Sitting in the air

I have been living crazy busy since the last week of October because of job issues and my mother's orthopedic injury. At the moment my mother is recovering slightly as she is in a rehabilitation centre situated here, in Civitavecchia, 60 km North from Rome. Its location is perfect as it is close to the see (picture on the left). I'm going there twice a day and this gives her motivation.

On the job front, I went to Rome three times last week and I was happy to see a lot of people, mainly from Japan, who were gathering the Vatican Square. This means that people around the world are still interested in my country. While I was walking next to the Vatican Museum I saw a particular show along the street: a Pakistani, who wore orange clothes, was sitting in the air. You have probably seen that in many different towns around the world. Here below there is a link of a Youtube web page which shows how those charlatans work:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DKktRZ9QEXE

The picture below shows the Vatican Square.

Of course, since November 1st I haven't been running three times a week and I've lost my training. At the moment my training in not adequate for a 10 or 21 km at a sub 5 min./km pace. 
Happy running, cycling and swimming to all my blogger friends.

Physical therapy

First of all, I would like to thank my blogger friends who supported me when my mother was operated. They were very kind and supportive through their emails and blogging comments. Surgery went well last Wednesday although she lost a lot of blood: about 700 ml.

At the moment my mother  is still walking slowly and of course she struggles. I hope she will go along the sidewalk soon and enjoy the fall colours of the town. 

Thanks again!

Too Busy

I wrote down my last post on October 18th and since then I have been too busy. Last week my mother fell while she was walking on  a sliding floor after she had done daily shopping. The floor of the entrance of the building where I live was too sliding because the women who cleaned it had left a lot of soap on the surface. Unfortunately, my mother had a fracture in the high part of her right femur. She wasn't operated immediately because her blood was too fluid. This morning the doctor said he planned to perform the surgery on Wednesday 30th. Stefano is supporting me as he knows the doctor who will perform the operation.

I hope everything will go well.   

Civitavecchia and its beautiful place to run

Since late August 1991 I have been living in this town, Civitavecchia 60 km North from Rome. I have seen how its urban area has been refurbished at great expense and hugely cherished by people who live and work here.  From an urbanistic point of view, many urban corners and buildings in the mid 20th century in Italy were made in the brutalist style. Actually, those parts of  our cities were cold and unfriendly and some have already been demolished. For example, this week I found an old picture which I took in 1991 when I arrived in this town, after I had worked four years in Sicily (South Italy). It shows a place located in the middle of the town and close to the see, where railway operations took place. How could policians chose to do railway operations beetween the town and the coastline? That's hideously unfashionable!  In the 1930s decision makers didn't plan to preserve urban environment and its landmarks. Fortunately, that part of the town has been transformed from this ... 

... to this. 

The picture was taken on a cloudy day and it doesn't do it justice.

As you can see in the picture above, nowadays the railway tracks have disappeared and this urban environment has become a nice place to walk, running and cycling. Local government has made this part of the town more attractive, sustainable and pleasant. And it is a place where I sometimes do short runs and repeats next to the sea. This place gives me motivation. And my small experience in running has taught  me the importance of motivation. 

Are there enough pedestrian areas in your town?

One week inactivity

Just a short post to say that I had been sick (flu and sore throat) last week. And it was hard enough to do a 10 km run yesterday after about a week inactivity. My small experience in running has taught me that inactivity breeds inactivity and consequently we might lose motivation. 

I'd like to share those pictures from last week. The first photo was taken while I was doing shopping and it shows italian garlic. The second one shows packaged lettuce which has been made in North Germany (I saw it in a supermarket in my neughborhood yesterday). Although I love Germany, I thought how could I buy (and eat) veggies which had been harvested more than two weeks ago on the northern side of the European continent (more than 1500 km far from my town)?

       

With regard to veggies, I have just visited Amy 's blog and I'm delighted with her post where she shares the recipe of the vegetarian lasagna. I look forward to giving it a try. Since last Spring I have noticed my high cholesterol levels and awareness about the importance of fruit, veggies and other healthy food has increased sharply. Of course, local food!

Happy weekend to all my blogger friends! 

Civitavecchia bike sharing scheme

I haven't been blogging since August, 18th and I'd like to write a short post about the bike sharing scheme which my town inaugurated this summer in July.  

