The Authentic Marathon

Last weekend, Athens hosted it's annual Authentic Marathon with great success. The weather, as usual, was on the warm and sunny side but that didn't stop the 28,000 participants (combined marathoners and 10km/5km runners) from coming out and each giving their own best for the day.

Now that I am personally coaching some "Marathon Clubbers" (our running club), the race had even more significance for me. I biked out to the 30km mark to cheer on all of the 62 marathoners of our club and other friends and runners along the way. The 30km is a particularly key point in the race as it is just before the end of the endless hills that distinguish the Authentic course. Giving a voice of enthusiasm and confidence to the runners, reminding them that the hills were just about over was so fulfilling as I could see their eyes light up despite the obvious challenge they faced.

As a coach, I had my first marathon runners finish their races in fine form. Irini ran a 19 minute PR finishing in 4:10:41. Meanwhile in the Cote d'Azur Marathon on the same day, Magda paced her brother to his first sub-4:00 marathon running 3:45:40. Both negative-split (faster second half) efforts.

Michael managed to finish the Athens course despite an injury that kept him out of training, but his desire to start and finish willed him to jogging and walking the entire race. A valiant effort!

Cordelia and Dora ran the 10km in 44:09 and 44:24 (a PR),  respectively, taking 1st and 2nd place in their age-group 40-44. Pavlos also ran the 10km in 47:42. Congratulations to all!

As for me, two weeks of training have passed and I've started intervals! Very exciting to be back into more structured training. Some of the more interesting workouts I've done these past two weeks include 5x1km repeats, 13x400m repeats, and a couple of tempo runs (6.5km and 8km).

As much as hanging out with Marathoners is a blast, I end up eating like one too, but without the training volume to justify it. So, its about time to put an end to marathon season for 2015 and hunker down for a winter of solid training and the promise of racing for myself in 2016.

The Joys of Coaching

A couple of years ago I started coaching some friends in their running. It started all a bit casually with passing on some basic training advice that turned into full-fledged weekly programming. For me, it has given me a great place to redirect my personal enthusiasm and motivation, particularly in times when my own body wasn't able to respond to the physical demands I was asking of it.

One of the first friends I started with was Dora. She is a mother of two and this year has started working full-time. I know that this is not a matter of much surprise as many women runners balance their training with full-time jobs and families. But for me, Dora has impressed with her blind commitment to the training (we've been doing 6-days per week this year!) and the fact that she never balks at the training plan I give her, and I'm not known for being easy!

Yesterday, we ran a 5km time trial at the track, which I paced her through. It was a windy afternoon and despite the aggressive pace, there she was right behind me pushing through the entire time. By the 4th km she seemed to have reached her limit, but in the final km she picked it up and pulled off an impressive PB of 20:45!! That is a 17-second improvement from the spring and about 3 minutes from when we first started out. Her km splits 4:12, 4:09, 4:08, 4:11, and 4:04. We ended with big hugs and both of us feeling proud and happy!

As for me, last week's training was completed as planned with a total of 29km for the week including, 5 runs, 3 strength days and a long run of about 7.4km. Last night, though, as I lay in bed trying to fall asleep, I kept thinking about Dora and realized that her effort was more exciting and motivating to me now than anything I had done for myself last week. So, this week it's about time to get in some intervals and take things up a notch. I'm looking forward to it and setting some real PBs for myself in the future.

Way to go, Dora!

The Frankfurt Marathon and Training Week 3

I know this weekly update is a bit late but I'll just blame it on too much bier and wurst in Frankfurt! This past weekend Coach Dimitri's Marathon Club sent a team of 9 runners (and it's sizable entourage) to race the Frankfurt Marathon, and I got to go along for the ride! It's always so much fun being part of the support group helping others reach their goals and this entourage was able to arrange support at 5 different stops along the way at 5km, 10km, 15km, 27km, and 35km! I must say we had quite successful results: 6 PRs, one near-miss (1-second if you can believe it!!!) and two more very strong efforts. Actually, there is one more PR that is worth recognizing (thank you Matthew for following "the Plan").

Getting goosebumps as the start neared and watching so many runners push themselves for 42 consecutive kilometers is always motivating...although, personally, it did not make me feel like doing it again any time soon! Ha!

