“It’s too beautiful to be true,” I thought to myself as we drove past flawless, luscious green pastures grazed by cows, picture-perfect huts, small, well-kept churches and the most stunning mountain ranges I’ve seen in my entire life, on the way from Munich Airport to San Cassiano where the rest of the team was waiting for us.

I was itching to go out and try my legs at altitude, but I also knew I wouldn’t be able to do any running until the day after. So I stayed put and stared out of the window of the Mercedes minivan, trying to imprint the view of the Dolomites in my retina forever.