Hello everyone

I just wanted to share a little story that I find inspiring.

It’s about my wife who about 6 years ago had some serious health issues and had to adjust her diet and also focus on health. 

This wasn’t so easy with the life style we led, although very healthy in one sense, but simultaneously surrounded by amazingly, rich pure vegetarian food, all the time, super busy service schedules and meditation more focused on spiritual development rather than bodily consciousness.

Well, she decided that maybe she would try running, although not really here strong point - but…. somehow she was attracted. So we started by running for Krishna in the then BUPA 10k - around central London. We practiced together and managed to raise £8,500 for our ISKCON-London charity. HOORAAAY!! Success!

That race nearly killed me!!!

Well I fell off the running wagon until recently, but my wife…. well she has done nothing but aspire and inspire me ever since.

She has run several 5k and 10k races and has a wall full of medals that help to show her what is possible with the grace of the Lord and a desire to stay in the race.

Last year she expressed the desire to up her game and run the London marathon - but it’s not easy to get selected, and she was rejected. 

I must confess, I thought there was no way on God’s green earth that this lady is gonna run 26.2 miles (42k), but I will encourage her anyway.

Well, then the news came early this year that she was accepted for the London Marathon in October 2021!!! She was so excited and this drove her to run even more in order to get ready.

Hardly anyone knows she runs so much. But she doesn’t just run to run, she runs for her health and for Krishna, because the body is the machinery that allows her as a spirit soul to continue to serve the Lord and if that body diminishes, then her ability to do service will also diminish. Of course all our bodies eventually diminish, but we do what we can to keep them in shape for a higher purpose of connectivity with God. This is the perfection of yoga.

Well, ….tomorrow she will be running her first Half Marathon 13.1 miles (21k). Its called the Royal Parks Half Marathon and normally there would be big crowds and hype, with everyone running together through the main Royal Parks of Central London, surrounded by cheering crowds. But, because of COVID - she will be running it virtually, still actually running - but on her own, around Regents Park, where Srila Prabhupada, ISKCON’s founder and teacher, used to walk. She will do it at the time the race would normally start - 9:00 am GMT tomorrow morning, Sunday 11th April, and this she will do after rising at 3am in order to do her full morning spiritual practice and service at the Temple. She will then come home get herself ready and go. I mean this is crazy if you ask me.

She hasn’t really told that many people as she is a very private person, but I can not help myself and as the moment draws nearer I feel that I want to shout it to the world that this lady is amazing and I want her to know how inspiring I think she is and how much I want to support and encourage her as she goes for her goal of a full Marathon in October - which again is crazy for me to even think of!!!

So Bhava - all glories to you and your sincere efforts over the years. May all your dreams come true and may you continue to stride for broader horizons and cross that finish line with a heart filled with pure love for Krishna, God.

On your marks, get set - GO!!!

If you wanna sponsor and show support - then please feel free.