Peruvian runner Maria Portilla, who finished 39th in the Olympic women's marathon and set a new national record with a time of 2 hours, 35 minutes, 19 seconds, expressed her gratitude to the Peruvian people for the praise she has received after her performance in the Olympic Games.
"I'm very happy because I gave it my all, and everything went well. I am happy -- very happy. The weather was good; happily I improved my time, and that's very gratifying," Portilla told RPP News on Sunday, August 17.
The Peruvian athlete explained the details of the race and revealed that she was surprised to learn afterward that she had improved her best time by five seconds. Portilla expects to participate in more marathons and to continue to evolve in her career as a runner.
"The race began calmly," she said. "The best runners came here and made extraordinary times. I was one of the few athletes with a time of 2 hours, 40 minutes, but here in Beijing I did very well."
"I'm surprised because my time improved by five seconds, something that is very important. It motivates me know that I can still improve my time. Hopefully God wants to give me another year to improve this."
She adds: "A special greeting to all Peruvians, especially those in the sierra."
Source: RPP Noticias, Aug. 18, 2008, "María Portilla: Me emociona haber puesto todo de mi parte en Beijing" (translation, Barbara Drake)
A July 31 story by Reuters reporter Maria Luisa Palomino provides a more detailed look at Portilla's journey from the Andes to the Olympic track:
Peruvian Marathon Runner Late Starter at 25
July 31, 2008
LIMA (Reuters) - Maria Portilla was unable to take part in physical education classes at school because of a hernia operation and took up running only at the age of 25.
Despite all the setbacks, the 36-year-old from one of the poorest regions of the Peruvian Andes will be traveling to Beijing to run her second Olympic marathon with high hopes.
Portilla, born in the department of Apurimac, had to work as a child to help keep her family after her father fell seriously ill.
"My childhood was a bit tough," she told Reuters in a telephone interview from the Andean city of Cusco where she was finishing her preparations.
"My father had a problem in his bones and it made me sad to see him in bed, not able to walk... But it transformed my personality."
Portilla's efforts left her with an injured back.
"I had a hernia and they operated on me but afterwards I went out to work again," she said. "That was why I couldn't do physical education, I was afraid."
All that changed at the age of 25 when Portilla was training to be an infant school teacher.
Her tutor threatened to fail her if she did not undergo a physical education test.
NO SHOES
Reluctantly, Portilla agreed to take part in a race and despite going barefoot, she surprised everyone by winning.
"When I won, I had no trainers," she said. "After that, people bought them for me. It was the first time I had been given trainers."
Her potential was spotted by the Peru Runners Club and with their support she qualified for the Sydney Olympics.
It was not a happy experience, however.
"The sun was burning terribly and my shoes started to burn. There was pain here and there, it kept popping up in different places. Suddenly, all the other girls started passing me."
The following year, Portilla moved to the United States but then suffered a throat infection which was further complicated by a reaction to antibiotics.
Although she took part in various marathons, it was a struggle. She missed out on Athens and it was not until 2006 that she regained her best form.
Portilla said the high-altitude Andean region of Cusco, where messengers knows as chasquis once ran along the roads between the cities of the Inca empire, had potential for producing more long-distance runners.
"My hope is that Cusco or Apurimac can produce an athlete better than me," she said.
(Writing by Brian Homewood in Buenos Aires, editing by Dave Thompson)
14 responses so far ↓
1 B // Aug 19, 2008 at 11:49 pm
Good for her! We’re all proud of her!
2 Geri // Aug 20, 2008 at 8:51 am
Congratulations from Geri in Canada for breaking the national and your own personal time. Well done. How lucky for you to be in the Olympics after much, much hard work. Kudos to you.
3 Barb // Aug 20, 2008 at 9:42 am
Wouldn’t it be great if Peru started putting money into a program to train runners in the Andes? As Maria points out, the high altitude sierra is a demanding environment for training, which works to the runners’ advantage when they’re competing at lower altitudes.
Peru should think about this in anticipation of future Olympics.
4 Vicente Tan // Aug 23, 2008 at 1:25 pm
Primera chaski que conozco. Felicitaciones por tu 39no puesto en Pekin, María. Que séas el ejemplo para las muchachas cuzqueñas en Londres.
Yo lo hice a 4horas y pico en 2001 en Canadá a mis 48.
5 Barb // Aug 23, 2008 at 7:22 pm
Yes, Vincente, Maria truly is an inspirational chaski for all Peruvians, especially Cusquena girls. Let’s hope more female chaskis start training in the Andes.
6 Ena Guevara // Dec 29, 2008 at 1:03 am
Felicitaciones a todos los atletas que participaron en las Olympiadas.
