Tuesday, September 23, 2008
Map of the run
Ok, finally got the data uploaded from my GPS running watch. If you go to http://maps.google.com/maps?q=http://trail.motionbased.com/trail/kml/episode.kml?episodePkValues=6817574 you can see the actual path that I ran as I did the marathon. According to my watch I ran 27.2 miles. I guess I must have been weaving a bit :)
Sunday, September 14, 2008
Pictures are up
I've posted the trip pictures at http://www.schenkeytown.com:8080/pictures/germanywales2008/
What do the Pope and Ike have in common?
Well, for me, they both interferred with my travel plans on my way back from Paris. The Pope's effect was a bit more painful.
I got up Saturday morning, packed up, and headed out to the train stop that would get me to the Notre Dame station for the train to the airport. Took me about 5 mins to walk there even with my bags and then I found the station closed. no problem, I had found a backup plan using the bus system. So I start walking over to the bus stop down the street. Now I realized there was a problem. They had metal barriers blocking any car traffic on the street. Only the sidewalks were open. And there were a lot of people up & about for it being 7AM. I figured it wasn't a big deal, I could just keep walking and get past the barriers and to another bus stop. That didn't work so well. Turns out that the barriers were there because the Pope was in town and people were assembling for an appearance that morning. Apparently the train was shut down since it ran under or near his path. And the bus? Same thing, it would have tried to cross some of the closed down streets.
I kept walking until I got on the other side of the assembly area and past the metal barriers. I found the 63 bus stop that I was looking for and noticed that the electronic sign showed the 63 bus was not running. great. I pulled out the GPS and it estimated only 20 mins to walk to the train station I needed. Apparently it had not accounted for the two large bags that i was carrying/rolling with me. I did go ahead and finish walking to the train station and arrived there about an hour after I had hoped to be there. Thankfully I had left extra early that morning.
I got to CDG easily on the train. I then had a bit of a runaround with checking in since I had changed my ticket from Sunday to Saturday. Once that was resolved i was all set. I managed to find a couple mins to drop by the post office and get some things shipped to people in Europe and then went back up to the gates. Just as I came through security I was at the right gate and they just started boarding. Perfect! Too bad I had not gotten my upgrade to business class though.
I did have a pretty decent seat still. The plan seating was 2-3-2. I was on an aisle for one of the sets of 2. After they closed the doors the woman sitting next to me apologized and asked if I'd mind if she moved to sit with her two friends. Not bad luck there. I had the 2 seats all the myself for the entire flight. it was a good thing too since it was a 10 hour flight. We circled for a while over Dallas before going in for a landing. The rainstorms from Ike were hitting Dallas prety well when we got in. Many people started clapping when the pilot nailed a smooth landing even though there was very little visibility until we were close to the runway.
After unloading I noticed I had just over an hour before my next flight. I went quickly through passport control, and then to baggage claim. I grabbed my bag as it came off in the first set, and then ran smack into a giant line for customs. I started to get nervous as the line was moving very slow. It took me 45 minutes to get through even though the guys were really not doing that much. I then took the airtram to the next flight and found it to have a 10 minute delay due to the weather. At least that gave me a bit more time on the ground. I asked the woman at the counter if first class had checked in full (it hadn't) and if I was on the upgrade list. She said no and then took a minute or two and handed me a ticket for first class. Not bad!
And that was it, I was back on my way home to Seattle. What a trip this was.
I got up Saturday morning, packed up, and headed out to the train stop that would get me to the Notre Dame station for the train to the airport. Took me about 5 mins to walk there even with my bags and then I found the station closed. no problem, I had found a backup plan using the bus system. So I start walking over to the bus stop down the street. Now I realized there was a problem. They had metal barriers blocking any car traffic on the street. Only the sidewalks were open. And there were a lot of people up & about for it being 7AM. I figured it wasn't a big deal, I could just keep walking and get past the barriers and to another bus stop. That didn't work so well. Turns out that the barriers were there because the Pope was in town and people were assembling for an appearance that morning. Apparently the train was shut down since it ran under or near his path. And the bus? Same thing, it would have tried to cross some of the closed down streets.
