Story of Ivanka

 

I remember being at a party celebrating my friend’s birthday, but it felt a bit boring for me, so I was browsing the Internet. That’s when I stumbled upon an article about the Boston Marathon. Until then, I knew absolutely nothing about major marathons and only ran a maximum of 2 km once a week. The article described the incredible support from spectators who brought out their sofas and armchairs, offering drinks and fruits to the runners, and cheering all the day) In that moment, I thought, “I definitely want to run this marathon.” A few days later, I found a running coach, and that’s how my running journey began.

 

Let me begin by saying that running is more than just a hobby for me; it is my biggest passion, my lifestyle, and truly a part of who I am. Running brings me a sense of lightness and self-confidence. It serves as both meditation and relaxation, giving me a feeling of exhilaration and freedom. Running inspires and motivates me, making me stronger and happier. And, of course, through running, I’ve met countless incredible and beautiful people.

 

The Berlin Marathon was my biggest challenge and test. My plan for 2023 was straightforward: run the London and Berlin marathons. After completing the London Marathon, my first ever, I suffered an injury that sidelined me for a month. When I resumed training, I increased my mileage too quickly, trying to make up for lost time. Unfortunately, 10 days before the marathon, I’ve got a stress fracture. Despite this, I decided to run the race. After running slowly for the first 9 kilometers, the pain in my leg intensified, and it became swollen, making it hard to walk normally. Determined, I limped to the finish line, finding it even more challenging mentally than physically. I had eagerly anticipated this marathon and hoped to qualify for Boston, but it wasn’t my day. My finish time was 5:44, but I’m proud of myself for not giving up and earning my second star for my second major marathon. That day made me stronger mentally.

 

What do I feel when I cross the finish line? Ooooh, I could talk about it forever! I experience a euphoria so powerful that words can’t fully capture it; it’s something everyone should feel at least once in their life. With each finish, I grow and evolve. I feel pure joy and immense satisfaction, relishing the moment of triumph or even the moment of defeat. In both, I find something uniquely special that fills me with happiness❤️