Training Log Archive: Torino

Quali Sprint race at WMOC near Sestrière. Started well and on way to #3 running along the road and reading the map I did not notice the ledge the road was doing going down to a Garage entry and I twisted the ankle so badly, fell/rolled down and scraped both knees, fingers and elbow (again) plus I severely hit my right quad that it took the breath out of me. Lay there for what seemed an eternity, then scrambled onto all fours then up and noticed my right ankle being very twisted. Hobbled, jogged and finally ran on it but had to get my brain back on track. (lost 30-40 sec?).
As I was one of the first ones out, later on I got to a fence with olive behind it and private vegetable gardens and just did not dare open one of the three gates or even go over the fence. Debated with a French woman what we should do and then saw that a line a runners went through one of the gates and through the olive to the control. So we climbed the fence further away and went to the control. Comparing with MaryJo who also went further around I still lost over 40 secs on that one. Bummer.

In the finish I finally noticed what a nice big bump my ankle had become. I received a lot of great care from all the Americans in our Team tent, that was very comforting.
Did not expet to make the A-Final but I was 20th in my heat and qualified.
However, I don' know whether I will be able to run the Final, both the ankle and the bruised quad Need a lot of healing to do overnight.

Went back to our pebbly beach with Crystal clear water after 2 pm. In total wen 3 times into the water and swam quite a bit each time circling the Island. Was quite tired the last time I did this.

Our last day here in Santo Stefano al Mare and last vacation day for Urs. So he wished to go on a bikeride, a Loop that went up into the foothills. It read that we needed to climb 290 m from sealevel, but it seems he was not Aware of it ;-).
The climb though went well despite the heat, slow and steadily we passed those quaint Little towns, went exploring a it in those tight calles that were interconnected and kept the places cool. But how These women haul up their groceries is a mystery to me. They must be tough mountain goats.

Looked at the beautiful churches, one high up on top even had a Korinthian column and a steeple like a Russion Orthodox-type of church which must have been added.

Swinging down to San Lorenzo for our caffè di cui uno macchiato and gelati. Nice Level ride home.

Went to another beach with the bikes which was gravelly, but the water was very clear to be able to sight the jelly fish which were mostly gone today. This was a very nice, Family-style beach, not chair after chair but with many Italian families chatting away and having fun.
I swam 3 times out onto an Island and then just around.

Went for a Little run along the bike path and the Mediterranean on one side. A wall of flowering Oleander was following me along the way.
It was very hot, 30 degrees at least, but on parts of the trail, the shadows were making it easier.

Driving from Genova westward towards the French border along the Ligurian Coast to our Hotel in Santo Stefano al Mare which is a cute Little town. Our Hotel is situated right on the bike/Walking path which runs for many Kilometers towards the East- and the Westside past San Remo.

Went to the beaches in Santo Stefano but did not find anything quite that nice. Could go only a short time into the water as the storm winds on Monday washed the jellyfish ashore. Kids were hunting them everywhere with their nets.
Did some Swimming with my goggles so I could (maybe) make out some of those transparent umbrellas.

In the evening we biked over to San Lorenzo to get a gelato (ice cream), then coming back really slowly. There is a 1.5 km Long bike/walk tunnel along the way, quite eerie. I guess this bike path used to be a very old road along the coastline turned into this wonderful Fitness path.

Matti sitting in the morning on Passo Rolle while Sandra did the start for the Juniors running the JWOC Long courses that day. A beautiful day up in the mountains with more amazing scenery.

Shortly after lunch, we said good bye ;'-/) and drove down and out of the Alto Adige and the Trentino through the Po-plains and over down to Genova arriving after 6 pm.
We found our B&B very near the pedestrian old town area of Genova, then strolled around a bit looking at the sights, having dinner down at the old port in the Eataly!

C • Eataly 2

Attempt of climbing Monte Carezza from Passo Rolle as we had a Little break from Matti-sitting (thanks Sandra!). But the weather was faster and it really started to rain sideways, and we made it back to a rifugio which in the Italian Alps is always a quaint Restaurant with wonderful Food. Waited out the storm before going all the way back and catching SaMa again further down the road.

Could do a Little orienteering Training than the Juniors did on a previous JWOC-map which was very accurate. The Terrain was super nice but i got stuck in nettles and high grass at one Point ;-). Met Sandra towards the end, and we hiked up straight to the parking together.