Author Topic: Nikolas "Charos" Anastasopoulos (Read 11153 times)

Nikolas_A · « **on:** September 07, 2005, 06:55:20 AM »

Well, let's see...

Born in Athens in 1975
175cm. 73kg (going down...)
Mechanical Engineer
Not married yet, I figure I have some years of real life before I do...

I think you've seen my face:

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v519/pic2web/HPIM0075.jpg

Nikolas "Charos" Anastasopoulos

Hobbies:
Rock climbing, ice climbing (when I was a kid I even climbed bookselves

), skiing, hiking, canyoning, MTB, you get the idea...

Computers. Self-taught programmer, I love tinkering with the hardware (my PC case is always open...)
Self-taught in electronics, I like them so much I'm thinking of getting a second degree on them.

I wanted to be a fighter pilot but I'm a bit shorth-sighted. I served in the Special Forces, had the chance to see the inside of a C-130 many times as well as the under side...

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v519/pic2web/Military/MC1-1B.jpg

Nikolas "Charos" Anastasopoulos

I was looking at the panels before the jumps

And as if I didn't have have enough in my mind, I got this crazy idea (get a load of this): to build an F-16 cockpit!!! Can you believe it??

My first Sim was Navy Fighters. It sucked, but having to press +/- for the throttle sucked even more. My electronics skills were even smaller back then so my efforts to interface to the keyboard led me nowhere. Then a couple of years ago I saw Martin's site and - the final blow - Viperpits. You know how it goes from there...

Nikolas

Flareless · « **Reply #1 on:** September 07, 2005, 01:22:36 PM »

Great bio Nikolas! Thanks for sharing

Nikolas_A · « **Reply #2 on:** September 07, 2005, 04:27:27 PM »

Quote from: "Flareless"

Great bio Nikolas! Thanks for sharing

Thanks, Rich.

By the way, I wanted to ask you: how come you have three bio threads? Golden membership or something? :?

Nikolas

Crease-Guard · « **Reply #3 on:** September 07, 2005, 04:44:29 PM »

Gotta have one for each of his personalities.... :wink:

Jay

Flareless · « **Reply #4 on:** September 07, 2005, 05:11:56 PM »

Quote from: "Charos"

Quote from: "Flareless"
Great bio Nikolas! Thanks for sharing

Thanks, Rich.

By the way, I wanted to ask you: how come you have three bio threads? Golden membership or something? :?

Nikolas

Actually I don't know.

Hey Mike, could you please clear out the two with no replies? I'm a superstar, I know, but I don't want everyone else to get jealous

Nikolas_A · « **Reply #5 on:** August 04, 2009, 02:27:45 PM »

Well, in case you didn't nottice, I changed my user name from "Charos" to "Nikolas_A".

rimi · « **Reply #6 on:** August 04, 2009, 03:44:27 PM »

Quote from: Nikolas_A on August 04, 2009, 02:27:45 PM

Well, in case you didn't nottice, I changed my user name from "Charos" to "Nikolas_A".

Nikolas, I care because I think you are very helpful member in this forum and I look for your posts all the time.

Fayez

Nigel · « **Reply #7 on:** August 04, 2009, 05:30:47 PM »

Nikolas,
Why the change? I like Nikolas A better but is it because TOR changed his? I am thinking up a new stage name now. What do you think of "Elvis"?
Just kidding Nikolas!!

Nikolas_A · « **Reply #8 on:** August 05, 2009, 02:10:25 AM »

Thanks guys. I used to choose forum-specific user names, i.e. related to what the forum is about. However I've joined quite a few forums and I just liked to simplify things by using my real name. Nothing wrong with "Elvis" though

Nikolas_A · « **Reply #9 on:** November 12, 2014, 04:03:51 PM »

I often wonder what percentage of marathon runners know why the race is called that. Racing is a popular sport, and on average 6 marathon races are held daily around the world! Some of those are more prestigious, some requiring qualification.

Yet there is only one that starts in the city of Marathon. Only one that goes around the tomb of the ancient Greeks that fell in the battle of Marathon, that is considered the battle that shaped the western civilization. Only one that follows the route of the messenger carrying the news of the victory back to Athens, finishing in the Panathenean stadium, which hosted the first modern Olympic Games in 1896. It was actually then that the race was held for the first time.

