This morning's coffee is special: I have a guest. Her name is Denise DePlachett and she met me through Run The Planet. We ran together a few times and here's what we have to say about it:
Denise: It is always inspiring to experience the camaraderie and friendships that can be found on the running path. I met Giorgio in his hometown of Torino (Italy) during a business trip to Italy in February. Just as Giorgio has experienced the Charles River running path in my hometown of Boston (Usa/Massachusetts), now I have the vivid scenes of running Giorgio's familiar Po River path engrained in my memories. I had the good fortune to team up with Giorgio during some of his morning runs along the Po River. Gaining the opportunity to explore the wonderful town of Turin as seen through the eyes of a local runner is by far the best visitor's experience.
Giorgio: It's nothing compared to the experience of exploring your own town through the eyes of a visitor, I assure you of that!
Denise: One of my favorite runs started out as a quick jog through Parco del Valentino. Then, Giorgio decides that he wants to show me as much as he can of Turin before the sun rises! (Recall, Giorgio loves his morning "coffee" before dawn...). We proceed from the park to the historical center of Turin by way of Via Roma...
Giorgio: Sorry, that's impossible ;-) We had to go to Piazza Vittorio Veneto, first, and then follow Via Po all the way to Piazza Castello, where...
Denise: Okay, okay, Piazza Castello with the former medieval castle restored as Palazzo Madama and that Royal Palace which was actually the headquarters of the Kings of Savoy. Behind the Royal Palace you can see the tip of the Duomo, which houses the Turin Shroud. Right?
Giorgio: Perfect.
Denise: As the sun is rising, we catch a "running" glimpse of the beautiful Baroque architecture found in the twin churches within Piazza San Carlo. As we meander through even more piazzas and begin to dodge the early-morning work-bound locals, I continue to be inspired by the history of Turin in what can still be seen and what has disappeared since the war. I have many fond memories of my brief time spent in Turin, thanks to Giorgio and his wife Amy. Thanks to today's technology and the intimacy of the running community, we can maintain friendships, encourage each other, and continue to gain inspiration in each others' accomplishments. Hopefully, one day soon we will exchange hometown running paths again - perhaps exchanging the Turin and Boston marathons?
Giorgio: Unequal exchange, since the "Turin Marathon" is open to everybody whereas the "Boston Marathon" means I have to run 3:20.59 or better... but qualifying for the "Boston Marathon" is my main marathon goal and, by golly, I'll get there some day!!!
Denise: Making promises you can't keep? ;-)
Giorgio: Touché! One more reason to train harder, then!
Giorgio Pogliano’s morning coffee doesn’t come in a cup, but he can still find it everywhere. Running each morning is his daily “coffee” – it gives him the surge of energy, something good to reflect upon during the day, and a reason to look forward to tomorrow. Just like the different types of coffee found around the world, Giorgio finds different surroundings as he runs.
