Interview with Iuli Tsakalou
A story that speaks of the value of effort and the importance of never giving up on your goal. Armed with unyielding perseverance and a weapon of mental endurance, he embarked on an exhausting journey with stops in Cologne, Munich, Amsterdam, Venice, Frankfurt and Istanbul, finally ending up on November 13, 2022, at 11:00 a.m. 54, to find his Ithaca, lifting the informal trophy of the great record in Kallimarmaro, Athens.
Kostas Houvardas spent most of his life on the road (from the back cover of your book “SEVEN – 7 MARATHONS IN 7 WEEKS” – Papadopoulos Publishers).
- How difficult was this experience?
This “Journey” or as you rightly said in your question “experience” was something unimaginably difficult. It required perfect organization, total dedication to the goal, faith in the plan, financial resources, family support and of course a lot of luck.
I don’t feel like I was taught anything beyond what I already knew. Maybe some things were just confirmed in practice that I mention in my previous answer.
- What got you into sports?
The need to escape from the small village where I grew up in Mytilini, to gain experiences and above all to travel.
- What are your top moments?
There have been many awards in my sports career. But undoubtedly what will never leave my memory is the completion of my Attempt for 7 Consecutive Marathons, at 11:54′, on November 13, 2022, in Kallimarmaro.
- What difficulties did you face so that you did not deviate from the goals you set in your life, what force pushed you to continue?
Difficulties were and are on the agenda. Financial Difficulties, Injuries, professional pressure, family obligations can very easily disorient you and make you deviate from your goal. The Force that pushed me and keeps me going is not metaphysical. It comes purely from my will.
- Did you ever say quit?
It has crossed my mind many times but to date having participated in 50 Marathons, I have finished all of them successfully.
- What do you think are the defining elements of a runner? Where do you think someone should focus to see improvement?
Consistency, Patience, Self-denial, Endurance to Pain, Methodology and above all, Knowledge. I believe that the most important thing for a runner to improve is the right guidance from his coach.
- What is your next goal and what advice would you give to those who are still at the beginning of the journey?
Next Goal is to complete within 365 days of 6 “Majors” in under 3 Hours. For those who don’t know the Majors are the 6 most important Marathons in the World. These are the Tokyo, Boston, London, Berlin, Chicago and New York Marathons. Completing all 6 is considered a major achievement, completing all six in under 3 hours is something very few have achieved and completing them in under three hours in 365 days is something I don’t 100% know but I reckon no one has ever succeeded. My Attempt begins in Boston on 4/15/2024. For those who are still at the Beginning of the Journey I would say and let it sound cliché, that they should enjoy the Journey!
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