This morning I participated in a wonderful event in Lucca, the Flying Run, a 10 km race starting and finishing at Piazza San Michele, with a route winding through the beautiful historic center and along the city walls.

There was both a competitive and a non-competitive version of the race, and I joined the latter. There were really a lot of people, I think at least a thousand to fifteen hundred participated.

At first, I was a bit apprehensive because I feared the Achilles tendon pain that has been bothering me in recent months would return, so I started very slowly. During the race, I realized I could make it, and with the company of Bruno and Bea, I pushed a bit more. The initial stretch on the walls was really pleasant; I believe Lucca’s walls are among the most beautiful in the world, so wide that a road runs along them and there are gardens.

The last part of the route, especially the last three kilometers, was a bit more challenging because I was already tired and felt the lack of training. Moreover, zigzagging through the narrow streets of the historic center was not very easy.

In short, it was a great event, and I’m really glad I participated. Let’s say the effort was worth it.

This video shows the start of the race; we started last and appear in the video around minute 1:20.

Additionally, I discovered a deli/butcher shop that makes very good sandwiches and also produces pastrami, a typical product of Cappadocia (Romania, Turkey) but also widespread in Israel and major American cities, especially New York, and often seen in American series.

The place is called “Botteghina del maialetto” and is located on San Paolino street.

Sources and references:

• Seventies Running is the association that organized the event.
• The event website.
• The website of “Botteghina del maialetto“.
• Wikipedia: information on pastrami.

*** Note: This article was translated with an automated workflow created with n8n and OpenAI.