On a personal note, I was able to get in all five of my scheduled trainings (honestly I didn't do my two strength days, though) and my long run was 40' running along with Spyros who broke 4 hours for the first time and ran 3:46! Now that was fun!

Almost the whole group: Me, Verena L., Nikos T., Matthew N., George S., Spyros K., Dimitris G., Petros T., Coach.

Missing: Xavier L., Kostas M., George P.

Training Week 2: Check!

I've been so up and down these past few years, in terms of consistency with training and feeling good in my body, so it feels really good to be able to successfully complete week two of training as planned. Now granted, I haven't set up an aggressive training plan but I think it is important to have a conservative, attainable schedule and to build up slowly, both for my body and mind.

Fortunately this fancy watch keeps the motivation high as I set two more records: 5 km in 20:36 and a long run of 7.2km! Again, I trained 5 days including two 30' runs and a short hill workout. I totaled 27 km for the week, up from 22 km last week.

I think posting these workouts in my blog also helps to keep me consistent so that next week I'll have a full report to give again!

New Beginnings

The best thing about getting one of these new fancy GPS-and-track-your-every-movement-and-vital-sign watches is that you get to set new records! I just finished my first week of training after some time off with a new watch and new hopes of feeling strong and in control of my body again.

I'm running five days a week and no double-days. Just short stuff that makes you feel good to be moving again. In the process, I set two new "records": a 5k in 20:47 and a Longest Run of 4.39 miles. Clearly far off actual personal bests but I'll take it. Now I'm looking forward to setting more new records this week. Here's to New Beginnings!

Running Log: Week 1

I am so happy to report that I was successfully able to make it through my first full week of training! Woohoo! Last week, starting Monday, I trained for 6 days straight - something I haven't been able to do since December 2013. I got in a long run of 50 min - also something I haven't done since last December. And, I got in some tempo intervals of 6x800m.

The big takeaway for me at this point is that I was able to get through the training without feeling completely exhausted afterwards. In late October, 5 months after my thyroidectomy and working with my doctors to adjust my Synthroid dose to meet my needs, I finally felt I came out of the woods and could handle life's demands and training again.

The biggest challenge last week, and I'll admit a bit unexpected, was that I wasn't as good about putting the time and focus into the training process that used to be my hallmark. It was as if I had gotten used to giving excuses about not feeling well or being tired or not having a set goal or reason to focus, so I was more lax about everything - which meant that getting in those 6 runs wasn't as easy as I expected it would be.

But now, as I am in the midst of week two, I notice that I am getting my edge back. I still need to work a lot on making time to stretch as much as I need to, to put in the strength work that will pay off in the long run, and to regain my more disciplined nutrition habits, though. But I am confident that as each week builds and I feel stronger, my competitive edge will start clawing at my door again, I'll be able to put the pieces of the complex puzzle of training at a high level together. I'm excited about what my future holds and where this attempt at a "comeback" will take me!

Bring it on Week 2!!

Good Luck Bad Luck

This is a Taoist story I've been sharing with dear friends for years ever since I first came across it.

There is a Chinese story of a farmer who used an old horse to till his fields. One day, the horse escaped into the hills and when the farmer's neighbors sympathized with the old man over his bad luck, the farmer replied, "Bad luck? Good luck? Who knows?" A week later, the horse returned with a herd of horses from the hills and this time the neighbors congratulated the farmer on his good luck. His reply was, "Good luck? Bad luck? Who knows?"

Then, when the farmer's son was attempting to tame one of the wild horses, he fell off its back and broke his leg. Everyone thought this very bad luck. Not the farmer, whose only reaction was, "Bad luck? Good luck? Who knows?"
Some weeks later, the army marched into the village and conscripted every able-bodied youth they found there. When they saw the farmer's son with his broken leg, they let him off. Now was that good luck or bad luck?

Who knows?

And now it is time to put the preachin' to the test.

Exactly two weeks after surgery just as the last steri-strip bandages are peeling away from my skin and I'm excited to be adjusting to my fabulous new "tattoo," I find out the pathology report from the material excised from my throat. And it's a bit of "curveball", as Dr. Holsinger so delicately put it! Although the two biopsies I had done had come back clear (there were smaller nodules that can not be biopsied if they are under 1cm), it turns out that I did have papillary thyroid cancer (PTC) which actually had metastasized to a lymph node. Yea, I would definitely call that a curveball.

