This THPL road warrior found out a few weeks ago that if the spirits would align I could make a stop in Rome on the way to London and run in the 2015 Rome Marathon. I have to admit, that just the thought of it was exciting. Getting to run in and around the ancient city for my first non-US marathon could quite well be a very special experience. All of the stars did align and today I was able to run alongside 16,000 other marathoners in the 21st running of the marathon in Rome and it was a unique and special experience.
The race started just behind the Coliseum, and from the moment I lined up I realized it would be very different. There was no idle chit-chat for this boy while waiting for the start of the race – my Italian ends at good morning and thank you. But this was ok as it gave me the opportunity to take in the sights and enjoy the setting of what was once the center of the Roman Empire…. Wow! For sure. The start took off with limited warning (I really do need to brush up on my Italian) and off we went. The cold rain was tolerable but it did make the seven (or so) miles of cobblestones interesting to navigate. And the race itself had some interesting dynamics. Instead of mile markers, there were kilometer markers – 42k vs. 26 miles, it made it feel like we were making progress more readily as the “k’s” clipped by faster. I am sure that I appeared rude to a few fellow runners who unsuccessfully tried to engage me in conversation (again that Italian thing). The race was nicely supported; I found the table for Gatorade with a sign that stated “Salts”, interesting for sure. As I had hoped the site of the old stonewalls, cathedrals and amazingly architected buildings made for an experience of a lifetime. With the kilometers clipping by (even though I was not dashing through the streets) the end was to be enjoyed with the last six kilometers in the old city with lots of fans cheering us on and a truly spectacular ending being immersed in the moment and this fabulous ancient city.
Crossing the finish line in a time of 3:26 I felt happy that is was over (26 miles still hurts) and also truly appreciative of the opportunity to do something of such interesting and remarkable circumstance. I realize now, as I fly to London, to continue my journey that we need to get out and see the world and to engage and experience the world as it is there, locally, with its personality and feeling. The THPL journey has at its core the reason of improving one’s feeling of personal fulfillment – this kind of trip brings that goal to a more visceral level and makes me want to seek out the next experience like this one. Ciao, indeed…..
Loving life when in Rome……