I have always liked a challenge in everything I do. This is especially true when it comes to exercise. But even more than challenges, I like rewards, presents, prizes, the carrot at the end of the stick. That is why my workouts here in Italy have been so satisfying. When I am at home I dread the bike on the trainer or running on the track. But here, my workouts lead me somewhere - usually to some otherwise unreachable place. Tuesday it was an 11th century monastery in the tiny hamlet of San Fruttuoso. Kimberly and I hiked two hours to get there only to discover that, being low season, there was no boat to return to Portofino. Nevertheless, the hike was spectacular with stunning views overlooking the rocky coastline of the Italian Riviera. At one point we reached a gate and thought we were going to have to turn back. Fortunately we were able to continue but we were warned to close the gate behind us so that the wild boar could not enter... This is not something you will ever experience on a treadmill.
Today instead on the recommendation of the concierge at L’Andana (the most fabulous hotel I have found to date) I headed out and up on their property to a little 12th century church overlooking the Maremma region of Tuscany. The weather had turned cold during the night - cold by Italian standards, but there was no rain so I took advantage. As I headed up in to the woods on this dirt path I thought several times that I would just turn back. On the track it is so easy to do - just one more time around and you can get cut the workout short. But the promise of a jewel of a church kept me pushing forward even when I was convinced that I had taken a wrong turn. As I continued up along this rocky path many thoughts ran through my head....I really should have told someone I was doing this.... I should not be doing this alone..... I should have brought my cell phone and the number of the hotel. Once in a while these thoughts almost forced me to turn around. At one particular moment when the hike got very steep, rocky and uneven, I was about to go back to the hotel. But there was a bend and I could not see what was beyond. I had to know if the church was around the curve. I continued on and as always, I was rewarded. The carrot was waiting for me and it definitely was worth the effort. On the way back down I took in the magnificent views that were at my back as I made the climb. An hour and fifteen minutes had past by the time I got back to the hotel. Can you imagine the torture of doing that on the treadmill??? My advice to you - get yourself over to Italy and find some of the most hidden treasures, all while fitting in your workout.
