Bonum Cursum

Savickis life journey

ostatnie wpisy

  • There was a race: running, praying, and falling in Częstochowa

    There was once an event called the Triada Biegowa in Częstochowa, a unique running experience that turned a regular weekend into a test of endurance, faith, and leg strength. It lasted three days, with a different race each day, and every morning brought a new route, a new challenge, and new ways to wonder why we runners voluntarily do this to ourselves.

    Częstochowa was a perfect setting for such an event. It is one of the most famous Christian pilgrimage destinations in Poland, home to the Jasna Góra Monastery and the Black Madonna, a place where people come to find spiritual strength. During the Triada Biegowa, many of us were also searching for strength, though in a slightly more physical way, one hill and blister at a time.

    But the city has more than just its religious side. It is also known for Raków Częstochowa, one of Poland’s best football teams, and for its rather imposing prison, which definitely adds some character to the place. Running past the monastery, the stadium, and the prison in one weekend felt like the perfect summary of the human experience: faith, passion, and discipline, or at least trying not to collapse before the finish line.

    The Triada Biegowa offered something for everyone, a mix of distances, terrains, and moods. Day one tested our speed, day two our patience, and by day three we were mostly testing our ability to still move forward without crying. It was not about medals or records but about the strange satisfaction of finishing all three runs and realizing you could still walk, more or less.

    Sadly, just like many other great local races, the Triada Biegowa no longer exists. It disappeared quietly from the running calendar, leaving behind only memories, a few medals gathering dust, and a group of runners who still talk about that crazy weekend in Częstochowa.

    For me, it was more than just a race series. It was a small adventure that connected the city’s spirit with the runner’s determination. Częstochowa reminded me that endurance is not only about muscles or kilometers. Sometimes it is about faith, in yourself, in the finish line, and occasionally in the fact that the next aid station really does have cookies.

    P.S. Speaking of faith, I arrived in Częstochowa a day early to visit Jasna Góra, the Holy Mountain for Poles, to follow tradition and say a small prayer for the run. It turned out to be quite a lesson in itself, because on the second day I fell spectacularly on Osson Hill and tore up my knees. The moral of the story is that you do not always receive exactly what you pray for. At least I learned something useful — where to find open and 24-hour pharmacies in Częstochowa on holidays.

    A blurred group of marathon runners running on a city street.

  • Runner, cyclist, closet chaos: my gear adventures

    As a runner and cyclist, my wardrobe and gear are basically their own obstacle course. I have this… let’s call it a “seasonal rotation system,” which happens maybe two or three times a year. And every single time, I manage to do something completely wrong.

    For example, just now I grabbed my summer clothes… in the middle of autumn. Classic. You would think after a few years of training, I’d have this down. But no. Somehow, my closet ends up being like a personal comedy show: cycling jerseys mixed with winter running tights, summer shorts chilling next to wool socks, and at least one pair of sneakers that should probably be retired but keep making cameos.

    Sometimes it’s even worse because I live in more than one place a year. One is colder, one is warmer, and I keep going back and forth. By the time I switch my clothes to the right climate, I’m already halfway insane. And that’s just the clothes. Don’t get me started on my Camelbak, bottles, headlamps, gloves, hats, and random accessories. Packing all of that for the right season, in the right place, is basically a full-time job.

    I’ve tried to organize it like a “pro wardrobe and gear system”: summer clothes up high, winter down low, race kits in one corner, casual stuff in another, bottles and lights in drawers, Camelbak on the hook… but the laws of the universe conspire against me. By January, I’m wearing flip-flops in snow, a hoodie in 30°C heat, and wondering why my headlamp is missing while my bottle is empty.

    Yet somehow, despite all the chaos, it’s a huge amount of fun. There’s something exciting about the challenge, the mix of running, cycling, switching climates, and juggling gear. It’s hard, sometimes crazy, but that’s exactly why it’s worth it.

    So here’s my expert advice for fellow runners and cyclists on handling wardrobe and gear: rotate, rotate, rotate… and then accept that you will inevitably get it wrong. Twice. Maybe three times. But you’ll do it with style, sweat, and a smile. And hey, it’s a perfect excuse to buy a new pair of socks, a new bottle, or maybe even a headlamp.

    PS: I have way too many headlamps and other lights. I rarely remember to pack them, so somehow I keep accumulating more and more. At this rate, I might need a separate backpack just for my lighting collection! 😄

  • There was a race: The Ultra Running Gala in Krakow – or How I Discovered My Limits (and the Cookie Incident)

    The Gala Biegów Ultra in Kraków was one of the most distinctive ultra-running events in Poland, a celebration of endurance held right in the heart of the city, in Park Jordana. In 2020, it brought together runners from across the country for three challenges: the VII 12h Night Ultra Distance, the VI 6h Morning Patrol, and the II 3h Fast Trio. Everyone could find their own flavor of suffering, from a gentle morning jog to a full night of existential crisis at a steady pace.

