At the end of August, if you've read my latest post, you'll have known that my sister and I decided to go on a tour of Greece. One thing I was really excited to see was the Ancient Olympic Stadium, however after a lot of maneuvering around the National Garden I ended up being right in front of a stadium I didn't realize existed: The Panethenaic Stadium. There was a massive track, which when I tell you how upset I was that I wasn't in my track clothes to run a few laps I'm not even joking.
Something that I've seen was mentioned in the book Strong: A Runner's Guide to Boosting Confidence and Becoming the Best Version of You by Kara Goucher (which I am still yet to get!) was to speak your dreams to other people. We often keep our dreams close to us as if it were a candle and telling others would blow it out. On this tour, I mentioned to the group - my fun fact was that I like to run - that I was training for the 5000M with an aim to make it to the Tokyo 2020 Olympics. They were so interested in hearing about the dedication that I must put to this sport that I love so much and are looking forward to seeing where my running takes me.
It was then that I realized the importance of speaking your dreams to other people. I mention my dream of making it to the Tokyo 2020 Olympics for Team USA in the 5000M often on here - I'm pretty sure my regular readers may get a bit annoyed of me talking about it so often. I also mention it to my family when something is planned for the day, and I have to remind them that I have to get my run in earlier in the day for the plan to work. Because I'm training, the only rest days I take are when I feel my body needs one; that's not to say I run 24/7 until I feel like my body is about to collapse, I schedule 2 rest days in my schedule per week (but more like active rest because I like to walk around and not be a couch potato). I never really mentioned it to anyone outside of those two groups: Blog & Family. So, actually saying it to people in real life made it more real for me. In a way, I guess I have more people to hold me accountable. It made me excited because for once it wasn't just me believing in this dream of mine, it was others looking forward to seeing my dream become a reality.
I did this jumping pose at all major places and I can confirm my arms were extremely sore and about to fall off by the end of the trip
This stadium had a place where the King and Queen sat (y'know when there was a Greek Monarchy) which actually looked pretty cool and roomy to sit in. Here's a bit of quick history you probably didn't wonder about but I'm going to tell you about anyway: Did you know that all Olympic Torches & Posters used to promote the Games (Summer and Winter) return to this stadium? Also, the Altar - where the High Priestess lights the Olympic Flame for its journey to the city that organizes the Olympic Game is here, which is below!
Now, a mini spam of the Posters for the Games & Torches through the years:
Here we have London 1948 - I'm really curious on the history on this Torch design because clearly it's who I am as a person to want to know everything about history.
Fast forward London 2012 - what a different look right? It was pretty hard for me to get the photo of the poster & torch hence why I took 2 separate photos!
Canada aka. good ol' friend (well, when a certain president behaves) hosted the Games in 1976 - I really love the classic look of this one. I actually took these photos to show it to a friend of mine but thought I'd include it anyways!
Beijing in 2008! I love how detailed the pattern is on this Torch!
Rio Olympics 2016! I remember watching this abroad and all I'm going to say is Simone Biles. That is all. If you don't know who that is, look up Simone Biles Rio Routine, you'll thank me later!
You thought I was done with the 1900's NOPE- here we have Helsinki, Finland 1952 and can I just say wow. I just love this Torch a lot. It just has that look that makes you do a double take (or maybe that's just me!)
Everywhere I looked there was a bit of history from all over the world on the walls. The Olympics brings countries together and it was interesting to walk through history that is shared with other countries. This is also where I learned that Los Angeles, California hosted the Olympic Games in 1984.
I also wasn't sure I'd see the most the most recent one from the Winter Olympics in Pyeongchang but! It was here!
Ok I promise I'm done with my fascination of the Olympic torches through the years I could have stayed there all day, my camera roll has more torches & posters.
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That right there in the back is my mom in the future
I did run on the track in my regular clothes, and I was just so happy & content. I made my sister take a photo of me preparing to run (granted my leg is probably too bent in this photo but I was too excited so forgive me track people that are reading this) and hilariously a guy photobombed my photo. When I looked back at it I thought to myself, this is what I want for my future to be in 2020. I am so excited with the thought that that's going to be my mom one day, cheering me on in Tokyo 2020 if I make the team (please legs love me and move fast for the Olympic Trials xo).
Dreams don't work unless you put in the effort and as I was just coming back from injury, my motivation took some dips and dives but this Stadium brought me back up again. I remind myself that for every workout I do, even the ones that have me contemplating if I should go out in the rain for a run, I get stronger. Every workout makes me stronger and more capable of achieving my dreams. There are days where I think to myself can I do this? Is this in my future? When I catch myself thinking this, which happens a lot more than I'd like to admit, I drain out all the negative thoughts & doubts that enter my mind and replace them with You Dreamt it. You can. You will.
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If you are interested in seeing what I got up to in Greece fitness wise - clips of me running on the Panathenaic Stadium, Cliff Jumping off a 32 foot cliff, hiking for amazing views etc. You can check out my latest Youtube Video; if you have the time to watch it, I'd love to know what you think!
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What are your dreams & aspirations? Has anyone ever told you you're dreaming too high when you told them?
ps. As I mentioned above, running in the rain is not my ideal running weather. Do any runners know of the best way to prepare? What to wear? How do I make it a comfy run?
