Athletic Group

For the past couple of years I have really started to enjoy running. As you may have read before, I recently ran in two races, but I hadn't been training at all. I also ran with Daddy in the mornings, but only when I had time which wasn't very often. I had exams and other things to do in the mornings so I didn't have time to run with Daddy until after all of my exams were over. I ran once or twice after that and then Daddy came to me saying that his good running partner named Massimo was trying to get me in a track running group. So, after about a week I started.

The first day was yesterday for me. I got picked up at 8:10 a.m.  by my coach and he took one other guy who is also in my group to the track. Everyone I've met so far in my group is older than me, except for one girl who is thirteen. We waited for the rest of the runners to arrive and then we started with three easy runs around the track. Next we stretched and then did several exercises. Most of them consisted of jumping over hurdles which was hard for me to start with. There were small ones and big ones. Of course, I was told to do the small hurdles. Then after lots of different techniques, we started to do sets of sprints. They were short, but also fun. I was the slowest person, but all of the people there were very well trained and muscular.

My coach loves music and he's always whistling and singing, even when he drove me. He puts on music every time we do out workout and his choice of music is usually what I wouldn't consider running music, but I like pretty much any music so I don't mind.

Today I had my second lesson and it was a lot hotter than yesterday. We started with a slow running warm up again and then did exercises using weight balls in the grass. Next we did more hurdles and leg exercises. We also got some round air filled things for balancing which I found hard, but after that we did some fun exercises with our feet. They were almost like dance moves and the coach said I was good at it. We started joking and moving with the music. We divided into two groups and I was only with one other girl who was younger than me and another guy. Then coach told us we were going to do long jumps and I got a bit nervous. The other girl went before me to show me what we were doing and the coach told us how to land and held up a stick that we had to jump over. He said that I did a good job and then told me to adjust my shoulders when I run. We did it several more times until the other group was done running a long course around the two tracks on the road.

Next we did ten minutes of running in the hot sun and went to stretch. We then worked on our arms by using elastic bands that we put around fence poles to do our exercises.

I really like my new athletic group and I'm so happy that I can be a part of it. Everyone so far has been really nice and my coach is very kind and funny. I will be practicing every Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday in the mornings. My coach said that in September or October, whenever I feel I'm ready, he wants me to start racing. I can't wait until my next lesson!!!

I hope everyone is doing well!

Ashley

Location:Todi, Italy