The desert steppes marathon gathered 277 participants from many cities of Russia and abroad in the Eltonsky Natural Park of the Pallasovsky District. This is the only ultra-marathon distance in Europe, laid among the desert steppes along a unique salt lake. Among the participants there were many representatives of the beautiful half of humanity. They are not professional athletes, but nevertheless they were not stopped by either the difficult rough terrain, or the long distances, or the scorching steppe sun and heat. What made these women challenge themselves and the elements, and how can you keep fit at any age? Participants of the Desert Steppes Marathon share their secrets with Woman’s day readers.
“I am 51 years old, came from St. Petersburg, married. A teacher by profession. I started with a distance of 10 km, and now I have run 21 km. For me, this is a desire to be realized, to be active. In society, women over 50 are already relegated to the background, they believe that we are already at the end of life and are not capable of anything. Here I don’t feel my age. “
Tip: you need to create conditions for yourself.
Running is … a way to live an active and happy life.
“I am from Krasnodar, age 52. Owner of your own business. She is married and has children. I came here to support my husband (he ran 56 km) and, unexpectedly for herself, registered herself. This is my first marathon. And for me the achievement, that I ran it at all, met the standards. In general, I try to keep myself in shape, I do fitness. “
Tip: engage in any available sports, the same fitness.
Running is … a distance from old age.
“I am 34 years old, a lawyer by profession. Single. Before this marathon I had not run more than 10 km on Elton. But here we managed to overcome 28 km. This is the longest race in my life so far. In general, we took part here with the whole family – 7 people: mom, dad, me, my two brothers and their wives. “
Tip: fear nothing and move forward.
Running is … life.
“I am 52 years old, I live in Samara, a teacher by profession, I am married. She came to the marathon with her husband, girlfriend and her husband. In general, I have already run three marathons, one of which is here on Elton. And the most favorite distance is 21 km. I started doing yoga, then moved on to running. My life motto is “Conquer yourself.”
Tip: start at least with walking, with morning exercises.
Running is … life.
“I am 31 years old, I live in Moscow, specializing in HR. This is the first ultra trail I have participated in. Before that I ran only half marathons. Favorite distance – 21 km. “
Tip: never give up and believe in yourself
Running is … life.
She took 3rd place in the Light distance (21 km).
“I came to the marathon from Novosibirsk. I have been running since adolescence, and I have been trying myself for long distances for only a year. This is my first ultra trail. Before that, I ran half marathons seven times. In fact, I am delighted. It’s very atmospheric here. I came to enjoy the open spaces, steppes and hot weather. By the way, I did not expect that there will be ups, I thought that the steppe is just a plain. Nevertheless, I really liked it. “
Tip: do not be lazy.
Running is … life
“I am 48 years old, I came to the marathon from Moscow. I work as a deputy editor-in-chief of the magazine “Your interlocutor”. Not married, has two children. This is not the first long distance I have covered. My record is 31 km. I think that both volunteers and organizers did a great job here. They are great, they were always ready to help, offered to drink. I myself also occasionally volunteer and I understand how difficult it is. And the place here is amazing. “
Tip: run, run and run again, start small and go big.
Running is … part of life.
“I am 39 years old, I live in the suburbs, not married, I have a daughter. I am a lawyer by profession. I haven’t run marathons before, only half marathons. And this is my first long distance. Of course, now there is something to strive for, I want to raise the bar higher. “
Tip: just get off the couch.
Running is … a part of my life.