Carpe Diem...Karpenisi

I am continuing my pre-Olympic training in Karpenisi - beautiful mountain village located in central Greece about three and a half hours northwest of Athens.  I have been coming here since 2005 and it is the place I love most in Greece.  The weather is much cooler than in Athens, the air is cleaner and the food is spectacular!!  The beauty of Karpenisi, though, really reminds me to live in the moment and enjoy the journey.  I just try to focus on getting each day's training done...and if it doesn't go well, there is always tomorrow!

We stay at the "ka-ta-fee-YEE-o" or lodge, which is located at the ski resort on Mount Trimfistos, also known as Velouxi.  The lodge is somewhat bare bones with one large bedroom with bunks that sleeps up to 20 people and one other smaller room with bunks that sleeps 4.  There is a men's and women's toilet, two shower stalls, a dining room and a living room.  There is also an industrial type kitchen but we don't cook there because the stove is operated by gas tanks and figure it is best not to burn the place down!

Our House on the Hill

View from our "House on the Hill"

Alekos is the man in charge.  He is awesome and always takes care to meet any and all of our needs.  In the winter he skis and does mountaineering and in the summer he runs.  He even ran his first marathon last year!  His mom, Kuria Maria (Mrs. Maria), cooks for us daily whatever we request.  Her cooking is delicious, traditional Greek homemade delights but we do refrain from some of the heavier dishes like pastitsio - Greek tight of lasagna with pasta, meat sauce, and bechamel cream on top!

Alekos

Today's lunch:  boiled potatoes, carrots, zucchini,
greens from the field, and boiled eggs.  Liver and rice
for dinner...!!

We, (Coach Dimitris, my dog Bonnie, and a few other athletes who will join us every so often over the next month) will be here until around July 26 and then head straight to London!  The rest of my entries will be from up here a 1840m altitude...stay tuned!

Bonnie the Beagle