I kept walking until I got on the other side of the assembly area and past the metal barriers. I found the 63 bus stop that I was looking for and noticed that the electronic sign showed the 63 bus was not running. great. I pulled out the GPS and it estimated only 20 mins to walk to the train station I needed. Apparently it had not accounted for the two large bags that i was carrying/rolling with me. I did go ahead and finish walking to the train station and arrived there about an hour after I had hoped to be there. Thankfully I had left extra early that morning.
I got to CDG easily on the train. I then had a bit of a runaround with checking in since I had changed my ticket from Sunday to Saturday. Once that was resolved i was all set. I managed to find a couple mins to drop by the post office and get some things shipped to people in Europe and then went back up to the gates. Just as I came through security I was at the right gate and they just started boarding. Perfect! Too bad I had not gotten my upgrade to business class though.
I did have a pretty decent seat still. The plan seating was 2-3-2. I was on an aisle for one of the sets of 2. After they closed the doors the woman sitting next to me apologized and asked if I'd mind if she moved to sit with her two friends. Not bad luck there. I had the 2 seats all the myself for the entire flight. it was a good thing too since it was a 10 hour flight. We circled for a while over Dallas before going in for a landing. The rainstorms from Ike were hitting Dallas prety well when we got in. Many people started clapping when the pilot nailed a smooth landing even though there was very little visibility until we were close to the runway.
After unloading I noticed I had just over an hour before my next flight. I went quickly through passport control, and then to baggage claim. I grabbed my bag as it came off in the first set, and then ran smack into a giant line for customs. I started to get nervous as the line was moving very slow. It took me 45 minutes to get through even though the guys were really not doing that much. I then took the airtram to the next flight and found it to have a 10 minute delay due to the weather. At least that gave me a bit more time on the ground. I asked the woman at the counter if first class had checked in full (it hadn't) and if I was on the upgrade list. She said no and then took a minute or two and handed me a ticket for first class. Not bad!
And that was it, I was back on my way home to Seattle. What a trip this was.
Friday, September 12, 2008
Last day in Paris? time for shopping!
Having already seen the main sights I wanted to see in Paris, today was a sleep in day and then shopping. I started out with a nice sandwich at a neighboring sandwich shop. Tomato, Basil, and mozzarella all taste better on fresh french bread. Add a bit of olive oil and it's perfect.
For shopping I headed off to finda chocolate shop that I had read bout in a page on top 10 things to eat in Paris. The shop is located close to the Moulin Rouge. I didn't realize that until I got there. The lady running the shop was great. She wearks a plaid skirt and has pigtails. The chocolate in there was just incredible. Right after I walked in another couple walked in and apparently she knew them. She hugged them and was very welcoming. Turns out they live in Florida but spend 2 months here every year and always drop by. Once they were done it was my turn. I just went with the woman's advice and anything she made a gesture or sound of it being good I got two of. I can't tell you what they are but they're apparently good. I also got a couple of chocolate bars of differing varieties. These are easier because the description is printed on them. All loaded up, I headed out.
Then, about 1/2way up the street I realized i forgot the BRS caramels that I heard were so good. So back in i went. The woman greeted me again and i when I motioned to the caramels she pointed out the vanilla ones and handed me one to try. Oh wow! These things are good. I loaded up with more goodies, and another chocolate bar to be sure, and headed out again.
I then walked over to Loudree on Champs Elyssees. Simon had asked me to pick up some macaroons for him so this was my chance. The place was pretty normal looking, not a big festival type place I imagined. But I still got the macaroons. I played it safe with the flavors and got 2 boxes of ~18 macaroons - One for simon & one for me. I got two extras just to try them out and see how they were. The Citron one was perfect today with the sun out. The dark chocolate was also very tasty and had more of a solid center. I'm sure these will not last long.
