by MK
All photographs courtesy of Keiron Mayora
Every Saturday we’re spotlighting remarkable local females who could change the way we look at the world. This Saturday is Nicol Guidolin’s turn, European and Italian champion in mountain bike, long-distance runner, mother to a 3-month old Filippo and a Triestine hill enthusiast.
We interviewed Nicol Guidolin, a 39 year old Triestina, who came to the interview with her beautiful 3-month old Fillippo.
Are you a Triestina?
Yes, born and raised here.
I’ve seen you in many races. You’re fast!
Thanks (laughs-ed.). I always say I was born for fatica (hard work; effort-ed.).
Trieste seems to be a perfect place for runners.
It is. I live in San Luigi neighborhood, and from there I run to Boschetto and then off to Carso. I never run downtown as there are too many people, even early in the mornings. I love the quiet peacefulness of Val Rosandra, and the uphill and downhill of Basovizza.
How did you pick up running?
By chance. I picked up mountain bike in 2016 and won my first Italian championship in 2017 and in 2018 I became the European champion.
Wow! You’re amazing!
Thanks (laughs-ed). You know, I tried all sports in my life but never really felt like I found the right one until I got into long distance running. As I said, I joined a running group by chance and they took me to discover Val Rosandra, taught me downhill trail running…What a thrill! I instantly got hooked.
Not only that, you also became an elite runner.
Well, I started racing and I instantly knew I liked longer distances better. As I said, I like hard work, so doing a 30 km run is where it’s at for me. I adore waking up at dawn and going to Basovizza for a run before work. I think when you run for more than 30 km, it’s like an adventure.
What do you do?
I’m a chemical researcher at Area Science park in Basovizza, so I often run right before starting my work day.
How many races have you done so far?
31 races. I finished 15 with golden medal and 26 with top three placement. It was amazing to find the sport I finally felt was mine years after many other athletic adventures.
Your longest race?
Corsa della bora, 57 km in 2000. I won that race and instantly knew I wanted to do another one. My second 50 km race was last spring in the mountains here, and two weeks after I found out I was pregnant with Filippo. It was a dream come true as for a long time I was told I would have trouble having kids.
Did you stop training during pregnancy?
Nope, I just went easy on myself and ran until I was 8 months pregnant. And then I got back to racing two months after he was born. Of course, I got really lucky to have a very supportive husband. He is the one who hands out water and snacks to me during long races, he is the one who watches Filippo when I need to train for four hours straight and he is the one who wants to travel around Italy to help me race better.
Do you train a lot?
Five days a week. But long distance running is in your legs as much as it is in your head. Every race, before the mid point, I have a moment when I feel like I can’t take it anymore. But then I tell myself to keep going, give myself a quick pep talk and go on. Your head is your biggest ally.
Future plans?
I would love to do a 100 km trail race. It excites me just thinking about it.
