Thursday - Crete, Santorini

Heraklion is the main harbour on the island of Crete and gateway to the fantastic Palace of Knossus built by the Minoans.

This will be my first visit so not much to offer in the way of pre-knowledge.

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Santorini has to be one of the most beautiful places on Earth, especially sunset at Oia.



It used to be an island (Thira) but its volcano blew its top circa 1500 BC leaving a circular crater above water which is now Santorini. It is thought that it was the tsunami from the blast that completely wiped out the advanced Minoan civilization on the island of Crete.









Melinda and Glen will be dis-embarking here to spend a few days before heading home the following Monday.

For more scenery, see the film 'The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants' (1 or 2)


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Wednesday - Rhodes

The home of the Knights of St. John of the Cross (aka Knights Templar and later Knights of Malta



The Colossus of Rhodes (one of the 7 wonders of the ancient world)


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Tuesday - Kusadasi, Patmos

Kusadasi is on Turkey's Asian coast and is the gateway to historic Roman Ephesus as well as the last home of the Blessed Virgin Mary.


The Library of Celcus (Efes)



Model of The Temple of Artemis (one of the 7 wonders of the ancient world) - nothing but a single column now stands.



Reputed to be the last home of the BVM before her assumption into heaven.

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Patmos is where God is said to have dictated the Book of Revelations to John the Evangelist



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Monday - Mykonos

The island is party central of the Greek isles in season.



Its famous for its picturesque windmills



Narrow winding and dead-end streets designed to fool marauding pirates in centuries past.



The 'Little Venice' section



For more scenery, see the film 'Shirley Valentine'.


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Recovering from history

Melinda is now part of marathon history - joining a very select group of global athletes with a display of determination, grit and endurance that very few ever even attempt. We are extremely delighted, but again not surprised with her success.

But now comes time for recovery.
From Monday to Friday we'll be cruising the Aegean aboard Louis Cruise Lines' midsized ship called 'Cristal'. Capacity is 1200 pax.



The itinerary is as follows:


I don't know if wi-fi is available aboard the ship and with a very charged itinerary I'm not sure whether I'll be able to post while in port.

So in the meanwhile I'll post some basic info and pics (all sourced from the 'Net obviously) about each of the ports of call on the days that we are scheduled to call.

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Location:Κωνσταντίνου Τσάτσου,Athens,Greece

Race Day - 3

The road for both Melinda and Glen actually did lead to a Grecian urn (in addition to their medals).












Celebration at a Plaka taverna.

A total of 10 guests this weekend at the Athens Hapimag residence were involved with the marathon; the resort manager succeeded in getting 9 of them together for a photo for Hapimag's magazine.

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Is it really over?

Wow it's been a long haul and at about km 40 it sunk in that I had actually done it (or was about to). I had some challenges during the race for sure but overall I felt pretty good about it, I was relaxed, didn't push it too hard to ensure I would finish, and definitely had some fun. Here are a few highlights:





My place at the starting line (last block), right underneath the Olympic flame. Not sure if it gets any cooler than that.





One of the many inclines on the course. It was tough but training in Halifax definitely prepared me well. The inspiration I got from my supporters made a huge difference too (see tributes post).





A snap of my first porta potty stop. Yes, there were several. Enough about that topic, let's just say I'm blaming an extra 25 or so minutes on that...

My pic of the stadium doesn't do the atmosphere even close to justice so I won't even post it. It was one of the best moments of my life for sure. Very emotional.

They say to wait a week after your first marathon before you decide if you're going to try another but I don't need a week. I can't wait to get out there again and kick my own ass.

:)





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Location:Κωνσταντίνου Τσάτσου,Athens,Greece

Race Day 2

Glen finishing his 10k (see middle of 3rd tent from left - blue shirt, red headband). Time 0:54



Inspiration for Melinda at Km 27 (Pallini)




Support you can *really* use at Km 35 (Ethniki Amyna). Glen ran the last 8 km with Melinda (after running his own 10k earlier).




Reward for 4 hours and 46 minutes of running!


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Location:Κωνσταντίνου Τσάτσου,Athens,Greece

Race Day 1a

Glen's now off to his race too.

"Go Glen !!!"

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Location:Κωνσταντίνου Τσάτσου,Athens,Greece

Race Day 1

Melinda is on the way.



'Marathon Boy' (from our residence's lobby) wishing her good luck. Note the 'believe' cap from Vancouver 2010 that has sustained her through her training.



Getting on the bus for Marathonas. That's she in the red Canada jacket.

"GO MO!!!"

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Location:Κωνσταντίνου Τσάτσου,Athens,Greece

Pre-race day

We took advantage of the special tour put on to allow the interested to ride up to Marathonas and view the original battlefield, the Olympic Marathon museum and of course the starting line for the Annual Classic.



