On November 12, 1993 Carl Lewis came to visit and sprint with Sri Chinmoy. Carl's sister Carol—also an olympian—came that day as well. She's watching the first of two races in the photo above.
Sri Chinmoy ran 14.80 in the first race taking 70 strides.
In the second race—pictured below—Sri Chinmoy ran 15.38 taking 72 strides.
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Sri Chinmoy sprints with Carl Lewis in 1992
By Atulya Berube
26 July
On October 17, 1992 Sri Chinmoy ran two 100 metre races with his close friend and Olympic Legend, Carl Lewis. Carl has been known to give Sri Chinmoy some coaching on the track from time to time. Sri Chinmoy was very inspired by Carl's presence. He ran 14.33 in the first "race" and 14.62 in the second. At the time, Sri Chinmoy was 61 and weighed 169 pounds.
Sri Chinmoy and Carl Lewis continue a close friendship to this day. Sri Chinmoy has always been a source of inspiration and encouragement to Carl. Carl is now trying his hand in the acting world. Look for him in "Alien Hunter".
13. 21 February 1982
Long Island Road Runners Race
Eisenhower Park, Long Island
Time: 6:59
Place: 22nd/35 starters
Bodyweight: 143 pounds
14. 28 February 1982
Age Group Race
Eisenhower Park, Long Island
Time: 6:52
Place: 25th/49 starters
Bodyweight: 142 pounds
15. 5 August 1982 Sri Chinmoy Race
Woodstock, NY
Time: 7:10
16. 12 August 1982 Sri Chinmoy Race
Jamaica High School Track
Time: 7:54
17. 12 August 1982
Long Beach, NY
Time: 7:06
18. 13 August 1982 Sri Chinmoy Race
Jamaica High School Track
Time: 7:05
19. 17 October 1982
Long Island Road Runners Club Race
Eisenhower Park
Time: 7:15
Bodyweight: 135 pounds
SUMMARY FOR 1982: Sri Chinmoy raced seven one-mile races in 1982. His best time was 6:52 recorded on 28 February.
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One Mile 1981
By Atulya Berube
26 July
ONE MILE
1. 30 July 1981
Sri Chinmoy Grand Prix
Jamaica High School Track and around
Time: 6:35
2. 2 August 1981
Sri Chinmoy Grand Prix
Jamaica High School Track and around
Time: 6:23 (Note: This remains Sri Chinmoy's personal best time for the one mile race.)
3. 5 August 1981
Sri Chinmoy Grand Prix
Jamaica High School environs
Time: 6:54
4. 9 August 1981
Sri Chinmoy Grand Prix
Around the streets of Briarwood
Time: 13:40(racewalking)
5. 12 August 1981
Sri Chinmoy Grand Prix
150th Street, Jamaica
Time: 6:49
6. 16 August 1981
Sri Chinmoy Grand Prix
Jamaica High School environs
Time: 6:39
Splits: 3:09/3:30
7. 19 August 1981
Sri Chinmoy Grand Prix
Jamaica High School environs
Time: 7:10
8. 23 August 1981
Sri Chinmoy Grand Prix
Jamaica High School environs
Time: 6:48
9. 26 August 1981
Sri Chinmoy Grand Prix
Jamaica High School environs
Time: 6:48
10. 18 October 1981
Hudson Toyota One-Miler
Jersey City, New Jersey, 10:30am
Time: 6:54
Bodyweight: 144« pounds (Note: On that day Sri Chinmoy also raced a
1« mile race at 9:30am and another 1« mile race at 2:10pm.)
11. 29 October 1981
Sri Chinmoy Race (for women)
Jamaica High School track
Time: 8:34
12. 29 October 1981
Sri Chinmoy Race (for men)
Jamaica High School track
Time: 6:49
SUMMARY FOR 1981
Sri Chinmoy raced 12 one mile races in the three months from 30 July to 29 October. His personal best time was 6:23 on 2 August. (This remains his all-time personal best) In 9 of the races his timing was under 7 minutes.
