Home - Francesco Puppi

Olympic Trials

World Mountain Running Championship – Patagonia

Don’t mind this

Bergen – Hochfellnberglauf

Drei Zinnen Alpine Run

Summer 2019

fra_puppinho

Just a little fired up after watching yesterday's

Just a little fired up after watching yesterday's world record on 5000m by @joshuacheptegei. 12:35:36 is insanely fast. It's 60.43 seconds per lap, which he completed at an unrelenting pace, in a display of stunning efficiency. An absolutely brilliant performance, a picture of moving elegance in its purest form. What strikes me is that Joshua is human like anyone of us. He's still got lungs, muscles, guts and a heart. He still strives like anyone of us when we are doing workouts or racing for a PB. He, most importantly, goes out there every day trying to be better than yesterday, learning and feeling emotions. Yet during yesterday's performance he seemed so supernatural, so far above from our ephemeral world of fatigue and slower movements.

Records have always motivated me to run well and not to put myself any limit. As a kid, they indicated the way towards real athletics. When 16 years ago @kenenisabekele_42 ran 12:37, I was 12 and already learning what it took to become a world class athlete. Emulating Gebre, Tergat, Komen and Songok was a common game at the track where I used to train with my group.

Today I will go out and train with Joshua's strides in my mind. Being thankful for what I was able to witness, feel and understand.

Thank you, Joshua Cheptegei. You are an incredible human being.

#worldrecord #joshuacheptegei #cheptegei #5000 #track #monaco #diamondleague #inspiration #anysurfaceavailable #nohumanislimited #whatgravity #striveforgood #higherthanair #distancerunning #puppinhosdream

Photos: @ul_fabius and @lapeppina 🤟🏾

Flash Back Friday.. ...to the most beautiful altit

Flash Back Friday..
...to the most beautiful altitude long run I've ever done. Magnolia Road is a mecca for distance runners. Located just outside of Nederland, CO, it winds down towards Boulder starting from an elevator of 2700m. The place is just wild and unspoilt like only in Colorado's Rockies. I did a 20k long run on Magnolia (or Mags, as the locals call it) rolling hills a week before Pikes Peak Marathon last year.
Of course current training here in Sestriere doesn't disappoint, but I think I left a piece of my heart there.

#flashbackfriday #tb #magnoliaroad #colorado #wanderings #altitudetraining #niketrail #mountainstateofmind #distancerunning #anysurfaceavailable #puppinhosdream

Go out there and put some work in. Run with care.

Go out there and put some work in.
Run with care.
Enjoy.
Repeat.

@niketrail.running @nikerunning

#run #anysurfaceavailable #workout #track #niketrail #speedwork #runwithcare #athletesunfiltered #living #learning #milesformiles #everybodyrun #mindset #altitudetraining #kickoftheweek #trail #trailrunning #puppinhosdream

Picture: @lapeppina

Just a few days ago, feeling in the right place. M

Just a few days ago, feeling in the right place.
Mediterranean scents.
Sardinia's mountains.
July's sun.
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@glo_87
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#sardinia #sardegna #wanderings #furgo #camping #gennargentu #baronie #morningrun #mediterraneansundance #backtobike #carasau #comenoi

Like supertramps on trails 🏴‍☠️🤟🏾
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Did you have a look at our Like Us project - Campiglio-Cima Tosa-Campiglio FKT on the last edition of @thepillmagazine?
It's super cool and shares the story behind it, how the project was born and what we wanted to achieve and communicate. Plus it has some sick shots by @camillapizzini, the Brenta Dolomites and our @niketrail.running Peg Trail 2.
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I also suggest checking out their review on @corsainmontagna.it

#yo #highstoke #niketrail #niketrailmates #supertramp #anysurfaceavailable #athletesunfiltered #brentadolomites #mountainrunning #trailrunning #campigliodolomiti #swoosh #higherthanair #magazine #bangbang #sharethetrail

