I ran a marathon this week...

.... spaced out in four days.

For the first time since I started running, I ran 10 kilometers four consecutive times this week. This is a big thing for me because in addition to it being a good sign of progression in my workout routine, it means I am one (very, very small) step closer to reaching one of my secret new year's resolutions: to run a full marathon. And not just any marathon. I've signed up to run THE original marathon. The one running from the actual, ancient city of Marathon all the way to the gates of Athens.

Yup.

In Greece.

I actually had not choice really. When all the staff at the bank I work for received the following message from our colleagues in the Athens office, it was virtually impossible to say no.

As you know this year, we celebrate 2,500 years from the glorious victory of the Athenian army, that is considered to have preserved, what we know today as western civilization.

The story has it as follows: The Persians (superpower of the time) tried to invade Greece in 490 BC. A handful of Athenians decided to face them, guess where, in the small town of Marathon, which is...42km from Athens. The Athenians totally destroyed the multiple Persian army, and this is believed that have preserved what we today call western civilization. After the battle the Greek generals sent a runner to the city to spread to glorious news (no internet, or mobile phones at the time). They chose Phidippides, who ran all the way to the city, in his full equipment (over 20kgr). As a soldier, it was a disgrace to run without his weapons. The poor guy ran after days of battle, under terrible heat (it was September). He arrived at the city centre (very close to the Bank), he whispered "Nenikikamen" (we won) and he collapsed dead (this is not a great encouragement to run a Marathon!)

The race will take place on October 31st and for the first time there will be a limit in participation. 10,000 people will be allowed to run, more or less the same number as the Athenian soldiers that fought in Marathon.

Our bank is sponsoring staff members who wish to run by paying our registration fees and our colleagues in Athens managed to negotiate pretty awesome hotel and flight rates... all of this, plus the fact that I had secretly been wondering if I have what it takes to run a marathon, made me make up my mind and sign up.

Not that I plan to make it to the finish line. Not by a longshot. Here's a little more info from our Athens colleagues on this particular race:

Please be aware that the Athens Marathon is one of the toughest ones. After a relatively flat first 10k, which takes runners on a detour around the tumulus (burial ground) of the Athenian dead - the Parthians have their own burial ground - the course rises until around 32k. So half the race is uphill. But then the last part is downhill all the way.

Now you understand why running a "virtual" marathon in the space of a week feels somewhat comforting.... :s

Fned.