Blog

Day 2 of the Heat Wave II(the sequel) had mid-nineties temps and nary a breeze but that did not stop the determined Sarvagata Ukrainskyi from running 68.6 miles before calling it a day. Seven runners passed 60+ miles including Ashprihanal Aalto and Atmavir Spacil, who also happened to pass the imaginary 2000 mile mark. These two plus Mr. Ukrainskyi are setting the standard high, even in the grips of a heat-induced weather trauma for the city that never sleeps. Nidhruvi Zimmerman climbed to within two laps of being on pace, and is running well and inspired. After a month on the ‘road’ the runners are still chuggin’ and it sure is inspirin’. More later folks.
Ashprihanal Aalto: 2000 miles = 29 days+02:06:07
Atmavir Spacil: 2000 miles = 29 days+17:40:08

On a simmering hot,sunny day in New York, the running track around the neighborhood became a testing ground for new hats, attained knowledge and skill in pacing the heat. As the HHI tended towards three figures, the group of 12 runners were led by Sarvagata Ukrainskyi who reached 68.05 miles. He sported a new straw hat that the surfing crowd have been seen in, as well as a doo-rag or two. He was followed by Ashprihanal Aalto who logged 67.5 miles in an assortment of bamboo headgear and Chinese rice paddy hats that are light, airy and protective.The distaff side went with conventional ball caps and cricket caps, resplendent with ice packets on the head and even on the wrist. Nidhruvi Zimmermann led the ladies with 62.01 miles. Everyone stopped to splash cold water on the face and neck, and tested the kitchen’s drinks made with lime, peppermint, lemon and blended honey and tamarind.With five more days to go for this slow moving pressure system, the runners have reduced expectations but have highlighted hydration and salt replacement carefully. Stay cool…

Somehow the deft Dozen made it to four sevens of days(28) without any serious injuries except maybe to pysche or reputation, depending on the individual(your measurement may vary). To get to the point, eight runners made it past 60 miles, with the top guys holding serve and the rest doing as much as they can. Ashprihanal Aalto made it to 70 miles again(70.24), landing on seventy miles 12 of the last 14 days. He still is tired every night and never stays past 11:30 pm, so right now his health is paramount. Atmavir Spacil and Vasu Duzhiy both topped 65+ miles, and the Austrian duo of Surasa Mairer and Nidhruvi Zimmerman continue to put up triple digit laps to lead the women. Tomorrow the weather gets a little hotter, leading into a very warm week approaching us. If the group can survive this week, they may make it to the end. Stay cool ye residents of hot American cities.

An evening shower turned to an all-night affair as the temps stayed cool and our band of runners going nowhere kept going on. Ashprihanal Aalto led the parade again with 70.24 miles, padding his lead by a few more miles. Seven athletes went past sixty miles as small blisters appeared on some feet; sleep deprivation was a factor as well as more breaks were needed.It is still sticky and humid- a runner’s enemy. As the race enters the final three and a half weeks, the beach and a lot of time away from the running course might be coursing through people’s brains. But they cannot lose sight of the goal, however lofty or distant. A steely focus must be priority as well as a cheerful outlook- sometimes difficult to muster in tough conditions. But on they go. More later.

The mercury did not cross 90º but the haze and humidity stayed around long enough to cause concern. Yet the runners 12 stayed the course. Eight finished over sixty miles, with Ashprihanal Aalto reaching 70.24 again, making it six of the last seven over the coveted 128 laps. Sarvagata Ukrainskyi showed good form with 68.6 miles.The Austrian ladies Surasa Mairer and Nidhruvi Zimmerman both hit 113 laps(62.01 miles) to stay the course well and increase their chances for a fine finish. The top seven overall are on pace to finish well. Let us hope everyone will reach their goals.