The Mayor decided to follow the example of other towns around  the world (as you can see in the first two photos). Unfortunately,  some people are unhappy about the distribution of the stations because entire boroughs of Civitavecchia have been left out. Moreover, less than 30 bikes are available! it's a very small number considering that New York's bike share scheme offers 6,000 bikes. Obviously, I know that the "Big Apple" is bigger than my town and the two towns are incomparable. 
Yesterday I  did a good run with two friends although I haven't planned to run any race at the moment. After the warm up we ran 30 minutes tempo run and  4 x 5 mins repeats. Weather was (and still is) perfect! 

The last picture below shows how I got carbs before the workout. It's a beautiful pasta dish with a delicious shrimp on the top which I had yesterday at lunch. The name of this traditional type of pasta is Tagliatelle: they (that name in Italian language is plural) can be served with a variety of sauces. Tagliatelle dish, which you can see in the picture, have been made with whole wheat flour, eggs and ... red wine. That's why their colour is red.

Nice weekend to all my blogger friends!

The hills of Gaeta

Back home after a pleasurable vacation in South Italy! It was so nice to get away and spend time on the beach and relax poolside, although returning home and back to work after a vacation usually feels like punishment for temporarily ignoring our responsibility. Vacation time is really important and it doesn't matter the place or resort. I'd like to show you just six "Summer" pictures. The first one on the left shows a particular way to sell icecreams on the beach.

Unfortunately there were fires in the woods surrounding Gaeta and this is especially the case in the hills located behind the beach where we stayed. 
I didn't forget my running shoes and enjoyed my runs through the countryside. I ran at least three times a week and the photo below shows the scenery which I enjoyed along the running track. Of course I always did my runs in the early morning considering the hot weather conditions

A picture of my mother's house, located in the hills close to Gaeta, and ...

... her birthday cake.  

I hope all you will enjoy this Sunny Sunday of August!

Moray eel

This morning I noticed that my blood cholesterol level decreased from 254 to 230 mg/dl: since May it has decreased by 10% and I'm so happy for that and I will try to eat healthy food again. First of all, seafoods, considering that Civitavecchia, the town where I have been living since 1991, is situated close to the see and I can always buy good fish. Local market offers seafood that have been harvested in the past 12 hours and can contain more iron, phosphorus, proteins, and vitamin D than fishes that are shipped from far away.  With regards to local fishermans, the picture above shows a muray eel. I saw that it in the local market and despite its snake-like appearance, moray eel is a fish and not a reptile. Of course, it is edible: the meat is very soft and white, delicious. Someone says that deep fry works better but I don't think so ... I've decided to avoid fried food. Have you never eaten that fish?

Just two picture, here on the left,  to show you a particular motorcycle (maybe,  its right definiton is "sidecar"). 
It was in my neighborhood this morning and came from Poland, as  shown by its registration number.  We, bloggers,  are sometimes  looking for new  images  for our blogs. 

Running sessions are going well although I'm running no more than three times a week at the moment. 
On the vacation front, I will be on holiday since July 25: the main destinations are Gaeta and Bologna (North Italy).  I really need some time off work to be spent doing whatever I want.

Happy vacation time to everyone!

Blood cholesterol levels

Since last week I have had another thought which gives me motivation on the running front: I've noticed that my blood cholesterol levels are high enough. In Italy and other European countries Cholesterol levels are measured in milligrams of cholesterol per deciliter (mg/dL) of blood and total cholesterol level below 200 mg/dl is desirable. At the moment, my cholesterol level is 254 mg/dL. It's so high although I always do the best cholesterol-lowering exercises, such as are walking, running, and swimming (in summer only). Actually, a combination between an active lifestyle and healthy food can help to lower cholesterol levels.
I'm afraid I can't forget to keep my cholesterol levels within healthy limits and have no choice but avoid high-cholesterol food. I need to avoid foods that are high in saturated fat and can raise cholesterol levels in the blood. As it is known, there are two different types of fats, saturated and unsaturated, which can make a huge difference in meal planning. I'm trying to replace foods containing saturated fats with foods that are high in unsaturated fats such as healthy oils, fish, beans, and nuts.
Last week our Dutch blogger friend, Fran, from Netherlands, said (through her comment left on my blog) that she would plan to cook spaghetti carbonara next week. So she reminded me that traditional Italian dish: unfortunately, that carbonara recipe combines cream, eggs, cheese and bacon ... which contain saturated fats :( 

The first picture above shows the starting line of the 2013 Rome's Race for the cure and the second one has been taken on the same day before I ran that Race. It shows an old church with a simple architecture, located in a green neighborhood of Rome. The photo mentioned also shows some runners, before the race, while they were doing the warm-up next to the church.