Beeing a mountain climber, I see running as a means to stay fit for the mountains. I have been generally fit for most of my life, but I had an on-off relation with running. Still the idea of one day running the AAM was in the back of my head. The last two years I became more consistent, significantly increasing the frequency and length of my runs. Last year I run three 10K races and a half marathon, gradually moving from the mid-performance group to the top third. So the goal of running the big one seemed realistic.

So, last Sunday at 09:15 at the sound of a gun I set off. I tried to pace myself, since all my training and races so far were at a much faster tempo. I looked around me at the colorful sea of runners. I red their t-shirts, many had traveled thousands of miles to be part of this. USA, Brazil, South Africa, Japan, Netherlands, Croatia, Serbia, Turkey, China, Japan to name a few. Some with their faces painted in their national colors. Some in costumes! One with an artificial leg. People on the side of the street cheering, handing olive branches, kids giving us high fives.

Part of the route takes us through the countryside, I hit the 21k mark and from here on I am in “terra incognita”. I set the 25k as my next short-term goal. The steepest and longest uphill part. The AAM is notorious for it's elevation profile. “I'm a mountain climber” I keep thinking, it can't be that bad! And indeed it isn't for me, though I see many around me struggle. Next goal the 32k. Passing under the bridge at the Stavros intersection, it's almost all downhill from there. Plus the kilometers are getting single-digit now. My legs are feeling really heavy by now though, the mind must take over. Runners quit here and there, some are tended to by paramedics, I try not to let that affect me.

At the 35 I grab a cup of isotonic drink and decide to walk as I drink it, since I run through all supply stations but drinking from a cup while running is not easy. After five meters of walking I find it hard to start running again. At 37.5 I grab a bottle of water, drink some, pour the rest on my head and hardly have the strength to toss the bottle away. At 40 I don't even want to bother with a bottle, and the two last kilometers somehow seem to expand. One last turn and the stadium is in sight. Finally, with the clock at 04:38:34 I'm crossing the finishing line, tired as hell and emotionally overwhelmed.

Although I spent the last 10k repeating in my head “I will never do it again”, looking around me at all that is the marathon race, I now know I will.

tiger-31 · « **Reply #10 on:** November 12, 2014, 04:12:57 PM »

Building a simpit is kind of like running a marathon... takes forever to get to the end...

ulti · « **Reply #11 on:** November 12, 2014, 04:30:00 PM »

Respect man, respect !

opasi · « **Reply #12 on:** November 12, 2014, 04:36:29 PM »

Congratulations, a victory over themselves

Rufus · « **Reply #13 on:** November 12, 2014, 08:29:03 PM »

Now THAT is doing it old school -

- very well done!!!

henkie · « **Reply #14 on:** November 13, 2014, 02:03:36 AM »

and nice to know a face for "Nikolas"

Respect!
- Henk

Moon · « **Reply #15 on:** November 13, 2014, 05:08:21 AM »

Great story! What a fantastic achievement.

I read in your build thread that 2014 has been a hard year for you. Completing a marathon is a great symbol of your tenacity and never-give-up attitude.

AiRdAncE · « **Reply #16 on:** November 13, 2014, 05:49:48 AM »

Hero!

Nikolas_A · « **Reply #17 on:** November 14, 2014, 01:14:37 PM »

Thanks averybody!

Quote from: Moon on November 13, 2014, 05:08:21 AM

Completing a marathon is a great symbol of your tenacity and never-give-up attitude.

Yes, that is exactly what I saw it as...

Nikolas_A · « **Reply #18 on:** February 21, 2015, 03:37:02 PM »

Well, even though my pit progress is almost nil, life still goes on. I was able to get some climbing done in the Alps last summer. I was recovering from a health issue so not in my best form. Also the weather forced us out of Switzerland, but we found better weather in Italy and managed to climb Dent du Géant in the Mont Blanc massif. Also trekked some 3000+ peaks in the Val d' Aosta area.

I'm the one in the background.

