Arienzo 5K

This week's running adventure lead us to a little town named Arienzo for a 5K/10K event. After the recent Vesuvio trail run, we were a little weary, but those fears were pushed the back of my mind as we drove through the back roads with fields and well kept neighborhoods going by our windows. No trash filled the shoulders of the road either! And no, I'm not the only one who notices this stuff because it wasn't too long before all the passengers in the car were commenting on it.

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.

9K: Vesuvio Trail Run

Since the Rome Marathon back in March, running and I have been in an on again, off again relationship. Recently Lori and I decided to move forward with some of our running goals and started to map out our next few months of events and training. Well...that's the outcome. It really went something like:

Katie: Oh look! Registration is still open for the Rock 'n Roll Lisbon event at the end of September. You know, that's one I was looking into early this year and it gives us more time to train than Prague or Budapest...

Lori: Okay, well let's pick a few and cost them out.

Katie: Sounds like a plan. Oh! Check it out...the Madrid marathon is on my 30th. We can totally run 2 marathons in a 3 weeks time frame right? I mean, we're going to train a lot smarter this time.

Lori: April?

Katie: Oh and the Dublin half in next August so put that on your schedule too.

Lori: You're crazy.

Katie: What are you doing this weekend?

Lori: I don't know.

Katie: Want to do the Vesuvio Trail run with LPN? 9K. No time limit, let's hike it.

Lori: Sure.
- - - - -
Once we were committed, I was able to convince 2 additional unsuspecting individuals. But hey- I just saw trail run on Vesuvio so I wasn't expected a walk in the park, but I was also planning to hike it rather than run it. Two hours, no problem.

So this morning a small group of us LPN folks headed to the starting line. With the pack quickly escaping in front of us, our small group of hikers pressed on. The tree cover was nice, but still didn't negate the gravel/sandy path on the incline. Within the first few kilometers our group dropped in numbers as the incline increased significantly, but the volunteer chosen to bring up the last of us (TO make sure we didn't get lost out in the wilderness!) was patient with our stopping to catch our breaths or take a swig of water. Gianni was his name and he was continually reminding us piano piano, and telling us how many more kilometers until the incline was done.

Well, when the path switched to loose soil coated in pine needles while simultaneously increasing the slope to something between 50 and 90 degrees, the four of us started to question our sanity. Of course two very in shape guys heading down saying it was too tough, also played a major role in our doubts. Lori being the smart one (and gets the gold star award for knowing her limits and not being stubborn or competitive) headed back with Gianni, leaving me and Andrew the important message of catching up with Enzo, another volunteer that he had headed back.

Within 5 more minutes of heading up the trail, the idea of turning back crossed both our minds- but we were tasked with an important message! Somehow the trail got even steeper and with every few steps (or you know, clinging onto any shrub or exposed root) I found myself hugging a tree to avoid slipping and losing hard earned steps. So yeah, I hugged many trees today!

When we thought it couldn't get worse...it did. The trail became so steep that even quick feet up the cascading gravel wasn't going to work. So it really was a crawl/scramble up the hill. This is where we caught up with several others, including the woman that I quickly dubbed hazard as she would lose her traction and slide. It was a challenge, but we saw that the path leveled out above us. We followed a fire road for a little while, thankful for the well marked trail. At an opening we saw Enzo and relayed the message that we were the last ones. (Does anyone else see this sad but true pattern emerging in my running events?) He passed us off to another volunteer and we continued on. At first it looked level...and then we saw steps after we tromped through the plants growing over the path. Mamma mia.

Luckily, not too long after that last incline, we started our decent. Before too long we found ourself back by the clearing and Enzo was still there showing us where to go next. [This is worth noting because in so many of these Naples area races volunteers pack it in not too much after the winner crosses the finish line and that course are so poorly marked when you are bringing up the end you really question if you're one the right path or not.]

