Civitavecchia Run - Another glorious failure! Last Sunday I entered another race: officially it should have been 10 km long but my Garmin measured 9.24 km.
The route was 4 flat laps which included the main avenue and the water front. Due to the concurrence of other important races in neighboring cities, there were only 39 participants.
At the start I immediately found myself last and, after two laps, I was able to overtake only 2 runners. Throughout the race 2 friends, with no bibs, kept me company: in the past they were good athletes but now they don’t race anymore. I am grateful to them because they stimulated me to maintain a faster pace.
Stats:
9.24 km. in 52:29 (5:41/km – 9:09/mg);
37 of 39 overall;
3 of 3 in my age group
The swag and the age group awards consisted exclusively of material for the teeth (electric toothbrushes, toothpastes, mouthwashes, etc.).
The rescue: Yesterday I was running with 3 friends when I saw a blackbird in a daze on the road in the middle of the traffic. I stopped my workout and the cars, I rescued him and started to walk with the bird on my hand for taking him home for a full recover before releasing him. But, after a couple of km, he left my hand and flew over a wall. I approached and he came back on my arm, almost as if to thank me, before flying away definitively. I love animals!!!!
Well done on all counts, Black Knight! Love the bird story!
ReplyDeleteThank you. And I hope that now the blackbird feels good.
DeleteThat is amazing about the bird! I think they are far more aware of us than we may expect.
ReplyDeleteI like that two friends came alongside you on the run. Have you ever read the novel "Hinds Feet on High Places"? Two companions appear alongside a mountain climber.
I think that the animals have feelings and a soul too. Many times the animals amazed me with their friendly behavior.
DeleteInteresting book, thank you for the tip.
Oh my, I love that blackbird story! The way it came back to your arm before flying away!
ReplyDeleteI would call this a glorious race, not a glorious failure! You made it to the podium, Stefano!
I've never been to such a small race. Do you often have races with less than 100 participants or was this exceptionally small?
And it happened other times with other birds that I rescued in the past. I am sure that the animals have good feelings and in my opinion they are better than the humans.
DeleteHere to find less than 100 runners in a race rarely happens.
However I don't like to enter crowded events; for this reason I prefer to not race in Rome.
First - the mere fact that you are entering the race means you are a winner. Finishing first has nothing to do with it. As for the Blackbird rescue, it fills my heart with joy. Thanks for your dedication and care for other life forms, all of which have equal right to this planet. You are a hero in my estimation. All the best - David
ReplyDeleteThank you for the nice words about running and animals. I agree, humans and animals have equal right.
DeleteI remember when military service was mandatory, many people did everything possible to avoid it and then we see them dressed like John Rambo with a rifle in their hand shooting the birds!!!!!
Bravo cavaliere! 👍😊
ReplyDeleteGrazie. Potrei fare di meglio ma .... va bene così!
DeleteGreat job--but the swag baffles me! Toothpaste? A toothbrush? Was the race sponsored by a dental company?
ReplyDeleteYes, the sponsor was a dental company: Forhans.
DeleteOh how lovely of you to stop and help the bird, that is a beautiful story you tell.
ReplyDeleteWell you did well in the race, you were able to finish. We don't always have to get a place as in 1st, 2nd or 3rd.
Thanks for the words of encouragement.
DeleteWell, the same afternoon happened another fact, I saw a snake not poisonous near the road and I would have liked to take him to a safety place. My other friends said "nooooo, we are scared, we are not sure that it is not poisonous". Ok I left there the snake. Today during the usual workout I have seen the poor animal dead in the same place. How sad!
glad to hear that you rescued a bird..... excellent.
ReplyDeleteThank you, it was a pleasure for me.
Deletehave a wonderful day
DeleteCongrats my friend for starting and finishing another race, it's great news to read! Your bird story was absolutely inspiring. Not many people would think about doing something like that. Very thoughtful you are. Have a wonderful rest of the week and take care.
ReplyDeleteTo finish a race is always a win for me.
DeleteI think that giving help to the animals is a duty as well as a pleasure.
Congrats on completing another race and finishing third in your age group (a podium finish is a podium finish no mater how many people are competing)!
ReplyDeleteWhat a wonderful story about the bird. Today I noticed traffic on the boulevard had come to a near stop. As I got closer, I could see that the cars in both lanes were following two adult and three baby geese that were walking right in front of the cars.
What a beautiful view! Glad that the drivers had such a nice behavior.
DeleteThe scenery by the water was really pretty. That is so nice that your friends were there to help you maintain a good pace. I'm confident your next race will go better for sure!
ReplyDeleteThank you. I agree the Civitavecchia water front is very beautiful.
DeleteHello,
ReplyDeleteIt is nice of your good friends to encourage you on the race. Love the story about the bird, it is great you stopped to help the bird in the street. Pretty photo of the waterfront. Take care, enjoy your day and the new week ahead.
Thank you. When I can I always try to help animals.
DeleteCongratulations to you! I love it when a faster friend can pace me. That’s some interesting swag!
ReplyDeleteIn the past (early 90) one of the 2 friends was an athlete of national interest. Now he doesn't race anymore because few year ago he got a heart surgery (bypass).
DeleteYes it was and interesting but unusual swag.
Me alegro que te vaya bien en la carrera y sobre todo que hayas rescatado a ese mirlo. Te mando un beso.
ReplyDeleteThank you. Yes, the life of the blackbird is more important than the race.
DeleteGod bless your kind heart, Stefano.
ReplyDeleteThe world would be a better place if there were more people like you.
Blessings!
Thanks for your kind words.
DeleteAwesome job! I had to laugh at the swag bag - I've never seen anything like that, lol.
ReplyDeleteThank you. Me neither, this is the first time that it happens to me.
DeleteDear Black Knight, be careful. I ripped a muscle and it still, after six weeks easily hurts fast when used (I am stubborn and try all the time).
ReplyDeleteAwwwww, so sweet of the bird and you. Yes, birds are clever! And you are kind. Good combo.
Nice you are back, too.
Six weeks is a long period, I hope you get well soon.
DeleteAbout me it's difficult to be careful; as you know the runners sometimes don't want to listen their bodies.
Thank you for the kind words about the rescue.
How lovely of your friends to accompany you! And I love the blackbird story, good for you!
ReplyDeleteYes, I appreciated a lot their help.
Delete