Just a little bit no more time to show two old stone houses that have only recently come up for sale (In the last two pictures above).
Those characteristic flats face south and are located in a lovely village of Tuscany. The name of the village is Piancastagnaio  and I wrote down a post about that place last year on November 3rd, after I had visited it. Last month I saw those particular stone houses whose price is good enough. I would advise those old stone houses to a friend of mine who would want to own and run a characteristic and unusual "Bad and Breakfast" in Tuscany.
Nice weekend to all my blogger friends!

Race for the cure

Thousands of enthusiastic people  ran this Sunday the Race for the cure and could enjoy the wonderful landmarks and buildings located in the old neighborhoods of Rome.

Running around the Colosseum and past some Rome's monuments was exciting. But I also enjoyed the friendly atmosphere along the track. The organization was very efficient and a lot of people, who didn't run, were very supportive and enjoyed seeing the race: I have never seen such  beautiful people along the running path and next to the finish line. The weather was never too hot and never too cold: it was perfect. I was so happy to see some runners from France, Spain and other countries. As known, the main aim of the race was raising money for medical research.

Stefano and I enjoyed that 5 km race and reached our sub 5 min./km goal. I ran the race as tempo run training and crossed the finish line after 23:48 minutes. I was happy for that!  

The second picture here on the left shows the two black knights  close to the starting line.

It was the first time that I ran with a camera and took pictures while I was running. Some running friends of our world blogger community, such as Johann, inspired me to run with  a camera and this time I decided to run with my Nokia camera mobile phone. Unfortunately it rang while I was running the 3rd km past the Altar of the Fatherland (photo below). A colleague had to communicate some information (I saw his name on the mobile phone while it was ringing) but I had no choice but give him a quick answer. So, I quickly told him: "I am afraid I can't speak at the moment. I'll give you a call as soon as possible". After I had crossed the finish line I gave him a call. Next time I will run with a camera ... without mobile phone :)

The picture here on the right was taken while I was running past the Altar of Fatherland. As you can see, there were cobblestones along the track but it wasn't  dangerous. Have you never got a phone call while you were running a race? Nice week to everyone!

Next race on May 19th

This is my first post this month and it gives me the opportunity to write just a note about the second race which I have planned to run in 2013: It's the Rome's Race for the Cure which will be held next Sunday. My running shape isn't good enough but I don't care. 

Next week I will be in Rome for job from Monday to Wednesday  and my wife also will be busy because of her job. So this morning we decided to do shopping and buy food and other thngs for next week. Doing shopping on Sunday morning is unusual enough here in Italy but fortunately we find a market in a small village situated 30 km South from Civitavecchia. Black olives were really good.

Nice week to all my blogger friends!  

First race in 2013

I am so glad to see my friend Stefano back running a race in our town. Yesterday, we ran a short race on a sunny  Sunday and everything was perfect:  friendly atmosphere, good organization and a lot of runners (some people came from Rome and surrondings). The average pace was sub 5 min./km.

I really enjoyed the event  although after the ordeal the two black Knights didn't get any loot :)
Happy running to all my blogger friends!

Special day

 

Today is a special day for me because I have reached 52 years of life:  I was born on March 26th, 1961. And this morning my wife gave  me a wonderful gift, which you can see in the picture.   

The photo below shows the shop where she bought the running shoes ... she chose Asics, as usual.

Happy running!

Back running as a beginner

During the first week of  March I had  tracheitis and sore throat: it was difficult to handle. I haven't been running since March 5th,  and I hope to be back running  tomorrow.

