70’s F, or 23 C. Starting at 6:00 a.m., it was quite peaceful and quiet, with very little traffic on the highway I was to run on most of the day. Fog had surrounded some of the distant green, rolling hills, endless fields of corn and soy. Pastures and farms filled my run with natural beauty and energy. It seemed as though things could not be better.

Arpan had torrential rain at the start of during his 53 mile run.

But then a huge rainstorm came through at one point during my first marathon distance and drenched me and the torch for an hour or so. Actually, it was very invigorating and energizing as the cool air and strong tailwinds were a boon and a boost to keep me going at a comfortably strong pace. This was only the third day in all the three months out here on the World Harmony Run that I can remember running in the rain. It was truly a blessing for me as the sun and humidity in the past have made such long runs almost unbearable. With wonderful helpers all day and perfect weather I felt that I could not have asked for more to celebrate my upcoming birthday.

The Strom family were just one of the enthusiastic participant’s in Arpan’s 53 miler. The two older boys even ran a mile or so with Arpan.

More blessings kept coming our way though. At around 31 miles into my run, a whole family stopped to greet me as I approached. They were talking to my helpers and knew it was my birthday run. To my surprise they all sang the traditional happy birthday song to me. Then Steve, the older son who happens to be an excellent track and cross country runner, jogged with me about a mile as his brother joined in as well. We had a great talk about running and racing. His father is his running coach and has inspired him to become a very good runner. This was a great energy boost to me as my legs were starting to get a bit sluggish after having done 50 Km with 22 miles more to go.

Kids from the 4 H club welcome the runners

Upon reaching Madison at around 48 miles, I ran into the Dane County Fair with the rest of our full team. Thanks to organizers and staff, especially Lisa Behnke, we were welcomed onto a stage with an interested audience as we made our presentation and sang the World Harmony Run song.

Lisa from the Madison County fair with Arpan and Prabhakar.

Darwin Lynde, President of the County Fair, offered very kind words in welcoming us there. We are grateful to him and others who had made our presence there a memorable one. Michelle stocker from the Capital Times newspaper, took photos to cover the story for us. I am very grateful to her also for printing out a photo of me as I ran through Middleton earlier in the afternoon. She had come all the way out there to take photos and then brought a large print to the County Fair as a gift. This truly was a selfless and thoughtful act of kindness on her part, ‘above and beyond the call of duty’.

Sevati tries wearing a dream-catcher as an earring - didn’t really catch on as a fashion accessory.

After the Fair, I still had to run five more miles to complete my 53 total miles for the day. The sun was out in full force now and the humidity was climbing steadily. I had to run through Madison on a very busy and hilly road, which was even more difficult with the hot weather and the soreness of my legs. To make things a bit easier for me, Prabhakar and Salil, my teammates at this point, considerately created an alternate route through some shady neighborhoods which ended up at a big lake.

Mary Landi our wonderful Illinois State Coordinator explains the great event in stall for us during our visit to Chicago.

On the way we met some very nice people who had just came from out of state to go biking in the area which gave us all some more joy in that we would not have met if I was running on the other road.

One more license plate for the collection.

Upon finishing, after feeling a powerful sense of gratitude for such a pleasant run with such wonderful helpers and local passersby, my helpers and I gladly jumped into the cooling and soothing lake.

Svetlana was so hungry she just ate the corn right then and there.

A great ending to such a long yet satisfying birthday ultramarathon, or ‘ageathon’, until next year, that is.

Gratefully,

Arpan DeAngelo

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