    What made this event special was its open spirit. Both seasoned club athletes and brave amateurs could take part, as long as they were at least 21 years old and in decent health, and preferably had a sense of humor. On race day, we all gathered at the event headquarters by the 3 Maja entrance to Park Jordana, where we collected our bibs, timing chips, and, figuratively speaking, our last bits of sanity.

    The course was a loop of about 1.1 kilometers. It sounded innocent enough, just some asphalt, some trees, and a few street lamps. But after a few hours, that same simple loop turned into a mental battlefield. Running through the night gave the park a whole new character, filled with quiet, dim lights, rustling leaves, and the endless rhythm of footsteps. It wasn’t just a run anymore. It became moving meditation, mixed with fatigue, self-doubt, and a pinch of absurdity.

    Each lap felt like both a small victory and a polite reminder that there were still countless laps to go. Fatigue set in, the mind wandered, and internal monologues grew increasingly philosophical. Why am I doing this? Is this still fun? Do my shoes even exist? And yet, through all that, there was something magical about the night. The silent understanding between runners, the nods of encouragement, the volunteers cheering with genuine warmth, and the shared feeling of “we’re all in this together, for some reason.”

    It was a race against time, against the limits of body and mind, and sometimes against the overwhelming temptation to just lie down on the grass and call it a day. Still, every lap brought me closer to that quiet triumph only ultra runners know, the feeling that endurance itself is the reward.

    Sadly, the Ultra Running Gala no longer exists in this form. It once brought together Kraków’s running community with unmatched passion, but now it’s just a memory. Yet for those of us who ran those long hours in Park Jordana, the event lives on as a reminder that true endurance doesn’t always need mountains or wilderness. Sometimes, the hardest battles are fought in circles under city lights, with the world asleep around you and only your own heartbeat for company.

    P.S. Speaking of battles, my crew was kindly handing me cookies during the race to “keep my energy up.” The problem was, I wasn’t exactly in the mood for cookies after eight hours of running, so I started leaving them on the next aid table each lap, like a secret cookie relay. By the end of the race, my little scheme was discovered, and the organizers made me officially eat them all in front of everyone after the finish. Turns out the true endurance test wasn’t twelve hours of running, it was those last few cookies.

  • Hospitium Caritatis – Running to Help

    I often try to participate in this race but over the years the timing has never quite worked out especially during the times I spent long stretches working at sea. Still my family and I always make an effort to be here whenever we can. This is the Hospice Run and it is very close to our hearts. Every year we run to support children who are seriously ill and living in hospices. The organizers donate 100 percent of the race proceeds to them so every step we take helps these brave little ones and their families. Knowing how many sick children rely on this support makes every kilometer feel meaningful. For us coming here is not just about running it is about family hope and doing what we can to bring a bit of comfort and care to children who need it the most.


    P.S. If you would like to support this hospice you can visit their website. You can also support this itas well as other hospices and organizations helping sick children. Lately I have been thinking that in today’s world it sometimes feels like so many fundraising efforts go to things that are not essential, like trips or events, while there is still so much real need. I just wanted to share this thought.

  • There was a race: Memories of the Jerzy Kortz Memorial Run

    The Jerzy Kortz Memorial Run in Szczecin was one of the most significant running events in the region, held in honor of Jerzy Kortz, a professor at the Agricultural Academy, a coach, and a running enthusiast. The race series was unique not only because of the name, which carried a tradition and contribution to the development of sports in the region, but also because of the challenging terrain that provided a real test for participants. Over the years, the event gained recognition and became an important part of the running calendar.

    The competition was part of a series where participants earned points in each race, which were then added to the overall standings. The race route took place on the terrain of Bukowa Wilderness, an area with moraine terrain formed by glaciers during the ice age. In ancient times, an ocean covered this region, which explains the current landscape full of hills, slopes, and deep valleys that give the trail a distinctive „mountainous” character.

    The Jerzy Kortz Memorial Run covered a 5.3 km distance, and the route consisted of a double loop, meaning participants ran the same course twice, increasing the physical demands and difficulty. The main race was held under challenging conditions, with numerous uphills and downhills, making it a cross-country event, perfect for training running strength.

    The Jerzy Kortz Memorial Run became a tradition in Szczecin, bringing together running enthusiasts from across Poland and providing unforgettable experiences and challenges on a beautiful and demanding terrain. Although the series has now ended, the memory of this event lives on in the running community, and its organization was a great example of passion, dedication, and the desire to promote sports at the highest level.

    PS: The run was extremely close to my heart, as I loved training in this forest, especially the uphills and long runs. It was only about a few kilometers away from my place, so it was perfect for a short loop. I spent a lot of time there back in my university days, and we often had bonfires and enjoyed great moments together. I’ll never forget the friend who, for whom I’ll always be grateful, showed me this forest for the first time. As a city dweller, I had never experienced anything like it. I spent many years there, and now I watch the changes from the other end of the forest right from my kitchen window.