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The Beginning: 1978
By Atulya Berube
26 July
On 1 June 1978, while on a visit to San Francisco, Sri Chinmoy went with his students to meditate at "Aspiration-Tree", a special tree which he had planted in Golden Gate Park. Following the meditation, he spontaneously went for a short jog through the park. This day has always been celebrated as the official beginning of Sri Chinmoy's long distance running. He was 46 years old.
Sri Chinmoy rapidly threw himself into this new pursuit, logging hundreds of miles in training. Contrary to conventional wisdom, he took up the challenge of the marathon just nine months after starting long distance running and a brief glance at his career races shows what an intense schedule he followed.
Sri Chinmoy chose to race the longer distances, such as 7 miles and 10 miles, when he first started, it is worth noting that some of his split times in those races are faster than the times he later posted in shorter races.
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Sri Chinmoy's Long Distance Running
By Atulya Berube
26 July
A chronology of Sri Chinmoy's long distance races over many distances, primarily from 1978 to 1983
Sri Chinmoy finishing 47 mile race
Marathons
1st Marathon 4:31:34 - 3 Mar 1979 - Bidwell, Chico
1. 1 January 1981 Sri Chinmoy Race
Tobago, West Indies
Time: 41:55
Pace: 8:23
2. 12 July 1981 Sri Chinmoy Race
Flushing Meadow Park, NY
Time: 43:33
Pace: 8:42
(Note: Sri Chinmoy completed a 2-mile race 20 minutes earlier)
3. 15 August 1981 Sri Chinmoy Grand Prix
Flushing Meadow Park, NY
Time: 41:23
Pace: 8:16
4. 11 October 1981 Sri Chinmoy Race
College Point, Flushing Meadow Park, NY
Time: 39:44
Pace: 7:56
Splits: 8:05/7:58/7:57/7:51/7:49
Bodyweight: 138 pounds
5. 11 July 1982 Sri Chinmoy Race
Flushing Meadows-Corona Park, NY
Time: 38:11
Pace: 7:38
(This stands as Sri Chinmoy's fastest 5-mile time)
6. 17 October 1982
New York Road Runners Club
Central Park, NY
Time: 44:15
Pace: 8:51
Splits: 8:32/8:17/9:12/9:18/8:55
View full article »
7 Miles
By Atulya Berube
26 July
SEVEN MILES
1. 31 December 1978 Sri Chinmoy Race
Antigua, West Indies
Time: 56:24
Pace: 8:03
2. 30 March 1980 Sri Chinmoy Race
Fairfield, CT
Time: 51:18
Pace: 7:19
Splits: 6:51/7:20/7:20/7:33/7:35/7:30/7:09
(Note: This stands as Sri Chinmoy's personal best for the 7-mile race and the unofficial split times for three miles to five miles are faster than the times Sri Chinmoy posted for those shorter distances)
3. 4 January 1981 Sri Chinmoy Race
Tobago, West Indies
Time: 59:31
Pace: 8:30
4. 20 September 1981 Sri Chinmoy Race
Rockland State Park, NY
Time: 59:06
Pace: 8:26
Splits: 8:57/8:33/8:25/8:25/8:09/7:55/7:43
SPECIAL SOLO 7-MILE RUNS
In 1982 Sri Chinmoy visited 50 different states of the USA. He called this tour "Fifty Oneness-State-Songs". In a number of states, he ran 7 miles alone along a measured course as a prayerful offering to that state. Although not official races, the times that he recorded are listed here:
5. 1 June 1982
Jamaica High School Track
NEW YORK
Time: 58:54
Pace: 8:24
6. 5 June 1982
CALIFORNIA
Time: 54:06
Pace: 7:44
7. 17 June 1982
MARYLAND
Time: 1:08:03
Pace: 9:43
8. 24 June 1982
VERMONT
Time: 54:01
Pace: 7:43
9. 29 June 1982 Chicago
ILLINOIS
Time: 55:33
Pace: 7:56
10. 10 July 1982
Boston
MASSACHUSETTS
Time: 54:53
Pace: 7:50
11. 19 July 1982
NORTH CAROLINA
Time: 59:15
Pace: 8:27
12. 20 July 1982
SOUTH CAROLINA
