A Quiet Run Through Spring

Daily Miles: 28.96 | Total Miles: 13,402.73

My alarm rang, but the bed linen smelled so fresh and good that I didn’t want to get up. Eventually, at 6:20 a.m., I climbed out of bed, made a hot coffee, cleaned up, packed my things, and carried everything downstairs.

The buggy had been parked outside overnight, so it was a little wet from the light rain. I organized everything and started running just before 8 a.m.

I knew it would be a relatively short running day. I had booked a room in Cortemaggiore, as it was the only place where I could find an inexpensive room.

First I ran out of the historic center of Parma, then through the city, into the suburbs, and eventually onto a bicycle path that led through the countryside almost all the way to Cortemaggiore.

Once I was out of town, I didn’t encounter many people. Just a few locals here and there. For the most part it was a run in solitude—a perfect day for quiet contemplation.

The path required quite a bit of maneuvering. At times I had to push the buggy over uneven surfaces, which made it good, hard training.

At mile 13 I stopped at a small restaurant for a coffee. I was the only guest. I also had a small cheese sandwich—simple and a bit dry, but exactly what I needed.

Then I continued running.

Nothing particularly spectacular happened today, except for the hundreds of blooming trees and spring flowers in gardens along the way. Around midday it even began to feel warm.

I also felt tired.

But that’s part of the beauty of this run. Just like life, every day feels different.

Today I was very happy when I finally reached Cortemaggiore.

First I had to stop to buy some groceries, and then I ran to the hotel. When I arrived, it looked closed. There was a restaurant downstairs, so I asked the woman there for help.

Ilaria kindly helped me complete the self-check-in.

The room has three beds, no kettle, no heater, and the Wi-Fi signal is rather weak—but somehow it is perfect in its own way.

And I am happy to be here.

Thanks for checking in.

See you tomorrow. Andrea