Awe! Cute!
To the expo!
Stratos had to stop and take photos with these guys and then a bunch of girls crowded around to get his picture...haha!
whoa! This bag is heavy!
Can you tell me anything? Because I don't know NOTHIN'!
Here's the guy who ran over to take our picture and then FLASH he took his own picture with the camera backwards...we were absolutely dying laughing!!
So much fun!
This is where the expo was
the cute & happy couple!! :)
More smiles :)
That's blue permanent marker on my nails because the girls didn't have any blue...oh my! It worked though! Very resourceful!
This is an all glass statue of a runner right in the middle of the main road in Athens! Pretty cool!
This is the new olympic stadium where Stratos practices and plays bball.
The night before the marathon, ignorance is bliss!So much to say and so little time!! Tis' the night before the marathon and all is well in my soul! Haha! So, yesterday I forgot to blog something...Erin was just telling me (yesterday) about an Asian man one time came up and so sweetly asked if he could take a picture for erin (with her camera) of her and friends. She agreed gratefully and he somehow took the picture but the flash went straight into his eyes, he blinked a few times and bowed a few so nicely and went on his way. Erin said she COULD NOT Stop laughing, and that he was so cute. Well, of course this whole trip Erin keeps making me laugh SOOOO loud over and over again, so embarrassing. So, while at the expo holding my camera this white guy (non-Greek) came running over from across the way asking if we wanted him to take our picture. We gratefully agreed and I CANNOT explain to you how funny it was to see HIS face on the camera screen (facing us) for a long time as he tried to aim for our faces obviously unable to see anything since he had the camera backwards. He spent a long time and all we could see was his big smiling face...honestly erin and i were breathlessly laughing so hard that we couldn't even tell him the camera was backwards, and then "FLASH!" Everytime i see the picture i get an intense core workout from laughing so hard!!! I swear, there have been so many funny things that I can't stand it anymore...my abs will be super chizzled by the time i come back and it will all be from the laughing NOT the marathon...haha! I got his picture and you'll see what i mean. He said, "well, at least I made you guys laugh haha, and then went on his way." Then we stepped out to leave and a young guy completely tripped while going up the stairs next to us. I managed not to laugh only because he looked mortified but Stratos was secretly laughing so hard...that was really funny to see!!
So, today I finally feel like I slept normally. I woke up after 8 hours of sleep at 6am and Erin and I made a wonderful solid breakfast with oatmeal and raisins, bananas, cottage cheese with honey and mandarin oranges (YUM!), and a cup of cold cereal and toast with peanut butter and jam and vitamin C water. SO PERFECT! That's my big meal for today, the rest will be light things here and there, but lots and lots of water, no concentrated sweets, and NO SALT! I guess what I learned so far in preparation for France is that I really do need an entire week to overcome the jet lag and feel ready for a race. My body feels really good today, my knee even feels better and like im ready to take on the challenge and WORK HARD tomorrow.
So, there was an opening ceremony for the marathon today in Marathona but I didn't feel up for the drive and festivities so close to race day. So, we went to a local cafe and watched it on tv. Actually, at first it was really weird with interpretive modern dancers and i didn't understand any of it...but by continuing to watch and discuss the possible meanings Erin and I figured it out. You'll see in the pictures a pregnant lady watching these runner actors and realized that it was all about the birth of the marathon. By the end with lighting the tourch (and after reading about Greek history) it all had me quite teary. I hope I don't get too emotional during the run because that has happened to me before (and I really couldn't breathe), when you realize how the human spirit gets so tested, and passes the test it can be quite emotional...all that coupled with THIS marathon so rich in history and culture...wow! It's already overwhelming.
What struck me loudly is the fact that most of the world doesn't know Greek history, and they own such rich and amazing athletic history. IT IS BY FAR THE MOST ATHLETIC COUNTRY IN THE WORLD! I felt myself kind of feeling mad at our education system...all I ever seem to know is horrible US history about the black slave boat ride and the slaughter of the native americans. I'm tired of ONLY hearing about that history and not ever reallly knowing OTHER world history. I mean we learned on a superficial level about Nazi Germany, and WW's. But it has been so refreshing and interesting and wonderful to learn about these people. I also learned that Greek people are a very non-violent people now and in their history. They've done alot to promote world peace and yet I don't think anyone knows much about the details...specifically and even through the marathon race.
