The crazy thing I did twenty times

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.