Which way to San Marco?

Eating Venetian style

5:30 woke up to be ready for 7 when Giuseppe will arrive. Bozena wanted to sleep for little bit longer. Before 6 I have woke her up. She wasn’t too happy. I knew that. Not blaming her. 9:40 marathon start and we were leaving at 7. I have prepared my gear for a run. We had small breakfast. And went down the stairs, to wait for Giuseppe. Couple minutes later still no sign of him. Bozena asked me to text him. I actually have checked text which I have received night before… and didn’t want to say to Bozena what I saw in that message. Yep, text was saying that Giuseppe will pick us up at 7:50. Small mistake. But we could sleep about 50 minutes longer. Bozena wasn’t impressed. And I just felt stupid. Could be less tired with longer sleep. Ok, happens sometimes. Our Friend has arrived. We have checked with him if there is any chance for Bozena to be on the starting line with us and then take bus to Venice to cheer us at the end of the run. Unfortunately all roads leading to Venice were close from 10 AM. So, Bozena took the bus same time as we have left the B&B. We were on our way to Satra?? where was the starting line. We have picked up one of Giuseppe’s friend Alesandro. Three of us arrived at the start. Little bit stretching, bag drop and with 8000 other runners to start. 5 entrance gates. I’m in last. Maybe that’s good cause won’t be racing. Just easy run. Just wanted to get to finish if possible in 3:35. Should be doable. Idea was to keep same pace all the time… Start. No, wait. National anthem of Italy first. Surrounded by all these proud Italians screaming their lungs out what most of them thought was singing gave me shivers… Can we start that tradition in Ireland to sing anthem before big races? Read more

Fall in love with Venice

Grand Canal

That was my third visit to Venice and must say that this time I was enjoying it quite a lot. First time when I was here was almost 15 years ago and from that of experience day I remember just an awful smell. Said to myself that Venice is not worth visiting again. But you never know what life will bring. Second visit in Italy and Venice was maybe 7 or 8 years ago. Short stay, just off email full day here. Decided to go to San Marco, left water bus at Rialto and walked there. Saw Piazza, got quick lunch and decided to walk back to car. But used streets not so popular with tourists. And has change my idea of Venice. Do not go where everybody goes. Use your imagination and allow yourself to be lost in Venice Right then you will start to feel that city,. That was second visit in Venice. And now we had in front of us prospect of another stay there. Wanted to surprise Bozena with that trip but as easy is to hide all preparations (organising B&B, flights, one day off from work with her boss) it is very hide to hide all that bill when they are appearing on the credit card. And Bozena is frequently checking our card spending for any unusual activities. So, there was no surprise for my Wife, she knew all before the trip. She told me that she was actually glad to know about that surprise cause she had could prepare proper clothes for herself and not counting on me being lucky with my choice. There was another thing as well added down the road. Bozena straight from Venice was flying to work conference, so needed to be prepared for that and probably surprise trip (idea was to pick her up from her office just 1.5 hours before the flight)… Read more

Just Moo it

Eating a cow

Almost 800 meters incline and almost 800 meters more than regular marathon distance. That’s from route details 😉 I was able to run it in 3:43 minutes. No to bad, I think. Considering that I can’t run hills… Read more