I'd like to type out this little blip from my marathon pamphlet... (it's kind of long but i want to type it out anyway)...
"The Marathon Race is the most touching event in the history of Athletics. The idea for the Marathon Race to be included in the Olympic program belonged to the Sorbonne Professor, Dr. Michel Breal, close friend to Pierre de Coubertin. His motive was to pay tribute to Greece for its valuable contribution to the world athleticism, sports and culture. Breal was not aware of the length and the difficulty of the course. He was impressed by the history of the Athenian soldier-runner Fidippides, who run from Marathon place to Athens to bring the victorious message of the Athenian army over the Persian army. He proudly pronounced the phrase "we won" and passed away.
The Marathon Road Race was officially held for the first time in Greece during the Hellenic (Greek) National Athletics Championship, on March 10, 1896 and it was won by Charilaos Vassilakos in 3hr 17 min. The first Olympic Marathon Road Race was held during the 1st Olympic Games of the Modern Era, on April 10, 1896 in Athens and was won by Spyros Louis, a legend of world athletics. It is the tradition and the great stories of this particular event, which attracts so many runners, representing all age groups, who wish to run the Authentic Classic Olympic Course, at least once in their lifetime, 'on the footsteps of Fidippides'.
The Races that took place at the Classic Marathon Course during international Athletics events in Athens are: the 1896 Olympic Games, the Mid-Olympaid of 1906, the 1969 and 1982 European Athletics Championshops, the 6th World Marathon Cup of 1997, the World Athletics Championship of 1997 and the 'dream' 2004 Olympic Games.
The first international Athens Classic Marathon, was held in 1955, following the decision of SEGAS stayed with the symbol of Olympic sports, "Kotinos", the olive wreath offered to the winners in ancient times, but that was not good enough for the race to survive."
In 1983, the Athens Classic Marathon started again under the same name Peace Marathon, this time dedicated to the memory of the late Balkan Athletics Games Champion and Pacifist, Grigoris Lambrakis. Since then, many things have changed aiming to the improvement of the services offered to the runners, event structure, philosophy and dynamic of the competition, and thanks to these changes the Athens Classic Marathon attracts thousands of runners from all over the world. Nowadays, the Athens Classic Marathon is organized under the auspices of the international Federations of AIMS and IAAF, and that gives to the event a place among the top Marathons in the world. The Athens Classic Marathon has become a major international sport, cultural, tourist and social event.
In 2009 Athens Classic Marathon will be held on Sunday, November 8. In 2010 the world will celebrate the 2500 years anniversary from the greatest battle of all times, the Marathon Battle of 490 B.C. and the Athens Classic Marthon will become the most important running event around the globe, combining Road races, Cultural events and Entertainment activities.
Gregrois Labrakis was born in Kerasita in 1913. He graduated from the Medical School of Athens University and as a Track & Field athlete, he achieved remarkable performances in several events, such as, Long and Triple Jump, 100m and 200m. He had several times won both the National and Balkan Championships, and he was the National and Balkan Record Holder in the Long Jump with 7,37m for many years.
Gregoris Labrakis contributed in the reestablishment of SEGAS, after the 2nd World War, after the country was liberated from the fascist invaders and he became member of it's Administrative Board in 1946.
In 1950, he was appointed Assistant Professor of Gynaecology in the University of Athens. Being a true democrat, patriot and humanist, he was elected Member of the Greek Parliament in October 1961. As a great Peace supporter, he participated in the founding of the Hellenic Committee for Peace and participated in many International Congresses for World Peace. On April 21st, 1963, HE ORGANIZED THE FIRST PEACE MARATHON MARCH, during which he was arrested and maltreated. On May 22st, 1963, he participated in an assembly of Peace supporters in Thessaloniki, where he became victim of an assassination attempt and was wounded. He finally died on May 27th. His motto has awlays been:
"IT IS SO BEAUTIFUL TO LIVE FOR PEACE, IT IS SO GREAT TO DIE FOR PEACE."
I had no idea that Greek history is Sooooooooo rich! I can hardly wait to take a BIBLICAL TOUR next week...as Paul was here and the Bible was first written in GREEK! UGH!!! I LOVE IT HERE!
