22 August 2011

Only in Italy!

We had a10K race in our town (Cittá Sant'Angelo) last evening, the first annual "Trophy of the Angels" race. A few background facts will be helpful to understand the ambitiousness of this race. Firstly, we've been having a heatwave lately so last evening at 6:30 it was 86 degrees (30 Celsius). Secondly, my town is at the top of a very steep hill which means most of the surrounding terrain is also hilly. Thirdly, I have never run a race in Italy up to now, only in the USA. And lastly, I didn't know about this race until shortly before it occurred.

Anyway, I was asked to participate by some neighbors at our local street festa three days ago. They've seen me running around town regularly and wanted someone to represent our neighborhood. "Sure" I said before I knew the race route or race particulars and figuring it was a little race for our town. Although the distance listed was 10K (6.2 miles), one of the organizers said it was only 9K (5.59 miles). Okay, that was my fist inkling that races in Italy are different. Also, it was difficult to get a consistent answer to the start time and I kept receiving a time range- "Between 7 and 7:30". Second inkling.

But off I went to the town last evening about 5:45 to be sure I had time to register and learn the route as well as the start time. In one of my many language misunderstandings, the registrar mentioned "il parco" to me and off I went to the park but found nothing was happening there. Hmmm. Turns out that each runner who finished the race received "il pacco" (Hey, I'm from Boston where we don't pronounce our "R's"!). More about "the parcel" later.



This was no little town run! There were 185 runners (33 women) and most were in teams or running clubs. They looked like serious runners.  I was one of the few "solo" runners registering at the last minute. But I knew I was in trouble when I heard the route! The first half was down hill which, of course, meant the entire second half of the race was up the aforementioned ridiculously steep hills. I do my shorter twice weekly runs around our town but my long run on the weekend is by the sea on a nice, wide, beautifully flat sidewalk. [Note to self: new mantra: hills are beautiful!] Re: the start time, I kept getting the same answer- between 7 and 7:30. I stayed closeby. Good thing- the race started at 6:35! Third inkling.



Nonetheless, off we went to the starting gun and the front runners were fast! I quickly became what I thought was the last runner, but since my goal was just to finish, I didn't mind. For most of the race I could at least see the two women who were ahead of me. I did become disconcerted, however, when the ambulance drove the whole race behind my left shoulder! Were they worried about me? I was worried too, would I really be able to make it? Did I mention that the hills were unrelentingly STEEP?



Well, I finished. And I wasn't last since there were two women way behind me. And even though I was third from the last, I was first for my age group. That's because I was the only woman over 65 running! I finished in 1:04:04. A respectable time considering the challenges. In announcing the winners of the various age groups and awarding prizes, they brought me up on stage for first in the 65 and over group but had no prize since they clearly weren't expecting anyone in that category! I truly didn't care though - the high point for me was receiving the applause of six of my neighbors who came to cheer me on.



Back to "il pacco." I went and received the parcel for finishers and our reward? Inkling number four: a bottle of red wine and a package of pasta. Only in Italy!



What is it that you love about where you live?







20 comments:

  1. Good for you, Mary! Even participating in a run is quite a feat. What I love about where we live is that it is a community dedicated to health and wellness, so we have great gym facilities, lap pools, running tracks, etc. But running through town, out in the open sounds so much better! I'm in awe!

    ReplyDelete
  2. Bless you Mary, what a trooper you are, I only walk every day, and today I thought it was too much as the balls of my feet keep playing up.
    What i love about where i live is thank god nobody ever asks me to run ANYWHERE :-)

    ReplyDelete
  3. Kathy, Sounds fascinating. What and where is your community dedicated to health and wellness?

    Lynne, Walking daily is good! I was never a runner until my 60's so watch out!

    ReplyDelete
  4. We have dozens of lakes and parkways plus the Mississippi River, and all of them draw lots of runners. Alas, I'm not one of them. The Twin Cities Marathon in early October is billed as the most beautiful marathon in the country. Sometimes I even get out of bed in time to watch it! (Yes, I'm feeling lazy today.)

    ReplyDelete
  5. Nancy, What a nice criteria for choosing a marathon- how beautiful is it? When I did mine in Jacksonville, FL there were programs and short runs for kids with lots of hoopla and fun. You might want to bring the grands.

    ReplyDelete
  6. Congratulation are in order. You are awesome. Good for you. My knees just bother me too much to run. I would like to get involved in more sponsored walks.

    ReplyDelete
  7. So many uncertainties! What a good sport you are!

    ReplyDelete
  8. Sally, Most races for various good causes also sponsor walks of varying lengths. The one I run in is the National Breast cancer marathon in Jacksonville. The whole city gets involved in supporting the racers and walkers. The camaraderie and satisfaction is great fun. Also, most have training programs that they recommend. Try it!

    Linda, It did end up being fun through it all. I'll do it again next year and train for it!

    ReplyDelete
  9. Oh, you are brave, aren't you?! And what great legs!

    :-)

    Cheering from the sidelines,

    Pearl

    ReplyDelete
  10. How wonderful! First, I'm in awe at your abilities to do so much running; second, I'm in awe at your willingness to represent your neighbors!

    The pacco was a lovely gesture.

    ReplyDelete
  11. How wonderful! And you not only finished, but I'm sure you can make good use of the winnings. I sure would! :-) Congratulations!

    ReplyDelete
  12. Pearl, Welcome to my blog! And thanks for the compliment. Running helps.

    Rosaria, I was willing but I didn't know I was the only one until the race! I so agree about il pacco but it made me laugh.

    DJan, Yes, other things I love about Italy- red wine and pasta!

    ReplyDelete
  13. You are so awesome, Mary! That surely would have been disconcerting to have an ambulance on your tail. Congrats on joining AND finishing!

    What I love about where I live: America's mountain; the deepest blue skies; no scorpions; Rocky Ford cantaloupe; and no matter how hot it gets during the day, the chilly night breezes cool it all down so each day has a fresh start.

    ReplyDelete
  14. Lisa, I had to make peace with the ambulance presence so I figured I could have a ride up the hill if I couldn't do it! Where you live sounds beautiful.

    ReplyDelete
  15. I'm giggling about the 'first' because you were the only one over 65. But while I giggle I admire, BIG TIME. Very well done. You inspire me . . . maybe not to run, but to stay active and fit. You are (and look) fantastic.

    What I love about where I live at this moment: thunderstorms.

    ReplyDelete
  16. It's easier to be first when you're the only one! Yes, staying active is a kick! I love the amazingness of thunder storms.

    ReplyDelete
  17. I love that I can sit here and pretend I am there! You. Go. Girl!!!

    ReplyDelete
  18. Lauren, Yeah, oldest girl in the race! Still, having some peers would be fun.

    ReplyDelete
  19. I love the PEOPLE in Bournemouth... and the parks and open spaces.

    ReplyDelete

Let's chat.