Sicilia Race Report, January 2020

A report from STARR member Ken in Italy

Hello runners all, This is my year end race report, seeing Leslie Ann & Andy hasn't come here to do one. 

I've been in 8 competitive races this last 6 months, with 3 firsts, 2 seconds, 2 thirds, & 1 fourth. And as I've said before I wasn't the only one in my age group - no no the last one I did I was the only one as it had a marathon, 1/2 marathon' & half of a half, which I did the latter. The provincial race season is similar to the Island series but they only give awards to the top 3 & you have to do so many races to qualify for the final standings, they have a large banquet which involves all 9 provinces in Sicilia which awards are given to the top 10 & also the top 10 clubs. they have 3 categories, marathon, 1/2, & shorter races but I never do enough races to qualify. But that's OK as many of you know by the time you get to my age you've collected lots of hardware, Just give me the applause, I feed on that. Sometimes it's not hardware but boxes of fruits & veggies.

We did have a year end party for our club ( Kapuhala Team Pachino ) with lots of pizza, cake & silliness. We all received a T-shirt with our picture & Provincial # on it.

I'm looking forward to coming back the first week of Feb. & doing some training runs with the club & social gatherings, I've been thinking of doing more of those trail races as the one I did in Ladysmith last year was a great challenge for me. For me & a lot of us it's about pushing the limits, oh yea don't forget about the applause. Although I don't do Social Media, the club here is on Facebook & Watsapp with lots of pics & silliness.

OK, that's it for now until we meet again, Stay hungry, Stay foolish, Ciao, Ciao, Ken Pungente

P.S. Was about to send this out & received the story about Ellen that was passed forward by Robin & would like to comment on this story. What drives her to do this & carry on is something a lot of us share & I think it is something we are born with. it is in your spirit to not quit & pick yourself up & keep going. 

We compete no matter what we are doing, sports, work, to do the best you can with our limited abilities.

For me a great example was to see Greg finish at the Ladysmith trail run ( he did the long run I did the short run ), 10 meters after he finished he just collapsed, he had emptied the tank & it doesn't matter where you place, it's about knowing you gave it your all.

P.S.S. If I've said anything in this Drabble that's "politically incorrect" I'm not firing myself or quitting.