France Trip - Day 3

Day 3 - Paris Museums
Today Jen was not the best. She had more stops and was looking pretty bad before we even stepped out the door. But we did managed to get into the long line for the Musée d'Orsay (we only waited 50 mins before we were in the enjoying the museum which was surprising because the line was LOOOONG). This Museum, an old train station, is fantastic! and well worth the wait in outside with all the other eager tourists (for us there were alot of Italian students getting their 'history points'. Such a mix of things to see I had to leave Jen a few times while she rested to see the sculptures and paintings of the likes of Monet, Van Gogh and Degas. From here we had a rest and got some lunch. Then it was off to The Louvre . We got there earlier in the day, but found out that if we came back after 6:30pm Jen could get in for free and I for 6 euros. So, as we have no money, we decided to come back to get in 'on the cheap'. What a massive musuem! this place was huge, but we got to see all the main paintings and art works. A great day to finish off our Paris holiday. Now tomorrow we train it down to the south of France to Nice. 

Here in Paris

Paris and the Eiffel Tower
So as some people may know Jen and I are in Paris. We arrived yesterday and have found a cheap little hotel (31euros/night) near the Pantheon so we were pretty happy living in the Latin Quarter. Jen was a little sick with a cough and tiredness before she came on the trip, but she tried hard to forget about it and see the 'bigger than life' city of Paris. We hit up some sights today which included the Notre Dame, Champs-Elysées, the Arc de Triomphe and of course the Eiffel Tower (at dusk - into night). So a long day, but we got through it with some rest stops, easy walking and lots of crepes & Coke.

Last training for Barcelona Fit

Today was the last Saturday morning training session for Barcelona Fit. We had a solid turnout of 13 members on the coldish morning. The time of running was only 75 minutes and so everyone was back in a good mood and feeling fit for next sundays marathon. Di is injured and so will not be able to run the marathon, which is a huge dissapointment to him but I am sure he will be right for another one in about 5 weeks. I hope so because he has worked hard for this one. Congrats to all who finished the Barcelona Fit training. Stay strong for next week! 

Cadeques & Dali

We (Jen, Sarah, & Matt) travelled up north from Barcelona for the night. We went via Figueres and the home of the Dali Museum. A great side trip to rest the legs and see some strange Dali works. After a snack of bocadillos (con jamon y queso) & coke we travelled the windy road towards the fishing village of Cadeques. We found a place to lay our head for the night, after trying to drive up small, narrow and steep streets. Then we got some beer, cheese, wine and found a seat by the water. After some interesting discussions about God, religion, the universe, and 'if we are really here' we got some real food. On the way home to Barcelona I only went down 1 one-way street because, of course, Barcelona signage is shite! A fantastic 2 days.

Friends In Barcelona

This past few days we have had Matt & Sarah (on the left side of the picture) visiting Barcleona. We worked together in Ludus Torino and they are on a 'tour' of their own around Europe. We have been to some great eating places in town + Parc Guell, where this picture was taken.
We are heading north of Barcelona tomorrow for a few days in the Costa Brava....should be fun! 

Barcelona Fit 32km training

This morning was the last big training run for the Barcelona Fit crew. I ran for the longest I have ever run before, at 2:20hr, and my legs are pretty much SHOT! I am going to work on getting my legs stronger to cover more miles, but after only running twice in the preceeding 2 weeks, I suppose I better get back on the horse and do my midweek runs. The team went well with the biggest turnout of runners in the whole 5 months of the program. We ran at "Carretera de las Aiguas", which overlooks the city of Barcelona and in english means "Road of the Waters". It is basically a flat 8km length of road that is prefect for those long runs. A good surface and marked kilometers (up to 5km) helps is keeping your pace. This week we have meetings about the future of the program.