Kukki · « **Reply #19 on:** February 21, 2015, 04:01:56 PM »

HOLY COW that is an AWESOME Picture

That must have been a hard one to get up there, and braaaaaaa it looks cold

SUPER COOL Picture

Dive · « **Reply #20 on:** February 21, 2015, 04:11:12 PM »

Awesome pic. I snowboard, and I'm a pilot, but I'm so afraid of heights it's not funny. Only when it comes to mountain climbing though...

Nice man...

Rufus · « **Reply #21 on:** February 21, 2015, 08:42:22 PM »

I fly and jump out of airplanes, but falling off a rock is for the birds...

...er...in a wing-suit...yeah...

Nice summit, though...

!

Nikolas_A · « **Reply #22 on:** February 22, 2015, 01:04:40 PM »

Thanks, it's not the hardest thing I've climbed, but it sure looks intimidating when you approach it from the glacier. It was a cold, windy day and right after the summit photo it started snowing.

Nikolas_A · « **Reply #23 on:** November 08, 2015, 04:05:57 PM »

I run it again this year, this time at 04:23:50

akisgrm · « **Reply #24 on:** November 08, 2015, 04:29:23 PM »

Συγχαρητηρια !

Rufus · « **Reply #25 on:** November 08, 2015, 04:30:21 PM »

...

!

henkie · « **Reply #26 on:** November 08, 2015, 04:42:25 PM »

Quite an achievement

In my younger years ... maybe

But I stopped fitness some 5 years ago

- Henk

Pekay · « **Reply #27 on:** November 08, 2015, 08:23:09 PM »

Nikolas_A:
I applaud your resolve for doing the marathon again.

I keep telling myself that I need to get back in the routine of regular exercise but recently, the only exercise I seem to get is when I take off clothes and coats from my gym equipment and hang back up clean things.

Pekay

Raven · « **Reply #28 on:** November 09, 2015, 08:43:58 AM »

I applaud your physical and mental strength Nikolas and the fact that the marathon race you said you would never do again was completed even faster than before. Well done my friend.

Nikolas_A · « **Reply #29 on:** November 09, 2015, 11:54:07 AM »

Thank you all!

Quote from: Pekay on November 08, 2015, 08:23:09 PM

Nikolas_A:
I applaud your resolve for doing the marathon again.

Quote from: Raven on November 09, 2015, 08:43:58 AM

I applaud your physical and mental strength Nikolas and the fact that the marathon race you said you would never do again was completed even faster than before.

I have talked to other runners, most have repeated the “I will never do it again” mantra around the 30-32km mark...

Quote from: Pekay on November 08, 2015, 08:23:09 PM

the only exercise I seem to get is when I take off clothes and coats from my gym equipment and hang back up clean things.

Gym equipment coat hanger, I think we all have one

raptor · « **Reply #30 on:** November 09, 2015, 12:15:50 PM »

Μπράβο ρε Νικόλα!

Nikolas_A · « **Reply #31 on:** September 10, 2017, 04:40:20 AM »

Hello everybody, it's been a while...

Not much happening here on the pit building front. I did, however, realize a few life goals the last few months. I became a rock climbing instructor and got to run the 14th Olympus Marathon. Yes, that is a marathon race up and down the mythical Mountain of the Gods. When I first heard of it, many years ago I wondered how people did that. 44km, more than 3200m total uphill... Well, enough with the wondering, a couple of months ago I stood behind the start line, not as prepared physically as I would have liked, but mentally ready. A tough race I can tell you, on a very hot day too. I managed to finish, missing the 10:15 finish limit by 24minutes! That means I didn't get a finisher medal. Damn, I guess I'll have to race it again!

Moon · « **Reply #32 on:** September 10, 2017, 06:50:53 AM »

44km, more than 3200m total uphill

A huge effort Nikolas. I can't imagine finishing it, let alone planning to race it again!

Lightning101 · « **Reply #33 on:** September 10, 2017, 10:17:31 AM »

I don't know if I walked that in 2017...

Congratulation!

Rufus · « **Reply #34 on:** September 10, 2017, 04:06:09 PM »

...

...you've got me beat!