Time: 55:58
Pace: 7:59
13. 27 July 1982
RHODE ISLAND
Time: 52:58
Pace: 7:34
14. 10 August 1982
Lums Pond State Park
DELAWARE
Time: 57:06
Pace: 8:09
SRI CHINMOY ALSO RAN IN NEW JERSEY AND CONNECTICUT. THE DETAILS ARE NOT AVAILABLE
15. 24 April 1983 Sri Chinmoy Race
Rockland State Park, NY
Time: 1:07:16
Pace: 9:36
Bodyweight: 148« pounds
16. 8 May 1983 Sri Chinmoy Race
Flushing Meadow Park, NY
Time: 1:36:09 (racewalking)
Pace: 13:44
View full article »
Tejvan Pettinger - biography and results
By Tejvan Pettingerauthor bio »
20 May
About the author:
Tejvan organises short-distance running and cycling races for the Sri Chinmoy Marathon Team in his home city of Oxford. He is also a very good cyclist, having won the National hill climb championships in 2013 and finished 3rd in the National 100 Mile Time Trials in 2014.
Tejvan Pettinger rides for Sri Chinmoy Cycling Team. He won National hill climb championship in 2013 and finished 2nd in National 12 hour TT 2016 (284 miles).
Cycling career.
Otley CC 1991-94 - long social rides in Yorkshire Dales. First race in 1993 Otley CC hill climb
Oxford University CC 1994-97 - Member, but no racing.
Oxonian CC 2004-06 - First time trials. Finished 4th in National 100 mile TT at first attempt 2005
Sri Chinmoy Cycling Team 2006 -
After joining the Sri Chinmoy centre in 1999 I tried running for a while, but a knee injury encouraged me to return to the bike. By 2004 I started racing for a local club Oxonians CC. My first race was a 10 mile TT, I finished 4th in a time of 24.12.
My first season of racing was encouraging and so at the end of the year a friend in the Sri Chinmoy Centre suggested setting up the Sri Chinmoy CT in the UK and so since Jan 2005 I have been racing for Sri Chinmoy CT. During 2005 I have won quite a few events. and also had a 3rd Place in a National Time Trials Series and 4th in the National 100. I won the National Hill Climb Championships in 2013 and finished second in the UK 12 Hour Championships in 2016.
As a student of Sri Chinmoy, meditation is an important and integral part of my life. However as well as meditation Sri Chinmoy emphasises physical fitness as being beneficial for a spiritual life. Therefore Sri Chinmoy encourages activities such as running and cycling. As well as cycling I help to organise running races at Cutteslowe Park in Oxford.
Tejvan Pettinger at start of 2013 National Hill climb championship
Tejvan organises short-distance running and cycling races for the Sri Chinmoy Marathon Team in his home city of Oxford. He is also a very good cyclist, having won the National hill climb championships in 2013 and finished 3rd in the National 100 Mile Time Trials in 2014.
Karteek Clarke, photo: Sri Chinmoy Races CC, SA,BY 3.0
Karteek Clarke, a member of the Edinburgh Sri Chinmoy AC, is an accomplished runner, having completed numerous marathons and ultramarathon runs & walks. He is better known amongst club members for his swimming exploits however, which are centred on the stretch of water between Dover and Cap Gris Nez.
While crossing the English Channel just once would be a dream come true for many athletes, Karteek`s vision was to make the swim seven times. His epic quest began back in 1997.
True to the Sri Chinmoy Marathon Team`s motto of Self-Transcendence he completed his 11th solo crossing on July 30, 2014 with the help of expert pilot Mike Oram, after quite some waiting around due to turbulent weather - no stopping Karteek!