After that I walked back home past the Eiffel Tower. I need to stop walking because my shins/ankles are killing me. It's been pretty painful today actually. Hopefully it'll get better or I'll go see the doc next week.
All in all, a pretty easy slow day. I am going to head back out now to the Eiffel Tower to try and be there at Sunset. Should be some good views and pictures.
For shopping I headed off to finda chocolate shop that I had read bout in a page on top 10 things to eat in Paris. The shop is located close to the Moulin Rouge. I didn't realize that until I got there. The lady running the shop was great. She wearks a plaid skirt and has pigtails. The chocolate in there was just incredible. Right after I walked in another couple walked in and apparently she knew them. She hugged them and was very welcoming. Turns out they live in Florida but spend 2 months here every year and always drop by. Once they were done it was my turn. I just went with the woman's advice and anything she made a gesture or sound of it being good I got two of. I can't tell you what they are but they're apparently good. I also got a couple of chocolate bars of differing varieties. These are easier because the description is printed on them. All loaded up, I headed out.
Then, about 1/2way up the street I realized i forgot the BRS caramels that I heard were so good. So back in i went. The woman greeted me again and i when I motioned to the caramels she pointed out the vanilla ones and handed me one to try. Oh wow! These things are good. I loaded up with more goodies, and another chocolate bar to be sure, and headed out again.
I then walked over to Loudree on Champs Elyssees. Simon had asked me to pick up some macaroons for him so this was my chance. The place was pretty normal looking, not a big festival type place I imagined. But I still got the macaroons. I played it safe with the flavors and got 2 boxes of ~18 macaroons - One for simon & one for me. I got two extras just to try them out and see how they were. The Citron one was perfect today with the sun out. The dark chocolate was also very tasty and had more of a solid center. I'm sure these will not last long.
After that I walked back home past the Eiffel Tower. I need to stop walking because my shins/ankles are killing me. It's been pretty painful today actually. Hopefully it'll get better or I'll go see the doc next week.
All in all, a pretty easy slow day. I am going to head back out now to the Eiffel Tower to try and be there at Sunset. Should be some good views and pictures.
Thursday, September 11, 2008
Paris : Louvre, Champs Elyssee, Arc de Triomphe
This was a busy day today. I did a lot more walking than I expected and apparently my legs are not fully recovered from the run. I'm still dealing with shin splints and calf pains. Anyways...
The day started at the Louvre. I have no idea how long I spent here but it was as while. I was a bit bored with the statues and sculptures though after the Roman Art exhibit in Seattle and all the ones I saw in Italy. Even so, they were impressive. I spent more time just taking in the paintings. Most of them are not my style since they are more realistic, I prefer the modern and impressionistic paintings I saw at the Orsay. They couldn't have been too bad though because I did spent a ton of time there today.
After the Louvre I walked up to the Arc de Triomphe. The stroll up Champs Elysses was a pretty cool. At the start, near the Louvre and the obelisk things are in a more old style and much more relaxed. There is a park with some great places for a picnic or lounging in the sun. As you get closer to the arc there is a definite change towards more businesses and buildings. I wandered in to the Mercedes dealership for a bit to see if they had anything interesting. Unfortunately it was a bit lacking. I need to find Porsche, Ferrari, or Lamborghini dealerships I guess. There is an Alfa Romeo dealer near my apartment so I may go check that out today.
Once I got to the arc I watched the traffic circle for a bit before using the underpass to get to the arc. I showed my museum pass and went right on up the steps in the arc. For some reaason I was expecting an elevator. There isn't one. I must have mixed that up with reading about another attraction. You wind up a circular stairways for a good long ways before you come to the first 'landing'. There were a number of people obviously not expecting so many stairs as they were stopped on the sides panting a bit. My legs and feet are still apparently a bit in pain from the run so its not like I was doing a lot better. Eventually though I made it to the top. The view from up there is impressive. The weather was clear enough that I could see forever. I started taking pictures and then my camera battery died. Tomorrow I'll have to take a back-up battery. Even without the camera I made the most of the view. I stood and sat up there and just took in the sights. The cool wind felt good too. Then it was back down the stairs...
