Running in Rome

I started running this past fall on campus at Michigan State a lot. It was beautiful as the trees were changing colors and the air was crisp and clean. After a long day in class, it was the perfect way to clear my head and strengthen my body. I really wanted to continue running here in Rome. It seemed like the most amazing way to see the city. I slacked a little bit over Christmas break because treadmills aren’t my favorite and it was just so cold and snowy outside. I still made it to Barre and Yoga classes, though!

We had a semester kick-off run for AUR’s Running Club last Sunday, however, and I got my butt to the garden gate at 1pm J I am so glad I did! We ran into Villa Pomphelli, an Italian park. They keep saying that Italians like to work out and I finally saw that this is in fact true as there were so many people running, doing push-ups, etc. It was a perfect day to be outside! It has rained most of the days here, but Sunday happened to be sunny, warm, and bright.

Villa Pomphelli used to be the Pope’s private backyard and garden but opened up due to public interest, according to the captain of the club. We are lucky that it did! I hardly felt the miles my feet were moving as I took in the trees, old buildings, landscaped gardens, and city sights. [I did feel the hills we were running up. I never thought of Rome as hilly until I got here!] Check out this view.

We had another run today, even though it was sprinkling a little. We headed back into Villa Pomphelli and took a different path. There is so much to see!

Running club is also a great way to meet other students here. So far I’ve chatted with the captain, a resident student here, a boy from South Africa who spent a year working in Dubai, a girl studying abroad from Denmark who has lived in Italy and Kenya, and other American students from around the US. Maybe one of these days we’ll have to stop at the restaurant at the top of the hill for an aperitivo and chat with each other some more… Our only concern will be making it out of the park before dusk. Apparently they shut the gates at dusk and I’d rather not be locked in with the homeless people camping out in there.

I have the chance to join the Roma Road Runners Club if I go through a physical. They give you a "uniform" and gear and you are allowed to compete in races around the city. I'm debating if I want to pay for it, or just enjoy the "Fun Runs" that are much shorter distances ;) Either way, future runs with AUR's Running Club are being planned for along the Tiber River, to the Vatican, and elsewhere exploring this gorgeous, ancient city!