We followed the arrows and tape to an area on the side of the hill that must be a mess come winter time with all the rain. The fine gravel and dust was easily a foot deep and after our initial steps we concluded that trying to keep it out of our shoes was pointless. Without the fear of sliding down since the gravel enclosed our shoe with each step, we finally picked up some speed. With the dust flying behind us we joked that we were walking on the moon as our legs rejoiced over a different movement. After a few minutes into this, shoes were filling up with gravel and my poor (already abused) toes were packed in there. There was also a strange burning feeling around my ankles. It took me a few more steps to realize that the hot gravel was making this experience even less pleasant and made me wish I really did have some cardboard to slide down the hill.

At the end of the "landslide" area we parked on some rocks while we pour mounds of dirt and gravel from our shoes. Apparently we weren't the only one with this issued; at least one pair of discarded socks was there with us.

Our next terrain was a very organized pine tree grove, as in all the trees were perfectly spaced. As the land leveled out we figured we had to be near the end of the trail. When we reached the end of a wood walkway, a man sitting in the shade of a tree offered us water, and we started to chat with him. After a minute of chatting he informed us that the finish line was just down the road. Are you kidding me? So with one last chug of water we finally decided to make a run for it. Well, a downhill jog with extremely tired legs.

In true form, our group was still waiting for us- even if the inflatable arch had already been deflated and put away. Worse part? We took 2 hours longer than the finisher's 51 minutes.

Yeah, 51 minutes for a 9K. This course was crazy.

Castellabate: Beach Day & 10K

It's funny to me that I'll set a goal, achieve set goal, and then make a new goal. Well, Rome was the goal, so no more running after that- right? Well, but then there was the Naples 1/2 a few weeks (okay, 4) later. Yep, that's the one that I did zero training for and wanted to die around the half way mark. Needless to say, with that less than pleasant experience still fresh in my mind and the daily visual reminder of multiple toe nails ready to fall off...the plan was to not run any events until September when they switch to the evening start times to avoid the hot heat. Any running that would occur would either be in the AC gym or at a crazy hour in the morning, just like I did last summer.

But then my plan changed when I saw a day trip with LPN at the beach with a 10K in the evening. Sounded great so Lori and I signed up. Well, more like I told her we were participating but "please double check your calendar so you don't miss anything while spending the day with LPN."

And that's how our Saturday morning landed us on a bus headed to a town we couldn't remember the name of to spend some time on the beach, eat Italian food, and then run a 10K before the trek back to Naples. Rough life- right? Sometimes it's not half bad living out this way.

We arrived in Castellabate late morning and after some wandering through the streets, found the right section of beach to set up our umbrella and lounge chair city. With the sand burning our bare feet there was a lot of inspiration to move quickly when making the dash to the water. The initial shock of mild temp water wore off pretty fast, but the fact you could walk out for yards without the water passing your knees still amazes me. I guess this really is a sea and not ocean like I keep being corrected on! No matter what type of body of salt water I was splashing around it, it felt fabulous and was entertaining. Why? One of the other club members convinced his daughter that there were no sharks because all the jellyfish scare them away. When she got over both sharks and jellies...he started mentioning other predators. To the point that she thought a piece of trash (one of few we saw) was something other than just a piece of paper floating in the water.

After a good soak in the sea we warmed up under the sun and threw clothes back on to walk down the beach and head up to the place we were eating lunch. Although we're one big "LPN family" there are some family members I get along with really well- like my running partner and a family where he's the one that runs, but I work with her. So we plopped down together at the end of the large table around a backpack we didn't know. Turns out the owner of the backpack AKA "new guy" fit it right away with my little segment of family and we spent more time laughing and talking than eating. Yeah, nothing like a multiple course meal before running a 10K- right?

Post meal soak, water hydration, and sun then it was time to get ready for our race. We had already been warned by Uncle Gianni (club leader) that if anyone bailed due to sun burn we'd be killed. You better believe that was extra inspiration to keep the SFP50 going on my body. Getting ready for the race consisted of shower poolside then deck changing. Yep. Another one of those useful skills I learned in high school! Of course it was more like when we'd have pool practice then have "dry land" and not of our clothes quite wanted to get on our still damp bodies...but we managed.