Read and listen to accounts of Karteek's epic swims and some of his ultra distance running:
Tejvan organises short-distance running and cycling races for the Sri Chinmoy Marathon Team in his home city of Oxford. He is also a very good cyclist, having won the National hill climb championships in 2013 and finished 3rd in the National 100 Mile Time Trials in 2014.
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Multi-day tips, part 3: Dealing with Achilles injuries
By Smarana Puntigam
27 June
The achilles tendon bridges the gap between the calf muscle and the calcaneus and is the largest tendon in your body. An achilles tendon injury can happen to anyone, whether you’re an athlete or just going about your everyday life.
The range of pain can stretch from a faint pulling pain to a severe burning pain. If the tendon is torn you will hear a loud sound and can dig into the tendon with your fingers without much resistence.
Possible causes of problems:
Cold start
Starting without warming up, in combination with an abrupt acceleration, is very often the cause of a pulled achilles tendon. Solution: Use a kineo tape and support the tendon. I have found DMSO cream to be exceptionally good in cases of inflamations.
The wrong shoe
The right shoe is very important. Every runner has a different foot. Some are pronating (the foot turns more inward than normal), while others are supinating (foot is rotating outwards), while others have a normal foot. If you are a strong “pronator" or "supinator" and you run for a long time with the wrong shoe, your Achilles gets an extra challenge and you might end up with an irritation. Solution: Get the right shoe! Some shoes have an enforced medial part of their sole and are made for “pronators”, some have it lateral (“supinators”), while others have just a normal sole. It is also good to have different brands of shoe, so that you are not getting the same pressures on your foot every day. A change of shoe model places a slightly different stress on your foot than what went before.
Heelbox pushing against tendon
If you are running in a multiday race so many small issues can build up over days and weeks, culmninating in a problem. For example the upper end of the heel box can push against your tendon. This small irritation does not have any effect if you run your everyday 10km run, but if you run for 50-100km for few days in a multiday race it can cause a problem. Solution: cut the upper part of the top heel box, removing the two 'peaks' at the top
Not enough drop in the shoe
Some shoes have a zero drop or a a 2-4mm drop. If you are not used to this kind of drop, this can strain the achilles tendon and can create problems. Solution:If you feel the pull, put something under the heel to lift it up. You can buy silicon wedges or simply use some cardboard, cut into a 'D' shape to fit the heel and then placed under the insole. You may need to use 2 or 3 pieces of cardboard taped together, of different sizes to create a gradual rise towards the back of the heel.
Calcaneus
The calcaneus can shift during a longer race and can cause an irritation of the tendon. One year, I had Achilles problems for a few days, and I could not figure out what the cause was. One of the other runners asked his chiropractor, who said said that my calceneus was moving and that this was the cause of the irritation of the Achilles. Solution: Tape your foot starting on top of the foot and continue in a '8' shape around the heel and back to the top. That helps to keep the calcaneus in place.
This is probably the best calf stretch for achilles
Cramps
Ongoing cramps in the calves can create a pull on the tendon and cause problems. Solution: Find the cause of the cramps (for example a lack of Magnesium) and also elevate your heel.
Tension
As the last point I would like to add a story from one of my 700 mile races.
I was 8 days into the race and doing really good according to my standards. Suddenly my achilles tendon started to swell and nearly doubled in size. I went to the medical tent and luckily there was a kineseologist, who checked me out. Suddenly he said, that the problem comes from my bladder. I have too much tension and I have to let go of that tension. He told me that there is an energetic connection from the bladder to the tendon. He gave me a homeopathic remedy and within a few hours the swelling was gone, despite the fact that I had been running the whole time.
The general point here is that our physical well-being is very much connected with our thoughts...the longer the races get, the more importance you have to give to this aspect.
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Multi-day tips, part 4: What to do about blisters when you get them
By Smarana Puntigam
27 June
Nearly every runner has had the experience of blisters - who really wants to befriend them, but what can you do when they show up? In my years of running I had to deal a lot with liquid filled bubbles on my feet, especially when I embarked into the ultra-running world.