Congratulations to all the athletes that participated at the Olympics.
Maria Portilla y Vicente hicieron un buen debut – merecen representar a nuestra patria .
Maria Portilla and Vincente had a good performance – they deserve to represent our Country.
Maria Portilla tecnicamente demostro tension muscular, lo cual afecto una optima perfomancia.
Maria Portilla (technically) demonstrated muscular tension through out her body – which affected optimal performance.
No tuve la oportunidad de observar el maraton masculino si alguien me puede dar el link les agradesco.
I did not have a chance to watch the men’s marathon , if someone can give me the link – it will be great!
Entiendo lo dificil que es apoyar a los atletas de alto calibre. Como atleta profesional que fui y represente a Peru en el atletismo, uno tiene que depender de patrocinadores para surgir.
It is not easy to have the right support as an elite athlete. As a former professional and Olympic athlete, one have to depend on sponsors to succeed.
Yo perteneci a la Liga de Atletismo de Ica (Atletico Ica) y ellos fueron mis patrocinadores en lo emocinal y lo financiero a nivel de equipo.
En la ultima decada hemos estado en comunicacion y los he estado apoyando con tecnicas de entrenamiento y terapia a larga distancia.
I ran for La Liga de Atletismo de Ica when I first started. They were my emotional sponsors and financially when we represented as a team. In the last decade I been in touch with them and I have supported them with training techniques and information in therapist (I am an Exercise Physiologist, Occupational Therapist, Massage and Yoga Therapist).
La Liga de Atletismo de Ica ha ganado eventos importantes de atletismo a nivel nacional – en categorias de menores y juveniles!
La Liga de Atletismo de Ica had won prestigious events at National level this year – the two junior categories!!
Felicitaciones nuevamente a todos los atletas peruanos y que sigan con sus metas pero que sean disciplinados y perseverantes y simpre terminen la escuela y universidad. ‘Sabiduria es Poder!!”
Congratulations again to all the Peruvian athletes and keep dreaming, but remember be serious, discipline and persevering and never ever quit SCHOOL! “Knowledge is Power!!”
(Disculpen por la falta de ortografia!)
(Sorry about my grammar )
Dios los bendiga a todos los habitantes de mi patria y que estas fiestas les traiga paz amor y mucho dinero
God Bless to all residents of my country and hope this holidays will bring you peace, love and plenty of $$$$!
EnaGuevara
7 Barb // Jan 2, 2009 at 7:29 pm
Hola, Ena — thank for leaving your comments. I am glad to hear from you again.
(Readers, Ena is a former Olympican for Peru, who now lives in the U.S. You can visit her website by clicking on her name.)
Yes, Ena, as you say, Peruvian athletes need a lot of support. I keep thinking that there must be philanthropists in the US and in Peru who can give money to support some up-and-coming athletes.
Happy Holidays, Ena!
8 EnaGuevara // Feb 16, 2009 at 8:10 pm
Barb, Thank you for your introduction!
I was in Peru for about 10 days – Jan 22 – Feb 2.
It was great to get back and re-energize my spirit!
It is something that I always preach to everyone: ” keep in touch with your roots or the place you grew-up – It is therapeutic!”
Other than visiting family I wanted to take care of other professional / volunteering errands. The Athens Massage school (where I teach part time) and myself are going to be involve in a research study. This came up in one of the meeting we had a couple of months ago. We will use a massage therapy technique (Bowen Therapy) as our main topic. To make the story short, I brought the idea of using the middle age women in Ica, Peru – who lost everything at the devastating earthquake in August 2007, as part of our research.
I will bring more information on this subject in the very near future. First of all we have to get the grant so we can sponsor the study. In order to get the grant I have to find a location / space in Ica big enough so we can fit at least 10 massage tables and other equipment. Find a hotel or place for affordable accommodations / or sponsors for about 10 people and 10 days.
However, while in my stay in Ica I did get an idea of the institutions and accommodation sites I will approach and propose their support.
Moreover, since we would have to stop in Lima after arriving we will need accommodations as well for at least a day or so. If anyone will recommend any sites it will be greatly appreciated!
If everything goes as planned and we are awarded the grant with enough resources to conduct the study, than the research team should be traveling to Lima / Ica by the first week of August. I will keep you inform as it develops.
My other reason I enjoyed my stay in Peru is because I got involved with the running athletic community in Ica as well in Lima. I attended most of the Liga de Atletismo de Ica workout sessions . I thought some techniques for their aquatic training. I was impressed with the coach Carlos Tipiani and the runners about using my suggestions (pool running)that I gave them in December 2008. I had to add and correct certain techniques for their advantage. Dune training (uphill running on the sundunes), also, was very challenging and fun.
