I struggled to adapt; I even ended up quitting at one point. But when I started to feel that competitive burn, I got more and more consistent. I had an increasing desire to do better, to follow workouts and schedules, and to employ a comprehensive nutrition plan. People noticed that running was bringing about a positive change in me, and so everyone was incredibly supportive. I realized that I had always liked running, but, at that moment, it was helping me like nothing else had. It allowed me to forget everything stressful and negative. Even now, it keeps me disciplined. 

I much prefer the woods outside Milan and the Rimini hills. I'm a huge hill runner, so, for me, the climbs are always the best part of running. I like speed, of course, but if you can motor uphill, it's better. It's hard to find consistent vertical in the city. The most you get are sporadic overpasses. I love Milan for its social life, but training on the streets here, slipping between cars and traffic lights, is really tough. Fortunately, I live in the southern part of the city and I’m just a kilometer from the countryside. That being said, I get out and go to Lecco, Como, or Bergamo as often as I can.

The community side is fantastic. Ever since moving here three years ago, running has helped me build so many relationships in Milan. I enjoy attending events; they are great platforms to meet people with the same interests. I can listen to their points of view and learn something. I’m really pleased that more and more crews and communities are emerging in Italy, and I am glad to be part of this movement. At the same time, when I come down to Rimini, I find myself in a completely different crowd. In Milan, I’m part of a traditional running club where everything is measured by time and training. This duality is really stimulating. In any case, there’s nothing wrong with doing social runs; far from it. They’re lots of fun and do all sorts of good in the community. Just like combining running and fashion. In my case, I can’t deny that it’s also helped me from a professional perspective. Still, I think this connection has allowed the sport to evolve and spread, and it’s helped a lot of specialized brands find a new kind of audience. So, I don’t see any real downsides to the mix.

I’ve recently recovered from tendonitis and been biking a lot in the last few months. In the near future, I’m going to run a couple of trail races and a half marathon with some friends. But this winter I’m going to focus on XC. In January, I’m off to Andalusia for a cycling retreat. I want to treat myself to a few races on wheels. When I think of my dreams, I think of winning something international. But, if I’m being realistic, just running and ranking among the best in the world would be a dream. I feel like I've already lost enough time and, in some way, I'm just getting started. That's why I'm on the ball and will definitely continue to be so in the coming years.