Needless to say it was unexpected. A shocker. Ok, and honestly, a tearjerker. But then conversations were had, I took some courses at Google "university" and a couple of days have passed to let it sink in. The good news is that at my YOUNG age (that always feels good) and my good health and as early as it is with such a small amount of cancer cells around, it is something that is treatable without major cause for cause for concern. The treatment seems pretty straight forward - swallow a radioactive iodine pill and let it do it's thing killing off the unwanted intruders and with minimal side effects - and I'll have to monitor it for the rest of my life with blood tests but hey things could be worse.

And here is Perspective again biting me in my arse...for all the stress and frustration and emotional angst I experienced trying to make it to the Olympics and running that race that felt like the worst thing ever, what do you think I would prefer to experience again? 

Perspective: Part 2

So here I am. Now what? Well, Perspective, that's what.

I am so blessed for this entire ordeal. I know it sounds hokey or at the least a good public service announcement but it's true. Sure, would it have been awesome to never have had this issue in the first place? Yea. While I'm at it why don't I turn the clock back to 2010 before the hamstring tendinopathy kicked in? Or even better still, 2008 when I tore my plantar fasciitis in the steeplechase instead of qualifying for the Beijing Olympics? Yea, of course that could have been the path I walked but it isn't. The other paths that I didn't walk, though, also include never having been to the Olympics at all, having a terminal illness instead of this "elective" surgery, or not having the amazing support network of family and friends that I do.

Starting to see it? That's Perspective. I would like to get back to running competitively and even go after the qualifying standard for Rio 2016. But you know what, when this started (before the myopathy) I used to look at the girls I used to race against and think, "Darn, why can't I be competing? This sucks!" Then, as time went on and I stopped running, I would look at the overweight person trotting along the street trying to stick to a healthy training regimen and think, "Wow, good for him! I hope, I can go running one day (that's right just regular, ol' go-out-for-a-run-because-it-just-feels-good running)." Over these months I've gained perspective.

When I first flew to Houston to see Dr. Brown it mattered to me that he was an athlete specialist - and it still does of course. But as the months progressed and I was showing up in hospitals regularly for tests, I would see people much sicker than I and with much more serious issues to consider than "can I make it to the next Olympics". That's perspective.

I really want to stress and point out that I don't feel bad at all about looking inward and getting caught up in the bubble that surrounds me that is my life. My issues are important to me and that matters. I don't have to cure world hunger to feel important. I don't have to feel ashamed for looking inward and crying when things don't go my way or I can't run. I don't have to excuse my ego, my vanity, or my obsessions.

This perspective thing is just a way that helps me cope with challenges better. It helps me to realize that on the road to pursuing your dreams there are going to be setbacks. Things won't always go your way and, for better or worse, they might not go your way at all.  You still put you head down (βάζεις το κεφάλι κάτω) and work your tail off pursuing your goals...but every so often it is good to look up and realize that there is more to life.

This time away from running gave me the chance to spend even more quality time with my family and to build on the great relationship I have with my nephews. I even got a job as office manager for a great startup, PopWi, and I am busy sharpening my dormant office skills. I realize that there is more to enjoy in life than just running, but don't get me wrong...I'm hitting the roads with my running shoes June 12 and if I only make it 1mile that will be my first mile on the road to Rio!

Perspective: Part 1

I know it has been nearly two years since I've written and a lot has happened over that time. I wish I could say that I've been basking in the post-Olympic glow but unfortunately that hasn't been the case. I'm actually drafting this blog entry up with a bit of post-surgery glow (thank you morphine)! I just had a total thyroidectomy and am recovering but the path to today has been a challenge for me so I'll rewind just a bit.

After the Olympics, I took time off to recover physically and psychologically. Fortunately, my desire and drive came back after a bit and I started running and enjoying it again. But it didn't take long for me to notice that I wasn't quite myself. I thought perhaps I was still burnt out so I trained at more moderate intensities and volume to let my body ease into things. Things would look up and I would have great training sessions and then, inevitably, I would go on runs that felt like I was running through lava. Of course, I didn't think to look into to a broader reason than I was probably washed up, too old, or just unmotivated. In July 2013, things came to a head when upon my return to Athens after a great training camp in Karpenisi my legs start burning. Literally feeling like they are getting cooked from the inside out! Well, that led me to seriously look into what I thought was just a borderline hyperthyroidism that first gave me heart palpitations and other symptoms in 2011. Overtime things worsened and a myopathic condition developed that has prevented me from running for the past 5 months.