If you run a 10 km race or a Marathon and you get these little or large beasts, you can endure them, rest afterwards and give them time to heal; but once you have embarked into ultra-running, you have to find a way to run on blisters. Some people are very fortunate and they hardly get any blisters, while others are smart and take care of their feet. I had to learn it the hard way; much can be done with prevention. (We discussed how to avoid blisters here.)
Dealing with blisters
The main way of dealing with blisters is draining it, disinfecting it, and dressing it.
Draining: I personally like to pop the blister with a needle and then squeeze it. Pulling the needle with a thread through your blister to drain it is also a very popular solution.
Disinfecting: The traditional way is to use iodine for disinfection, but I prefer tea tree oil. It is natural, is very strong, it dries the blister, plus has a tremendous effect on pus. A blister that is filled with yellow-white liquid is a serious problem, and tea tree oil reacts with pus and heals it. One disadvantage from the oil is its smell, that is very intense and not everybody likes it. Lavender can also be used with the additional benefit of faster healing of the skin and a very pleasant smell. Again there is DMSO cream, a very strong disinfectant that also helps the healing process.
During the 3100 Mile Race in 2017, I had quite a lot of blisters - fortunately I had a helper, Horst, who knows everything there is to know about treating them! Here he is using a combination of ribwort and paper tape.
Dressing:
1) Second Skin: a rather ambivalent solution as far as I am concerned. If it is just for a day it is fine, but if the race goes on for days, it slows down the healing process considerably. Since the broken blister is always kept wet with the second skin, it can hardly heal. If you do use it, it should be fixed with paper tape.
Ribwort
2) Instead of second skin I have also used paper tape, or ribwort and paper tape. Ribwort grows as a weed pretty much everywhere, even in urban areas. You pluck it fresh, wash it and put it with the smooth side on the skin, after a few hours you can change it. This herb is also anti-inflamatory.
3) Special blister sticking-plasters are getting more and more popular. You cut the skin from the blister and stick the plaster on top of it. You keep it on the blister until the skin is healed. Again from my personal experience, I would not recommend it for a multi-day race, since it can create heat through friction and even worsen the problem.
4) If the blister is really painful and not too big, you can cut a hole into a soft material and fix it to your foot with paper tape, placing the hole over the blister (see picture). This might stop the blister from rubbing against the shoe, as the pressure is now on the adjoining areas.
5) Sheep wool is very useful as an extra cushion on top of the paper tape, to take pressure and friction away from the blister. It is also usefull for hot spots or areas where there is pressure in your shoe.
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Multi-day tips part 6: dealing with Shin Splints
By Smarana Puntigam
27 June
I think I might have a shin splint...
Shin splint is a very common injury among ultra runners. At the beginning it may be only recognizable through pain and a slight red spot, mostly starting from the ankle and moving slowly up the shin-bone. However, as it develops the intensity of the pain as well as the coloring increases. In an advanced state also a swelling of the area arises.
In my running career I myself had the pleasure to enjoy a shin splint twice. Especially at a multi-day race, you have to react quickly once you detect the first signs, otherwise there will be no next running day: very soon, the skin gets irritated, separates further from the bone and fluid enters between bone and skin. Then the bone is unprotected and a exhaustion fracture can take place.
The following measures have proved to be good for me and many friends of mine.
Changing your running style If the irritation is still very new, start immediately to change the running style, so as to change the stress on the foot. In every case, shin splints are connected to an overload of the shin-bone muscle.
Implement backward walking Walking backwards from time to time stretches the shin-bone muscle and helps to relax the stressed muscle.
Bioplasma A combination of "Schüssler" salts, that contain important information for the cells.
White cabbage Now you will probably smile, but many people swear by white cabbage to prevent inflammations. It can be eaten or also be applied directly on the affected area. To apply on the area, take one or two leaves of the white cabbage and flatten them (A rolling pin is good if you have it, to help the cells break up a bit), then you place the leaves on the spot and bandage it. Change the leaves every 6 hours. When I had a shin splint during a 3100 mile race, I put this method successfully to work and after 4 days I could run normally again.