The 10K race lead us around town and then back on some country roads right around sunset. Absolutely beautiful along the water front (think Pismo Beach, CA), and then in the back roads even the bugs were pushed to the back of the brain as the sky turned its night time pinks, oranges, and purples. Um yeah. The sun had already set by the time that I finished the event. Still have no idea what time I did it in either...note to self- charge your watch. I wasn't among the last group to cross the finish line, but I wasn't too far ahead of them. All I know is, even if it took me 2 hours to finish this race I wasn't going to give the satisfaction to the ambulance driver (bringing up the end of the race) trying to tell me it was time to quit. And no, it really wasn't. By my calculations if there is a 2 hours time limit and you're 1/2 way by 35 minutes...I'm pretty sure I'm going to finish under the time line.

Yes. He made me that mad. Almost to the point when we stopped by the last time I told him I was finishing it no matter what and nearly offered him my race #. From that point on it was my goal to start picking off the runners I saw in the not so far distance just so I didn't have to talk to him again. Well, that and avoiding bugs in the eyes. Managed to pass a runners and it felt great. Until a massive hill, but like in every other race I've done some fabulous Italian comes up from behind and slows pace to encourage me with a forte or piano piano as we both make it up the hill. The race trail finally lead us back into the middle of town where 95% of LPN was waiting for me to cross the line, which always makes it a fabulous adrenaline rush. Best part though? My goodie bag had a bottle of wine. And yes, (mom I'm ashamed to type this but) as soon as the award presentations started the bottle was opened and I was sharing it. (And we wonder why Americans often get a bad name...)

Tired from the sun, miles, and wine we loaded up the bus and started the trek back to Naples. Something like 2 am was when I finally walked through the door. Why? Well, it's horrible traffic super late at night time of year again. Oh well, nothing like a "come back run" with your running family soaking in all the beautiful things Southern Italy has to offer.

Three Words

You know those pesky games played to introduce yourself in a group of strangers? Those "what CD can't you live without" or "what is your favorite holiday tradition" questions that you forget the person's answer in less time that you took to figure out some answer? Well, with the weekend being a little crazy I am forcing myself to sum it up in 3 words. Of course these words are going to be explained, but these 3 words will be my subject points.

#1: Kids
#2: Protests
#3: Pain

Got 'em?

Friday night on the way home I picked up 2 kids from my coworker to finally make our sleepover plans that have been in the making since soccer season a reality. Miss Fancypants, Mr. Poon, and I (Queen Cootie) had a fabulous night making sugar cookies, eating pizza, and being silly. In the morning (640am- painful!), we continued the fun with Uno, a picnic breakfast in the sunroom, and movies before heading off to our baseball games.

As we were minutes away from the park, we were stopped at the intersection by police directing traffic. My lack of Italian and his of English finally got me a "wait here until I tell you" or you know, maybe it was me trying to explain that I was trying to head to Carney Park? While I dialed up my assistant coach to assure him that I'd be there, with 2 of his kids, the protest parade walked right in front of us. As in an "oh crap, AFN warns me about not being involved with sort of stuff and I have two kids entrusted to my care right now" close. While they started to complain and fret about missing their games I tried to remember just what this protest is about. All I remembered was that it wasn't supposed to impact my route to the park and yes, it's going to get worse as the months go by. I think it has to do with a water treatment facility and/or plans for a landfill...

About 15 minutes passed and then we were on our way to the park so I could find the other 11 of "my" kids and coach my team to another victory. And you know what? They not only won, but 3 of them actually took what we learned at practice and applied it to get 4 outs in one inning! After the game, we stayed at the park chatting, playing soccer and volleyball before eating late lunch and then watched the NATO rugby team.

Once home, I evaluated the damage from my house guests: flour coated kitchen, a sink full of dishes, a weary Nico. Luckily once he realized it was just me walking through that door he resumed being my silly kitty and played until it was time to get to bed in preparation for the Naples 1/2 Marathon the next morning.

Everyone has a different definition of pain, but my current one would be "the only feeling your body has after running 13.1 miles on cobblestone streets taking you up and down hills when you haven't ran in 4 weeks." Ouchie! But I did it without injury, and without quitting, and although it was my slowest time at this distance...it wasn't that far off. I blame my lack of Lori running at my side but that's just because I really miss her and would rather blame her than admit it ;) Lucky for me, I found a stand in and he did a good job making me keep running when I wanted to lay down in the middle of the road and take a break. I'm pretty sure this was my last run for a while; my toes need a break and it's going to warm up to "Katie melts" temps before too long.

