奇速英语

88岁马拉松跑者：只要决心坚定，年龄不是限制

88-year-old Ploutarchos Pourliakas crossed the finish line at the 41st Athens Marathon on Sunday, proving once again that age is no match for determination.

This marathon, known as “The Authentic”, is deeply influenced by history, following the steps of the ancient Athenian messenger Phiedippides, who ran from the battlefield of Marathon over 2,500 years ago to bring news of victory.

Pourliakas completed the course in 6 hours and 31 minutes — a personal best, finishing 18 minutes faster than last year. Pourliakas’ journey as a marathon runner began at the age of 73, inspired by his son, an ultramarathon (超长距离马拉松赛跑) runner. Since then, he has gone beyond expectations. Many find it hard to believe that an eighty-eight years old could still be racing. “Why wouldn’t you believe it?” he asks with a smile. “We all can do it — as long as we want to.”

For Pourliakas, the secret of success lies in both mental and physical training. “The mind has to agree with what you’re doing,” he says, adding that a strong will is just as important as a strong body. Pourliakas runs about three miles daily and avoids smoking, heavy drinking, and late nights. “I’ve never smoked. I don’t make a pig of myself, I don’t drink, I don’t stay up late. I eat in a balanced way, everything but in moderation. However, I do have a little tsipouro (local drink) every day not as a drink, but as a medicine”, he said. “I feel younger than my 88 years,” he reflects, smiling after his latest marathon finish.