Damazio Family's Running Legacy: A Mother-Daughter Journey

The Arrival of Running and Generational Connection

Ale Damazio's passion for running emerged later, when Gi was five years old. In 2013, her initial goal was weight loss. Running on a 400m track in her condominium, Ale and her husband, Alê, quickly stood out, joining the “Kenya Platoon” in their first Atenas Circuit race. This initial success made them passionate about the sport. During adolescence, Gi went through a "gap" period in running, a common phase for many young people, but remained connected to the sports environment by photographing races and exploring other modalities like spinning and weight training. When she returned to competitive running, Ale actively supported her, creating training plans and training together, consolidating running as a strong bond in the mother-daughter relationship.

Epic Challenges: The Seville Marathon

The Seville Marathon is a separate chapter in the mother-daughter story of overcoming challenges. Ale faced perimenopause during preparation, suffering from malaise, dehydration, and even fainting during her long training runs. Concerned for her safety abroad, she informed her husband, Alê, that she might abandon the race. Alê, in turn, made a secret pact to accompany Gi during the marathon, should anything happen. Gi, during the same period, was dealing with a stress fracture in the first month of her cycle, spending three months training exclusively on the elliptical. Even without ideal conditioning and with only two weeks of running before the race, she embarked with faith and determination.

Both completed the marathon facing challenging situations. Ale felt the effects of perimenopause during the race but managed to finish. Gi found herself exhausted at km 30, experiencing symptoms like "black screen" vision and her tongue getting tangled. In the final kilometers, her father, Alê, appeared to support her, walking beside her to the finish line. This brutal experience, as Gi describes it, greatly trained her mind, making her mentally stronger and more resilient for future challenges. The medal from this chaotic marathon symbolizes their resilience and unwavering passion.

Women's Sports and New Scenarios

Ale Damazio has witnessed the transformation of women's sports in running since 2013. In the beginning, the barriers were visible: the lack of adequate clothing offering comfort and security, harassment ("telling them to slow down"), and fewer women present in the pelotons. The need to wear two sports bras for adequate support or to improvise with fanny packs to carry basic items was common. Today, the scenario is different, with more women running and an industry, like All Out Run – a sponsor of the episode – that offers technological and specific products for the female body, with super compression and smart pockets.

The Pace Culture and the Essence of Pleasure

A concern raised by Ale and Marcela is the current pace culture and social media comparison. Ale recalls a time when people ran for pleasure, health, and well-being, without the pressure of goals or others' performance. She observes that the obsession with numbers and comparisons can lead to unhealthy practices, diverting focus from the true essence of sports. The discussion extends to female aging, with the reflection that, with maturity, other priorities emerge, and letting go of an ideal “pace” or “shape” becomes necessary for longevity and happiness in sports.

Legacy, Love, and a Future in Motion

For Gi, growing up with a mother who balanced professional life, motherhood, and a passion for sports was a constant inspiration. She sees herself following in Ale's footsteps, seeking to reconcile her dreams with motherhood and being a role model for her future children. Running is not just a physical activity, but a bond of love and complicity that unites the Damazio family, proving that the passing of the torch can be invisible and natural. Gi expresses that if it weren't for Ale, she wouldn't be the woman or the runner she is today, highlighting the discipline and passion she inherited.

The final message is clear: sports teach discipline, commitment, respect, and the importance of living in the present, without being tied to pace or image. As Ale emphasizes, "I want to age healthily, running," reinforcing the idea that longevity and pleasure in physical activity are more valuable than any podium. The story of Gi and Ale Damazio is a reminder that sports, and running in particular, can be a powerful tool to strengthen family bonds, build character, and inspire generations, transforming lives far beyond tracks and trails.