As we walked back into the metro station we heard the dreaded word sciopero. It's one of those words I learned early here in Italy because it means "strike." So, the public transportation folks were once again protesting but I really have no idea why on this one other than it's been a few months so they must be over due?

Hm. I did okay with that summary. Like always there are way more details and tangents to explore so if you feel like asking questions- go for it! Right now though, I need to go drink another L of water, cook some dinner, and then collapse on my couch with an icepack or two.

Roma-Ostia Mezza Marathon: Giorno Due

Morning of race day quickly arrived and team crazy (I think that may be my new team for me and Lori) got ready. Well, I was ready and fielding questions asked about "should I take this" and "will I be warm enough if I wear this." Hey, it's all about being part of the team. I put her through a tad early alarm, she got to ask 20 questions, we both made it down to be attacked with flashing cameras from one of the guys. Yep. Some of those gems have made it to FB. 

The bus was loaded up and we moved to the starting line to be dropped off before our cheer team traveled to the finish line to await our arrival.

The starting area was a little crazy. Turns out this event is the second largest in Italy, second only to the Rome Marathon. Running clubs from all over traveled in packs sporting their matching warmups. Leather skinned old men with 2% body fat walked around wrapped in space blankets. Ponchos covered a lot of people and spandex shorts didn't do enough covering in some cases. Some groups out to have fun wore wigs and "CSI" body suits.

As the group warm up started (aerobics instructors on a stage shouting instructions in Italian) the group got moving, or you know, laughed at those getting into it. Runners still milled around the park area, running, stretching. If the competitor was male, there was a 85% he was using a tree or bush as his bathroom. Seriously. If not for all the starting gates and bib numbers this would have looked like a men's urinal rather than a race event. (Shoot, along the course it was more of the same!) Major ick is right!

Having no official time on record most of us LPN folks started in the giallo group or you know, the last one to start. 35 minutes after the first gun went off we were on our way. (Turns out the winner was already more than half way done when we started! Amazing and yet disgusting at the same time- right?)

We made a quick loop around the immediate area of where we started and then headed out town. On the autostrada. Just like Lori said it looked like we were going to be doing. It was a straight shot, with a couple of slow and steady hills. If you want a better shot of the terrain here's my race summary. Please admire the steady pace I kept...slow and steady. Emphasis on slow but yet that's the pace we're hoping to keep for the marathon, plus after 12ish miles it's the perfect pace!

The course was rather uneventful. Lots of people ahead and a fair amount of people behind me! Guess that's one good thing about these major events, they are more like the races back in the states. Around 20km an ambulance was on the side, a portion of the course roped off, and a man being put on a stretcher. Rumor has that he had a heart attack, ma no lo so. 

Perhaps the worst part of this race was the cruel and unusual finish line. Luckily I had prepared myself by looking at the course map and saw that there was a loop right before the finish line. As in you could see it, but it was barricaded and you were forced to run out and back before really being done with all 13.1 miles. Well, the map didn't show me that I'd be passing under 3, yes tre, inflatable arches in the process. If they wanted to make sure all their sponsors got proper advertisment couldn't they have used banners? Nothing like seeing the arch but then realizing there isn't a single clock by it so you keep running towards the next one to realize the same thing. Ridiculous.

At any rate, I finally carried my body over the timer sensor and was done! Food, jacket, medal collected while I convinced my body we'd survive I got to watch some fellow teammates cross the finish. Nothing better than screaming encouragment while they too suffer the agony of the 3 arches.

Over all it was a good race and nice to see what my "race pace" is rather than my lazy pace due to any excuse to stop running during the training runs. A weekend spent with LPN is always entertaining. ALWAYS. If it was this much fun for the 1/2...I wonder what the full marathon has in store for us in March.    

Roma-Ostia Mezza Marathon: Giorno Uno

It's just a half marathon.

