Notes
4TH NOVEMBER! THE DAY I RUN MY FIRST MARATHON HAS COME AFTER A LONG WAITING. GOD WAS WITH ME TODAY.
Franc and I offered a candle at the beginning of the Marathon course at a Chapel which stood just above on the hill (Agios Nectarios). What a beautiful and powerful feeling prior to the Marathon!
First 3 miles I ran conservatively with next 10 miles running stronger and builiding up speed. To this point I could not believe that my body was responding the way it did. Franc was next to me at all times ready to respond to my thirsty requests adjusting accordingly his pace to mine (this must have been a tough task to do). It started raining ... just a soft rain in the humid/close air though slightly better than expected to be. It was then that my Marathon challenge started on those notorious hills of Pallini and Pikermi when I started for some reason experiencing severe cramps on both calves and feet. My body trembled in silence but my heart was not prepared to allow negative thoughts in side. I WAS NOT GOING TO GIVE UP... NOT NOW... NOT EVER AS THIS WAS MY MOMENT! After 3 to 4 miles of physical pain and conscious denial of what was happening I was still finding that my belief in GOD and the spirit of Stelios Kiriakidis and the cause for the People of Artemida were still there to accompany me to complete this Marathon and make me a stonger person. There was no doubt in my mind for a second that I was not going to deliver. I did believe I was meant to be there for all the reasons I had decided to do this Marathon some of them that still cannot explain. I ensured I was well hydrated and used gel twice following Franc's prompting and did have the 5 hour energy drink and a good breakfast (Scottish Porridge with honey) prior to the race. But I also knew I was still fighting the left overs of the recent virus (weak chest and ear trouble) so I had to be sensible and listen to body needs. I was also fighting CS and women's monthly troubles. However, the weather turned to be not as bad as expected. After all no-one has control over weather elements and is for all the same. I said to myself I can only take control of what I have to and can do and not worry about the rest. LET GO AND GET GOD (as Franc and I many times say). Now I am close to reach 20th mile which means I am up and near finishing those snicky/notorious hills of Athens course. I feel proud and strong now because I know I am going to DO IT. No-one and nothing is going to take away from me this moment. The moment of finishing at THE KALIMARMARO STADIUM (The Stadium where Spiros Louis won the first Modern Olympics Marathon back in 1896). I listened to my music from mile 15 to approx. 22nd mile. which helped me to take my mind off the pain. Franc alwasy next to me. When times got tough I did notify Franc of my troubles with cramps. Well this was an emotional run. My mind/heart and soul made strong connectons with all Greek and other field runners of the world from the far away past to this moment. I felt the LOVE FOR GOD AND FOR THE PEOPLE. I FELT THE PHYSICAL PAIN WHICH THEN ALLOWED ME TO FEEL THE EMOTIONAL REWARDS OF THIS TASK. I thought of KIRIAKIDIS and THE PEOPLE OF ARTEMIDA kept me going all the way. I thought of "Franc and I" side by side experiencing this powerful event. How lucky we really are! I thought of Coach Reno and Susan especially when one of Loreena's songs came on. I thought of Vlasis Karavasilis (International Greek Ultramarathoner whom I had just met and introduced to as soon as I arrived in Athens- another peculiar/powerful experience indeed. He also knew Kiriakidis' son (Dimitris) and had made already connections with Boston. I thought of all close friends and my sister who were waiting for me at the end of the course. I saw the crowds and young children prompting us on the way with excitement by raising their hands and olive branches (like the Old Greece when Olive branch represents peace and Love). I touched their hands being overwhelmed. I felt I was running for the whole world in front of the whole world. I was running WITH FEELINGS OF LOVE AND HOW COULD I GO WRONG? I run ALL THE WAY although at some point I had this strong desire to stop and walk on that very last steep hill where a lot of other runners did so in front of us. BUT NO..NO MATTER HOW STRONG THIS DESIRE WAS I WAS NOT PREPARED TO ALLOW THIS TO HAPPEN. This was after all the Athens Marathon that so many exceptional runners and spirits had conquered over the years for more than a century. This was the route that Phiddippides had to follow to deliver the message to the Athenians about the result of the battle against the Persians. THE 400 GREEK SOLDIERS HAD WON THE BATTLE SO THEN HE COLLAPSED AND DIED. So, what I did then is I pushed on the last hill really hard and as Coach says "I showed the hills who is the boss". I could almost see Reno's pain on his face (the image that stayed with me from his recent Cape Cod Marathon). Then I realised that we all have to go through our own pain especially in the Marathon in our own ways. THIS IS A NORMAL FEELING FOR A MARATHON. I thought of Susan's great effort and determination to run Cape Cod Marathon after 11 years and achieve an awesome race qualifying for Boston. I had Franc next to me supporting step by step in total silence. After all this was the condition! He did an amazing job indeed. But this silence was one of the most powerful experiences of the day. He was physically there but did not take anything away from me and my first experience of the Marathon. I felt so comfortable next to my Frankie! FOR THIS THANK YOU FRANC! Or rather EFHARISTO POLI! Last but not least I thought of my Mother and Evgenia. They were both there with me in spirit to give me strength. I did feel the physical pain but funny enough I still cannot remember it. When I arrived at the KALIMARMARO STADIUM I experienced the feelings of bliss/happiness/relief/freedom/pride to be Greek for what I had achieved ...A LONG LIFE'S DESIRE!!! RUNNING THE ATHENS MARATHON!! This was an experience at all levels (Mental-Physical-Psychological and Emotional). A challenge on all 4 levels and one desired to be repeated. So, I need to say THANK YOU GOD FOR BEING THERE FOR ME AND FOR GIVING ME STRENGTH AND FAITH TO BELIEVE WITH FEELINGS OF LOVE IN PEOPLE. Once more again I now know that whatever I do in my life I will start and finish with GOD and in the light of faith and hope. NOW I WANT TO TAKE THIS EXPERIENCE FURTHER AFIELD AND GO ON TO MORE ... GO TO BOSTON! As Karnezis wrote in his book .. "Races finish but Running Goes on".