After the arc I walked around a bit to find the bus stops around there. I knew I'd be back on the Champs Elysses for a show tonight and I think I've had enough walking. I did manage to find one bus that comes right down the street from my apartment so I took that home.
Tonight was interesting. I had purchased tickets for the show at Lido due to a friend's recommendation. The show was at 9 so I planned on having dinner before and taking a bus to arrive at 8:30. I changed this plan a bit to just take a bus over around 6:30, explore for a bit, eat dinner, and then be at the show. As soon as we got to my bus stop though it started pouring. In my haste to avoid the rain drops I headed off down the wrong street. I walked a bit, found some shelter in trees, and hid in some entryways to try and keep from getting too wet. Then I realized my mistake of being on the wong street. I took a left to head back to Champs Elysses. Then rain really started coming down. I ran till I found a shelter but I was already just soaked. I then just stood in a covered entry way to HSBC with a number of other people. When it lightened up a bit I made a run for it and found a restaurant right next to Lido for dinner. Its a good thing the weather here is not too cold or I would have been shivering. As it was I dried up OK and then went to the show.
The show was pretty entertaining. I think I may be spoiled by my Cirque Du Soleil vieweings as I noticed a couple of times the girls were out of sync, or the strength feats by the guys were not perfectly solid and shake-free. But, I did like the show. And I got to talk to a couple from Australia who were here on a 2 1/2 month vacation around Europe. Not a bad night at all!
The day started at the Louvre. I have no idea how long I spent here but it was as while. I was a bit bored with the statues and sculptures though after the Roman Art exhibit in Seattle and all the ones I saw in Italy. Even so, they were impressive. I spent more time just taking in the paintings. Most of them are not my style since they are more realistic, I prefer the modern and impressionistic paintings I saw at the Orsay. They couldn't have been too bad though because I did spent a ton of time there today.
After the Louvre I walked up to the Arc de Triomphe. The stroll up Champs Elysses was a pretty cool. At the start, near the Louvre and the obelisk things are in a more old style and much more relaxed. There is a park with some great places for a picnic or lounging in the sun. As you get closer to the arc there is a definite change towards more businesses and buildings. I wandered in to the Mercedes dealership for a bit to see if they had anything interesting. Unfortunately it was a bit lacking. I need to find Porsche, Ferrari, or Lamborghini dealerships I guess. There is an Alfa Romeo dealer near my apartment so I may go check that out today.
Once I got to the arc I watched the traffic circle for a bit before using the underpass to get to the arc. I showed my museum pass and went right on up the steps in the arc. For some reaason I was expecting an elevator. There isn't one. I must have mixed that up with reading about another attraction. You wind up a circular stairways for a good long ways before you come to the first 'landing'. There were a number of people obviously not expecting so many stairs as they were stopped on the sides panting a bit. My legs and feet are still apparently a bit in pain from the run so its not like I was doing a lot better. Eventually though I made it to the top. The view from up there is impressive. The weather was clear enough that I could see forever. I started taking pictures and then my camera battery died. Tomorrow I'll have to take a back-up battery. Even without the camera I made the most of the view. I stood and sat up there and just took in the sights. The cool wind felt good too. Then it was back down the stairs...
After the arc I walked around a bit to find the bus stops around there. I knew I'd be back on the Champs Elysses for a show tonight and I think I've had enough walking. I did manage to find one bus that comes right down the street from my apartment so I took that home.