The weather is still  cold enough and it doesn't seem that Winter is going to an end. Moreover, I need new running shoes and likely I'll buy them next week if I go to Rome for job. In Rome I can buy the same running shoes, as I see here where I live,  paying  about 25% less.

I used to take photos only on holidays: since I have been writing a blog I take photos every week. And I think that blogging gives us the motivation to take photos. More and more of us are carrying a camera during a race and our blogging community gives me the opportunity to see the world through the eyes of other. In this perspective,  I'd like to share the photo below that I took this morning.

My neighbour is a woman who love cats as you can see in the photo of  her window: the two cats are really nice but I don't understand the combination with her black bra. Do your  neighbours put their bra on the window? :)

Nice week to everyone!

Winter running outfit





I'm sorry for the delay in writing posts considering that I wrote my last post in January. However, I've been reading my running friends's blogs with their reflections, comments and opinions about running, healthy food, outdoor lifestyle and other topics. We, friends of our blogging community, do not need to be a journalist to write an interesting blog: reading your blogs gives me the chance to know thousands of new ideas, trends and places all around the world.

I notice you that since February 14th I've been having  connection problems with some websites, such as Amy, Black Knight and Char's blogs ... I don't know why! Anyway, if I didn't understand where the fault is I would communicate through emails soon.  

As you can see in the photo, I'm still running in the dark ... that's why I'm compelled to wear yellow running clothes :)

I will not bore you with the  uncertainty of Italian 2013 election and the  impact of its outcome on the euro currency.

Happy running to everyone!

Back blogging about Sudan's social cause

I wrote my last post on December 31st and despite a drop in frequency of posts I've still read  hugely interesting running blogs. 

I've just read the Johann 's post about Sudan and a great social cause to be raising money for.

As you know, Sudan is such a dangerous place again.

This is my first post in 2013 because I've been busy for job and since January 8th I have finished working late. That's why I am compelled to run in the dark and can't join my running group. Consequently, I try to keep my eyes out for dangers along the track. First of all, I always wear high visibility running clothes and don't listen music along the track. Unfortunatey I haven't planned yet any races.

Nice Sunday to all my bogger friends!

The Earth has another three billion years

A new year begins soon, in spite of the end of the Mayan Calendar which finishes on December 21st (or 12nd), 2012 ... and nobody seems to be worried about the theory and its hypothetical cataclysm :) The prophecy was a mistranslation that has been portrayed in the media. As you know, people tend to be sheep! The planet is going to go on and has another three billion years. But we will have to deal with other issues: unemployment and pollution in Western countries, human rights and wars in the muslim part of the world such as Syria, Egypt and Nigeria. We, people who live in the Northern emisphere of the world, have taken everything for granted, particularly fuels, commodities, environment and that sort of things. Anyway, I am reasonably optimistic although we have got to be careful: the ecological footprint of nations shows that humans are horribly depleting the world, but I think there's an optimistic future!

The photo above was taken two weeks ago when I went to Rome for shopping. It shows the big Christmas three which was set up in Vatican Square.

Happy New Year to Everyone!

Happy Christmas

Since yesterday  Santa Claus has been hitting the bookshelves and since then we have seen a pleasant Christmas atmosphere in our living room. We have planned a short vacation this month from 22nd to 27th. We will spend Christmas time in  Naples, where my mother, my two sisters and their families live.

There is a small town called Tolfa and located in the hill, 20 km North from my town, where I went yesterday for job. Children made a Christmas tree on the main square of Tolfa using recycled plastic bottle. 

Happy Christmas to all my blogger friends! 

Monterano Nature Reserve

Today, December, 8th,  it is public holiday here in Italy, as we celebrate the feast of the blessed virgin Mary. It is celebrated by the Roman Catholic Church as well as a few other closely related Chistian churches. The weather here in Central Italy shows that Autumn is going to an end: this week, on Wednesday, 5th, I went to Umbria for job and the main part of the freeway was covered with icy snow. Really dangerous, as you can see in photo above. The weather changed gradually as we drove west, across the valleys, where there wasn't any snow and we could still enjoy an autumnal scenery as you can see below. that photo shows a very quiet place located 80 km north from Rome, where we could hear birds singing. It is the Canale Monterano protected area.

http://www.monteranoriserva.com/wp/?page_id=563

It's a beautiful valley without rubbish, advertising billboards, supermarkets and McDonalds. There are very few cars. Sometimes there is only one: yours! That place offers beautiful scenery, fascinating archaeology and, first of all, wonderful paths to run.

