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6 and 10 Day-Tales From Medical and Other Comments

I usually arrive at the Six and Ten-Day races around 5:00 pm after the runners have spent a full morning and afternoon of running/walking/eating/resting since I last saw them. When I leave to go home around 1:00 a.m. after offering massages to the men who are about to go to bed for the night there are very few runners or helpers out on the race course. Most of those late-nighters are usually walking or running quite slowly. The contrast in the energy and excitement on the course between those two times is quite remarkable.

The runners have had mostly sunny days in this race. When there were clouds covering the sky most of the time it did not rain as in past years. So having a relatively dry race is one boon that the runners can really appreciate and feel grateful for. The nights do get very cold though, and sometimes it is very windy. This can make running and walking quite uncomfortable and difficult, especially near the lake, which offers no protection from the cold, harsh winds.

Coming into the medical tent after a full day and long evening on their feet as they struggle with the weather, tiredness and their own bodies’ limitations and aches and pains, some of the runners feel a great relief and joy. Besides the fact that the medical tent is usually the warmest place on the racecourse, they know they will be cared for as they lie down in a protected and comfortable environment.

I have been working off and on in medical tents at our multiday races since they began in 1985. When I say ‘off and on’ I mean that I have also run in these races so I have developed a good appreciation of the medical tent from the runner’s perspective.

Although I am not a certified masseur, doctor or chiropractor, I have been doing massages for over forty years and have also learned how to treat certain running ailments and health problems related to running.

One of the most important things to observe when a very tired and sore runner comes into the tent is how they are walking, breathing, talking and if they seem faint or disoriented. Most of the time they just come in to lie down, get a massage or take care of blisters.

Lately though I have also been treating some inflamed muscles and tendons such as shin splints and Achilles problems.

In normal day to day life if a runner would have some of these problems you would tell them to stop running for a few days or weeks until they healed. In most cases in this race if the injury is not too serious we will take care of the problem enough so they can at least keep walking. Some of them eventually do start running again after some time.

One night the medical tent was really busy with ‘patients’ and three and sometimes four of us were taking care of them as they came in and out in a steady stream for hours. Dr. Sakhshat Flowers, a good friend, member of the SCMT and an M.D. with his own practice and clinic in New Jersey, was in the tent diagnosing problems and helping to treat the more acute ones. He had a special laser device to facilitate tissue healing and circulation and whatever else it does. The rest of us who were ‘less technical’ did our usual massages, taping, blister treatments, etc.

One runner from Germany had a very inflamed shin splint. Dr. Sakshat worked on it with the laser and then I massaged it to drain out some of the fluid or lymph, which naturally rushes to an injury to help promote healing in that area. I also iced it and taped it to support it when he walks, but at this point it was very late and we just wanted him to elevate it and rest it.

He had been resting for a few hours lying down and finally needed to get up and go to sleep in his own tent. As he sat up he turned white and started to faint and we then took care of that somewhat scary condition by elevating his legs and lowering his head. We gave him some water to drink when we saw that he was not unconscious and after checking his temperature, pulse, etc. let him rest some more. By then it was 1:30 a.m. and I had to leave so we made sure he drank water regularly and had someone check up on him regularly. One has to be very careful of dehydration when involved in so much physical exercise even after stopping.

The next day when I came back in the late afternoon I knew that he was all right. I saw him walking quite briskly looking very energetic and strong.  He had walked over a marathon that day already and was looking forward to running into the night. I did get to see him again in the medical tent later that evening and worked on his shin splint once more. After a short rest he was out on the course again moving quite well.

This kind of story is similar to many of the multiday runners who are strong enough to endure these kinds of physical and mental challenges. Of course those with more ultra marathon experiences as well as those who have trained properly will not experience problems that are debilitating and can rebound from their ailments quickly. Some runners’ problems may become too intense or severe so they are first recommended to take longer rests and then to drop out of the race if it is too serious and a risk to their health and well-being.

