Introducing my MM running partners

I would like to introduce two of my running partners, Gaby and Alexis, who for the past seven months have been an integral part of the journey to run a marathon.

Gabi, Alexis and I have been friends for a long time. Over the past eighteen years we have shared many things in our lives, including the highs and lows, and this is the sort of friendships that are not often seen. In many ways, we have had parallel lives, most importantly, all of us have experienced our adult life in this country. These friends are like family (in the absence of one’s real family due to the mercy of geography).



Gabi

Alex

For the past seven months we have not been alone in this journey. Rodri has also run with us, but unfortunately he is unable to join us on October 8 due to a commitment interstate. The four of us did the ‘Run to the G’ Half Marathon in June 2006. Our friends from “El Sindicato” (a group of eight outspoken and smart Latinos – all from different Latin American countries #) have been very supportive of this enterprising and crazy idea to run a marathon. Those friends, who we have built up a strong friendship over the past eighteen years, have kept us company, provided encouragement and enlightened us in our running trails. Our usual Monday night dinners at the Rose Hotel in Fitzroy have been a central point of discussion and review of our training progress. We have even met for Sunday breakfasts after the run either at The Tan or at the Coast Trail.

For the past seven months, Gabi, Alexis and I have supported each other in maintaining our commitment to run the Melbourne Marathon. We are lacking the experience, depth and endurance - unlike many others who are attempting it next week, but we certainly have the resolve and drive to succeed. It is the sheer determination that will see us at the starting lane and hopefully -as we make progress towards the City – have the strength to make it to the finish lane.

Back in March we ran 5-10 kms with inconsistency and, progressively we managed to build it to the 15 kms. As an illustration of our inexperience, my posts around May recounts our relative excitement and progressively milestones - we completed an 18kms run around the Maribyrnong River. Gabi, Alexis and Rodri successfully completed the “Run for the Kids’ back in May 2006. Prior to that, Gabi did the Marafun at the Melbourne Marathon in October 2005.

Earlier this year, Gabi returned to his beloved Argentina and had an amazing adventure of conquering the Aconcagua Mountain. After four years of tenacious work, Alexis completed his PhD in Economics and now he is able to have time to enjoy things for which he has a passion and give him comfort.

Our training has not gone without trouble. We all had time out – Gabi lost five week of training due to a knee injury, Alexis seven to a calf problem and me three weeks due to troubles in my lower legs.

At the end of the preparations for the Melbourne Marathon we only managed to run a maximum of 30 kms three times and ran almost 600 kms over the past seven months. This may not be sufficient but we have done the training we could fit with our busy lives and now we wait for what October 8 will bring. Now it’s all in the psychological preparations.

Our families, associates and friends have understood the nature of this commitment and they were very accommodating and sacrificed quality time so we could go out and run.

# NB - Victor, Arie, Gonzalo, Guillermo and Richardito.