After a series of blood tests, ultrasounds, biopsies, and  a radioactive scan over the course of the last 10 months, here I am recovering at Stanford Hospital having gotten rid of a multinodular goiter and a "hot" nodule (no I didn't look like a supermodel while I had it).

Before I move on, I have to send many, many thanks to many, many people and not in order of appearance. First, I would like to say thank you to my surgeon, Dr. Holsinger, and really every last person I've come into contact with at Stanford Hospital & Clinics, for treating me like royalty from my very first office visit just last week (although I am sure everyone is privy to the customer service fit for a queen). The wound is still fresh but I can talk (vocal cords can sometimes be affected) and I can still move my muscles (parathyroid glands responsible for regulating your calcium levels also require quite a bit of finesse) so the surgery was definitely a success! Thank you to Adrianna El Calamawy (Stanford) and Dr. Weiss (The Village Doctor, Woodside) for all of your time and efforts in making this happen in record time. Thank you to Dr. Jeffrey Brown in Houston, my endocrinologist who spearheaded the effort in diagnosing the problem and was always available for me even two time zones a part! And to my family who is always by my side and my nephews who make me see the world through the eyes of children - which we should all do every so often.

I notice that this entry is already quite long (I'm going to blame it on the morphine) so please read Perspective: Part 2 when you have time and desire to find out what I learned from all this.

Back from Battle

I don't know where to begin but here goes...

It was perhaps one of the most difficult things I've had to do today to finish the Olympic Marathon.  I was in pain stemming from my glutes (where historically I've had issues) from about the 25km mark. and at about the 32km point I truly believed I could not go on.  Just thinking about the cobblestone streets and down hills - those factors seemed to make the pain considerably worse - that lay ahead I didn't believe I had the strength and "psyhi" - greek for soul or spirit - to go on.

When I stopped, all of the fans who had come out in the rain to watch all of us marathoners run let out sighs of disappointment and tried to cheer me into starting again but to no avail.  I told my coach that I wouldn't be able to battle it out anymore, the pain was too much to bear.  Once I stopped the main thought was how I had let down my family and friends who had made it to London to see me race, that I let down a country who needs to show to the world that we can overcome, and to all of my sponsors and individuals who have helped me financially and psychologically.  The disappointment (an understatement) was overwhelming.

We had requested vehicle transportation, and in the meantime I wore my coach's rain jacket and a mylar blanket.  At some point, two cars drove by and I approached them to get in but was told I had to wait as those were not for me, so I waited.  I told Coach to call my sister to let her know not to expect me.  She didn't hear it on the first try, but to my good fortune she eventually picked up and Coach told her the situation, so she asks to speak to me.  When we spoke I told her about the pain but my emphasis was more on the fact that I would be letting down so many people so she says, "Well can you walk??  Can you walk 8 miles? (fortunately it was only 6)"  And I said, "Walk?"  And she answers, "Yea, just to finish.  Walk to the finish.  Cross the line."

And so just like that after about 15 minutes of waiting for the vehicle, I threw off my blanket and jacket and started "running" again.  The first couple of hundred meters or so my legs felt better but quickly the pain from pounding on the asphalt returned.  All I was thinking was letting each mile go by and getting to the finish.  Of course, as the miles wore on it became even more difficult. A couple of times I almost tripped over myself but I kept at it.  And even after so long and with the rain starting to come down again, the streets were still jam-packed with thousands of screaming fans who waited until the very last runner passed.

As much of a challenge as it was I am so blessed that my sister talked me into finishing.  I am so grateful for all of the positive energy and messages from all the people around the world who have followed my story - it worked!  If I was running just for myself, I wouldn't have done it.  But today's marathon is truly devoted to each and every one of you.  For those of you who love Greece and want to see it recover and become the place we hold dear in our hearts.  For those of you who run and try to balance that passion with life and work and kids but make it work.  For those of you who might be going through something tough or hard to get over, know that everything is possible, the strength exists it is just a matter of finding the right key to unlock it from within.  And for those of you have dreams that you've left behind or think are impossible - revisit them and make time in your life to pursue them

I haven't had the chance to thank each one of you individually who have left messages of support in facebook but I have read all of the messages and they literally bring tears to my eyes.  Thank you doesn't even scratch the surface as to how grateful I am.

