(picture by Glenn Tachiyama)
Well, it's come and gone. I have been looking forward to the 2009 Spartathlon for the past year, ever since my 2008 DNF. This is not a race report, as I have too much to say and not enough time to say it. And even if I did have the time, I'm not sure I could capture in words the impact of this extraordinary experience.
(picture by Glenn Tachiyama)
(picture by Glenn Tachiyama)
So, briefly for now, I will post a few pictures and say that this was, for me, the perfect race. It's not that everything went absolutely fine and that I had no problems on the course because I, in fact, did have some GI issues during the first 70 miles causing me to spend numerous breaks in the bushes (or wherever I could through the city of Athens!) and several stops to puke up the much-needed calories I was imbibing in prep for the 153 mile distance. My mind stayed strong, never waivered. Eventually I recovered from those issues and had a great race.
(picture by Glenn Tachiyama)
(picture by Glenn Tachiyama)
(picture by Glenn Tachiyama)
(pic by Glenn Tachiyama - Awards ceremony in Sparta. 1st place woman Sumie Inagaki, 2nd place woman Yoshiko Matsuda.)
(picture by Tim Englund - my schwag)
(picture by Tim Englund - Adrian Belitu, Peter Foxall, Bob Becker - all waiting for the wine)
(picture by Glenn Tachiyama)
(picture by Tim Englund - post race celebration)
(picture by Tim Englund - Marika Scheilein - last year's 3rd place fnisher)
(picture by Tim Englund - John Price and Peter Foxall at the formal awards in Athens)
(picture by Tim Englund - Glenn celebrating with a cigar)
(picture by Tim Englund - me in Peter's hat)
Thank you to my boyfriend, Tim Englund, and my good friend Glenn Tachiyama for their ever-present support and encouragement. You guys are the best!
I finished the race. That was my goal. I kissed the foot of King Leonidas.
Also, I finished top 44 in 32 hours 23 minutes, which was good enough for 3rd place female and a spot on the podium during the awards ceremony.
Here are the final results.
I am perfectly pleased and satisfied. While I may want to go back, I do not feel the need to.
What a blessed adventure and lesson in patience and persistence.
11 comments:
Chanting. Read about it at Drymax spot. Lisa, you are The Shit! Really, no, seriously. You came, you did it, and did it in style. Way to go!
Lisa,
You are such an inspiration to me! You are really amazing! Congrats on getting what you deserved! I am glad you had your year!
It's always great to get revenge on those DNFs that haunt us. Way to go.
But Peter looked like that BEFORE the wine arrived? Good grief. Hate to see the after shots.
Have I also mention to you that you look gorgeous?
You rock Lisa ! Way to go !
Wow - congratulations. You truly are amazing.
WOW, great to see you came back with 'something to prove' and you did it BIG TIME ! and to think you are the same age as me... I couldn't imagine doing that distance- whew! CONGRATS!!
Awesome Lisa, simply awesome. What a wonderful trip, race and redemption. You earned it!
Way to go Lisa, redemption for sure....
Congrats!!!
When the Stogies come out all is good - LOL
CONGRATSSSSSSSS Lisa , love the photos and will catch up with you this week!!!
Way to GET it Done and getting some BONUS schwag makes it sweeter!!
Awesome, awesome, awesome! Congratulations!
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