FourFirths: Come Run with Me in Perugia...

March 26, 2012

First of all, I want to wish a very happy birthday to my sister, Cassie Gilmore J We just want her to know that we are thinking of her on her special day and celebrating with her in spirit.

So, it has taken me a long time to finally do running blog. I have been really wanting to do a post on running and dedicate it to several people. First of all, my very first running coach, Michael Kershner, who sadistically pushed me up cardiac hill at 4:30 in the morning more than twenty five years ago. Second of all, to Jo Ruby, my current running coach, who is the only other person in the world besides Kershner that has been able to motivate me to run. You see, I really don't like running. I also promised my friends, Theresa Strauch and Leigh Gillett, that I would continue to run while I was in Italy.

Of course that was before I realized two things. One, I had no idea it would SNOW while I was here, and two, I had no idea how hilly it was here... I don't like running, and I REALLY don't like running hills. You see, in Missoula, I run on the flat, and walk up the hills J If you don't believe me, you can ask Theresa and Leigh as they have both been with me when I walk up the hill and run down the other side.

So, I had to wait until the snow and ice cleared before I went for a run. Then, I had to find a flat place to run. When the snow and ice cleared, I was walking up in the center of town looking out at the beautiful view below when I spotted this track... If you look closely, you can see the track in the distance...

Imagine my surprise, a flat place to run in Perugia. I just had to go there. When I finally decided to go for a run, I went to the track only to find out that it cost 1.75 Euro, and I didn't really have money with me. So, I went in search of another place to run that wasn't too hilly.

The following run is what I have finally ended up with. It is a 3 mile run.

It begins just outside my apartment (after going down the 52 stairs to get to the street) with a slight uphill... then through a few arches...

After that, the first half mile is mostly downhill...

Through lots of traffic at the roundabout...

By the train station...

And a school...

until I get to a fairly flat run on a dirt path that goes for a half mile.

It only crosses a few streets...

And the views are fantastic...

Everything is in bloom right now, so the scent in the air is intoxicating... I just love spring ...

This is near the end of the half mile dirt path. As you can see, all roads lead to Roma in Italy...really, there is a sign to Roma at almost every single intersection in Italy.

This is just after the turn around...

I do that half mile and back twice to make two miles. I tripped on a rock just as I was about to do the last one of these. Actually, it was really a pebble, but a rock sounds better. I ended up with a skinned knee and gravel embedded in my hands... I thought that wasn't supposed to happen to you after you were about twelve years old...