Last Sunday, October 6th, I went running in Tarquinia, right on the coast, with all my friends from Athletica Vaticana. They told me I was supposed to just cheer from the sidelines. I said okay. But I lied, because in my head I'd already decided I was going to run. They said they were running for an hour. An hour? No way, I'm not crazy! I only run a little bit. Just a tiny bit. But I run super fast, like lightning. Like Filippo Tormenu! So here's what I did: I was clever. I pretended to cheer, but whenever I saw someone from Athletica Vaticana coming by, I'd duck under the barriers and start running with them. And they'd stop and cross the finish line holding my hand. I did it 16 times. I had so much fun. Mom scolded me. She kept saying "Be careful, Bene!" But I pretended not to hear. She wouldn't yell at me in front of everyone anyway.
But the best part was when my best friend Sara arrived in her wheelchair. And then when they handed out the medals. I wanted one too, so I went along with everyone when they called names. Even though I didn't know them. I saw they weren't just giving out medals — they had salami, pasta, and jam too. But they only gave me the medal. So I went to eat at a campground by the sea with all the runners. Noodles with meat sauce, roast pork with potatoes, and Catalan cream. I didn't want coffee. I love spending Sunday like that, with people who do sports and run. They're all nice. They all smile. They give me high-fives. They all say "Come on, beautiful." They clap for me. They take photos and videos. They ask me how school is going. I make so many new friends. I introduce myself and tell everyone they're great, so they're all happy. I'm only sad when I have to go home. I'd want to stay there until late at night. Especially because the next day is always Monday and I have to go to school. Running is way better than school. Much better. Even if I do rhythmic gymnastics.
I like going to the gym, but it's not like the party the runners have. They have so much fun celebrating, they hug each other, and at the end of the race they eat cake and drink water. Mom said only I was the one who ran by ducking under the barriers. All the other kids stood still behind the barriers. But I was bored standing there watching. I was fed up. Though I already knew I was going to run because I'd decided that before we even left. I just didn't say anything or they would've stopped me. And so I wouldn't get yelled at by Mom, I stuck with the Athletica Vaticana people so they could protect me while we took photos. Mom said it was dangerous and I could fall. Mom was wrong because I had fun and I didn't fall at all. Next time I'm doing it again. For sure.