Sunday, February 22, 2015

Running the GR (Grand Randonnee) 51

This past weekend we played the "find the least expensive plane ticket to where there are some trails" game. A web search and Euro 77 later we were in Marseille running the GR51 through the spectacular Les Calanques, steep walled inlets along the coast between Marseille and Cassis. The first day was a bit of slog in moderate to heavy rain, and having to be careful on the slippery limestone rock. I logged 21 miles with 6,000 vertical. The second day was bluebird gorgeous. I covered 19 miles and 4,500 vertical in just a shade over three hours! The Calanques are just 25 minutes by bus from central Marseille. How easy is that! Enjoy some pictures….

Trailhead in Marseille

Some Good Vert!

Along the GR 51 to Cassis

GR 51 Looking Back Towards Marseille

A Calanque

GR51 - Marseille to Cassis

Running High

A Calanque

View from the Water

Marseille in the Distance

Endless Trails!

Sunday, February 15, 2015

Rome to Lago Albano - 50K History Tour

Today I took advantage of good weather and the possibility of a ride home from Lago Albano to piece together a stunning and historical 50K run from Central Rome to Castel Gandolfo (The Pope's summer residence) overlooking Lago Albano. My run included spectacular sights, stretches of trail, and finally meeting fellow runners who were running around the lake for a post run lunch outside on the shore of the lake. Enjoy the historical tour della storia...


Porta Portese Market - more than 1000 vendors each Sunday

Crossing the Tevre

Victor Emmanuel 

The Forum

The Colosseum

Porta Latina - Old City Gate

Caffarella Park

Along the Appian Way
Trail Along the Appian


Old Roman Pavers Along the Appian

Chariot and Wagon Ruts


The Appian

Lago Albano

Castel Gandolfo - Pope's Summer Residence

Post Run Lunch with Fellow WFP Runners



Sunday, February 8, 2015

Running in Rome - My Daily Commute

People often ask me, "Where do you run in Rome?" While there are some great places to run such as the Appian Way, Villa Pamphili, or even the streets of old Rome on an early Sunday morning, my running consists primarily of my almost daily 20K run to work.

This weekend I had to run (figuratively) to work so I decided to run (literally) and take some pictures since most of the year my morning commute is in the dark and there is not much to see. While not the most pleasant run, my route along the Tiber is definitely varied and includes busy boulevards, passing through Roma camps, sections of bike paths and even a bit of dirt as I pass through a farm before arriving at the office. Here are a few photos…


Crossing the Tiber
Past Old Farms
Through a Number of Housing Blocks
Passing through a Roma Camp
New Bridge on Top of an Old Bridge - New on Old, The Story of Rome
A Nice Section of Bike Path
Water Along the Way 
Blackberries - Yum!
Crossing the Tiber - Again
View of the Tiber from the Bridge
A Few km of Dirt!
The Office 
The Train Home