It wasn't easy. Sometimes mountain running is all

It wasn't easy. Sometimes mountain running is all about digging deep and pulling out what you think you don't have. Your mind leads you to believe that you can't, while your instinct sees the potential to learn and to go beyond that barrier. I am more and more convinced that there is a pain threshold you need to break in order to achieve this type of performance.
Keeping up with @sylvaincachard was unbelievably hard and reminded me of several other sports battles I've lived, which I usually lost (with @walmsleyruns, @petromamu, @kilianjornet, @alexbaldaccini, @xavidecoursa to name a few..) for different reasons, usually because my opponents were just better than me or maybe because I didn't believe in myself strong enough. I've always felt like I am the underdog, the weakest of the group, and that I can stay with the best guys during a race, but eventually that they will put off my possibilities to win. And most of the times this is what feels more important from an outside point of view, what remains written in the roll of honour. I've learned invaluable lessons from defeats (I've won very very few races!) and I'm by no means a champion, but I've always observed carefully what was going on around me, reflecting on what I was doing and what I could learn from the others. This listening attitude has helped me growing as a person and opened my mind to a positive confrontation. Each person has something to teach. And maybe this time my turn has come.

@niketrail.running @nikerunning @flettatrail @wmramountainrun @corsainmontagna.it @thepillmagazine @trailaddicted

#mountainrunning #mountainstateofmind #niketrail #anysurfaceavailable #speedcrossing #nonostante #learning #theunderdog #rememberzinal #theclash #whatgoesaroundcomesaround

Photos: @giacomo_meneghello_clickalps (thanks for capturing the climax of the competition!)

There is no other feeling like victory @flettatra

There is no other feeling like victory

@flettatrail 2020, a race until the end.

Stoked to have shared the trails with amazing athletes and friends. Huge congrats to @sylvaincachard who took me to the edges of today's limits and made me fight hard for this one. 1h26'27", still 1'03" away from king @cecemaestri record but very good comeback to real races. Times count 😉 this is #mountainrunning

I dedicate today's victory to my team @atletica_valle_brembana and all the people in the valley who have experienced very hard times because of covid-19. Your strength is amazing, and this is for you

@niketrail.running
@nikerunning
@atleticaitaliana @atletica.lombarda
@wmramountainrun
@corsainmontagna.it

#niketrail #flettatrail #malonno #homeofmountainrunning #homeofthechampions #runfast #anysurfaceavailable #higherthanair #heyman #whatgravity #hooliswoosh #hoolirun #gandaesfasciumi #remembermoscapass #tortadiriso #bianchiaria #cinqueemezza #roadtohighmountains

Photos: @giacomo_meneghello_clickalps @marcogulberti.it @francesco_bergamaschi

Tomorrow will be the start of two very special day

Tomorrow will be the start of two very special days in the home of mountain running. Where the real, fair spirit of mountain running lives and is felt by every athlete and sport fan. The effort of organizers and volunteers this year is extraordinary and I would like to thank you all for the possibility to race and live such experience.

I will be competing in Sunday's @flettatrail but my fondest memories remain from #PizTriVertical where I still have the course record (from 2017) and competed some of my best mountain running races - like 2016's epic battle with Petro Mamu. I think the record could go down this year, the young studs @henriaymonod and @davidemagnini will burst some fireworks tomorrow! Can't wait to see you out there - run with care!

@niketrail.running @atleticaitaliana
@wmramountainrun

#runforgood #flettatrail #niketrail #homeofmountainrunning #homeofthechampions #hoolibastards #porcocane #runwithcare #anysurfaceavailable #makecondorgreatagain #madaiii #maggicismo #jackwoodwhereareyou #hornsmadeanappearance #theblackfeather

Penso che le contaminazioni sportive siano portatr

Penso che le contaminazioni sportive siano portatrici di valori e spunti interessanti. In una direzione (dalla montagna alla strada) e nell'altra. Smettiamo di vederle come universi separati.
Questo è il trail running che voglio costruire: non uno sport dove la gente che si reputa di alto livello cammina sui sentieri, ma dove chi corre forte lo fa per davvero.
Quindi confrontiamoci...e corriamo.

