There’s no place like home

When I open up my Runner’s World every month and check out the “rave run,” I must say I’m not envious. On my 8 k run I’m soon out of town passing soccer fields, wheat fields, an old cemetery. Then I run through the neighboring village with its 18th century mansions and church. I come to more fields and woods, dotted with huge redwood trees, before turning around, which is the best part of the run. Not so much because I get to run downhill, but for the fantastic view of Lake Geneva and the Alps in the background (on a clear day, Mt Blanc is spectacular). Time the turn at sunset and it’ll take your breath away.

gotta run...

B.O.

At a local race, sponsors were handing out samples of a laundry detergent specially designed to eliminate odor from sports apparel. That must mean I’m not the only one with this particular problem – not to mention the guys who haven’t washed their lucky shirts in who knows how long; I’ve stood at the starting line next to plenty of them! The detergent was not at all effective on my orange and red t-shirts (what’s up with that?). I think there’s nothing to be done short of boiling them. For now I’ll just keep my arms close to my sides.

Gotta run…

Two weeks to go

Yesterday I signed up for my big race of the year. Marathonguide.com gave the Lausanne Marathon 4 1/2 stars out of 5. Reviewers said it was “organized with Swiss precision,” and “scenic and tough.” The 26 mile course is out and back, while the half marathon begins at the 13 mile turning point. Us half marathoners will be taken by train to our starting line where we can watch the marathon stragglers go by. There is always a courageous woman on crutches among them. She gets lots of cheers.

Gotta run…

Stretching

I know I should stretch, but I just can’t make myself do it. Oh, sure, when other runners are around I stretch a few muscles (like those people who only wash their hands in public restrooms if someone else is there). I also feel some guilty about not doing it (same as for not flossing). I know it would probably help with the chronic hamstring pain, so why can’t I get motivated to stretch?

Gotta run...

Morat-Fribourg

Yesterday the 75th Morat-Fribourg took place. It’s one of the oldest and most popular Swiss races. I’ve never entered the challenging 17K uphill run, because it’s held on a Sunday morning. But for one man (45 seconds into the video clip), yesterday was the 50th participation. You’ve gotta admire that.

Gotta run…

Training Log

Runner’s World sent me a little training log when I renewed my subscription last year. It’s handy for keeping track of your mileage, your progress, your ups and downs. It’s full of interesting quotes ("Not only in running but in much of like is a sense of balance and proportion necessary." - Clarence DeMar, winner of seven Boston Marathons). There’s even a sample page to show you how to fill it out. But mine is still empty. I doubt I’ll ever use it, but it sits on the shelf by my desk just in case.

Gotta run…

To run or not to run

Monday I decided I had time for a quick run even though it was cutting things close. I ended up twisting my ankle. It reminded me of the time I squeezed an early run into a tight schedule on a trip to Naples. That day I managed to get both feet tangled in a coiled up wire (this was during the big garbage strike). To say I came down hard would be an understatement. Now I know what a roped calf feels like, only it's usually not running on pavement! It stuck me that had I not gone for a run that morning, I would have regretted it all day; but I never would have know what would have been avoided by not running. Life is sometimes like that.