2023 Report

 2023 was a professionally intense year that led me in 5 different continents and deprived me for quality running time. Nevertheless, I am glad and proud to have run 1066 km (around 20 km weekly on average, but I suffered from some long breaks), plus 21 hours physical activity, more than 11 km swimming and almost 80 km cycling. Concerning the running sessions, I ran 447 km keeping a <5m/km pace. In 2023, I set only 1 new record: 44'18" in the 10 Km distance, at a 4'26" m/km pace. 

last 5 years running trend

Yearly "Birthday Run" and 5K season best

Since I can't remember when, I have started tested my health and fitness through the "birthday run", a simple test consisting of a 10 km stroll in 50 minutes or below on the date of my birthday (or close to that date, that is end of March). I have to say, not without a touch of pride, that also this year I've passed the test, although I am one year older. And the performance was not that bad: 47'25",  (unofficial time due to a quick stop to tie my shoes after around 5 km). 

Regarding the 5 km distance, last week I set my season best: 21'30" (4'18" m/km), not that distant to my PB. This year my extensive intercontinental and European traveling schedule will not allow me to focus on constant improvement, therefore I'll have to keep a "conservative" approach. But I would not exclude surprises, and, why not, new PBs, especially in summer, when I will enjoy around 45 free days. 

New year, new record

Climate change is worrying for sure, but it has its silver linings: the great and unexpected mild weather of the last 2 months has been ideal for running, with temperatures that reached 20° Celsius and a gentle wind blowing mainly from the south. Today I made the most of these favorable conditions, setting a new record on the 10 km distance and improving my personal best by 14 seconds (October 2020, 44'32"). I didn't push that much, focusing on a progressive pace which started with 4'29" m/km and ended with 4'24" m/km (and a final 4'19" m/km sprint): the new best performance is 44'18" (average pace: 4'26" km). Considering that I ran comfortably without any major effort, I assume that this year I will be able to break the 44 minutes wall.