#run #runanywhere #trailrunning #trailsandtarmac #athletesunfiltered #everybodyrun

Photo: @lapeppina

Quattro giorni dopo il progetto Come Noi - Cima To

Quattro giorni dopo il progetto Come Noi - Cima Tosa FKT insieme a @cecemaestri, ho scelto di correre un 5000m in pista. Alcuni lavori ben fatti nelle ultime settimane mi avevano dato la convinzione di poter correre un tempo (per me) soddisfacente, che poteva valere all'incirca 14'20". Ho corso un po' più piano di quello che avrei voluto, ma non sto qui ad elencare le motivazioni e i nonostante: 14'34" è il tempo che ho corso mercoledì sera.
Volevo dire due cose, che potrebbero interessare sia chi corre esclusivamente in piano, sia chi corre solo in montagna. Quelli che corrono ovunque mi capiranno, probabilmente. #anysurfaceavailable è un modo di interpretare l'atletica che ritengo interessante, utile e che fa crescere. In fondo questa bellezza sta nella vulnerabilità, che cosa si impara dagli applausi e dai complimenti gratuiti, dai "grande campione"? Come la mettiamo quando uno ti dice "pensavo avresti corso più forte", oppure "si ma Joe Gray ha corso 28'20" nei 10000m"? Perché è con questo che mi piace confrontarmi. E per questo 14'34" è piano. Cosa pensavate, che chi corre long distance in montagna non sia in grado di stare sotto i 3' al km? Che Kilian non abbia preparato il record della Sierre-Zinal a suon di 1000 a 2'50"? Che Walmsley corra le 50k a 4' al km? O che questo inverno mi sia allenato per caso?
È stato "semplice" correre Campiglio - Cima Tosa e ritorno, in fondo qualsiasi tempo sarebbe stato soddisfacente, un "record", peccato che di record non ne esisteva alcuno. L'intento del progetto era un altro e penso che questo messaggio sia passato varie volte. Più interessante e difficile è mettersi alla prova su un 5000 in pista quattro giorni dopo i 32km e 2100m D+, l'arrampicata, la discesa e tutto il resto.
Pensate ancora che chi corre in montagna vada piano in pianura? 14'34" è una nullità nella galassia dell'atletica internazionale, ma visto in prospettiva #mountainrunning assume un significato un po' diverso.

#niketrail #athletesunfiltered #distancerunning #run #trailsandtarmac #fkt #everybodyrun

Photo: @lapeppina

Sapevo che di tutta la nostra avventura, quello sa

Sapevo che di tutta la nostra avventura, quello sarebbe stato il momento più atteso, il più intimo e speciale. Quello in cui saremmo rimasti soli, finalmente soli, io, te e la montagna. Quello in cui la prospettiva si sarebbe allargata abbastanza per rivelare noi stessi e l'essenza di ciò che stavamo per compiere, tra le guglie calcaree e gli ultimi nevai solitari.
Non ho mai pensato di non farcela, ma solo perché c'eri tu: non ho paura a dire di aver fatto una cosa fuori dalla mia portata. Mi hai permesso di superare i miei limiti, che come qualcuno ha detto o forse scritto, spesso sono solo illusioni.
La cosa che più ho apprezzato di questa FKT è stato il fatto di averla condivisa insieme, di averla pensata, preparata e infine corsa con il meglio delle nostre forze. Mi rimarrà in tasca un pezzetto di dolomia, un graffio sul ginocchio e la pelle essiccata dal sole d'alta quota. Ma soprattutto le parole non dette, gli sguardi mai superflui, e quella forza tremenda che hai dentro e hai la straordinaria capacità di trasmettere agli altri..
Grazie @cecemaestri

#anysurfaceavailable #athletesunfiltered #sharethetrail #dolomiti #niketrail #runlikeananimal #whatgravity #nonostante #submarino #hooliswoosh #higherthanair #remembepatagonia #mountainstateofmind

A short clip from our adventure @cecemaestri @nik

A short clip from our adventure @cecemaestri

@niketrail.running @campigliodolomiti

#likeus #comenoi #anysurfaceavailable #mountains #feelfree #dolomiti #niketrail #campigliodolomiti

Big day. Emotions just starting to settle in. We s

Big day.
Emotions just starting to settle in.
We shared something important @cecemaestri
Thanks to all who made this possible.
More reflections soon.