The battlefield (unfoutunately this pic and next were taken by iPhone from digicamera screen)



M&G with the flame from Olympia



The starting line



Commemoration of Montreal 1976, remembering the victory by the previously unheralded Waldemar Ciarpinsky. Lasse Viren having won the 5k and 10k just missed out on duplicating Emilio Zapotek's trifecta and Canada's Jerome Drayton finished.



The finishing line in Panathenaic (Olympic) Stadium.

We went out for an early supper as Melinda has to up by 05:00 tomorrow to catch the bus to Marathonas



The racers loading up with carbs. [ed. note: the wine is mine!]

Tomorrow, Melinda will start at 09:23 and expects to take 4.5-5 hours if all goes well. Glen's 10k starts at 9:30 and should be through within an hour. Results should be available on the race website (see urn above).


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Location:Κωνσταντίνου Τσάτσου,Athens,Greece

Friday, October 29

After breakfast we checked out of our hotel and moved over to our Hapimag apartment, just two short blocks over. This location could not be better for us; 100 metres west is Adrianou, the heart of the Plaka, 300 m. east is the Zappeion race center and another 500 m. beyond is Panathenaic (Olympic) Stadium.



We simply dropped our bags and went on with our day while M&G went over to race HQ and then up to the Acropolis.

While M&G toured the Acropolis, we did the small streets of the Plaka on our way to meet them in the heart of the Monastiraki area for lunch on 'Souvlaki Row'.


Monastiraki Square



My pork souvlaki plate. Surprising to me, tzatziti sauce is not served automatically here - it's an extra cost item billed as Tzatziki Salid (see the plate with the white goop).

We went our separate ways after lunch. We visited the Ancient Agora in detail after having simply rushed thru it last visit.



Overlooking the Agora

Then it was up the north slope of the Acropolis into the Anafiotika neighbourhood, home of 19th century immigrants from the Cyclades islands. Finally we headed back to the apartment, picking up groceries along the way.

Having had a substantial lunch we decided to dine lightly on cold cuts, cheese and olives on the rooftop balcony while watching dusk settle around the Acropolis.


Afterwards we walked over to the Zappeion for the special anniversary event which included a multimedia presentation of the history of the marathon, awards presented to past winners of marathons around the world (surprisingly, most had never done the original route) and finally a concert by composer Mikis Theodorakis and his orchestra (contributed to soundtracks for Zorba, Serpico among others).



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Location:Κωνσταντίνου Τσάτσου,Athens,Greece

What was I thinking?!

Went on a tour of the very hilly race course today. Stupid idea. I'm totally psyched out. I knew it would be hilly but seeing it first hand is a whole other animal.

Race plan seriously modified and if I make it to the finish with a 5 instead of a 6 on the clock, I'll be amazed.

Some good news is that it's "fall back" night so I get an extra hour of sleep. Big woop.

Man, why didn't I pick Toronto or Ottawa as my first?!!! I know, because of the history and all this course means.

I'll just keep swimming...


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Location:Κωνσταντίνου Τσάτσου,Athens,Greece

No more inspiration needed

Wow. Do I ever have a topper for my posting about flying with elites - running alongside (ok, behind but whatevs) past Olympic gold medal winners and the pioneer of womens participation in the marathon race. Went to an event tonight telling the history of the marathon and honouring some past champions - incredibly moving and inspirational.





Hard to tell from the photo but it was very cool to see - for me, anyway.

Only one more sleep!


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Location:Κωνσταντίνου Τσάτσου,Athens,Greece

Museums day

Took the opportunity to visit the museums that we didn't have the time to do on our previous visit.
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The first was the National Archeological Museum which houses the greatest collection of ancient Greek art anywhere.

Here are just a few of the highlites of the collection.

Mask of Agamemnon (c. 1550 BC) - from Mycenae



Bronze Statue of Zeus or Poseidon (c. 460 BC) - found in the ocean



Statuette of Athena (c. 250 BC) this ia a 1/12 replica of the 40-foot statue that stood in the Parthenon (c. 438 BC)



Aphrodite and Pan (100 BC)



Emperor Augustus (c. 12 BC)



Wall paintings from Akrotiti, Thira (pre 1600 BC) - before the volcano blew its top and created what is now the island of Santorini.



... and finally, and somewhat appropriately to our visit, Marathon Boy (430 BC). He's not necessarily a runner but so called because he was found in the Aegean off the coast of Marathon.



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After Melinda and Glen arrived mid-afternoon, I hiked over to the New Acropolis Museum that opened just last year.



(Note the reflection of the Acropolis in the upper level windows.)

Unfortunately no photos allowed inside. They sure don't pull any punches re the Elgin Marbles - in their words in the main video that runs continually, he took advantage of a situation to loot their cultural treasures and retain them in the British Museum in London.

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[Jim: I took your suggestion to heart re not asking for a senior discount to help the Greek economy. But alas it was Ochi Day today and the entrance to the museums today was free.] :-(

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