Surprisingly of the 82 or so runners who started both races only two that I know of had to leave the race due to health or injury problems. With less than two days to go until the end of the race most of the runners have adapted to the aches and pains of these challenge and are quite happy as they overcome each obstacle. Outwardly they make look tired and not be smiling all of the time, but there is a certain and real contentment inside the runners who are able to endure until the end. This becomes more obvious as the goal fast approaches.

Surprisingly some of the runners are now actually getting stronger. This amazing phenomenon occurs in races as long as these when the body seems to adapt quickly after the initial shock of the long days of movement on their feet. The runners who do not adapt and just have to struggle with their weaknesses are usually those with less experience, background and training. But their achievements, as well as those who have had to stop altogether before the end of the race, never goes unrewarded.

The heroic attempts of all of the runners who make it to the starting line are greatly appreciated by others. Their own efforts, whatever the result, will make them stronger not only as runners but also as individuals who wholeheartedly devote themselves to a worthy goal and strive with all of their effort to achieve those goals, whether they fall short sometimes or not.

Somewhere In the Middle- by Arpan DeAngelo

On Tuesday night, around midnight, the Ten Day runners have completed six and a half days. So they are over halfway done with only three and a half days to go to the finish line. The Six Day runners have completed two and a half days and are closing in on their halfway point in 12 hours. They also only have three and a half days as runners of both races have the same finishing time, Saturday, April 27 at 12:00 Noon.

Now that all of the runners have experienced the ‘thrill’ of staying on their feet and moving forward at various speeds most of the day and night, day after day and night after night, they all have their own interpretations of what this unusual experience is like to them.

I am particularly interested in the experiences expressed by the first-timers who have never had this kind of experience before. Nirbhasa Magee, a computer programmer from Dublin, Ireland, has run marathons for many years and even completed a 24-Hour race recently. But this is his first time at a multiday race. He is running the Ten Day race and had completed five and a half days already when I asked him what the high points and low points of the race was to him so far. He had completed 295 miles by the halfway point, which was noon on Monday. This is an average of almost 60 miles per day so far which is quite good for a first time multiday runner.

(Photo by Utpal: Shivabhakta massages Nirbhasa)

After coming into the medical tent quite exhausted and needing a quick massage, I asked him to offer a few comments. He said, “The best is just, I mean, you know it’s such an opportunity for experience and to go out there and have amazing, you know, if you could just still your mind and just go and run. You know the race itself is just so, it has everything, it has, like you’ve got a family here, all your needs are basically looked after. Now it is a little bit tough, you know. It’s probably been the toughest so far, just in terms of cranking, but it’s mainly mental, you know. I just have to be more happy…”

Nirbhasa, like most of the runners, new to the game or seasoned veterans, have figured out a routine or schedule that works for them. Each person has their own approach to structuring their daily routines, which also change as the race progresses. Nirbhasa told me that he now would run eight or nine miles and then take a twenty-minute break. He got up at three o’clock in the morning and ran sixteen miles, then he took a break and then did another sixteen miles.  But then later in the day he shortened out the mileage between short breaks to eight or nine miles.

He also started listening to music for the first time in the race on the fifth day. It was the recording of Paree’s first Locals Performance in April 2008. He said,  “That was really nice because I wasn’t in that consciousness…The first time I heard it I was almost crying on the course because I wasn’t in that space … It definitely got a little bit better. “

Kausal, a very good naturopathic doctor who has been working tirelessly at the race every day, offered us all some very good chocolate at one point. When Nirbhasa had some of this delicious treat his comment to Kausal was, “You’re a good man, wow, you’re an even better man than you were five seconds ago.” As we all enjoyed the very tasty chocolate Nirbhasa commented, “People with good taste in chocolate are generally, you know, it’s a good guide to character.”