Yep. Those words flew out of my mouth so many times this past week I lost count. The phrase started off as a joke with my training buddy but we quickly realized that it really just is a half marathon.  13.1 miles. Va bene. Nothing like the mileage we've been logging along our path to the Rome Marathon now in just under 3 weeks.

Le Piume Nere headed north in our bus where we laughed about previous trips, other races, and ate fabulously appropriate pre-race day food like Thin Mints, M&Ms, and chips. Once entering the city our first stop was in the EUR district which was just outside the city walls "way back when." Our destination was San Paolo alle Tre Fontane which is the location that Paul was martyred.

The chapel was beautifully decorated from what we could see since mass was occurring. The three fountains inside supposedly sprung up in each place Paul's head landed after being decapitated. Turns out the fountains were actually closed up in more recent years due to pollution. The Abbey area was also gorgeous: tree lined walk ways, birds flying through the air chirping happy songs, statues scattered. No real reminder that just on the other side of the wall was the busy city.

After milling around until almost sunset we loaded back up for the dinner location.  I still have no idea where we actually were. I should have turned the GPS on because after a while it was a game of "where are they taking us?" Finally the bus stopped and we were told it was time to get out for a "short walk." No problem right? Well, you'd think that considering 90% of those getting off the bus were running a half marathon the next day. Yeah, you'd think. Not really the case but it was getting late and I for one was ready to eat. We walked through a neighborhood to get to the place and found our typical 2 huge tables waiting for us. Food starting pouring out of the kitchen and then it was "pizza no stop" time. Pizza no stop is the glorious pizza meal where they keep bringing out different pizzas. I think we got through 5 or 6 types before turning over the peg from the green to the red saying "basta!"

All the pizza brought out was similar to ones I've tried before, with the exception of the one with red lentils. Yep, lentils. It was absolutely yummy because the pizza dough in Rome is much more like a fried flat bread or tortilla. So if you can imagine this type of crust with lentils and cheese, it almost tasted like something Mexican or in the least, not something too Italian. The final pizza was con nutella ma, it wasn't the best one I've had so it was onto the café and lemoncello. This of course was dopo i litri di vino, birra, e acqua.

Looking around the table seeing all the seats full while hearing the laughter, chatter, and clatter of dishes is a crazy experience. It's like a huge reception but not because we're all at the same table! I'm telling you dinning with fellow LPN members makes me really feel like an authentic Italian family. Of course this family consists of a whole lot of Americans, British, Italians, Spanish, Germans, Romanians, French, Canadians, and others but when we're all together we're a regular United Nations!

While we waited for the bus back on the street we were entertained by the radar speed sign. When a car passed by at a certain speed higher than the posted limit a -5 would appear. Who knows what this meant but we figured it wasn't good and were very amused when we saw it several times...including as our bus pulled up!

We had one last stop before the hotel....a drive by of the Colosseo at night. It was beautiful. So beautiful. Even more so than this awesome picture Lori captured from the bus driver's window.

Finally (finally, finally) we arrived at the convent we were staying at. Tired and stuffed we waited for our keys to the rooms. Within 15 minutes of getting into our room the lights were out and we were sleeping since it was way past my turning into a pumpkin time. Plus, we had to be moving in the morning crazy early.

Two Cougars & A Cub

Less than 24 hours after finishing 16 training miles, Crazy 1 and Crazy 2 were on a metro with fellow LPN members to the Naples Marathon.

Yeah.

26.2 miles but divided among 3 of us. To be specific, team Two Cougars and a Cub. Granted that's not how we're listed on the results, but you know what? When creativity strikes you got to go with it...even if it was past the deadline. Oh well, we're going to use it officially one of these days.

At any rate, with ibuprofen in the body and the other pair of running shoes on my feet I met up with the rest of the LPN runners and headed down to Naples. We got our numbers, snapped a few pictures and then I was off...not very fast and no idea where I was going but as this was an Italian race two things were certain:

1. The pack would soon move past me.
2. The old men that have been running for years and now limp because of it would continue to encourage me to run with them when they saw me walking.

Seriously. I feel like my new slogan is "when you see the old limping men, that's where I'll be on the race course."