JEEZ, there's so much more I want to say about my experience! We're getting ready to go to Stratos' game. Then marathon tomorrow, then HUGE 80,000 people famous professional soccer game tomorrow night! This is just wayyyyyy tooooo much fun all packed in at one time!
I looked in my marathon goodie bag which seemed to be packed full and found a "MENS HEALTH" magazine with of course porn inside...naked women in all kinds of depressing positions for the pleasure of men's eyes.
It's amazing to me through all the "humanist" ways how much God is cut out of the picture, and then what I notice is empty people walking around doing the day to day activities. Not just here but at home as well. So sad is a life without a sincere love and heart after God. Truly the Bible has the answers and I am so thankful that I know and believe in a LOVING God who cares about the details of every single person's life and the condition of our hearts. He loves a soft heart. He loves a humble heart. I'm so excited to spend a 4 hour run with just Him and me...a date with God.
I'll have to write more later because I know this isn't enough...haha! Yeah right! But there's just so much more to say! I'm glad I'll have these blogs to read forever! A permanent e-journal.
Jenny
If I die on this run like Fidippides did, know that God is Love!
So, today I finally feel like I slept normally. I woke up after 8 hours of sleep at 6am and Erin and I made a wonderful solid breakfast with oatmeal and raisins, bananas, cottage cheese with honey and mandarin oranges (YUM!), and a cup of cold cereal and toast with peanut butter and jam and vitamin C water. SO PERFECT! That's my big meal for today, the rest will be light things here and there, but lots and lots of water, no concentrated sweets, and NO SALT! I guess what I learned so far in preparation for France is that I really do need an entire week to overcome the jet lag and feel ready for a race. My body feels really good today, my knee even feels better and like im ready to take on the challenge and WORK HARD tomorrow.
So, there was an opening ceremony for the marathon today in Marathona but I didn't feel up for the drive and festivities so close to race day. So, we went to a local cafe and watched it on tv. Actually, at first it was really weird with interpretive modern dancers and i didn't understand any of it...but by continuing to watch and discuss the possible meanings Erin and I figured it out. You'll see in the pictures a pregnant lady watching these runner actors and realized that it was all about the birth of the marathon. By the end with lighting the tourch (and after reading about Greek history) it all had me quite teary. I hope I don't get too emotional during the run because that has happened to me before (and I really couldn't breathe), when you realize how the human spirit gets so tested, and passes the test it can be quite emotional...all that coupled with THIS marathon so rich in history and culture...wow! It's already overwhelming.
What struck me loudly is the fact that most of the world doesn't know Greek history, and they own such rich and amazing athletic history. IT IS BY FAR THE MOST ATHLETIC COUNTRY IN THE WORLD! I felt myself kind of feeling mad at our education system...all I ever seem to know is horrible US history about the black slave boat ride and the slaughter of the native americans. I'm tired of ONLY hearing about that history and not ever reallly knowing OTHER world history. I mean we learned on a superficial level about Nazi Germany, and WW's. But it has been so refreshing and interesting and wonderful to learn about these people. I also learned that Greek people are a very non-violent people now and in their history. They've done alot to promote world peace and yet I don't think anyone knows much about the details...specifically and even through the marathon race.
I'd like to type out this little blip from my marathon pamphlet... (it's kind of long but i want to type it out anyway)...
"The Marathon Race is the most touching event in the history of Athletics. The idea for the Marathon Race to be included in the Olympic program belonged to the Sorbonne Professor, Dr. Michel Breal, close friend to Pierre de Coubertin. His motive was to pay tribute to Greece for its valuable contribution to the world athleticism, sports and culture. Breal was not aware of the length and the difficulty of the course. He was impressed by the history of the Athenian soldier-runner Fidippides, who run from Marathon place to Athens to bring the victorious message of the Athenian army over the Persian army. He proudly pronounced the phrase "we won" and passed away.
The Marathon Road Race was officially held for the first time in Greece during the Hellenic (Greek) National Athletics Championship, on March 10, 1896 and it was won by Charilaos Vassilakos in 3hr 17 min. The first Olympic Marathon Road Race was held during the 1st Olympic Games of the Modern Era, on April 10, 1896 in Athens and was won by Spyros Louis, a legend of world athletics. It is the tradition and the great stories of this particular event, which attracts so many runners, representing all age groups, who wish to run the Authentic Classic Olympic Course, at least once in their lifetime, 'on the footsteps of Fidippides'.
