Andrei Rosu run two international marathons this year, starting with one at the North Pole, and was the first person to play the drums there. He dreams of becoming the first Romanian to run seven marathons on seven continents by this time next year. Andrei, an economist by profession, wants to climb the Everest, cross Africa by bike, sail around the world and cross Asia in a balloon, he says in an interview with romania-insider.com.

By Corina Saceanu

A young Romanian started to run international marathons this year and dreams of becoming the first Romanian to run seven marathons on seven continents. He says he will finish this quest by October next year. Andrei Rosu, who has been working in the banking and leasing industry, started out with a tough race: the North Pole marathon in April this year. He had trained for three months for it and says it was enough for him to run and finish the marathon. On top of it, he was also the first person to play the drums at the North Pole (see picture above). He wanted a Romanian to hold this record.

Andrei's driver to do this was his desire to become a role model for his two years old son, he tells in an interview for romania-insider.com.

“I love dreaming big and planning into detail. This is a tested way to do great things. I also dream of climbing Everest and crossing Africa by bike. And sailing around the world. And crossing Asia in a balloon. And many other adventures…,” says Andrei.

The 'dreaming big' part started when he was five years old and his parents were reading Jules Verne to him. “I always wanted to explore our planet - from one Pole to the other…,” he goes on.

A second marathon came in July this year, when Andrei run in the Australian Outback race. He will be heading towards the third race, in Istanbul, on October 17.

To Andrei, all these brought the courage to be happy. The power to face his dozens of fears- the fear of flying, of public speaking, the fear of heights. He stretched out of his comfort zone, got a sound health and reached a sense of accomplishment through becoming an inspiring father.

But he found himself terribly alone out there, in the quest around the world, “because there were no other Romanians in those competitions,” he says. However, he was proud to represent his country and show the world how the Romanian flag looks like. “The foreigners from the competitions I attend first see me and judge me as a runner. I think that the marathon runners have their own community. Being Romanian has made my traveling a little bit harder (extra control in the airports…), but this is part of my adventure!,” says Andrei Rosu.

His desire to challenge himself in international marathons did not stem from the wish to find freedom. He was already feeling free. “I felt really free the moment I married the right person. Living with somebody who loves you, understands you and supports you, gave me the psychological comfort and the freedom to dream, plan and do a lot of things, both alone and together,” he says.

How do his dreams to go around the world fit with his day job? Andrei studied economics and since graduating in 1998 has been working in the financial system, in the banking and leasing industries.

“Most of my career focused on sales. Last year I applied for a project management job and it is exactly what I need to have the right approach, both professionally and in my personal life. A project remains a project, no matter if you build a factory or you plan your wedding…,” says Andrei Rosu.

Andrei will share more of his inspiring story at the TEDx Bucharest event on Friday, October 15, in Bucharest. The event will also be broadcasted online.

corina@romania-insider.com