Enrica Tomei
Thursday, August 10, 2017
On who you are…
I’m Enrica, but most people know me as La Tommy. I come from the sunny South of Italy but I live and work in Milan. I’d like to present my personality throughout my favourite flower: the sunflower! It looks like a smiling sun with yellow color, it symbolizes enthusiasm and energy, it is like me… smiling and cheerful! I love all things sport related but I also love food, travel and “la dolce vita” too LOL.
On Running…
Running is not one sport, or one pursuit: it is dozens. From different distances to different terrains, from solo runs to group runs, from races to long slow ambles. And I love it all. I love the relentless comforting monotony of the track session, of bashing out endless training reps of 400 or 800 or 1200 metres, of even pacing and jagged breathing. I love the broken-up toughness of a hill session – run up, jog down, repeat until fade. I love a long and steady run along a promenade, early on Sunday mornings when only dog walkers, other runners, and yet-to-go-to-bed revellers are around. Why do I love it? For as many reasons as there are races. I love the clear-headed exhaustion that follows a hard run – body spent but mind miraculously clearer than the foggy-headed state I started in. I especially love the cake that follows those half marathon races. I love that running as much as I do means I can eat whatever I want – but that I don’t, because I won’t run as well if I eat nothing but cake. I love running because of the people! In my opinion, runners are just great people. I can not tell you how many races I've done where I've easily started chatting with a group of other runners, making fast friends. This thing we have in common really binds us all. I learn this lesson in every race, I can attest that running brings together, funny and like-minded people.
On your First Run...
I started running 4 years ago, the Romeo & Juliet Half Marathon, held in Verona in February 2015 was my first half marathon I ever ran. My biggest nugget learned from my first half marathon? People don't run races because they are easy. People run races because it feels flippin’ amazing to finish something you set out to do.
On Street culture…
Running is the most sociable of sports – anyone can do it, there are no barriers to entry, running clubs (particularly mine) are friendly and fun. Everyone has a tale to tell, a race story to unfold, advice to give. Milan has a lot to offer including street sports such as non-commercial and non-professional running communities. These growing running communities have added an extra dimension to running.
On Running Culture…
Running makes me remember, everything I need is already inside of me. I realize that winning doesn't always mean getting first place; it means getting the best out of yourself and totally enjoy it!
On Gadgets…
Running certainly brings a lot of things to us...You can steer yourself in any direction, you have brains in your head, you have feet in your shoes and you have MEEDAAALS in your hand !!
On injury…
It may seem surprising to learn all of the different ways that running can improve our health, but the truth of the matter is that these are just a few of the many benefits that it can offer to our body. Running is really incredibly beneficial to the body, mind, and spirit, and even short runs can leave you feeling more energized, more focused, and better able to enjoy all that life has to offer. For injury prevention, you take care of your body, and your body will take care of you.
I learned a lot about myself through this. Here's what I've learned: be patient with my first running injury, dealing with first injury, keep calm and how I obsessed with running 😄
On Achievements…
As I look back, I can hardly believe my milestones. And why not, my failures as well. My main goal is to show you what facts and consistency can help you achieve. It's not easy and will require hardwork. But once you have reap the rewards, you will not regret it.
The ups: The rewards are awesome. I can not deny them. There are plenty of milestones I have achieved without realizing: running 200km in a month, running in the rain, keeping track of my runs and my cardio, many happy moments, new friends, lots of medals ...
The downs: I wish I could tell you that everything has been good news. But I'd be lying. Now that I look back at these events, I think they could've been avoided. Or at least, mitigated the outcome.
You need to be content with small steps. That's all life is. Small steps that you take every day so when you look back down the road it all adds up and you know you covered some distance.
On future goals…
The road is simple. I'll continue with my schedule: run every other day and all you have is that next step and nothing else. It's the next step that's important. That step will help you live the present moment and enjoy your run. I'll push myself (and body) to its limits without putting myself in danger. I want to see what I'm made of! Ah, and one more thing: have fun!
On your social media…
Social media is a fantastic opportunity to share experiences and memories trough pictures, facts and descriptions with people who share the same passion for running, both close friends and people from around the world. There is a closeness about people who run. We become better friends, athletes and better women by the company we keep, running has given me friends for life! Among other things I share my running experiences on Instagram @la_tommy_enrica
On Pink…
Pink is a strong color both visually and symbolically to support the fight against breast cancer.
On Pain…
Reasons to run are infinite, when I do, there's always a chance to start unknown and to finish unforgettable. A chance to overcome all obstacles, to fight through pain and suffering to test your emotional limits and boundaries, to experiment with the potential of the human body and discover just how far you can push yourself. And a chance to feel like a completely different person, a person who inspires others, and who they strive to be. Then believe in superman, believe in magic, believe in Santa Clause, believe in your dreams, but you must believe in yourself and say: I can do it. If you do not, who will?
On women’s running…
Murakami once described running as "both exercise and a metaphor." The real marathon is life. It's the doing every day. Running does not need to be justified or applied to some end. You run because keeping a healthy body and clear mind is part of your job as a human being. Because it's a commitment you made to yourself that you're obligated to keep no matter how tired, how busy or how burnt out you feel. In other words, it 's practice - proof of your ability - in having an extra bit extra in you. And women are “extra”…
On the Past you…
Running, and you must, you really must. Because there will be days, weeks, months, maybe years when you can not. And every day that you say yes is the making of a ritual that builds the force like the tide. Running strengthens more than my legs, it nurtures my relationship with the man from whom I inherited the running gene in the first place— my dad. He's always been my #1 fan, and it's been incredible to share my newfound love of running with him.
When I die…
There will be a day when I can no longer do this. Today is not that day!
#RunRevolution
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