The Races that took place at the Classic Marathon Course during international Athletics events in Athens are: the 1896 Olympic Games, the Mid-Olympaid of 1906, the 1969 and 1982 European Athletics Championshops, the 6th World Marathon Cup of 1997, the World Athletics Championship of 1997 and the 'dream' 2004 Olympic Games.
The first international Athens Classic Marathon, was held in 1955, following the decision of SEGAS stayed with the symbol of Olympic sports, "Kotinos", the olive wreath offered to the winners in ancient times, but that was not good enough for the race to survive."
In 1983, the Athens Classic Marathon started again under the same name Peace Marathon, this time dedicated to the memory of the late Balkan Athletics Games Champion and Pacifist, Grigoris Lambrakis. Since then, many things have changed aiming to the improvement of the services offered to the runners, event structure, philosophy and dynamic of the competition, and thanks to these changes the Athens Classic Marathon attracts thousands of runners from all over the world. Nowadays, the Athens Classic Marathon is organized under the auspices of the international Federations of AIMS and IAAF, and that gives to the event a place among the top Marathons in the world. The Athens Classic Marathon has become a major international sport, cultural, tourist and social event.
In 2009 Athens Classic Marathon will be held on Sunday, November 8. In 2010 the world will celebrate the 2500 years anniversary from the greatest battle of all times, the Marathon Battle of 490 B.C. and the Athens Classic Marthon will become the most important running event around the globe, combining Road races, Cultural events and Entertainment activities.
Gregrois Labrakis was born in Kerasita in 1913. He graduated from the Medical School of Athens University and as a Track & Field athlete, he achieved remarkable performances in several events, such as, Long and Triple Jump, 100m and 200m. He had several times won both the National and Balkan Championships, and he was the National and Balkan Record Holder in the Long Jump with 7,37m for many years.
Gregoris Labrakis contributed in the reestablishment of SEGAS, after the 2nd World War, after the country was liberated from the fascist invaders and he became member of it's Administrative Board in 1946.
In 1950, he was appointed Assistant Professor of Gynaecology in the University of Athens. Being a true democrat, patriot and humanist, he was elected Member of the Greek Parliament in October 1961. As a great Peace supporter, he participated in the founding of the Hellenic Committee for Peace and participated in many International Congresses for World Peace. On April 21st, 1963, HE ORGANIZED THE FIRST PEACE MARATHON MARCH, during which he was arrested and maltreated. On May 22st, 1963, he participated in an assembly of Peace supporters in Thessaloniki, where he became victim of an assassination attempt and was wounded. He finally died on May 27th. His motto has awlays been:
"IT IS SO BEAUTIFUL TO LIVE FOR PEACE, IT IS SO GREAT TO DIE FOR PEACE."
I had no idea that Greek history is Sooooooooo rich! I can hardly wait to take a BIBLICAL TOUR next week...as Paul was here and the Bible was first written in GREEK! UGH!!! I LOVE IT HERE!
JEEZ, there's so much more I want to say about my experience! We're getting ready to go to Stratos' game. Then marathon tomorrow, then HUGE 80,000 people famous professional soccer game tomorrow night! This is just wayyyyyy tooooo much fun all packed in at one time!
I looked in my marathon goodie bag which seemed to be packed full and found a "MENS HEALTH" magazine with of course porn inside...naked women in all kinds of depressing positions for the pleasure of men's eyes.
It's amazing to me through all the "humanist" ways how much God is cut out of the picture, and then what I notice is empty people walking around doing the day to day activities. Not just here but at home as well. So sad is a life without a sincere love and heart after God. Truly the Bible has the answers and I am so thankful that I know and believe in a LOVING God who cares about the details of every single person's life and the condition of our hearts. He loves a soft heart. He loves a humble heart. I'm so excited to spend a 4 hour run with just Him and me...a date with God.
I'll have to write more later because I know this isn't enough...haha! Yeah right! But there's just so much more to say! I'm glad I'll have these blogs to read forever! A permanent e-journal.
Jenny
If I die on this run like Fidippides did, know that God is Love!
1 comment:
I'm with ya, Jen, about the history! It's not politically correct to hear about Western History. It's all about how terrible our nation has treated people. Our nation was mostly created from European nations, but it's "racist" to study that history, which is OUR history. I could go on and on.
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