Team Villa heads to Venice!

By Patrick Ciccolini

So here we are everybody, on the eve of our passage to the challenge, the adventure, and the glory all of us have been building towards during the myriad of months we have endured to this very day.

As I sit here writing while polishing the playlist on the ipod with the usual "Eye of the Tiger", "We are the Champions", Theme Song from Rocky, and yes, even a touch of Pavarotti (thanks Dad) suspects to sooth the soul during the run through roads and bridges we shall travel, I thought I'd share the collections of impressions I have been blessed with through the gathering of this great assembly of people and teammates ready to take on Venice.

Lending our ears to our Shakespeare of the Road, that's you Michael, we have taken in words of pound paving wisdom and brought them to life through the thousands of kilometres we have collectively conquered in this first year of a new decade in time.

We may not look like Mel Gibson (ok well not me anyway), but we are all Road Warriors, crafty veterans now in this wonderful sport of marathoning who have endured through pains and aches most would have mailed it in for a long time ago. But not this crowd, we are all filled with the Miracle Drug (quoting U2, it's currently playing on the itunes), not one prescribed by our very own Dr. Vic, but the one that is in us all, our determination and passion for this cause we have committed to. In the months leading up to our flight tomorrow, we have witnessed leg fractures, knee injuries, achilles tears, pulled hamstrings, back aches, SI joint pain, shin splints and pretty much any other pain or nuisance you can experience with mileage we have logged. Yet through all of it, here we all are. Here we are ladies and gentlemen!

All set to Bust a Move (Young MC on now, just rollin with the music :) ), and funny enough there a line in that song that is so fitting for the journey we're all gearing up for this Sunday: "You're on a mission, and you're wishin', someone to cure your lonely condition" - well we've been on a mission for the Villa, and that lonely condition you might be feeling at some point on race day will be cured by remembering just one thing...the mission is accomplished! Like Michael said, we've made it here, we have successfully raised thousands and thousands of dollars for Villa Charities, logged more kilometres than most will run in their entire life, made new friendships and connections to last a lifetime, and introduced every sponsor and/or donor to a cause worthy of support for this decade and many more to come. No matter where we are on the tour through Venice, just remember there is no "lonely condition" for any of us come race day.

Bee Gees "Stayin' Alive" on now, and who else to talk about but our own living example of Terminator-like "I'll be back!!" perserverance in Marco D. The man's a Mileage Machine! Following a training regimen with the utmost discipline and commitment to success, he endure through a broken leg, yes you read correctly, a broken leg, and locked and loaded ready to conquer the 42!

We have in our company the guru himself Paolo, 65 marathons in 65 years, several Bost Marathon Qualifiers and Finishers, sophmores (hopefully with no jinx) like myself, and rookies who make up this great team of individuals who Frank and Tony, along with Tracie and the Villa Team, have guided and paced throughout this campaign to the success story we already are.

As I listen to "We Run" by Strange Advance (Sorry guys, the retro took over the last part of the playlist), it reminds us all that a Marathon truly is a strange advance (running 42k consistently is not natural right Frank?), We Run is the calling we have answered for the Villa. Lean on the experience, the friendship, the humour, the wisdom that everyone on this team has contributed.

I leave you with this last sharing of wisdom our inaugural chair, Pino Correale, gave to me last year before Rome. He took me aside after one meeting and said "Patrick, I tell you this now, you will experience a moment in this journey where you'll realize the peace, the accomplishment, or whatever great emotion it may be. It might come during the run, at the finish line, or maybe even before you even get to the starting line...enjoy the moment when it happens". Naturally I said Pino "what the hell are you talking about?", and he laughed but said to remember our talk. Well I can tell you that on the morning of our run in Rome, I was in my room getting all the gear on, arming myself with all the artillery we've all packed by now into our bags, and as I was leaving my room I saw myself in the mirror by the door. Right there I realized what he meant by the moment. I stood there staring at the 4642 on my chest (my Bib number) and said "Holy Shit Pat! You're ready baby!".....Thanks Pino.

Meet a Team Villa Runner: Daniela Zuccarelli

Daniela Zuccarelli
Residence: Port Credit

Why did you join Team Villa?
I joined because this is a fabulous way to do fundraising for a great charity and I get to see Venice!!!

How would your friends describe you?
My friends would describe me as sweet and a little mysterious

What are the 5 things you can’t live without?
The five things I couldn't live without are: my friend Damian, chocolate, exercise (boot camp style), my feather bed and duvet, and my family

To learn more about Daniela, or to help her in her goal of raising $5,500, please visit his personal Team Villa page.

Meet a Team Villa Runner: Brian Naraine

Brian Naraine
Residence: Kleinburg

Why did you join Team Villa?
Running is my passion, and so to is my belief to support those less fortunate that myself, in fact, I've been a board member on the VITA board for over 10 years, today I'm the VP of the VITA board, so the combination of enjoying my passion for running with helping those in need attracted me to Team Villa.

How would your friends describe you?
Charismatic individual who often puts others first before himself, always willing to lend a hand, make someone smile, and never make you feel that what you have to say or contribute is not important.

What are the 5 things you can’t live without?
Family, friends, running, sunshine....and of course my Blackberry.

To learn more about Brian, or to help him in his goal of raising $5,500, please visit his personal Team Villa page.

Meet a Team Villa Runner: Angela Martella

Angela Martella
Residence: Toronto

Why did you join Team Villa?
To support a great cause and for the wonderful opportunity to run in Venice!

How would your friends describe you?
Kind, loyal, responsible, quiet and caring

What are the 5 things you can’t live without?
Chocolate, sleep, the people I care about and running of course! (yes I know that's only 4 things)

To learn more about Angela, or to help her in her goal of raising $5,500, please visit his personal Team Villa page.

Meet a Team Villa Runner: Stefanie LoRe

Stefanie LoRe

Residence: Bowmanville


Why did you join Team Villa?
To help make a difference


How would your friends describe you?
Patient, giving, friendly


What are the 5 things you can’t live without?
Love, food, family, friends, fashion


To learn more about Stefani, or to help her in her goal of raising $5,500, please visit his personal Team Villa page.

Meet a Team Villa Runner: Richard Higgins

Richard Higgins
Residence: Toronto

Why did you join Team Villa?
I love running marathons and here is an excellent opportunity to add to my resume of marathons, which total 40

How would your friends describe you?
Caring, fitness geek, loyal, plus many other things

What are the 5 things you can’t live without?
Fitness, clothes, TV, people, food

To learn more about Richard, or to help him in his goal of raising $5,500, please visit his personal Team Villa page.

Meet a Team Villa Runner: Tony Gentilucci

Tony Gentilucci

Residence: Mississauga.

Why did you join Team Villa?
I joined Team Villa because I love to run and I love Italy.

How would your friends describe you?
My friends would describe me as very detail oriented.

What are the 5 things you can’t live without?
1. Music 2. Music 3. Music 4. Music 5. Music


To learn more about Tony, or to help him in his goal of raising $10,000, please visit his personal Team Villa page.