simon tanner (asker) Nov 5, 2008:

thanks and clarification thanks so much answerers for your suggestions. Thanks to agreers and especially to potra, who was comprehensive in the breakdown of the possible nuances of meaning. Was really undecided which one to go for, which is why I added a couple to the glossary. The main reason I went for Sarah Jane's instead of John's was the fact that it kept 'the feet' in the picture, which I liked in this context. If I'd wanted something a bit less literal, I would have gone for John's

JRM (X) Oct 31, 2008:

wow! Potra, although I didn't ask this question, I wanted pass on my thanks for adding much value to the interpretation of this sentence. Sometimes the Italian language can be amazingly evocative with incredible economy...

potra Oct 31, 2008:

le idee possono mettere i piedi Being of Tuscan origins, I can tell you that this is the exact opposite of a very common Tuscan credo: "Di idee e di sassi ognun puo` caricarsi", meaning that ideas have no weight nor concrete consequences so it is easy to pile up abstract concepts. " In your instance your subject attains an admirable feat: turning ideas into reality. Also you have a play on words with a marathon runner, a winged foot Achilles/hero, and the grape stomping in wine making.
I might have gotten carried away here, hope this helps.