One possible way to tape the shinsTaping If the shin splint gets worse, it is advisable to tape it, so that the ankle will be limited in its movement and the stress will be reduced.
Inflammation inhibiting lotions
Massage the liquid out If there is already an accumulation of liquid, then it must be massaged out regularly, or the skin cannot grow on the bone.
Socks The band of the socks should not be to narrow, otherwise the liquid can stall.andage/tape
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Multi-day tips part 5: An equipment checklist
By Smarana Puntigam
27 June
Here is a suggested checklist for an ultra race - This is of course not a complete list, but a selection of helpful items. The links below go to suggested pages on Amazon (this is where we ordered them and as such it might be helpful to you)
Helpers - as a rule of thumb, a good helper can save you anywhere from 2 to 4 miles every day during a multi day race. If you are starting for the first time, it is definitely wise to get helpers who have either done multidays before, or have proved themselves in helping others.
Phone + charger: If you are doing a longer multiday, talking to your friends and family is a really good way to keep you cheered up. If you are travelling abroad, make sure you dont skimp on the phone plan, and that it is sufficient to let you call whoever you need to call, even if it is half way around the world.
Money
Earplugs You may be sharing your sleeping quarters, and earplugs can be of great help if your neighbour is snoring
Sun lotion If you are exposed to the sun the whole day, you need a proper protection factor, factor 30 or higher. For longer multidays, .
Caps to deal with different weather. At least two caps for change and if the sun is beating down all day, it is advisable to have also a cap with neck protection, as the neck is predestined to get over exposed to the sun and here many important nerves run through. Those who get a sunstroke know that you barely can stand on your own feet, let alone run well. You feel a sunstroke even the following day. One such hat can be found here.
Clothing: The amount of trousers, socks, t-shirts etc depends of course on the length of the race.
- For a 6 day race I would recommend six trousers, 12 t-shirts, two rain jackets, 12 pairs of socks and three pair running shoes.
- For a 3100 Mile race, compression shorts which might help for chafing
Orthopaedic Inserts: It may happen that the long arch drops after days of running. Therefore it's good to have a support for the middle part of the foot or for the front arch. It's advisable to test the inlays in the training to avoid pressure points in the race. Personally I cannot use inserts, because I get blisters in the front arch, therefore I use metatarsal pillows, which I can stick in the shoe and support the long arch.
Rainclothes and umbrella: An umbrella can be of true help in case of heavy rain. Best to have both a small and bigger umbrella.
Sunglasses
Mp3 player/ipod - it is good to have more than one, and keep the other one charged.
Supplements and medicines: As you do more races, you will find out what works for you. It is also very useful to test supplements in training. I found out that the following food supplements are important for me.
- Iron, Magnesium, Calcium and a multivitamin compound with a big dose of vitamin C - these supplements should be as much as possible from natural origins.
- I would like also to point out Arnika in homeopathic form. In grade D4 or also C30 it helps to relax the muscles during running, and is also helpful to reduce swellings in the legs. If you sprain your ankle, Arnika is the best choice.
Lotions: Vaseline is good as ointment for friction areas, once these areas are irritated Vaseline must be avoided. There you should use a calendula lotion to alleviate the irritation, a true blessing with healing effects. Horsebalm for the foot are a true refreshment and the feet are pleasantly fresh.
4) If the blister is really painful and not too big, you can cut a hole into a soft material and fix it to your foot with paper tape, placing the hole over the blister (see picture). This might stop the blister from rubbing against the shoe, as the pressure is now on the adjoining areas.
Caps to deal with different weather. At least two caps for change and if the sun is beating down all day, it is advisable to have also a cap with neck protection, as the neck is predestined to get over exposed to the sun and here many important nerves run through. Those who get a sunstroke know that you barely can stand on your own feet, let alone run well. You feel a sunstroke even the following day. One such hat can be found