Also, thank you to the 2400 people who have visited my blog and recently from these countries:  Croatia, Hong Kong, Malaysia, Israel, Switzerland, Belgium, South Korea, Indonesia, and Norway!!  It's like the Olympic Village with representatives from all over the world gathered together in one place! :)

It takes a village...

Well, my last night in Karpenisi has come.  It is the night of the opening ceremonies of the Olympic Games and although I won't be walking into the Olympic Stadium as I had imagined I will be enjoying it on television with great company - Coach, Alekos, his mom, Kuria (Mrs.) Maria, and his girlfriend, Fotini, on a beautiful terrace overlooking Karpenisi.  

The people here have been great, from the manager, George, at the Hotel Montana who lets me hydromassage for free, to the reflexologist, Kurios Spyros, who has taken great care of my feet, the ladies at the local coffee shops who know my order by heart, and in general everybody who has wished me well along the way.  Today a sweet, old grandpa took the time to wish me luck as I was passing in front of him - just like that, out of the blue!  It has been a long road with good days and hard days, super tired days, and "I can conquer the world" days.  All in all it has been another great training period filled with experiences that I'll remember forever.  I've even considered moving to Karpenisi and spending 6 months here during the summer and another 6 months back home in San Francisco, but those are thoughts I'll think about on another day.

For now, I'll take my fond memories with me knowing I have an entire village who's got my back!

Kuria Maria

Fotini

Aleko's freshly caught river fish served with potato
salad, beets, and broad beans.
I sure am going to miss Kuria Maria's cooking!

Me filling up drinking water at the local spring

Me and the Cricket

This is one of my favorite videos that Coach Dimitris captured of me running on one of my longer runs here in Karpenisi.  It is quintessential of my marathon training and the lonely road that marathoners all over the world and of all levels have.  Getting out for the long run and feeling like its just you...and the cricket.  Despite the loneliness, it is a nice time to think about the day, your goals, to tell yourself positive affirmations, or just to let your mind quiet down and your body run free.

Watching this video reminds me of my best friend Rose.  We have been friends since my freshman year at USC in 1995.  We ran track and cross-country together, and although neither of us was particularly fast we enjoyed the training and camaraderie that running with the team brought.  After she graduated (she was a year older than me), she started training for and running marathons, while working as a teacher and attending grad school.  I remember thinking she was "crazy"!  Her dedication with her training, waking up at the crack of dawn to get her workouts done, and her passion to pursue her goals while balancing everything was awe-inspiring.  I am so proud and happy to say I was at her first marathon (even though I slept in the car after the 7am start) and saw her cross the line, and despite the tiredness that comes with any marathon she looked like a million bucks.  It was really a defining moment for me to see how her dedication and passion paid off.

As time has passed she turned her focus to having a family and in the process I have since become the "crazy" one!  Now she is the one cheering me on.  She's even flown out twice to Greece to see me train and we had the chance to enjoy the 2004 Athens Olympics together.  Although she won't be able to make it to London, I know she will be by the TV watching me with her little girls and rooting for me every step of the way.

Rosie, thank you for your friendship over the years and for all of your support!

And Here They Are...

Tina's New Shoes!!

These are the Adidas Hagio, the shoe I will be wearing on race day in exactly one month!!! Well, these are the training version and I will get another pair that is only slightly worn one or two times for race day.  We want to make sure the treads on these babies are as new as possible!  So far I've worn the shoe a couple of times in practice and I love it.  You feel fast just by looking at 'em!

And this truly would not have been possible without the very generous support of all of the people who have rallied to support my cause.  It is overwhelming how many people have read my blog, forwarded it to friends around the world, and donated.  Thanks to all of the individuals who have donated, along with the support of the Hellenic American Leadership Council, and Nike Greece (I just received some gear today), I am in a position now to make it to the starting line without worrying about paying for shoes, for massages and therapy, for gas to make it up and down the mountain, for the healthy delicious meals that are prepared for me, getting my blood work checked regularly (by the way the month that I have been here in Karpenisi has really paid off with my hemoglobin levels reaching 13.9!), among other expenses.  Essentially because of your support, I am in a position to enjoy the rest of the journey and focus on my training, and on race day I can give my best without distraction.  And of course, a special and separate thank you to Stamatis Astra of Astra Ventures, who originally had the idea that I start a blog.