Tonight was interesting. I had purchased tickets for the show at Lido due to a friend's recommendation. The show was at 9 so I planned on having dinner before and taking a bus to arrive at 8:30. I changed this plan a bit to just take a bus over around 6:30, explore for a bit, eat dinner, and then be at the show. As soon as we got to my bus stop though it started pouring. In my haste to avoid the rain drops I headed off down the wrong street. I walked a bit, found some shelter in trees, and hid in some entryways to try and keep from getting too wet. Then I realized my mistake of being on the wong street. I took a left to head back to Champs Elysses. Then rain really started coming down. I ran till I found a shelter but I was already just soaked. I then just stood in a covered entry way to HSBC with a number of other people. When it lightened up a bit I made a run for it and found a restaurant right next to Lido for dinner. Its a good thing the weather here is not too cold or I would have been shivering. As it was I dried up OK and then went to the show.
The show was pretty entertaining. I think I may be spoiled by my Cirque Du Soleil vieweings as I noticed a couple of times the girls were out of sync, or the strength feats by the guys were not perfectly solid and shake-free. But, I did like the show. And I got to talk to a couple from Australia who were here on a 2 1/2 month vacation around Europe. Not a bad night at all!
Race Thoughts
The race was amazing. Yes, it hurt like hell. yes, that is a long time to be out there. No, its not a good idea to drink and run. But it was still damn fun. I want to sign up to do it again next year. I want to be better prepared for the running so that I have more time at each chateau. But I want to do it all again next yet.
The course
Now that I was out running I felt pretty good. I was feeling pretty loose and relaxed. The running felt good even though the number of people around kept me to slow jogging and even walking in some points. I'm sure the pace for the first mile or two were pretty slow. I skipped the first wine stop partly because I wanted to break out from people and partly because I hadn't noticed it. It was before the 2 mile mark and before our first water station.
Most of the rest of the course specifically is a blur. The first 1/2 of it went very well. I was averaging around 12 min miles and well below my target times. I finished the first half 15 minutues under my goal. After the first wine stop I did hit almost all of the others. I could have lingered longer at some of the chateaus, listened to the bands, and enjoyed more wine, but I wanted to keep going and make sure to finish.
Around mile 14 the problems first started. I began to get the little pre-cramping pangs in my right calf. This lasted for a while and was my first sign to start walking even more. I had already been doing some walking on hills or when I just felt I was pushing too hard. This was more annoying though because my legs did not feel dead. I felt like I could run more. I just couldn't because the calves would cramp up. I made it though the rest of the race just on the edge of cramps. I'd stop every once in a while to stretch out the calves and try to get them to let me run for more than a 1/10th of a mile at a time. No luck though. So I settled in to a fast walk. This let me keep going and based on my watch I was still good for making it in before the time limit.
At mile 24 though the wheels really fell off. I had been eating bananas, drinking tons of water, keeping up with my gels every 30 minutes, but nothing was helping. The cramps were getting worse and worse. It was around 24, maybe 25, that they finally got me. I was walking along when one of the 'floats' in the run came up behind me. They were asking people to move out of the way. I made the mistake of trying to quickly move and as soon as I did that my left calf cramped up. So I moved to the side of the road to stretch it and as soon as I leaned over my right calf also fully cramped up. I couldn't stay upright and just fell over in to the dirt off the road. I knew my time was in trouble if I stayed there, and I knew I had to get my legs working again to be able to finish. And I had to do it fast. At first I was unable to reach them because of all the pains in my legs and the inability to get to them. After a few seconds though I was able to reach down and massage my right calf. I was then able to stand up and hobble through the cramps in both legs. It did take a while but I manged to get them both cramp-free again. I just couldn't really run.
But, I knew the finish line was close. I could see the town and hear the spectators. I was not goign to allow myself to not finish. And I was not going to walk across the finish. I was hobbling, but I was running. As I came around the final corner I saw the clock counting and I could see it was already 6 hours and 29 minutes. The cut-off was 6:30. I knew I was close but pushed with all I had to keep running and to not cramp up. I crossed the line at 6:29:54, at least that's the last number I saw before crossing. (I just now checked their web site and I apparently was at 6:29:58).
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