So that is just a small sampling of a light moment in the long and arduous day of a novice multiday runner. On the other hand, we have a more experienced runner, John Geesler, who won the men’s Six Day race two years ago here. He has done quite a few multiday races and had recently come in second place in a 48-Hour race in Phoenix, Arizona, called ‘Race Across the Years’, at the end of December into the New Year. (Photo by Prabhakar: John Geesler)

Asking him about the Six Day race here in 2011, he said he won for the men but he did not beat Dipali. He said that he hasn’t run it good yet. “If I haven’t done over 500 miles I haven’t done good, and I haven’t done anything close, and it looks like I won’t be close again this year.” He was in medical as I was checking out his sore knee. He is a very good 24-hour runner as well.

John has run 157.95 miles for 24 hours in the past and humorously commented that he should have fell over at the end to make it 158 miles. It is in the top ten of American all time 24-hour races. He said, “It’s so discouraging, every time I come down for the Six Day I get hurt or something and I don’t… but I always wanted to go over 500 at least.”

John, just as with all the runners I have met here, has a firm determination to do the best he can to reach his lofty goals despite all the body’s setbacks. Yet he maintains his humble and surrendered attitude and does not give up. The goals may change for each runner during the race depending on the cooperation of their legs and their overall health, but almost all of the runners with their lofty goals, like John, or those first timers with no real expectation, like Nirbhasa, seem to find their own way to make the long and difficult journey to the end of the race, which in this case is still quite a few days away.

Notes and Observations from the Race Course- by Arpan De Angelo

Tuesday, April 23, 2013

Yesterday it was quite chilly but the cold winds died down compared to the weekend. When the sun comes out and the wind dies down it is more comfortable for the runners and they can spend more energy running without having to struggle keeping warm. Also the general lack of rain this year has been a blessing for the runners as rain can make life a bit miserable and more challenging out on the open and exposed race course.

Working in the medical tent can be an eye opener into the lives of the runners. The problems and the joys of running most of the day and night are revealed more readily when the runners are resting or being treated in the comfort and warmth of the medical tent. Some of my stories will be derived from excerpts of runners’ comments as they are resting or being treated in the medical tent.

When I have time I also try to do a few laps with some of the runners to keep them company and let them express themselves a bit about their experiences. It may get a bit lonely out there for some of the runners although most seem quite content going around on their own most of the time. But when they do have someone to talk to some of the runners offer interesting words of wisdom as they freely offer tales of their experiences here.

One person who is quite fluent in expressing himself about his race experiences here is our great friend and runner Mark Dorion. He is an American runner from El Paso, Texas who comes here every year to run or to help with the Ten Day Race. He has run and raced at all distances for over three decades and has run in many of our SCMT races over that time span as well. (Photo by Prabhakar).

As a ‘senior’ runner who has slowed down quite a bit since his speedy days of yore, Mark still embodies the enthusiasm and energy of a dedicated runner who understands and manifests the principle of self-transcendence.

Having had serious operations and procedures on his foot in the past few years Mark has to struggle with keeping pace to stay in a race as long as this one. He is doing the Ten Day race as a personal challenge to keep in shape and stay in the racing spirit even though he has had to walk most of the time this year.

While walking with me for a few laps Mark has offered some brilliant observations about the course here. One of the things that one usually does not see on the race reports is the activity of animal life in and around the course as the runners spend most of their days and nights going around the one mile loop in this large park in the middle of Queens, New York City.

Mark was telling me about the animals that he has observed ‘sharing’ the park with all of the runners. Some of them are more common than others and are expected to be seen in a park like this. Squirrels, raccoons, ducks, dogs and all kinds of birds are plentiful here this time of year. Other unexpected animals that have been spotted are skunks, porcupines, muskrats and rats. It could be quite shocking for a runner, especially at night, to encounter one of these more unusual animals. But since the animals are used to seeing people and are foraging for the leftover food from picnickers, etc., they just go about their own business usually unafraid and non-threatening if they not provoked by people.

Mark also related that he sees more animals in this park than when running on trails out West. He said,  “In a trail race people are making noise as they are running and they just focus on the trail as the animals hide in the bushes trying to avoid them. Here in the park they are all out because they go for the trash and the muskrats go back and forth to the lake.”