Nikolas_A · « **Reply #35 on:** July 20, 2018, 06:27:18 AM »

So, I did it again. A bit more prepared and with better (cooler) weather this time. I was aiming for the finish line limit (10hrs) and I would be happy with 9:59:59. However, I felt great throughout the race and ended up shaving almost two hours off my previous time, crossing the line at 8:42:46

Also, a report from my Easter vacation in Switzerland, where, among other staff, we bagged an ascent on Mt. Strahlhorn (4190m) with skis.

Kukki · « **Reply #36 on:** July 20, 2018, 09:35:55 AM »

CONTRATS my friend, that is some achievement you have done there. SUPER COOL Pictures

Blaze · « **Reply #37 on:** July 20, 2018, 12:01:34 PM »

What an awesome achievement, well done!

henkie · « **Reply #38 on:** July 20, 2018, 03:45:58 PM »

Nicolas
And quite an achievement to set a some much better time

Will be tough to beat that next year

salaxi54 · « **Reply #39 on:** July 21, 2018, 12:01:31 AM »

Way to go Nikolas! Finding something that expresses you most, is great. Even more if it's healthy! Keep on running.

Nikolas_A · « **Reply #40 on:** March 14, 2019, 02:34:09 PM »

On the 3rd of March I run Pierra Creta for the second time. It's a biennial Ski Mountaineering race on the island of Crete, that has the distinction of being the southernmost skimo race in Europe. Actually, Crete is in a lower latitude than part of Africa! On top of that, on a good day (like in the previous race) you can be skiing with clear views of the Aegean Sea to the north end the Libyan Sea to the south. Quite unique!

Unfortunately the weather this year wasn't so good on race day (it was fine the days before and after!) but I still enjoyed every bit of it!

You can see me on the middle-right of the pic with the red suit and 104 bib.

Nikolas_A · « **Reply #41 on:** April 11, 2019, 11:55:42 AM »

Hey guys, it looks like I will have more time for programming now... Tore my Achilles tendon.

salaxi54 · « **Reply #42 on:** April 11, 2019, 12:24:01 PM »

Wow mate, that must've hurt real bad. Get well soon! Περαστικά!

Nomad · « **Reply #43 on:** April 11, 2019, 01:44:23 PM »

Oh no! Get well soon.

henkie · « **Reply #44 on:** April 11, 2019, 02:57:41 PM »

Speedy recovery @Nikolas_A
I am sure you will spend the time well in the mean time

Hero · « **Reply #45 on:** April 11, 2019, 04:30:59 PM »

Auch

What did you do?

wish you a speedy recovery.

Kukki · « **Reply #46 on:** April 11, 2019, 05:07:04 PM »

oohhee man , that sucks and must hurt a lot. I hope you all the best for a fast recovery my friend. And yes now you have more time to do some programming

Rufus · « **Reply #47 on:** April 11, 2019, 09:07:26 PM »

Ouch...my nephew did that playing soccer...

. Speedy recovery.

Nikolas_A · « **Reply #48 on:** April 12, 2019, 01:57:24 AM »

Thank you guys, it happened while playing football (what you call soccer in the states). It was quite painful and surprisingly loud! I'm having surgery next week...

raptor · « **Reply #49 on:** April 12, 2019, 04:03:12 PM »

Σιδερένιος Νικόλα!!

tiger-31 · « **Reply #50 on:** April 12, 2019, 04:27:56 PM »

I hope the surgery will go well, and that you will have a speedy and full recovery.

Nikolas_A · « **Reply #51 on:** February 17, 2021, 11:32:08 AM »

So, this happened yesterday. It might seem normal to members who live in higher latitudes but in Athens we see snow cover about once a decade. They say it's the most it has snowed in Athens in 40 years.

Given that, due to covid restrictions, we can't travel to higher mountains, it was a welcome surprise. This is Mt. Hymettus, neighbouring the south suburbs of the city. I actually walked there from home...

Fhyndoh · « **Reply #52 on:** February 17, 2021, 05:03:22 PM »

we have been ice-climbing in the peak district in the UK...the ice is brown and not to be recommended! enjoy the snow!

