Tarquinia 2nd part

Tarquinia part 2: I don’t only have memories of my childhood but also as a runner. I entered my first race in Tarquinia on July 5, 1986; it was a 5 km that I ran in 20:30: I was 31 of 38 overall (few participants at that time).

The last one was a 10 km on October 10, 2019, where I established my personal worst on the distance with the finishing time of 58:48 (215 of 238 overall and 15 of 18 a.g.).

In total I have run in Tarquinia 13 races, included 4 half marathons: 1:36:04 (1991); 1:34:15 (1992); 1:46:33 and 1:49:20 (2004).

There all the routes are scenic but tough because of the cobblestones and many uphill (short but heartbreaking).

Running Update. This week the workouts have been not easy because I feel weak and my pace is 45”-60”/km slower than usual. I worried so, on wednesday, I did laboratory analysis. Luckily the results were ok and now I can say that the weakness is heat, humidity and …. my age fault!

Tuesday: 8,4 km (5,2 m) at a very slow pace. After this workout I needed 2 days of total rest to recover;

Thursday: 10 km at my usual pace;

Saturday: 10 km at a very slow pace again but I feel less weak.

 

Next posts. The topic will be Tuscia (part of Lazio Region) again with its amazing ancient towns and, of course, my running adventures there. The next place will be Marta.

1990: My son, at that time 11 y.o., near the finishing line (I am at his right):

1990 same day. At that time I was 34 y.o.:

2021: Father and son 31 years later:

Tarquinia: 2 little medieval churches at the borders of the town:

Tarquinia: towers in the downtown:

Tarquinia: On the top you can see the "Ara della Regina" hill where, according the legend, the Etruscan civilization was born:

 HAVE A GOOD SUNDAY

Tarquinia 1st part

12 miles far from my hometown, Tarquinia stands on a tuff hill. It is an ancient etruscan town where every brick tells an history!

I love this place, my mom was born here and her 2 uncles were the owners of an haberdashery and a mill. I have many memories of the time I spent with her in Tarquinia when I was a child. 

At that time I used to play among the ancient buildings with a sense of freedom because there were no risks in those narrow streets without cars. Over us old medieval towers, house of crows, and the feeling to live in the past, in the etruscan age. I cannot forget my mom’s smile while watching me freely playing with my friends.

The time flies and now the haberdashery is a tattoo studio, the mill is an empty space on sale and mom is in heaven. But Tarquinia is always there with its amazing buildings, the etruscan heritage and my memories.

I often go there, to remember my childood and to discover always new amazing corners, by a relaxing walk or a  slow workout (to enjoy the scenic landscape).

Since then I love to study every topic related to the etruscan people and …. not … only, because in Tarquinia I participated in 31 running races (this will be the topic of the Tarquinia 2nd part).

 

Summer is here

RUNNING UPDATE: Here summer is already come and the heat rules. For this reason now I make my workouts in early morning with a short stop at the fountain on the water-front to refresh myself (after the birds).

Until last month I ran in good company with my son but now he has to recover for a light pain on his neck.

Last week I succeeded in following my scheduled routine: running every other day 10 km but on Friday it was a nightmare because I was terribly weak for the second dose of Astrazeneca vaccine that I made the day before. I stopped myself after 5 km and spent all the day in the bed!

MY HOMETOWN: here are other pictures of it:

HAVE A GOOD WEEK

The Black Knight is back

Running update: After more than one year the Black Knight is back. From May 2020 to February 2021 I was only able to compete in virtual runs because, due to the pandemic, all the races in person have been cancelled.

On march 15th I underwent a surgical operation to remove an inguinal hernia. For this reason I had to stop my workouts for a whole month. Now I run regularly every other day but I have lost my usual "speed", at the moment my pace is much slower: I know I am old and I must take my time without being in hurry.

At last in Italy the Associations are organizing running races again but with a reduced number of participants, with staggered starts and mask at the start and at the finish line.

My goal is to run the Sovana - Sorano, on a very scenic path 10 km long, in august.

And now some pictures of the most ancient part of my city:

 Have a good running week