In multi-day races there are fluctuations in performance, feelings of highs and low, abject despair, and undiscovered elation. These races reflect the struggle to survive another day, to assess effort but not to associate with the pain and sweat, but rather, conserve the energy for the next group of laps, or hours, or even stretches of days.  take a power nap, or stretch the stiff legs, and try again. After the quick turnaround of Day 1, with all the excitement and echoes of cheers, Day 2 arrived, with our gang of ten ready to test the waters again. Kobi Oren, a mere cache of a few seconds ahead of his new found rival, Vasu Duzhiy, again asserted his penchant for groups of fast laps. He must have felt quite well as the hours ticked away and the effort and result were still piling up. Vasu, using multiple leg stretches during his three breaks, hung close to Kobi by evening, reaching a virtual tie by 8:00 pm(20:00). Just about then a small passing storm, with faint thunder but drenching showers, swept over the race circuit.

William Sichel, the reserved Scotsman, was seen dancing among the raindrops as the smell of ozone punctuated the air. Vasu saw an opening, and by 10:00 pm fashioned a lead of a lap and a half. When Kobi finally finished for the day with 20 minutes to go, Vasu went all out to carve three laps in less than 19 minutes, including the final lap in 5:38( about 7 min. mile pace). Vasu reached 158 miles, four laps ahead of Kobi. Smarana Puntigam maintained a solid effort to reack 141.59 miles. Surasa Mairer led the ladies with a 62.01 miles, the only one of three to remain better than par. In all, eight of the 10 stalwarts went pass 60+ miles. Not bad for a Day 2 on a warm, humid monday. More later..

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The 27th Annual Sri Chinmoy Self-Transcendence 3100 Mile Race

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