Gergana Vasileva is a true example of relilience and struggle in life. Some time ago she was diagnosed with Multiple sclerosis and
had to give her life a new focus. This is her story.
The story of a fighter. A real Wildmarathon women
Gergana; Can you introduce yourself ?
I started playing sports 10 years ago because of the diagnosis I had to live with – Multiple sclerosis. I have been participating in marathons, half-marathons, ultra-marathons and mountain treks for 5 years. I started by running in the West Park, went through a series of half marathons in the country. I completed two full marathons last year: in Rome and in Athens! This year in February, I joined the Dune Desert Half Marathon in the Sahara, Morocco by Wildmarathon.
How is your daily life like?
Running, cycling, swimming, skiing, Pilates, yoga practices… These are the main activities in my life. And the result: no crisis and no symptoms during these years. This is why now: being charged, stimulated and enthusiastic – I am starting my project dedicated to the fight against Multiple Sclerosis… through physical activity!
Tell us a little bit more about yourself, when were you diagnosed with MS?
I knew for my MS 15 years ago. I have had various symptoms for several years prior to diagnosis. First it was dizziness, then I had vision problems. For a while I had periods where I would walk down the street and fall. The doctors I went to couldn’t find the problem until I found the right doctor and the right test. They did a MRI and it turned out to be multiple sclerosis for certain. We cannot avoid the shock in the beginning. It sounds very, very scary to us, and we don’t know exactly what it is until someone explains it to us. I am glad that I came across doctors who not only explained that to me, but also gave me the most correct advice. But … after that, everything is in our hands. As hard as medication is, whatever its effects are, it’s something we must do to continue being who we are, but in combination with so much more. I got advice at the hospital to change my diet and since I am not a specialist, I found a person who would make the right diet for me, who recommended the right food and the way to continue living my daily life at my own pace. I found the right person; they prepared a very suitable regimen for me. I was able to start just a few months after the diagnosis with the new diet. I felt quite strong a few months after that, quite active. I decided that was enough for me and I would start something else.
How do you deal with this desease and how do you think sport can help you manage it?
Since I stopped smoking shortly after the diagnosis, I decided to start exercising to eliminate any desire to return to the habit… I started running and swimming, then I included cycling, I together with my family learned to ski, I practiced pilates and yoga. All this has been going on for over 10 years now and it’s working incredibly well for me! My body is quite strong, I would say quite healthy. I have not had a single crisis during those 10 years, and I have not had a single MS symptom. The diseases that did appear during those years passed quite easily including viral diseases that people were very afraid of, like Covid for example.They were gone with all their symptoms. I felt these diseases, but I went through them much more easily than what I have heard from other people.
Along with physical activity, I changed my diet. I stopped eating meat, animal fats, and dairy products. I eat more vegetables and fruits. Of course, legumes, lentils and anything else from which I can get the necessary substances. I eat fish and this whole Mediterranean regimen has turned out to be the best nutrition for me. My body gets everything it needs. After all these 10 years of doing sports, quite actively as an amateur, but still very actively, I have completed quite a few half-marathons and marathons: 9 half-marathons, including one in the Sahara desert, two full marathons, I have cycled the Danube Ultra twice , which is 740 km long, a number of 5 km runs and mountain hikes… Lots and lots of movement that energizes me and gives me strength.
This year I am already starting a bigger project of my own: “Run with MS“. Initiative with a cause: to be active in the fight against MS. This can be of particular support to people who struggle with MS and would take the MS challenge: Active, not Passive!.
How did you discover the Wildmarathon Series?
I discovered it when I was looking for a way to participate in the marathon in Sahara, Morocco. I dreamed of it several years, looked for information with our ambassador in Morocco… And in th the final – I discovered: it is a part of Wildmarathon Series. And then … I saw the other. It was my dream and I am starting to realize this dream now.
Sport and travel sounds like a brave and perfect way to deal with MS. Tel us about your project “RUN WITH MS”
The initiative envisages running six marathons on six continents and the cause is dedicated to the treatment of multiple sclerosis: the first marathon is in Europe – in Berlin, at the end of September. Next: Mexico, Australia, Peru, Tanzania, Nepal. And so I urge all the people with this diagnosis: be active, because this is a way of treatment! The cause is: be active in the fight against MS. I think this could be of particular support to people who struggle with MS and would take the challenge “MS: active, not passive!’.
The series of marathons start in September from Europe: with the Berlin Marathon, followed by Mexico, Australia, Peru, Tanzania and Nepal. The routes of the marathons are completely different: from urban, through mountains, coastal, desert and jungle… The message from all continents will be the same: “Don’t stop moving!”
September:
The BMW Berlin Marathon is the biggest and fastest marathon in Europe. Signing up to participate in it is one of the biggest challenges; the registration itself is already a serious success! The terrain is asphalt, relatively flat. The event turns 50 years old this year!
December, 2024 – Mexico:
There the route is mainly coastal, passing close to Punta Sur Nature Park. The terrain is flat, the routes alternate: sand, earth, asphalt.
March 2025 – Australia:
The marathon takes place on the island of Tasmania. The terrain is mixed, with medium unevenness, but almost the entire route runs along the ocean.
June 2025 – Peru:
Vilcabamba Valley through Machu Picchu Valley, to Santa Teresa. Vilcabamba is also the name of a lost ancient Inca city whose existence was lost during the occupation by Spain in the 16th century. And Machu Picchu is an architectural complex that is part of the UNESCO World Cultural and Natural Heritage List.
July, 2025 – Tanzania:
Kilimasai Marathon takes place in the Savannah of Kilimanjaro. The route winds under the highest African peak, through the National Park of Tanzania. Safety on the section that cuts through the jungle is ensured by helicopters monitoring the runners until they cross the area.
October, 2025 – Nepal:
The route is in the western part of the country, in the Annapurna mountain range, part of the Himalayan range. Here is one of the 14 eight-thousand high peaks in the world – Mount Annapurna. (The marathon route, of course, is in a much lower and plainer part of the mountain.)
I hope that such a cause will encourage patients diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis to accept activity as therapy.
Are you planning more Wildmarathon races in the future?