More Barcelona Fit Videos

Heading home to Barcelona

Jen and I are on our last day here in Torino. We had a great day yesterday at the OrangeFestival in Ivrea (just north of Torino) and are all a little sore today....actually our legs are the sorest part of the body, not sure why but maybe because we were getting low to launch those oranges at the other people. I guess training will get back to normal once we hit Barcelona soil again. We have had a blast in Torino with the Ludus crew and also checking out sports which we might not get to see again for a long time.

Ivrea

Orange Festival in Ivrea
The Ludus crew enjoyed a fun and busy day dodging and throwing our fair share of oranges. The little town of Ivrea is about 1 hour north of Torino in the northern part of Italy. The idea of the orange festival is that there are about 9 teams (about 3500 people) in about 6 squares (piazze) around the town all throwing oranges at the guys in horse-drawn carts. The guys in the carts pay 400euros to be in there, and the guys in the teams pay 150 odd euros. The festival takes place over 4 days. It was a fantastic day and I was happy not to dislocate my shoulder while throwing so many oranges.

Torino winding down

The Torino 2006 Winter Games is officially in 'winddown' mode. You can feel it in the streets, in the number of people around town and the general atmosphere of Torino. Ludus has one more full day of their tours and then they shut everything down with a big Ludus Party ready to go off on the 28th. I hope to post some pictures on here. Running has been put on the backburner since Gava 1/2 marathon as I have not run a step since the race. My left ankle has been too sore in the morning (when I usually get my run 'out the way') and I decided to soak up some of the Olympic spirit while still in town.

Gava 1/2 marathon 2nd 1:06.23
So I flew back to Barcelona, from Torino, for this important Barcelona Fit race. A good team turnout added to 2000 odd runners. A few personal bests were recorded, but with the wind and rain that pretty much covered the course along the waters-edge, the times were not really relavent. The effort, race and team environment was the name of the game today. For full results of other Barcelona Fit runners please go to the official results page.

The Tour

We are still rolling on well here in Torino. We went to our first competition last night, the pairs figure skating shortprogram, and it was fantastic. I have never seen that kind of sport live and it was a good night overall. Jen and I went with about 6 other Ludus(ites) and so the night was filled with some laughs during the performances. The Russians pretty much dominated, with the Chinese up there fighting for the minor medals. Los Americanos are about 6th or so. More soon.

Winter Olympics TORINO 2006

Ok, so I am flat chat here working for Ludus Tours here in Torino for the XX Winter Olympic Games. Today is the first day for Tour clients, so you could imagine the mayhem around town for the Ludusites. I will keep everyone informed on what is happening throughout the weeks here. I am in Torino until March 2nd, but head back for a 1/2 marathon in Barcelona on the 18/19 Feb. My training is going fine but I need to get my daily training done before all the work starts each day: this means hitting the streets about 7:30am. I know that is not early for some people who read this, but it is generally too early for me! Anyone want some gifts? 

San Sebastian XC

10km - 8th
A really nice setting in San Sebastian was the return of a true XC race for me. I have not run a XC race for over 18 months and this was a fantastic opportunity that I couldn't miss. Jen and I traveled up to the north of Spain with about 4 other people (3 of which were racing also- as part of the Fila Team). We got a nice 4-star hotel room to ourselves and enjoyed the great food and on-the-river location. I ran strong for the most part of the 4-lapped course, but was still about 1:45 from the winner, Tedasse from Eritria. We leave for Torino today and so the last few days have been very busy. I will have some internet connection, but with all the work I suppose it will be very little time spent on my trusted laptop. A short video soon of the weekend. 

A little sick

After my good run on Sunday I am feeling a little drained. I have run 3 half marathons since I have been here in Barcelona and after each one I get sick. This time is just a head cold and feels to be nothing serious. I suppose that I am on a fine line of healthy and sick, and the effort of completing a 1/2 marathon tips me over onto the sick side. I have another race this Sunday in the northern part of Spain, San Sebastian. It is an International XC and I am looking to get top 15.
Work is going well and getting ready to travel to Torino for the Winter Olympics. It should be fun!