KAMAL DATTA: Welcome, Anas, to the podcast. I'm delighted to have you here. ANAS YOUSFI: Hi, Kamal. Great to be here too. KAMAL DATTA: Great, thanks for taking the time to chat with me today. Let's start with your background. Could you tell us a bit about yourself? Background: A pharmacist from Algeria living in Lyon, France. KAMAL DATTA: So, you are a pharmacist, and you work in the pharmaceutical industry. You also mentioned your passion for running. How did your running journey begin? Were you always into athletics and running while growing up? Started running to lose weight about 10 years ago. Initially struggled with 45-minute runs, but gradually improved and fell in love with it. Mostly into road running. KAMAL DATTA: Being a pharmacist, you are constantly dealing with medicine, and now you are into running. How do you balance your professional life with your passion for running? Mostly into outdoor running; only use a treadmill when the weather is extreme or when traveling. Balances running with a demanding career. KAMAL DATTA: That's great to hear. Now, let's talk about your transition from being a casual runner to participating in running races. How did you decide to start running races, and when did you run your first one? Started running half marathons about four years after beginning running. Initially, followed a repetitive training routine, but the desire to try a half marathon led to more competitive running. KAMAL DATTA: Moving on, let's discuss your marathon journey. How did you transition from running half marathons to participating in full marathons? Initially, planned to run three half marathons for experience before attempting a marathon. However, circumstances led to signing up for a full marathon earlier than planned. The first marathon was challenging but a significant learning experience. KAMAL DATTA: Your first marathon didn't go as expected. Can you share more about that experience and the lessons you learned from it? The first marathon was difficult due to inadequate training and poor race-day decisions. A nine-week training plan wasn't sufficient, and a sprained ankle further complicated things. Hyponatremia occurred due to excessive water consumption and insufficient salt intake. Despite the challenges, the experience was valuable in highlighting the importance of balanced fueling and race-day strategy. KAMAL DATTA: After your challenging first marathon, how did you continue your journey as a marathon runner? Joined a coaching program and shifted focus to structured training. Transitioned from viewing running as a casual activity to a dedicated sport. Improved performance by focusing on training and recovery. KAMAL DATTA: You've mentioned your goal of running the six World Marathon Majors. When did you decide to pursue this goal, and how has your journey towards achieving it been so far? The goal of running the World Marathon Majors emerged early in my running journey. However, various race cancellations due to the pandemic delayed my progress. Multiple attempts and re-registrations for marathons helped me stay focused on the goal. KAMAL DATTA: It's great to hear about your determination to achieve your marathon goals. This year, you're running the Berlin Marathon for the second time, and it's a unique experience because you'll be running it as a team with your wife. Can you tell us more about your expectations for this race? Running Berlin as a team with my wife makes it a special and challenging experience. I aim to enjoy the race and focus less on performance pressure. It's an opportunity to make up for my previous Berlin Marathon and create positive memories. KAMAL DATTA: What advice or tips can you share with other runners who might be running the Berlin Marathon or any other major marathon for the first time? Berlin Marathon tips: Berlin Marathon is well-organized, so expect a smooth race experience. Enjoy the city's atmosphere and crowd support. Focus on your race journey, not just the timing. Prioritize training and fitness over race-day stress. Understand that hard work pays off, but don't expect immediate results. KAMAL DATTA: Anas, you've mentioned that running has taught you valuable lessons about prioritization and time management. Can you elaborate on how running has helped you in this aspect of your life? Running has taught me to be more organized and make smarter choices in various aspects of life. It has reinforced the importance of setting priorities and making decisions that align with my goals. For example, just as I prioritize different aspects of marathon training, I've learned to prioritize my tasks and commitments in daily life, focusing on what's most impactful and manageable. KAMAL DATTA: Is running a solitary activity for you, or do you consider it a team sport with a support system? Running should ideally be a team sport. It offers valuable social interaction and the opportunity to learn from others. When you run with a group or team, you gain insights, motivation, and encouragement that can enhance your running experience. Sharing the journey with fellow runners makes it more enjoyable. KAMAL DATTA: As you approach the Berlin Marathon with your wife, running as a team, what are you looking forward to the most in this unique experience? I'm most excited about sharing this experience with my wife, making it a memorable journey for both of us. It's a chance to connect on a different level and experience the highs and lows of marathon running together. Additionally, I look forward to exploring Berlin's vibrant atmosphere, enjoying the race, and creating lasting memories. KAMAL DATTA: Anas, it's been fantastic talking to you about your running journey, your goals, and your experiences. Thank you for sharing your insights and experiences with our listeners. ANAS YOUSFI: Thank you, Kamal. It's been a pleasure discussing my running journey with you, and I hope it inspires others to pursue their goals and passions. Note: This summarized transcript is generated by Gen AI from the raw transcript