In the meanwhile, I am running three times a week and I haven't planned any race. I'll probably run the Christmas race on December, 16th, which will be held to help charities.

Nice weekend and happy running to all my blogger friends!

Downpours

I've just heard the  official weather information source  and I'm afraid I can't run this afternoon because of downpours. This morning the town is on its knees: roads closed and bridges under water.  Lacking light in two neighborhoods and a lot of children haven't gone to school.

I hope the weather will be better soon!

Exciting morning

This morning my son, Fabrizio, got the engineering degree from Sapienza University of Rome ...  my wife and I are very happy. And my two daughters are proud of their brother!

Piancastagnaio and Abbadia San Salvatore

I am not running the Fiumicino Half Marathon which starts on November, 11st. Although I planned to run that race I couldn't follow a training schedule: since the second week of  October I've been busy for job and family issues and now, as a consequence,  I am not adequately trained for a 21 km race. I'll probably try to run a 10km Christmas race in December which will be held here in my town.

Yesterday I had a nice trip  in Tuscany where we visited old villages. From November, 2nd, the Chestnut Festival has been held in Piancastagnaio and, along its old streets, visitors have had chestnuts and glasses of warm red wine, cooked with cinnamon, orange, apples and cloves. The first photo shows one of the big pots where chestnuts are cooked.

An old square in the historical area 

We visited also Abbadia San Salvatore, which is another small village situated in South Tuscany. There are beautiful old streets,  medieval buildings and particular shops. In one of those shops  all kind of pumpkins are sold, as you can see in the photo below. Maybe those pumpkins hit the shelves because of Halloween holiday. 



Different kinds of pumpkins

That's  a picture  of my wife with a small bat on her head. She wore it with my daughters on October, 31st and it was just a joke :) Although we don't celebrate Halloween here in Italy, a lot of shopkeepers sell some items related to that great U.S. holiday and it  seems that children enjoy the event.  

While I was walking along those Tuscanian old streets  I observed a beautiful sacred image located between two windows.

And what about supper in Tuscany? It was soup of mushrooms! Really delicious!

Happy weekend to all my blogger friends!

Pumpkins

 Yesterday I enjoyed  running 55 minutes through a soft rain. It was really pleasant because the weather is still warm enough here in Central Italy, where such weather conditions are unusual in October.
The photo shows a particular of the beautiful farm and its well maintained ground, where I bought two pumpkins this morning. That farm is located 15 km North from my town, but I didn't buy the pumpkins because of  Halloween history and traditions :) We have planned to  cook an easy soup with pumpkin puree. As you know, people who live on the edge of the Mediterranean sea don't celebrate Halloween. Its origin lies in the traditions of the Celtic people although that festival takes place mainly in the U.S..

I've just heard good news with regards to my post about the Italian politicians, which I wrote on  November, 8th, 2011.  A judge convicted former Italian Premier Silvio Berlusconi for tax fraud. Mr. Berlusconi faces a year in jail, but he is unlikely to serve the sentence, as prison terms in Italy aren't carried out until the lengthy appeals process is exhausted. What a shame! I hate those politicians who pretend to be pious and break the law!

Do you celebrate halloween in your country?

Water pollution

As request by Christina  I show  the picture of the water pollution mentioned in my previous post. The pollution was caused by two pottery factories which had discharged waste water containing zinc, cadmium and plumb into a small river. The photo below shows the illegal emission of waste water into that Italian small river located at 60 km North from Rome.  

    

That illegal behaviour above mentioned causes significant risk to the environment, human health and economy. The polluted river has been significantly altered and it flows across the Treja valley which is a protected natural area: http://www.parks.it/parco.valle.treja/Eindex.php  

In addition to this, illegal emission of substances into water provides for very high profits for perpetrators. Criminal law in the field of environment  needs to be implemented in an effective way.

I hope I haven't bored you with these ecological posts. In any case, I think that most runners love environment.

Nice green weekend to all my blogger friends!