But this isn't the end of my blog.  I will continue to keep posting here and I just activated a Twitter account for more frequent postings @TinaKefalas.  So please stay tuned and keep following!

In an update on my blog "stas" I am just shy of 1100 visitors to my blog and from many new countries including Russia, Ukraine, Australia, Portugal, and France!! Thank you all for checking in!! 

Hellenic American Leadership Council

The Hellenic American Leadership Council (HALC) with its current president, Mr. Endy Zemenides, plays a crucial role in promoting Hellenism in the United States and worldwide, through its support of civic leadership that bolsters human rights and democratic values.  


For these reasons, I am honored to be recognized, along with three other 2012 Olympians, by the organization with financial support towards my preparation for the Olympics.  Thank you!

Planting Seeds...

The other day I was invited to speak at the 1st Elementary School of Karpenisi.  It was such an honor to be presented to the class of young, but very bright, kids to talk about becoming an Olympian.  The groundskeeper of the athletic facilities,Serafeim Lerogiannis, arranged the visit.  Serafeim, my coach, Dimitris Theodoridis, and I showed up to the auditorium filled with the kids eager to learn about running - something that is needed in Greece as soccer gets most of the attention and potential stars!  The best part of the morning was feeling that if I could reach out to just one or two kids out of the entire group, there would be a future star in the making and that would be a success.  Competing in the Olympics gives the opportunity to plant those kinds of seeds - yet another amazing stop along the way!

Me with some of the kids.  I know it is hard to pick me out of the crowd -
but I'm the one in the middle with the grey shirt! :)

Me, Coach Dimitris, and Mister Serafeim

On another note, I am amazed at how many people have visited my blog - and literally from all over the world!! My "stats" include over 800 visitors, representing the United States, Greece, Cyprus, United Kingdom, Germany, Netherlands, Malta, Canada, Congo, Indonesia, and Trinidad & Tobago!!!  I seriously can't believe it.  Thank you to all for helping spread the word!

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

It's a Family Affair

Before diving into the routine of my daily life and training, none of this would have any meaning without first mentioning my family.  They are responsible for my "nature" and my "nurture."  They are my pillars of support and without them the dream becoming reality would never have been possible.

First, there is my mom, Kathy.  She is truly amazing.  She raised my sister and I on her own since we were young.  Things were difficult, but she always tried to show us a brighter side to things.  One of the most valuable lessons I learned from her was to do my best and try my hardest.  She didn't teach this to me necessarily with words, but as I've matured over the years I realized that is exactly what she did in her life.  She did what she could with what she had and I truly am in awe of her.  There isn't a word that can fully describe my appreciation towards her.

Next is my sister, Agapi.  Another beautiful woman who I admire, respect, and love with all of my being.  She has supported my running career in every way imaginable since I was in high school and has backed me like no other.  Even when I doubted myself and would think about giving up she would be there to pick me up.  She has made me feel like her home is my own and the security of knowing that I always have a place to go to is invaluable.  She's made me believe that I can conquer the world and has given me the wings to fly!

Although these two people are incredible, my blessings don't stop there.  My brother-in-law, Bruce, is remarkable. I can open up to him and talk about everything, literally.  It is great to actually feel like he is my real brother; but since he isn't technically, I must say that his ability to put up with the three Kefalas women for so many years, probably qualifies him for saint status!  In one particular area he has gone above and beyond what anyone would expect, he has helped me financially over the years to get through injuries and rehab so I can be healthy and strong to compete at the level I need to to make it to London.

And finally, Agapi and Bruce have given me the greatest joy of all with my two nephews, Dane (6) and West (2).  What can I say?  They are absolutely adorable and I love them like my own.  Just because they exist, I want to be a better person, to do something great, to leave a legacy for them.  Knowing that Dane can start his dream of competing in the Olympics as I am living out mine fills me with an indescribable pride and joy.

Somewhere I've read, "I don't care how poor a man is; if he has family, he's rich."  This could not be further from the truth.  Wrapping up now, though, as it turns out that typing as happy tears fill your eyes is actually pretty hard!

Tedx Academy, Athens

In 2010, after the Athens Classic Marathon, I was invited to speak at the Tedx Academy conference that was held to highlight inspiring women.  It was truly an honor and surprise to be considered along with the other women speakers.  Niki Siropoulou organized a great event and it was inspiring to hear what women in Greece were doing to improve our country.  I am attaching a link to my speech as well as to the event overall.  I hope you enjoy!