John Geesler also offered an observation on the movement of the animals here. John is one of the Six Day runners who have won the Six Day race here a few years ago. He also was the American record holder of the 48 Hour Race until a year ago when Phil McCarthy, another runner in this year’s Six Day Race broke his American record. (Photo: Prabhakar).

John was saying that this is a flyway at this time of year and the birds heading north see this giant greenbelt and they come down to the lake. Cardinals, robins, geese, ducks and other birds come here a lot especially this time of year to share the park with these human beings who play games here as well as those who are ‘strangely’ circling around and around a one mile loop in this beautiful setting.

I would like to end with a few personal observations about Monday, April 22 here a the park, which was the end of the fifth day and beginning of the sixth day for the Ten Day runners and the end of the first day and beginning of the second day for the Six Day runners.

Sunday’s start was sunny but chilly for the Six Day runners. A whole day and night have gone by and this new group of runners have begun to tire and slow down from their faster and more energetic pace of the first few hours. Most of the Ten Day runners who have been on the course four more days than the newer runners have gotten used to the slower pace and the more frequent intervals of rest breaks and medical stopovers.

The medical tent is a great place for some runners to get out of the cold or wind or rain, although today it was not raining nor was it as windy as it had been a few days ago. It is more comfortable there than in most of the tents or dormitory facilities, so it is a place where runners get a quick break, a massage and check the status of their feet, legs, etc.

Working in the tent allows me and others who help the runners to get a really good feel for what is happening in the race. Although I have run this and other multiday races a number of times, it is more revealing to see what others are going through by working in the medical tent and spending time with each runner.

Today I spent nine hours there off and on as I would also accompany some of the runners around the course for a lap as well to see how they are doing. In that time span I, as well as other masseurs, doctors, chiropractors, etc. had seen many runners. Most of the runners so far do not have any serious problems or injuries or else they would not be allowed to stay in the race. Only one person had to drop out due to health problems. But there are always minor aches and pains and slight injuries that should be dealt with as they keep on schedule to cover as many miles as they can.

Most of the problems are muscle soreness and things such as blisters, tightness, tiredness and other temporary discomforts. Sometimes we may have to deal with a few mental problems such as lack of motivation, but in general the runners all seem to really want to enjoy the race.

As time goes on in both races now the frequency of runners stopping into medical is increasing. Yet all the runners seem in good spirits and are excited about getting back out on the course and moving forward towards their goals.

I will offer more accounts and observations from ‘medical’ as the race proceeds.

The last few seconds!

Wow, look at those trophies?

The Morning of the Last Day!

• The Morning of the Last Day

Friday, April 26: One More Day!

• Friday, April 26: One More Day!

Wednesday Morning, April 25

• Wednesday Morning, April 25

April 24: Morning at the Counting Area

• watch video of -April 24: Morning at the Counting Area

Wednesday Morning, April 25: Goodbye to the Cold Weather

• Wednesday Morning, April 25: Goodbye to the Cold Weather

April 24: Morning at the Counting Area

• watch video of -April 24: Morning at the Counting Area

The Dugout Area of the Camp

• watch video of - The Dugout Area of the Camp

Tuesday, April 23: Inside the Runner's Kitchen

• watch video of - Tuesday, April 23: Inside the Runner's Kitchen

Day 2 of the Six day race

• watch video of - Day 2 of the Six day race

3am at the race

• watch video - 3am at the race

The 2013 edition of the Self-Transcendence 6 and 10 day race is under way.

To watch a video from the first day of the 10 day race click here:

http://vimeo.com/64406773

Pushkar Christopher Müllauer aus Zürich bewältigte am 6. August 2012 den Self-Transcendence 3100-Meilen-Lauf in New York, mit nahezu 5000 Kilometern der längste zertizierte Rundenlauf der Welt. Auf dem betonierten 883 Meter langen Rundkurs im New Yorker Vorort Queens - eine optimale Betreuung Läufer ist nur auf einer solchen Rundstrecke möglich - verschliss der 40-jährige Ultraläufer 12 Paar Laufschuhe. Müllauer kam beim ‘Mount Everest der Ultramarathons’, der vom Sri Chinmoy Marathon Team organisiert wird, auf den vierten Platz in einer Zeit von 48 Tagen, 8 Stunden und 22 Minuten. Das ist neuer Schweizer Rekord. Müllauer übertraf mit seiner neuen Zeit seinen alten Rekord von 2009 um 14 Stunden. Der Produktionsleiter einer Züricher Lebensmittelfirma legte im Durchschnitt täglich über 103 Kilometer zurück, nahm rund 10 000 Kalorien pro Tag zu sich und verlor trotzdem 5 kg an Gewicht.
Der feuchteste Sommer, seit dem ersten 3100-Meilen Lauf im Jahr 1997, führten dazu, dass dieses Jahr von zwölf Teilnehmern nur sechs innerhalb des Zeitlimits von 52 Tagen die Distanz von exakt 4988 km bewätigten.

"Diesen Lauf zu beenden war eine der schönsten Erfahrungen meines Lebens," sagte Müllauer nach dem Lauf. Die grösste Herausforderung für ihn war, fokussiert zu bleiben, um den ständigen Schmerzen und der Ermüdung etwas engegen setzen zu können, die auftreten, wenn man lange Zeit mehr als 100 Kilometer am Tag rennt. "Wenn man während dem Lauf die Konzentration verliert, dann öffnet man sich gegenüber Problemen wie z.B. Verletzungen." Müllauer bemerkte, dass Meditation ihm geholfen hat, das richtige Gleichgewicht zu finden und sich innerlich zu konzentrieren.

Der 3100 Meilen Lauf startete am 17. Juni und führte die Läufer durch die sengende Hitze und extreme Luftfeuchtigkeit des New Yorker Sommers. Sie mussten drei Hitzewellen durchhalten, während denen die Temperaturen gewöhnlich auf über 35 Grad Celsius anstiegen. Die Läufer liefen täglich von 6 Uhr morgens bis um Mitternacht und erfreuten sich nur weniger Stunden Schlaf bevor sie sich am nächsten Tag wieder am Start einfanden.

Der 3100-Meilen-Lauf wurde von dem in Inden geborenen spirituellen Lehrer und begesiterrten Sportler Sri Chinmoy (1931-2007) ins Leben gerufen, der davon überzeugt war, dass Selbst-Transzendenz - über seine vorgefassten Begrenzungen hinauszugehen -, wahre Freude und Zufriedenheit erzeugt. "Ich habe erfahren wie gut einem Selbst-Transzendenz tut", sagt Müllauer. "In uns liegt etwas Tieferes, das Schranken und Begrenzungen durchbrechen kann."

Mehr über Pushkar Müllauers Erfahrungen in englischer Sprache und viele Fotos finden Sie hier.

Und ein Interview mit Pushkar in englischer Sprache können Sie sich hier ansehen:

Grahak Cunningham  has just released an e-book "Beyond the Marathon: Insights Into the Longest Foot Race in the World." It is the story of his four times competing in the Self-Transcendence 3100 Mile Race, including 2012. This year Grahak won the event and also broke an Australian 1,000 mile record (to be ratified).

Loaded with training tips, anecdotes and race stories, join four-time finisher Grahak Cunningham as he takes you on the journey from his first race in 2007 as a multiday novice to his ultimate victory in 2012, and discover what he learnt along the way. 

About the 3,100 Mile Race: Running 18 hours a day, from 6:00am to midnight, for 51 days, runners must average a minimum of 60 miles a day (96.6km) to complete the distance. This involves circumnavigating the block 5649 times. Over the duration of the race, runners wear out fifteen pairs of shoes, and their feet swell an extra two sizes. In a typical New York summer, temperatures can reach 40 degrees centigrade with 85% humidity. Competitors must contend with boredom, fatigue, torrential deluges, extreme pain, injuries and sleep deprivation—but most of all, they have to deal with themselves. Outwardly for their efforts they will receive a plastic trophy and a t-shirt; inwardly, they make a lifetime of progress.