They meant to say One must suffer to run a marathon and not to be beautiful!

          

My preparation for the Brighton marathon is proving to be a journey of self-discovery by testing my mental and physical resilience. Somehow or other I have managed to go to the gym around 4 times a week and running for an hour an average of 7 miles. It was very satisfying to realize that as the days go by, it was getting easier and easier to run longer distances. However, I was far from imagining that I will manage to run the targeted 16 miles with the Brighton marathon training group last Sunday. Let's not forget that I started preparing for the marathon just a month ago and the group has been training since September. This was a challenging run not only for the distance but also because of the weather. It was cold, rainy and windy but despite all those elements against me (and the rest of the group) I managed to run the 16 miles in the allocated time: 2 hours and 45 mintutes. I wish this post was about the great sense of accomplishment I felt when finishing the run but I need to mention an issue that most runners experience at some point : knee pain! I was shocked to realize that although I had no much difficulties during the run, few hours later moving my right knee did become a painful challenge. I followed the wise advise of a colleague to go and see an osteopath just to make sure that I will be fine running the marathon. The session was very helpful, the massage did reduce the pain and I received few advises on stretching exercises that are helping me so I will strongly advise to tackle any pain rather soon than later. The osteopath did also re-ensured me that the problem was minor and will not jeopardize my general health. I was also recommended the use of knee braces to provide additional support to my knees.

How was our world this week?

 Mafalda: democracy (from the greek δεμοσ; people, and κρατοσ; authority) Government in which the people exercises the sovereignty.

Egyptian president Hosni Mubarak‘s refusal to step down from power on the pretext that he fears his departure will lead to chaos reminds me of Louis XIV ominous saying: “After me, the Deluge!”

Despite the unequivocal demand (“leave, leave, leave”) of the tens of thousands of Egyptians gathered in Tahrir Square for the past twelve days and growing international pressures calling for an immediate transition, president Mubarak appears determined to cling on to power.

As the absolute monarch, Louis XIV, his assertion seems to suggest himself as the holder of the keys for a peaceful and better Egypt. However after days of peaceful protests, rumours have emerged that the bloody confrontations between Mubarak's followers and detractors had been orchestrated by the president  himself with the use of “police in plain clothes to launch the attacks against the anti-regime protesters” (FT 04/02/11)  in a bid to showcase the disastrous consequences of violence his departure could lead to. Louis XIV ‘s departure was followed by the French Revolution which bequeathed French people with the 1789 Declaration of the Rights of Man and the Citizen, principle that has inspired Liberal Democracies throughout the world.  Would it be delusional to hope that the deluge the president Mubarak refers to is a Democratic wave across the Arab World?

 (ft.com)

Are we witnessing an Islamic Revolution for Democracy?

Although reality and aspirations do not always add up, what is sure is that we are witnessing an historical period of change in the Middle East. Are we? The apparent falling apart of an old regime that followed the French Revolution, turned out to be just a transfer of power to a new ruling elite. The support that has preceded protests in Egypt from both the US and Iran clearly reflects that the dices were not thrown just yet. The 1979s Iranian revolution managed to overthrow the Shah’s oppressive and corrupt regime just to lead way to a theocratic regime. However, it is clear that whatever happens in Egypt will have dramatic consequences in the rest of the Arab World. Indeed, Tunisian and Egypt turmoils have  already started to shake Arab autocracies (Jordan, Yemen and Algeria ). I am hopeful however, that Egypt's political scenario will evolve towards a democratic regime considering the fact that protestors do not limit their petitions to the departure of President Mubarak but ask for more freedoms too. Furthermore the diversity of the protesters involved in the upheaval indicates that if successful the revolution could lead to a pluralist society.

I believe restricting the issue to an Islamic Revolution for Democracy is an error. Thus, it limits unnecessarily the wave to a specific region forgetting that countries, notably in Africa, that have experienced a similar fate to Egypt and Tunisia could be equally inspired by those recent events. Egypt is not the only country in Africa where we have seen a president in power for over thirty years.The Tunisians and Egyptians have shown that political changes can be led by the people. This demonstration of possible self-determination will hopefully awake apathetic citizen in developing countries!

democratic movements in the Arab World (france - info.com)