Being in Alba for the Truffle Festival is a real treat.
Understatement of the year.
Our last day in Alba happened the be the first day of the Truffle Festival (have I mentioned how lucky we were on this trip?!).
The city was filled with the smell of truffles, cheese, and chocolate. See why I nearly pitched a fit whimpered when it was time to go?
I wonder how much $$$ in truffles was in the city that day? Thousands? Hundreds of thousands?
We saw the parade, which included flag throwers (like the guy in Under the Tuscan Sun!). They were great… but I really loved it when they almost dropped the flag and had to do diving catches:
It’s like something out of a movie… next time I come back I’ll time it better to be there for more of the festival!
I keep saying it, but it’s incredible how much Italy really does look like a postcard or a movie scene.
I wrote previously that I am really struggling to get back into the swing of things workout-wise. My muscles feel incredibly tight and I’m out of the habit. A massage is in order!
I am making an effort. The intensity level isn’t where I’d like it and I’m struggling to run and am in some pain from my knee injury and a foot problem (scary given next week’s race then the Thanksgiving Half)… but half the battle is getting out the door. That, I have done.
On the injury front, I did do to a therapist who assured me that everything in my knee is intact. He began Soft Tissue Therapy last week and wants to get another session in before next weekend’s race. Apparently I have a lot of scar tissue build up due to old injuries (my right knee always seems to be the one I abuse).
Thank god I have a high pain tolerance… he used something like the Graston Technique which HURTS. He uses a hard little bar to rub hard against the grain of the scar tissue. This re-introduces trauma, which causes inflammation, which increases the blood flow in the area. This supposedly helps re-initiate the healing process of the affected soft tissues.
I needed a spoonful of sugar after that doctor visit… so I hit a concert!
Sugarland‘s show Saturday night was amazing, as usual.
Their stage presence and energy are unparalleled. While I do miss seeing them in small venues with my elbows on the stage, pit seats at Phillips Area are nothing to turn your nose up at!
In other news, I ended the cleanse. This coming weekend I am relaying 7 miles of the Georgia Marathon and I need more complex carbs. And if I’m brutally honest… I wanted to go out this weekend.
Therefore, this Standard Process-esque 21-day cleanse became a 14-day cleanse. I’m happy with that. I feel more energetic and refreshed after the 2 week meat and wine binge in Italy, which is exactly what I wanted to accomplish.
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I start my leadership development program this morning – so excited!
What are you looking forward to this week?
Have you ever heard of the Graston Technique?
It’s definitely hard to get back into it after a vacation, but I know you’ll be able to and the race on Sunday will be fun!
I hope to see you at the race on Sunday!!!
We need to plan to meet up after!
I’m looking forward to this week being over already! Ha!
Congrats on the LDP…that’s so exciting!!!
I once had ART (active release technique) which is very similar. Hurt like a mofo 😉
Ouch. I’ve done that too on my shins. I thought the bruising would never go away.
Did it help?
Goodluck on your race!!
Love sugarland… amazing singers!
Sounds like you have a busy week up ahead!!
Jealous of the concert…of the truffles…but NOT about the injury! I haven’t been running much lately…lots of lazy ellipticaling for me…
Liz has mentioned here desire to attend the Truffle festival and know that someday I will have to take her…not that I’m complaining. 🙂 Cheers!
It shouldn’t be missed! Very cool experience. 🙂
wow – that technique sounds um…PAINFUL. yikes…Im such a baby – no pain tolerance here..big baby!
xoxo from Houston….
I find it tough to get back into a rhythm after vacation too, but looks like you are doing great so far!
I think you are doing great so far getting back into a rhythm! It is definitely a hard transition
I’m most looking forward to being able to write out a workout recap this week, since I have been able to get back into working out. I mean, yes, last week I worked out too, so maybe I’ll recap both. It’s just such a satisfying feeling.
You’re so right – I definitely do it more for myself than anything!
I love reading about your trip. I think you should go back soon so the stories never end;) I can’t believe the 1/2 is exactly a month away, I’m so not ready!
Good luck with your relay! Hope the knee stops giving you grief too. And I like the idea of your cleanse. I have a feeling I may have to do one in November after eating (and drinking?) for 10 days in China!
China is going to be AWESOME though! I’m hoping to get over there soon-ish.
It is so hard to get back to a normal exercise routine after a long trip! Sorry to hear about your knee! I tore my ACL and meniscus two summers ago and even though I had surgery, I feel like it will never be the same! Hope it gets better soon!
Thank you! Sorry to hear about your ACL – I’ve known other who’ve do it and I know it’s a hard rehab!