Yesterday I run my 20th marathon, in Paris.
I did my first marathon at age 40 and had no running experience whatsoever. I realised only just before the marathon that I run so many. What a list of beautiful places I have seen and admired during the races!
Here’s my list:
- London
- New York
- Boston
- Tokio
- Athens
- Rome
- Prague
- Milan
- Paris
- Zurich
- Cape Town (Two Oceans Marathon)
- Laugavegur (Iceland)
- Florence (il Passatore)
- Lucerne
- Winterthur
- Zurich New Year Marathon (at night)
- Zermatt
- Jungfrau
- Everest
- Marathon Des Sables (Morocco)
During the run, along the Seine, there was a beggar asking for money with a sign: “I have no legs, help me”. The very moment I saw him, I was actually pushing a wheelchair where another guy, also with no legs, was racing at the same speed as me (I pushed for less than a minute, just during a short uphill). That made me feel a great admiration for all those who were racing with a handicap – normal people who actually are heroes of everyday life. They could end up begging in the street, but they choose to race and beat me.
During every marathon I learn something. It makes me feel that the world is a good place.
Thank you Paris, beautiful city on fire tonight (while I am writing, Notre Dame is sadly caught in a huge fire).
My heart is with you.
The medal at Paris Marathon
The toughest race on earth, Marathon des Sables
The highest Marathon on earth, Everest Marathon