Swim, Bike, Run Europe: A Running Rhyme
Professional triathlete Will Kelsay shares photos and a rhyme from his adventures in Europe.
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The Cinque Terre in Northern Italy is comprised of five beautiful seaside towns.
Morning time dwindled as we we began our trail run to connect them through steep ups and downs.
We laced up our Altra Lone Peaks and filled our Nathan running packs full,
downed some cappuccinos and pastries so our senses weren’t dull.
With a short jog to the sea, from Levanto we did part,
we hit loads of stone stairs and slow tourists from the start.
With all the confusion we missed the tiny trail signs and went the wrong way,
but quickly joined back up and put in our first few K’s of the day.
We dropped from the hills and through several stone arches to Montorosso
and made our first stop for some pizza that was oh so delici-o-so.
A seaside trail led us past beautiful beaches and waters so blue,
then had our legs burning as we climbed to view after view.
Our second stop was Vernazza, where we devoured some yummy gelato,
but it was only a quick stop, “Gotta keep moving” was the day’s motto.
We were really hauling butt and the town of Corniglia came quick,
then we discovered a new route we must pick.
The seaside path ahead was gone. Completely washed away,
but it was all good because it led to the best trail of the day.
I yearned for another challenge. So up the next hill I took off sprintin’.
It was steep, painful and sweaty, but there was no way I was quittin’.
Our reward at the top was a trail that was oh so sick.
Time and time again we stopped to take pic after pic.
Some insanely sketchy steps kept us quick on our feet.
Down to the town of Manarola where dinner we would eat.
In a weary haze we searched for food throughout the colorful village.
Eventually a bag of chips, some peanuts and an entire cake we did pillage.
The final climb of the day sent us up the steepest steps yet,
but like the challenges before it, we conquered every one that we met.
After nine hours we arrived in Riomaggiore with many kilometers now past.
Such a wonderful running adventure that had all gone by too fast.
With a train ride back to Levanto, we arrived at our van as the sun had just set.
We relished the fact that we just had an experience that we’ll never forget.
We’re now in the south of France and preparing for XTERRA Spain in two weeks.
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