And honestly, for once I don't care about the time

@niketrail.running
@campigliodolomiti

@corsainmontagna.it
@thepillmagazine @hooliganrun14 @funk_oluccia @lucacoluccia98 #theassistant

#likeus #comenoi #campigliodolomiti #brentadolomites #trailrunning #fkt #cimatosafkt #mountainstateofmind #anysurfaceavailable #dolomiti #pegasustrail2 #niketrail

Start is at 8:30 Madonna di Campiglio - Cima Tosa

Start is at 8:30
Madonna di Campiglio - Cima Tosa FKT
We are ready
WE GO!

#comenoi #likeus #cimatosafkt #niketrail #anysurfaceavailable #dolomites #campigliodolomiti #trailrunning #run

Photo: @camillapizzini for @thepillmagazine

- GIVEAWAY - Vuoi vincere le stesse scarpe che io

- GIVEAWAY -

Vuoi vincere le stesse scarpe che io e @cecemaestri avremo sabato ai piedi?
Indovina il tempo che impiegheremo per compiere questo percorso:
Sabato 18/07, Campiglio -Cima Tosa - Campiglio
Partenza alle 08:30 da Piazza Sissi (Madonna di Campiglio) e poi via veloci attraverso Vallesinella, passando per il rifugio Casinei, @rifugio_brentei, @rifugiotosapedrotti per arrivare in vetta alla Cima Tosa (3173 m) e tornare al punto di partenza.
Saranno circa 32 km totali con 2.100 metri di dislivello e tratti molto tecnici. Un'esperienza di puro mountain running, nel nostro stile - Come Noi.
Condividi questo post, commenta qui sotto (Instagram o Facebook) con il tempo, chi ci andrà più vicino vincerà un paio di Nike #pegasustrail2
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Do you want to win the same shoes I and @fra_puppinho will have on Saturday?
Guess the time it will take to cover this path:
Saturday, July 18th, Campiglio -Cima Tosa - Campiglio
Start at 08:30 from Piazza Sissi (Madonna di Campiglio) and then through Vallesinella, passing from Casinei, Brentei, Pedrotti refuges to reach the summit of Cima Tosa (3173 m) and back to the starting point. A pure mountain running experience, in our peculiar style - Like Us
The course is about 32 km with 2.100 meters of elevation gain and a few very technical sections.
Share this post, comment below (Instagram or Facebook) with your guess time, whoever comes closest will win a pair of Nike #pegasustrail2
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@niketrail.running @campigliodolomiti
@wildtrailproject
Photo: @thepillmagazine - @camillapizzini

#comenoi #likeus #fkt #fastestknowntime #campigliodolomiti #brentadolomites #dolomites #mountains #niketrail #ad #trailrunning #trailaddicted #sharethetrail

Come Noi Like Us [English below] 🏔️ Campigl

Come Noi
Like Us

[English below]

🏔️ Campiglio - Cima Tosa - Campiglio FKT
🌤️ Feat. @fra_puppinho e @cecemaestri
🚀 Supported by @niketrail.running e @campigliodolomiti

Come Noi è un'idea nata durante un giorno di lockdown.
La particolarità di questa stagione, le difficoltà a trovare stimoli per allenarci e gareggiare ci hanno spinto ad esplorare il lato più libero e spontaneo del nostro sport e del nostro modo di correre.
Cima Tosa è una tra le più alte del gruppo delle Dolomiti di Brenta, e sovrasta Madonna di Campiglio con i suoi 3173 m.
Sabato mattina io e @cecemaestri proveremo una FKT sulla via normale, partendo da Campiglio e ritornando nello stesso punto dopo 31km e 2100m D+ nel minor tempo possibile. Vorremmo essere i primi a fissare un tempo di riferimento per chi vorrà provare questo percorso iconico, vario, impegnativo. Correremo nel nostro stile #anysurfaceavailable , provando ad essere veloci su ogni superficie: strada, sentiero, rocce e neve. Incontreremo tratti a noi più congeniali, altri più difficili che ci metteranno alla prova e magari anche in difficoltà. Fa parte del nostro sport: servono un po' di coraggio e apertura mentale per coglierne tutta la bellezza.
More info and details coming soon. We run!