A tough day all around as the Dozen endured more humidity, bright sun, dead air, heavy rain,multiple doctor visits (3) and the ever-present mileage awaiting their airspace. Only six people made it past 60 miles, with little fanfare as almost everyone was suffering. Ashprihanal Aalto ran 66.4 miles, closely followed by Atmavir Spacil,65.8 and Vasu Duzhiy,63.1. No amount of ice, sweets, cooler drinks or tarimisu could change anyone’s demeanor- only they could. With steely determination and resolve.And a few more breezes, please. Six have now gone past halfway, with still time left for two or three more if they really bear down.As we are approaching four weeks in, the physiology of super-long racing begins to appear- all runners are thinner, body fat is history and energy is slightly harder to come by. The alternative is fat and food- tons of it. We shall see. Stay cool my friends….

With the first legitimate heat-wave behind them, the great dozen runners continued on their journey of many steps.Nine persons covered sixty or more miles, led by the top two men, Ashprihanal Aalto and Atmavir Spacil who notched 70.24 miles each. Vasu Duzhiy and Ananda-Lahari Zuscin each garnered 64.2 miles, while enjoying the slightly cooler temps and random breezes. Three more men went past the halfway point bringing the total to four. Today’s totals are the equivalent of four six-day runs done consecutively. And they keep on moving,too.
Atmavir Spacil: 1550 miles=23 days+01:55:42
Vasu Duzhiy: 1550 miles=23 days+08:32:50
Sarvagata Ukrainskyi: 1550 miles=23 days+11:22:12

On a warm summer day that was a little less oppressive than the previous four, three men went past 70+ miles to lead the group in its ‘paces with miles’. Sarvagata Ukrainskyi led the brave contingent with 72.44 sweaty miles, followed by Ashprihanal Aalto and then Atmavir Spacil. Eight of 12 reached 60 or more. Ashprihanal went past the halfway point for the 12th time in his remarkable endurance career(1550 miles=22 days+10:30:48).As he succinctly said,”There is no turning back now”.!!! Three men should get to that special mark tomorrow(Tuesday). Meanwhile everyone is recouping from the hot spell as blisters and fatigue are vying with the thousands of miles already run to try the wills of our intrepid warriors. And run they must, and run they will. Stay tuned…

Three weeks and a day from the start, the dozen runners are still moving forward. Having passed through the first real test of summer heat, Ashprihanal Aalto led eight runners past 60 miles(70.24). He has run over 70+ for 7 of the last eight days. Atmavir Spacil had a revival of sorts with 69.14 miles and a zip to his step not seen in a while. Pranjal Milovnik slipped past a blister problem to get back to 62.56 miles. The two Austrian women Surasa Mairer and Nidhruvi Zimmerman have done well in the heat so far and are exhibiting a smoother style than weeks passed. Sopan Tsekov is 7 and a half miles behind the cutoff line for mileage. He has been looking much better and is running consistently. Tomorrow(Monday) Ashprihanal will be the first to the halfway point. Good luck to all the runners.May they dream of finishing in style if not in substance yet. Reality awaits

With sunny, cloudless, heat-drenched pathways of mid-summer NYC urban swell, the 3100 runners endured their third tough day in a row, a certified ‘wave’ of HHI touching 100ºF and more.Yet, wave or no the mileage train must not be missed. Just use caution, smarts, and lots of makeshift and homemade remedies.Somehow, a fit Ashprihanal Aalto reached 70.24 miles today, leading the pack of seven runners who crested 60 miles or more. Atmavir Spacil moved back over 60 for the day after a three day absence. Sarvagata Ukrainskyi throttled it back a bit with 64.7 miles after four straight averaging 72.3 miles per day. Surasa Mairer went past 1300 miles for the fourth time in her running life. She is holding firm in seventh overall, first lady. With a couple more days of hot temps the runners will be again tested. But with wisdom, a lot of ice and some solid running they hope to survive another day. Survive and move on, as a famous coach once said. Our hopes and prayers are with the runners challenging their best efforts and reaching new goals, one day at a time. Wave on…