Mon premier Semi-marathon avec RCT by Amani Abouda

Three remarkable events:

Mid-July 2018: Integration in the Running Club Tunis (RCT) Club,

October 2018: My first competition Run in Carthage 16 km and…

December 2018: My first Half-Marathon.

About Four months and half! It’s too short but the story is so big and hard to make a summary in a few lines…

So, long short version, when I first started running with RCT I was determined to strengthen my brain as much as my body to prove to myself that everything is possible. So true… So “Be realistic, demand the impossible!” – Ernesto Che Guevara.

Furthermore, my second remarkable event, the most painful experience but the most relevant one. On that time, at maximum I covered 9 km of running so I planned to run 10 km and finish the remaining 6 km per walk. Unfortunately, I had an hypoglycemic reaction. So, I walked more than ran. I was so disappointed and most importantly I refused to make the Half-Marathon.

One day my very close friend offers me the opportunity to read her book, where’s the Gift? By Nigel J.A. Bristow and Michael-John Bristow, where they expressed that a feedback* is a gift (could be a critique, falls, …), and told me you should always take it (the gift) whether it is well packaged or not. As a matter of fact, only few knew how precious a feedback is, they only focus on the way it’s packed and forget to learn from mistakes. Run in Carthage was the most precious feedback in my journey, I learnt from that experience and I am not disappointed anymore… This is one of my secret ingredients for perseverance. So, thanks for those who said “You are so slow…” because my speed has improved remarkably, those who emit my painful, laborious and deep breaths because now I have finally managed to do the EF sessions.

I made it, my First Half-Marathon… Despite the pain of my knees and occasionally the negative voices in my head looking for the finish line.

Thank God, you have blessed me with health and strength to achieve what seems impossible.

Thanks to my family who always stood by my side no matter their thoughts.

Thanks to my friends and every member in my new family RCT who didn’t stop supporting, encouraging and motivating me.

But allow me to mention:

Bouali, what can I say? The Chef…

Mariem Radhouen who guided me.

Hatem, Insaf, Mohamed Zoubir, Imen Jemli, Saousen, Salma, Soumaya and Haythem who chose to slow down and supported me in several running sessions.

Dali, Mohamed Fall and Ferial who came back for me and helped me to finish the competitions.

Med Ali Mechri who treated me.

Wassim, Nizar, Oussama and others more who work hard behind the scenes to make this Club the best one ever, to boost our progress, to pay attention on the values and ethics of the club…

Neftali Villatoro and Elie Hirwa who followed me step by step despite long distance.