When we arrived, our group of Americans was good in size, large enough for us to win the club prize, and we stood around while registration was completed. It was during this time that 6 piece marching band started to play along the starting area. It took us no time to realize that one of the trumpet players was holding his instrument with one hand and in his other hand a cigarette was waiting for a break in his part. And that is just what happened! As soon as he could, he moved the trumpet down, and lifted the cigarette to his mouth instead.
Closer to the event start, a priest took the stage for prayer and maybe even a quick scripture reading with commentary. It was pretty interesting to see this group of runners, primarily males in their 40-60 in their way too much spandex outfits pausing to cross themselves and recite the Lord's prayer before a race. The priest wasn't done until he splashed holy water over the crowd. Yep. Only in Italy!
The race course was along the roads of town and then some gravel paths. There were hills, but for the most part they were short and steep, so although I had to break my "run like the Italians ie no walking, just run slower than walking would be plan" I was able to power up one of them. Of course by this time the "cool" of the morning was long gone and the sun was full strength on us racing along these roads.
Although the 10K-ers moved on ahead after the first turn (it happens when you purposely start yourself in the back of the pack), it was alright because this hands down was the best marked path I've seen. Well, for most of us. Turns out one of my coworkers found a "short cut" that lead her back to the finish line about .2 miles before she was supposed to arrive there. Water stations were stocked and ready to give us water after those killer hills (even before the first mile). Roads really didn't need to be blocked from traffic because of how they organized the course and also, I'm pretty sure that all community members were either running with us, volunteering, or had already walked to the town's church for Sunday mass.
Lori-less and iPod-less on this race, I was forced to listen to my feet crunching the gravel and my lungs not so efficiently taking in oxygen. But you know what? I'm actually learning to like running without the added noise. But don't get me wrong, with Evacuate the Dance Floor or MMMBop remixed streaming through my ears my step is always faster. Well, unless I decide to take a dance break...then no guarentees.
Pretty much from the get-go there was another female ahead of me, so I just stayed a few yards back from her. My grand plan was to beat her at the final stretch...but I guess she also pounds out the last portion of course. I almost got her, but almost doesn't count when she crossed first. I got 3rd and she got 2nd. So although I'm frustrated that a few more quick steps would have moved me up...I placed! Yes, there were more than 3 females running the 5K. (Please don't ask me how many more though!) And you know what? My time wasn't half bad considering the hills so that was more encouraging than anything else as it marked the end of week #1 of training for the Lisbon 1/2 Marathon.
So, my prize for placing? A crate of food: plums, pasta, canned tomatoes. Lots. I think this is Italy's way of telling me that after 3 years of living here I will like pasta.