The same week that I had to depart there was a Cross Country Championship in Lima which I wanted to attend. I met new friends and old friends. I met the director from the Peruvian Athletic Federation. He introduced me to the audience that attended the meet. I was able to watch and aid with some pre and post sports massage for the Ica runners.
It looks like I might be traveling to Lima with more frequency since I was invited by a Lima Running Club to teach advance techniques to increase running performance.
While in Ica I was broadcast on their local television station demonstrating sports training and therapy techniques, in Lima I was invited to
radio – La Republica along with other national figures to debate on a new study on stretch or not to stretch as a warm-up before a running event or any sport activity in general.
I enjoyed the hour debate and I felt competent on the subject.
I will stay back in touch and bring you some news from my trip to the MiddleEast this upcoming March – Sports therapist-US World Cross Country.
9 Barb // Feb 16, 2009 at 8:51 pm
Ena, it is lovely to hear from you and to learn about your activities here in Peru. As you well know, the athletes here have little support and your assistance must mean so much to them. How exciting.
The Ica project sounds great. It sounds like you and I are thinking along similar lines. My old band from Miami — The Three Jacks (a Celtic rock band) will be playing two benefit concerts in Lima in May to raise funds for a hospital in Chincha. I think that the massage project that you are getting off the ground will be so helpful. Please keep me informed at bdrake8112@gmail.com
Go, Ena, go!!
10 Ena Guevara // Mar 15, 2009 at 8:37 pm
Hola Barb,
It is so nice to hear that you are bringing your group to Lima!! I hope you will put some photos when they perform!
We are in the waiting period for the scholarship to do the therapy study in Ica. It might take a couple of months until we hear the outcome. There are many entries competing for a few number of scholarships.
If you give me more information on the dates and place where your group is going to perform I can pass this information to friends and running clubs in Lima.
You, also, can right me at info@enaguevara.com
I’ll stay in touch
Ena
11 Barb // Mar 16, 2009 at 8:00 am
Ena –
Yes, I will post photos. The band’s website is http://www.thethreejacks.com and you can find some current photos of them there.
They are doing a photo shoot tonight in Miami to prepare for publicity in Peru.
The Three Jacks (and Irish dancers) will be performing at Auditorio Santa Ursula, May 15 and 16. Tickets will be available soon thru Teleticket.
Thank you for spreading the word with your friends. The concert will be muy divertido, con bailarines y historias irelandeses.
gracias!
12 ena guevara // Aug 15, 2009 at 9:24 pm
Hi Barbara,
It has been a while since I stop at your blog!!
I hope all is well in Peru with you and your family and your projects. I am working steady at my studio since it is summer season and I have clients that are spending time at their summer headquarters and using my services – personal training , massage therapy, yoga privates etc.
I am so glad that you are involved with raising money to help people in need. I came a crossed with a couple athletes from Ica that lost their home due to the earthquake. They had indicated that, unfortunately, exists too much corruption with distribution of aid.
I will stay in touch more often and I hope you are having a safe winter in Lima!
13 Barbara // Aug 20, 2009 at 9:07 am
Great to hear from you, Ena. It sounds like you are very, very busy — good that you can find work during these challenging times in the U.S.
El Comercio ran a front-page story about the non reconstruction of Pisco and Ica. It’s a scandal.
14 ena guevara // Aug 25, 2009 at 12:07 pm
You right Barbara! I heard from the athletes themselves of all the promises and heard nothing after all – as of this day.
Replying to your comments, I am blessed to have work under this economical circumstances that is affecting around the world.
I will hopefully come down at the end of the year and have a reality check with the athletes in Ica. I am sponsoring a couple of them that are most in need – athletically and financially.
Nonetheless, I would have probably been in Lima during the Track and Field Nationals in June advising the top athletes for the international events – specially the middle distance runners. However, due to non explained reason I was not contacted back – specially after I confirmed to IPD (after asking me ) that I am a staff therapist for the USA Track and Field Team.
I did adviced Charo Inga at the World Cross Country Championship In Jordan this year while my trip with the USA Team. Peru tent was next to USA tent. She did run very well for her first World’s – junior level.
I was reading about Ines Melchor going to Spain to train not even 10 day prior to World’s. That was not enough time for her recovery from jet lag only! From my experience as an ex-Olympian and professional runner in many events, I could see her asking for trouble.
If Mauricio Rivera could have maintain communication with me (her coach) Melchor’ injury could have been avoided.
Mauricio took Charo Inga at the World Cross Country in Jordan and He asked me ways to train her athlete. I was surprise that he did not have a periodization program for his athletes.
I think there is plenty o talent in Peru, but athletes need to be guided in a more technical and efficient manner .