Toughest athlete in the world: Dean Karnazes or a Japanese monk?
Last November I was in awe of Ultramarathon runner Dean Karnazes as he completed his challenge to run 50 marathons in 50 states in 50 days. Today, however, I’ve been inspired by a group of Japanese monks. Yes, you read correctly - Japanese monks!
Ultramarathon Man: Confessions of an All-Night Runner
According to James Davis of The London Observer, the monks could claim to be the greatest, toughest, most committed athletes in the world, but they run for no other reward than spiritual enlightenment, hoping to help themselves along the path of Buddha towards a personal awakening.
The ultimate achievement is the completion of the 1,000-day challenge, which must surely be the most demanding physical and mental challenge in the world. Forget ultra-marathons and so-called iron-man events, this endurance challenge surpasses all others.
Only 46 men have completed the 1,000-day challenge since 1885. It takes seven years to complete, as the monks must undergo other Buddhist training in meditation and calligraphy, and perform general duties within the temple.
The first 300 days are basic training, during which the monks run 40km per day for 100 consecutive days. In the fourth and fifth years they run 40km each day for 200 consecutive days. That’s more or less a full marathon every day for more than six months.
The final two years of the 1000-day challenge are even more daunting. In the sixth year they run 60km each day for 100 consecutive days and in the seventh year they run 84km each day for 100 consecutive days. This is the equivalent of running two Olympic marathons back-to-back every day for 100 days.
Pretty inspiring stuff, eh? I feel kind of ashamed that I’m currently sidelined with a foot injury and haven’t been able to run for the last 10 days.
Are these Japanese monks the greatest athletes on earth or is there another group that can claim the title of “Toughest Athletes in the World”?
Source: The London Observer, 2001.
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May 10th, 2007 at 8:56 am
“Pretty inspiring stuff, eh? ”
Are you kidding? Decidedly not. Obsessive, delusional, harmful, wasteful and pointless? I think that’s closer to the mark.
“I feel kind of ashamed that I’m currently sidelined with a foot injury and haven’t been able to run for the last 10 days.”
Why?
May 10th, 2007 at 1:14 pm
well speaking as an endurance athlete, i found the article fascinating and am constantly amazed at how far the human body can be pushed.
maybe ashamed was a poor choice of words. apologies for that, but thanks for the comment anyway!
May 10th, 2007 at 10:39 pm
Hi Steve,
That is amazing and wonderful !!!******
This is some supiour traing these monks are getting.
They are learning to use the infinite power that resides in soul consciuosness, which is available to each of us.
The more we are in touch with our soul, the Greater Peace and Joy we know. The more live force we are aware of, and can use at will.
Meeting one or more of these monks would blow us away, we would be instantly swept away, our lives transformed dramaticly from that point on !
It is a testomony to who we are as souls.
These Monks would have been Monks most likely since they were Five to Seven years old, so would have had many years of spiritual training before making a disission to do this, I would imagine.
It is not a path for everyone, nor is it the only way to full spiritual enlightment.
Thank you Steve for letting me know about this. It reminds me of a series of 6 or 7 books called “The Masters of the Far East”.
With a little reading about what some Enlighten Souls have done, one starts to realize this is something achivable for everyone…Though the main Goal is a level of understanding and compassion that melts peoples hearts. A level of Love that would bring tears to your eyes and shivers running through you.
Ommm…
November 19th, 2008 at 2:41 pm
I find it fascinating. I don’t think EdM quite grasps the concepts of Buddhism and their quest for self-discovery, but hope they run themselves into Nirvana anyway.