I'd like to say that it really isn't that bad but it is. But through it I'm slowly coming to terms with the fact that I'm out there to improve my endurance and times, not to compete with other. My times. Not others. I'm pretty sure this transition is the only way I'll be able to continue to sign up for these events.

But enough about  me, because like normal, it wasn't all about me this race. The fact that I had two others waiting for me to return to the starting point kept me moving. Well, apart from the killer tunnel up hill that really has got to be over 1/2 a mile long. Of course that's where I was encouraged by two older men to run with them piano piano and they wanted to talk. Try running uphill, super sore, and conversing in a language you still really don't get. Worse part? While running side by side you really can't use the hand motions that typically get you through conversation.

Like I said- I'm running in Italy now.

The loops around Naples were lovely and the weather was fabulous for running. The sun peaking out from behind the clouds provided a great backlight for the boats sailing in the bay as I ran along the harbor areas. The loops continued and continued through a place I'd never been before (but will eventually figure out where it was). Running in the tunnel really wasn't that bad...on the way down and even the last battle up the hill back to Piazza Plebecito was worth it since I was beyond ready to tag off to Lori.

Lori rocked the middle section and got some practice running on the cobble stones as Alida and I waited for her return. And return she did, and even faster than I thought she would, which was a lot faster than she thought she would! Like I said, she did great. Off Alida ran to run the same course to bring our team in. Lori and I took this oppertunity to sit along the race course to stretch our achy legs as we people watched and enjoyed the warm sun. Before too long Alida came flying by, dodging said people, kids, dogs, and soccer balls indicating her first lap was done. After a huge motivational pep talk to my legs, we moved back over to the finish line to wait for this mayhem to be over.

And over it was- 4 hours 39 minutes & 41 seconds later.

Now I need to start figuring out just how I'm going to travel all that distance with my 2 feet come March.

Who had the crazy idea or running a marathon? Thank goodness it's still Janauary!

Holiday Party/Farewell with LPN

"Are you almost here?"

Grrr. Yes. I've "been here" for at least 2 laps around the rather large block but I can't find a place to park. I did however teach my GPS the difference between roads and pedestrian areas as I backed out a very narrow road with cars parked on either side. Of course this was after the thought of "I sure like this one better than the one I was using ..." Figures right?

Uncle Gianni to the rescue and a primo spot in front of the news stand was there just for me. Totally worth the risk of being on the street with the parking guy watching it rather than being blocked into the lot made for 8 (American sized cars) but currently holding way more than that.

I'm here!

As were lots (and lots) of the LPN members to unfortunately say good bye to a few of our members but also to celebrate the holidays. And that's what we did with pizza after pizza, Christmas karaoke, and the Italian version of Bingo.

That's right- Italian version. The cards were were handed had blank squares on them and only 5 numbers printer per line by 3 columns. To win you first only had to get 2 in a row. Then for the person with 3 they got a slightly larger prize...4, 5, and then all the numbers covered. Well my card stunk but my fabulous marathon training buddy's didn't and one won her a free registration to the marathon! We of course credited the win to G.Nome who was her good luck token. I guess he was sick of me and Alida at this point? 

Siena: My 1st Trail Run

Conclusion of the weekend: I make stupid decisions about future running events at the conclusion of a running event. Well, maybe not stupid but the sense of accomplishment combined with endorphines, encouragement from others, and just having fun in Italy really messes with my decision making process.

Katie's decisions of the weekend? Oh I'm running a 1/2 marathon from Rome to Ostia in late February and then running the Rome Marathon in late March. Why not? When in Rome- right?  But yes, if I'm really doing those races that probably has you thinking that this weekend's trail 10K went well and you're 100% correct!

Super early (like 0615 early on a Saturday) I met up with other members of Le Piume Nere and the packed bus and several filled cars made our way up to Siena for the weekend filled with sightseeing, pasta, and yes, running events (42K, 18K, and 10Ks- for us "losers").