Link to my speech: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=evrmk8wjU8k

Link to all of the speeches from that day:  http://www.tedxacademy.com/community/talks.aspx?page=3&talk=TEDx%20Women%202010

Tina's New Shoes and...Olympic Dream

For starters, I should explain the title of the blog and how it all got started...I am a marathon runner.  I run for Greece - although I am Greek-American.  I have been living in Greece since August of 2003 - I can't believe its been almost 9 years!!  Since moving to Athens I have been running and racing on the local circuit and as one thing led to another and I became more successful, pursuing my childhood dream of competing in the Olympics started to come back to me as a real possibility.  Along the way, though, various injuries and setbacks made it a challenge that seemed evermore enticing yet also one that demanded all of my dedication and patience to accomplish.  In 2010, I ran my first marathon - the Athens Classic Marathon and a celebration of 2500 years from the Battle of Marathon where the underdog Greeks beat the mighty and powerful Persians in an epic battle that allowed the idea of democracy to flourish to this day.

On October 31, 2010, as I battled through the grueling hills of the classic marathon course I managed to finish in 2:40:33!  It is the second best time ever run by a Greek woman on the course and coincidentally an Olympic 'B' Standard...except for that it was not run during the eligible period which started January 1, 2011.  With that effort, though, my coach and I were enthused as we thought, "Great, on a flat course and as a more experienced marathoner, I surely will be able qualify for the 2012 Olympics!"  Once again, however, setbacks came with over training and injury throughout 2011, and in an effort that came down to the wire, I ran the Enschede Marathon in the Netherlands on April 22, 2012.  That day I wasn't at my best and neither was the weather - we faced a headwind for about 18km - but I did manage to squeeze out another 'B' standard with 2:41:00!!

To be honest, instead of feeling ecstatic, I felt more relieved.  It had been a long, hard road to that point and I didn't thoroughly appreciate the fruits of my labor.  Looking back now I wish I was able to enjoy the moment more but as I look ahead to London I am doing my best to enjoy the journey - whatever it may bring - and when I toe the line on August 5th I will relish in the moment while I make my family, friends, supporters and compatriots proud.  

Now, to the title of my blog...After the Athens marathon and again after my qualifying effort in Enschede, Stamatis Astra and Ted Dimitriades from a Greek-American radio show in Boston called me for an interview.  They have been great in encouraging me and giving me publicity to make my efforts more widely supported.  During the interview in April, Ted asked me about the economic situation in Greece and how athletes are managing economically.  I gave him an honest answer and explained that things truly are dire.  Any financial support that we are supposed to receive from the Greek Athletics Federation or our club teams is unreliable at best and typically our expenses are out of our own pockets, relying on support from friends and family when things get truly tight.  Ted then says, "So you don't have money to buy sneakers??" (By the way, I love the fact that he calls my running shoes 'sneakers'.)  I answer, "Well I have to buy 2 pair unexpectedly because my sponsor has been unresponsive for the past year, so it is a crunch."  Stamati then says, "Go out and buy your sneakers.  We'll cover them!"  Shortly after we wrapped up the phone interview, Stamatis texts me to tell me that a couple of truly amazing listeners called and wanted to donate to my effort to buy shoes and to cover other costs such as training camps, medical expenses, massages, vitamins, travel expenses, etc.  So we thought it would be a nice idea to create a blog to post my progress as we head to London - race day is in just under 2 months - and let people follow along with me and see where their generous donations are going

And so the journey continues...

Donations

For those of you interested in donating, please click on the "Donate" button to be connected to PayPal.  Thank you!

Much appreciation to my generous supporters:

ELEFTHERIA KOULOULIAS
THE MILOSLAVICH FAMILY
ROSE & ERIC MOE
REGAN & DAVID HARRINGTON
ARIELLE T CRAWFORD
VERREOS INSURANCE AGENCY
SURJA DEHN
THE GEORGE SALLES FAMILY
GEORGE ANTONOPOULOS
TAKI PANTAZOPOULOS
ANDREW CAUDELL
LEFKOTHEA KALTSAS
SOTO MARESKES
NIKOLAOS SOUKOS
ASTRA VENTURES