The psychologist Pep Marí analyses the incredible challenge of Alexadra Panayotou

23/06/2009

It is said that those who persist win. Alex thinks she has been given a gift that makes her never surround face to difficulties. Physical problems, intestinal pains, suffocation provoked by the high temperatures and depressions are the different ways evil has to tempt the experienced runner with the idea of giving up. For not to succumb to the temptation Alex counts on two excellent allies: to remember the sense behind making kilometres (as she uses to say) and to disconnect from the body.
 
Alexandra says to have run due to many different reasons, but that she had never felt so much responsibility before. She wants to be on a par with the confidence the Organising Committee of Barcelona 2010 which is the one she is promoting has put on her. And what happens is that she needs reasons to go on running when things get nasty.
 
By analysing it in a cold way, Alex is just doing one thing: running. But when we ask for the sense making kilometres has for her, then it goes far beyond. She wants to complete her challenge in order to learn how to overcome the difficulties life is going to (eventually) offer her. I am afraid that she has even thought that part of the Championship's success depends on her personal success on this adventure. She needs very good arguments to go on fighting. If she does it just because of herself, it will be very difficult to arrive at the end.
 
I can not assure Alex is going fulfil her challenge. But what I am able to guarantee is that she will pay the whole price to get it.That is exactly where her commitment lies in.