After a typical Italian lunch complete with more wine than even the group could consume it was time to hit Siena for a short sightseeing trip. We walked through the main entrance to the city, the inscription above us of Cor magis tibi Siena pandit proved true- Siena's heart was wider than the gate. Once again I saw images in front of me that more closely matched what I had envisioned my  new home in Naples would be- dang movies set in Italy. The streets of Siena were very cute winding within the wall remaining from many (many) years ago. We visited the main square where twice  a year (June and August) 10 of the neighborhoods within the city race their horse against the other neighborhoods. Nope, not all the horses get to compete- this is all very serious. Just how serious? The horses get blessed by the priests and they put padding on the corners of the buildings to protect the horses. Sounds like the kind of races this SB should be part of...

As the sun set the city a-glowing in a shade of California gold with a touch of Tuscan red the bus took us back to the tiny town we were staying in the night before the race. Given a short time to ditch our bags in the rooms and throw on another layer, it was time to head back onto the bus for round two of pasta. Standing in the line waiting to eat we were outside freezing but the time was passed laughing about suggesting we'd be served the same thing for dinner as we had for lunch.

The joke was on us as we walked through the door and saw the same spread: sliced meats, cheese, bread, pasta, and pork. The pesto pasta was an addition from lunch, as were the green beans that I couldn't get enough of. As shirts, race bibs, and instructions were passed out our 10K group realized that not only were we not getting shirts (eh, let the marathon runners and 18Kers have those) but no bib either. Although not thrilled about this, since really all I ask for is a race bib if I'm running in an event- I want to look official, we starting talking about making our own numbers. Turns out that we did have cards that were supposed to be on our person. A 5x7 green cardstock weight "card" with our name, event, club affiliation, but no official number. This realization further our talks of our Loser 10K Club and sparked the L gang sign.

Although there was the opportunity to run the 18K instead, Stanley opted out. Yes. I have to make these decisions with my knee. We decided that although the miles were possible...the terrain was less than ideal despite what we were told. (More on that in a minute.)

Race day we woke up and moved out bundled in more layers than are needed even at 0500 in Monterey. While on the bus the conclusion came that a) we needed L's to identify us as 10Kers (since the green cards weren't enough) and b) that we were going to write our own numbers on the cards. We did both. A small "L" in eye liner branded each of us a 10K loser for the day...talk about team building! Around this time we kicked off the real runners (well maybe it was time for them to leave, but I'm telling this story) and the bus took us 10K away from the finish line to our starting point. It was our turn to leave the warmth of the bus and whatever gear we didn't want to carry with us along the finish line- like our jackets. Brrrr.

Packed in the streets and small court yard with other participants I couldn't help but notice some of the hiking poles in the hands of older people.

Really?

I (now) knew this was a trail run but I haven't seen anything of David Ave or even Pt. Lobos status.

Distracted by the movement of the crowd pushing us out towards the start we were once again distracted by the view of vineyards and hills with the sun not too high in the sky. Where the race actually started, I still can't tell you. You know how it is, a ton of people too dense to really move around? Yeah. Add dogs and those hiking poles to a gravel road winding down a hill and you see 4 Americans, 2 Germans, and an Italian offroading it. As if that doesn't sound entertaining let me mention that one of the Americans was in jeans and carrying a camera taking pictures of the others. Andrew opted out run the morning of, but being the good sport he is still traveled the course as our paparazzi capturing a million pictures. 

The course was tough. Trail running in this case translated into running on gravel roads through vineyards with the occasional paved driveway and dirt paths. Mind you there were several “ant hills” as described by another member of LPN. Yep, a delusional member. At the conclusion of the race we all referred to it as the mountains of death. Around the 8K mark, after a downhill stretch) it was hike in the woods time on a serious incline. Walk it? Yep!

The last stretch was fabulous, mainly because it was on paved road, but I was also jamming out to “Heard it through the grape vine” while running among grape vines. One of the families told me that they were cheering for me but I was clearly in the zone. Hey, if I can’t sing at the gym you better believe I’ll be rocking out while running outside. 

I finished the event right around an hour and 11 minutes…not bad considering the break I took for the uphill hike. I had to turn in my card, but they gave me a pasta party ticket. The same food for a 3rd serving of the same food? No thanks. We waited for the rest of our club and luckily they had the same sentiments that we did regarding the pasta party so we found a pizza place. A pizza place with beer. The rest of the afternoon was spent walking around the town and just hanging out laughing way too much but having a great time.