Day 29

The 12 daring ultrarunners taking on the world's longest certified ultra race are enduring high heat and humidity as the race heads to day 31 on Tuesday July 16.  There is a very "cool" (both in temperature and degree of cleverness and originality) refrigerator trailer parked at the race course.  This was created many years ago by world-class carpenter/ inventor (also associate race RD) Bipin Larkin and some of his co-workers.  Side panels open outward to reveal large refrigerated compartments in which all manner of food and drinks-- from yogurt to ice cream to soda pop to non-alcoholic beers (city and park ordinances prohibit alcoholic beverages) are stored.  There are other compartments in the trailer for dry goods, fruits, snacks, etc. 

Here are the race standings after day 29 (Sunday):

1.  Asprihanal Pekka Aalto   (67.51 for day),     1,991,05 total.

2.  Dr. Atmavir Petr Spacil    (62.51)                1,937.26

3.  Vasu Duzhiy                       (64.21)                1,902.69

4.  Chef Sarvagata Ukrainskyi (68.05!)               1,882.38

5.  Pranjal Milovnik                  (62.56)                 1,845.61

6.  Yuri Trostenyuk                   (61.47)                 1,825.86

7.  Sopan Tsekov                    (57.63)                 1,703.48

8.  Baladev Pavel Saraz, Esq. (56.52)               1,631.58

9.  Coach Ananda-Lahari Zuzcin (47.19)                1,617.31

Women:

1.  Surasa P. Mairer           (61.47)                       1,792.93              

2.  Nidhdruvi Zimmerman   (62.01)                       1,726.52

3.  Sarah Barnett                 (43.91)                       1,515.24

I will post more news and updates in a few days-- I am off to the northern New Hampshire wilderness leading a group of 8-10 year old girls over various remote peaks.  Even the TOUGH runners in the 3100 get to sleep in cozy BEDS in air-conditioned apartments and houses, whereas I will be sleeping on rocky ground on my foam pad.

REMEMBER that you may check out all the 3100 mile action at:

  3100.srichinmoyraces.org/

CHEER on the runners (send them e-mail greetings, phone them, send post cards-- they will remember you forever!)

Writer-philosopher "Guru" Sri Chinmoy opined that "encouragement points the way to the pole-star."  I see the pole star on all non-cloudy nights here, far away from air pollution and city lights.  And when anyone has something nice or encouraging to say to me, I SEE the pole-star that much more clearly.

Best wishes to all ultrarunners around the globe,

Mark D

Fairlee, Vermont

June 25

The kitchen has been abuzz with getting ready for the start of the 3100-mile race. What with shopping, chopping, prepping, cooking, mixing, blending, stirring and slicing we have been busy compiling ideas and recipes for the 12 runners who are going to be participating in this immortal race. The kitchen team consists of 6 girls, who come from different parts of the world. First up is the ever willing and awesome Nirjharini. She is one of the main chefs from our beautiful cafe/restaurant in Oslo, The Fragrance of the Heart. She is an amazingly gifted and dynamic individual who runs the kitchen with a sweet, funny and caring attitude. She is in charge of the early morning breakfast/lunch crew.

Second up is the one, the only.... Tanuja! Tanuja hails from the Czech Republic. She is an accomplished restaurant worker who has, over many years, worked all over the world, helping to nurture and nourish people from all walks of life. She is so witty and smart with kindness and compassion thrown into the mix. She is an awesome addition to the morning team and is a hard and capable worker.

We are so lucky to have Tejini, who has been an invaluable help in the mornings. Tejini comes from Germany and is helping in the kitchen part time while also helping with counting the runners laps. Her cheerful, bright persona is very appreciated and enjoyed by us all. She is an accomplished cook in the race kitchen as she has helped in many past years.

The morning shift consists of a snack at 6am ish when the runners start their day, breakfast at 8am, which is an accomplished feat in itself. The runners all have individual needs for the first big meal of the day and they vary from kitchoury to scrambled eggs to fresh fruit salad and Greek salad with other variations in between. There are unique requirements for these extremely unique individuals. At 10am there is another snack and then at midday there is lunch. A lot of organization and planning goes into the preparation of all the meals and we try to vary the protein/carbohydrate combinations. There is always fresh fruit and smoothies, rehydrating drinks plus both sweet and savory food items. It is a lot of fun and we have heaps of laughs. Tomorrow will be the next installment where we cover the afternoon/evening shift. Hasta la vista