Like Us is an idea that was born during the lockdown.
The uncertainties of this season and the difficulty to find motivation to train and race have given us the chance to explore a more spontaneous and free approach to our sport.
Cima Tosa (3173 m) stands above Madonna di Campiglio, in the Dolomiti di Brenta group. Saturday morning @cecemaestri and I will go for the FKT from Campiglio to Cima Tosa and back (31km, 2100m of elevation gain). We will try to set a benchmark for all athletes who want to test themselves on such an iconic and challenging course. We will run in #anysurfaceavailable style, on roads, trails, rocks and snow. It will challenge us and at the same time it will be very meaningful and fun. We are mountain running athletes: we can run fast and race hard. It's a simple sport, and we'll go straight to its core: mountains.

#campigliodolomiti #niketrail #fastestknowntime #run

📸 @alicerussolo

Dilaniati ma felici @trailaddicted @niketrail.ru

Dilaniati ma felici

@trailaddicted @niketrail.running @nikerunning

#backtolatreccia #onewayup #happinessliveshere #mylifeisgoinguphill #borntired #cgil #discoveryrun #onlyonehill #furgoalbergo #californiadreaming #trailsandtarmac #ritom #anysurfaceavailable #athletesunfiltered #weknow

They are going to take me very far.. Nike Pegasus

They are going to take me very far..
Nike Pegasus Trail 2
Designed for #anysurfaceavailable
#nosocksneeded
#runanywhere

Had some fun practicing with the camera this morning 🙈😜 testing the new chicks
More adventures coming soon..just sayin 😉

#niketrail #nikerunning #trailsandtarmac #nikepegasustrail #speedcrossing #trailrunning #mountainrunning #fkt #strides #run #july #justsayin #staytuned #viafilata #summerstrust #picoftheday #ritaisfitterthanme

#homemade📸 by @glo_87 and @fra_puppinho

Racing is a deep instinct embedded in an athlete's

Racing is a deep instinct embedded in an athlete's personality. This current unprecedented situation has changed our priorities and lifestyle from this point of view too.
I personally enjoy training for the sake of it, for the love of the gesture, the repetition, the feeling you get from stacking one workout on top of another. Racing breaks this routine and is a very distinct moment in which I've always been able to find additional physical and mental resources to produce a performance. Sport lives on competition; as an elite athlete this is clear in my view. It wouldn't be the same without it's a way we can make a living. But I have found other motivations, needs and meanings behind running with no clear goals, no horizon, no context to put my training into perspective. Sometimes it's nice to live training in a more relaxed way, to enjoy more freedom, without having to pay attention to some small details, not to have to quickly get ready to travel, not asking yourself a huge physical and mental feat each time you toe on the start line.
So it really is a bittersweet feeling and a contrasting situation to be back racing, even though in a different format from what we are used to. This race paved a way and set a standard for a restart of our sport as we know it.
What do you miss the most about racing? What would you change in the way we approach racing and organizing competitions in general?

@niketrail.running @nikerunning

#run #athletesunfiltered #mountainrunning #easymiles #weareinpuglia #salento #performance #earlyrise #anysurfaceavailable #athlete #madaiiii #keepmovingforward #training #niketrail #speedcrossing #terrakiger #onair #mediterraneansundance

Photo: Fabio Di Pierro for @trofeociolo

Back at it! Stoked for this experience. A few, imp

Back at it!
Stoked for this experience.
A few, important steps. Because we care and because it's worth.
A symbolic restart from @trofeociolo in the beautiful Salento

@niketrail.running
@corsainmontagna.it
@weareinpuglia @lucascarcia
@atleticaitaliana

#restart #werun #mountainrunning #dreammilers #niketrail #ciolo #salento #highstoke #socialdistancing #socialexperiments #athletesunfiltered #racemoments

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