Run Run Run
I find long distance running somewhat a masochistic activity. The process of it feels like running your nails down a chalkboard, or grinding your teeth on pavement (never tried it please tell me how it is). It is something utterly painful, the process seemingly never-ending. So I never thought of entering any sort of race. I hate exercise and would categorize myself as “inactive”. Why would I then, inflict myself to enter a race if I am not an athlete, and I dare say, not a masochist?
But for some reason, I entered a race with Bill and Kelvin. An excruciating 10km to be held at some scenic yet remote golf course. The minute I submitted the application, the feeling of doom and regret flooded towards me at full force. How was I going to survive this race? What in the world could possibly motivate me to drag myself out of bed 5 in the morning and run in the cold and rain?
The answer is of course…vino.
Instead of training like normal beings, we prepped ourselves with liquid promises in the form of fermented grape juice. Days passed and finally, the dreaded event suddenly appeared. The horn was sounded and the nightmare materialized into full blown hell.
We started by running, eventually walking, a steep slope. Why is everyone else so fast? I trudged step after step, swearing under my breath, whilst telling myself not to ever do this again. It was tempting to just quit and hop onto the rescue vehicle, its slow pace taunting you to step on, where everything would be okay. But no. I must make it, only 4 more kilometers. All these people passing me. Forget about the water stand. Why is it so cold? Why is it so hot NOW?
Finally, I exhausted my remaining strength, and ran (though very slowly) through the rest of the track. Come on you can do it. Think of your victory wine. A bottle of 2005 Poggio di Sotto Brunello di Montalcino was ready for our consumption as we strived achingly towards the finish line. As promised by my favourite manga, this wine is the wine for marathons, in my case, a measly 10km. Yes WE MADE IT.
Without losing a beat, we uncorked the bottle at the clubhouse cafe. Victory in liquid form. No water for us thanks. We poured the wine in god forbidden paper cups. And the verdict?
The wine was definitely thirst quenching and friendly. Almost like an energy drink, it was full of electrolytes in the form of plummy juice and minerality. Oh wow nothing could stop us now. Usually, it would take us at least an hour to finish such a dense and intense wine. But after the race, cup after cup, we downed the wine in half an hour, its friendly aromas warming us down with perfect balance. The high alcohol was not entirely detectable, where its dense yet silky tannins warmed us like a deep red quilt, its finish lengthly like a 10km race. Tasted great when paired with your own sweat and blood. Who needs water if you’ve got sangiovese? I hate running but this was definitely worth the cause. I though our previous brunello was more athletic than this rendition of sangiovese, but this wine was really delicious. I might not make this wine a must have after a race, if I ever enter one again, but it is something worth savouring again. Yummy.
Poggio di Sotto 2005, Brunello di Montalcino DOCG, Tuscany 14% alc by vol. $1100 Wineworld
