Notes
Sixth & Last Run in Stoupa on Satur 19th May 2012-05-11
This was a different run to all others. I run for the first ‘proper’ time with my trainee fellow runner, cousin and close friend to my heart Vangelis Barbetseas. Along with Vangelis came his fellow runner Ilias (beginner in running in a way but dedicated and strong as all men from Mani.
It was tough in the heat but joyful and with much fun and hard work for the boys especially for Ilias. Vangelis managed the distance in great form whilst Ilias showed courage and dedication for last 5 km. We kept him going and he did not give up even when a fellow driver offered him a lift for last 3 km. With my prompting and encouragement he said ‘NO’ and kept going.
This was for me a 13.1 miles (My first Half Marathon since the 2nd fracture) in very much pretty harsh conditions in terms of heat and landscape. Quite a few steep hills, Ups and Downs BUT with breath taking scenery. It was an amazing run. I coped well and was not worried about anything at all.
We run towards Agios Nikolaos then up half way to the village of Neochori and then towards Kardamili with it’s Ups and Downs. On the way back Vangelis and I did 8 X 80 mt strides with recovery whilst coming back to Ilias at all times to keep him going and stay with him. In that manner Vangelis and I covered more distance and it was also fun almost like a game. Vangelis tends to enjoy this type of thing as it makes it more fun all around.
Near the finish I felt the distance on the legs but the right foot coped well and CS did not bother me at any time. I put some extra effort in the end to make it to Half Marathon distance. It is so hard nowadays to reach the 13 miles but I did it and it is only the beginning for more and more.
I forgot to mention that at 8 point mile we all stopped at Vangelis’s sister’s Cafe at Kardamili to replenish fluids etc and then kept going again. The initial plan was to run the 8 miles and get a lift back to Stoupa as Ilias was not in a position to make it as he had not run more than 6 miles for almost a year. But he managed and finished strong.
This was a special run in more than one ways with much fun and some hard work too!
Tomorrow is the return journey to Scotland ..........Happy and Sad at the same time. Running in my homeland and so many other things kept me busy and alive. This was a different holiday than all others as I made time for some creative work in my parents’ land which made me feel even so much closer to my mother’s soul. This was a special break away with so much learning about me the past and the present.
Now I am looking forward to go home to meet with Franc and Evgenia. I am ready for this.