Nikolas_A · « **Reply #53 on:** May 26, 2021, 04:34:44 AM »

Nice switch you got there. It would be a shame if something where to... happen to it...

Nikolas_A · « **Reply #54 on:** December 29, 2022, 11:25:53 AM »

I referred to my wife here and I realized that, with all the crazy thing happening to the world the last few years, I forgot to mention that that happened...

tiger-31 · « **Reply #55 on:** December 29, 2022, 12:30:28 PM »

Well well well, when did that happen? A belated congratulations

Zeight · « **Reply #56 on:** December 29, 2022, 12:43:12 PM »

Congrats

Kukki · « **Reply #57 on:** December 29, 2022, 01:12:58 PM »

CONGRATS my friend, and Fricking cool picture. SIMPLY A GREAT PICTURE

mihi4 · « **Reply #58 on:** December 29, 2022, 02:00:01 PM »

Congratulation, Nikolas!

Sensational picture!!

Rufus · « **Reply #59 on:** December 29, 2022, 02:06:20 PM »

Outstanding...

!

henkie · « **Reply #60 on:** December 29, 2022, 02:19:04 PM »

Red Dog · « **Reply #61 on:** December 29, 2022, 03:21:23 PM »

Congrats Nikolas

really nice picture indeed

jjbravo · « **Reply #62 on:** December 29, 2022, 03:28:55 PM »

Congrats!

Snoopy · « **Reply #63 on:** December 29, 2022, 03:36:02 PM »

Congratulations!!!

Bloodhound161 · « **Reply #64 on:** December 29, 2022, 04:21:33 PM »

Really cool! Congratulations!!!

Biggles · « **Reply #65 on:** December 29, 2022, 07:17:29 PM »

Haha,

If you don't say yes..................its a long way down, but quick.

Congrats mate.

The best to you both.

Biggles

64Driver · « **Reply #66 on:** December 29, 2022, 11:55:06 PM »

Very cool!

Moon · « **Reply #67 on:** December 30, 2022, 04:37:02 AM »

Congratulations Nikolas!

raptor · « **Reply #68 on:** December 30, 2022, 05:03:25 AM »

Congrats!!!

Nikolas_A · « **Reply #69 on:** December 30, 2022, 05:19:26 AM »

Thank you all!

salaxi54 · « **Reply #70 on:** December 30, 2022, 01:09:47 PM »

Congratulations! Best wishes for both of you.

Nikolas_A · « **Reply #71 on:** April 18, 2023, 07:11:05 AM »

Hello to the forum members from France, Switzerland and Italy. I'm sorry to say I visited your counties but didn't have time to meet and greet...
[ You are not allowed to view attachments ]
We did the Haute Route, a famous ski mountaineering route from Chamonix to Zermatt. Due to bad weather we had to ditch the last part and divert to Arolla

Rufus · « **Reply #72 on:** April 18, 2023, 08:22:28 PM »

Nice adventure...

!

Taipan · « **Reply #73 on:** April 19, 2023, 02:24:18 AM »

Quote from: Nikolas_A on April 18, 2023, 07:11:05 AM

Hello to the forum members from France, Switzerland and Italy. I'm sorry to say I visited your counties but didn't have time to meet and greet...
[ You are not allowed to view attachments ]
We did the Haute Route, a famous ski mountaineering route from Chamonix to Zermatt. Due to bad weather we had to ditch the last part and divert to Arolla

Very nice
did you do the zig-zag on the opposite mountain ?

Nikolas_A · « **Reply #74 on:** April 19, 2023, 04:28:45 PM »

Quote from: Taipan on April 19, 2023, 02:24:18 AM

did you do the zig-zag on the opposite mountain ?

No, we did a similar zig-zag just off the left edge of the photo

Taipan · « **Reply #75 on:** April 21, 2023, 08:08:56 PM »

Quote from: Nikolas_A on April 19, 2023, 04:28:45 PM

Quote from: Taipan on April 19, 2023, 02:24:18 AM
did you do the zig-zag on the opposite mountain ?
No, we did a similar zig-zag just off the left edge of the photo

Looks like a wonderful adventure

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Author Topic: Nikolas "Charos" Anastasopoulos (Read 11153 times)