Greeks are in deep depression. Economically. Psychologically. Greeks are saddened with what is happening with their country. Whether EU leaders will take haircut or bankruptcy decision today, on Sunday, next month, next year, next decade… And yet. There are still winners among us. Winners of life. People winning personal races with self-discipline and devotion. People smiling brightly at the camera and give us a hope. That things can and have to get better!
The picture Alexandra Christodoupoulou sent me this morning let the sun shining inside me. A bright smile on a happy face. The satisfaction of have managed a long race of 42 km. A won race. The 33rd Intercontinental Eurasia Marathon 2011.
Alexanda is 42 years old and a mother of four. A bank employee who lives in Athens. I asked her to sent me some picture and some information about her. I definitely wanted to start the KTG’s today posting with a positive news and some inspiration ahead an everything but rosy future.
“My motivation to run is very simple: I do it, because I enjoy it – it feels good. It is the only time in the day, that I have to myself and it is the one thing that I DO for myself, so I complete my daily run with religious dedication. My motto is George Sheehan’s quote: ‘have you ever felt worse after a run?’
“I finished the Athens marathon in 2008 in 03.49:53.I felt so good at the end of it, that I thought that it should be possible to run it in 3,5 hours, if I trained enough. So I trained.In 2009 I ran in Istanbul and finished in 03:33:07 (I got cramps in km 34).In 2010 I ran in Venice and finished in 03:36:25 (I didn’t have a good day).”
well done competing and pushing yourself is harder than doing it to others. the first battle to win is with yourself.