getting there is (more than) half the fun

Our ski bags are packed and waiting by the door, but today, again, it is too warm for snow to fall. Once we accepted another day without skiing, we remembered the Escalade parade would march through Geneva this evening. We'd have just enough time to walk there (if we left right then, and moved quickly). We followed a series of trails along the Rhone that wind through the forests all the way to Geneva, an annual walk reserved for a day that we don't make it to the mountains. Today was a good day for it, even if it did rain for most of the sixteen mile trek.

It was just becoming dark when we stepped off the trail and into the lit city streets. The rain finally stopped, but our jackets had soaked through and we started to feel the chill of night (still warmer and drier than Iceland in July we reminded ourselves to keep things in perspective). We ran into friends waiting for the start of the parade, and soon the procession of fancy costumes, musicians, torches, and animals passed through the crowd. A quick bite to eat, have a seat, and catch the train back home.   

geneva half marathon 2014

I feel like I usually come away from races with a survival story or at the very least having shared way too much about bodily reactions to the run. Finally, a race that went smoothly, nothing rough to report. The weather was cool and comfortable for the run, a bit windy, but that's a minor complaint. We huddled for warmth at the start and finish, but in between was great. Mid-forties fahrenheit is pretty ideal. 

Race day recap: As we walked to the start, Derek proposed we try to stick together, at least for the first few kilometers. We positioned ourselves in the first starting block behind the elites. I planned to start fast so that I wouldn't waste energy aggressively weaving around the crowd while we are still in a bunch, and keep up with Derek for the first 5-10 kilometers, I hoped. So, here we go. The fist kilometer passed, below our target pace, and then the first 5 kilometers- still below pace. I hoped to push it until the 10k and ease off if I needed. We passed the 10k mark in about 44 minutes, still feeling fine, and still together. The next few kilometers became a bit monotonous, flat and straight, but we were counting down now instead of up. After 15 kilometers, I felt pretty strong. We had passed the 1:40 pacer along the lakefront, and I didn't want to see it again as we prepared to cross the bridge and snake through the city streets to the finish on the Pont du Mt. Blanc. Derek and I had exchanged smiles and a occasional comments along the course, now he gave me a little wave as I started to pull ahead. With a quarter of the race to go, I figured he would catch me before the finish, so I held my pace. I spent the last 3 kilometers trying to stride at just the proper angle to pop the blisters that had grown on the balls of my feet. And at 01:35:53, crossed the finish line. For the first time, I turned around to watch my husband cross behind me...exactly 30 seconds later.    

I finished this race with the bragging rights to the fastest half marathon for Team Strom. (Although I've been teasing Derek about beating him in a footrace- neither of us really saw that coming). A little friendly competition is going to give Derek and I both a little push in our training this summer. For now, I'm enjoying this new dynamic in our running duo, and doing a little victory dance. But enough rubbing it in, Derek also PRed today, so it's been a race worth celebrating.    

Find Derek in the starting crowd. Give up? Check the bottom left. Below is a 2 minute pass over the route.

Kilometer splits: 4'35, 4'35, 4'34, 4'27, 4'50 {5k: 23'02} 4'07, 4'21, 4'49, 4'27, 3'23 {10k: 44'11} 4'58, 4'17, 4'34, 4'38, 4'28, 4'44, 4'44, 5'19, 4'43, 4'59, 4'12 {21.1k: 01:35'53}

*Kilometer 10 was short 18 was long.  

geneva tour

We took our visitors on the train into the city and saw the sites. A usual grey sky for our tour -including stops by the the jet d'eau, flower clock, cathedral, cannons, city wall, and snacking on chestnuts on the streets of old town. To escape the cold, we spent some time wandering through the large Museum of Art and History. It was the first time there for Derek and I too, and we really enjoyed the artifacts from local excavations, paintings of the surrounding Alps, and the extensive armory...really cool knight's helmets.  

city break

Today, Derek and I took the train into Geneva, for a holiday get-a-way, just an 18 minute ride from the station. (above: view of Challex from near the train stop) We walked, wandered, meandered, through Eaux-Vives, and until and found ourselves in Cologny. We visited the Bodmer Foundation's book collection on exhibition, and grabbed a ring of bread to eat on the walk back down to the lake. Although he was a little surprised to bit down on something hard, Derek was the lucky one to find two feves (little plastic trinkets baked into the bread) in his first bites. We were both so hungry, we didn't notice we had bought a king cake (gâteau des Rois), traditionally eaten to celebrate Epiphany - the one who fines la feve in his bread gets to become king for the day, but since there were two crowns in the bread bag we figured we could both be king for the rest of the day. 

Our final stop was Le Verre à Monique, an recently opened speakeasy near Plainpalais, to sample specialty martinis, margaritas, and a new twist on the old fashioned. A nice vintage setting, despite the era-inappropriate music, and if you've got money to spend, they can smuggle your beverages to your table in a teapot. 

city lights

I rode the tain into Geneva for a bit of Christmas shopping. Derek met me after work, and we toured the festive trees and lights decorating the city. 

casablanca

Tonight we had an impromptu dinner and movie double-date to watch Casablanca by the lake. Happy anniversary Hirschauers- here's looking at you, kids.

in the city

Today was an unusual day for me, a mini city-vacation. This afternoon I took the train into Geneva to get my hair shampooed and curled at the Blow saloon (I had a coupon). Being such a lucky, fancy girl today, I even wore shoes without laces. The saloon treatment felt so luxurious, and then I walked around Geneva, trying my best to leave my bouncy-curly hair down despite the steamy hot day. I happened upon a parade...no one I asked knew what it was for, but the drummers were fun. I popped in and out of shops- something I never do in the city, and even bought new jeans and two cute dresses- something I do even less in Geneva, but summer soldes just started and it was the first time prices actually seemed reasonable. I had a nice time wandering old town before heading back home, melting on the train, and hitch-hiking back up the hill to avoid antagonizing the blisters from my pretty shoes. That was fun... but I'm ready to turn back into pumpkin. 

lac

On Sunday we spent relaxing morning with croissants and coffee before heading to the market to gather goodies for the day. We spent the afternoon strolling the lakefront in Morges, lulling in the park, and enjoying another sunny day.

Today, I took MK on the obligatory Geneva tour- Jet d'Eau, St. Pierre Cathedral, flower clock, cobbled old town, chocolate shopping, and rounding back to catch the train to the airport.  We had a great visit and are so happy to have friends and family make the trip.

post paris

We arrived back in Geneva last night, after a great time in Paris. Starting things off in countryside with an unexpected holiday and no way to get groceries in France. Oh, well. We had some pancakes and a nice run in the vineyards. Then a quick train trip into an appropriately drizzly day in Geneva.

A tour through old town.

Pony rides in the park.

And strolling the streets on our way to dinner.

night out

Tonight we feasted in Geneva. Yum, fresh bowls of tabuli, hummus, stuffed grape leaves, and even better than the food, laughing with friends.

3 franc in my pocket

This afternoon, I left the house with camera, granola bar, and 3 franc in my pocket- just enough to catch the train home or a tram far enough to get a ride back home, and set off for Geneva. I didn't have to carry water, even on a hot day like today, stopping by the fountain in each small Swiss village as I passed through. No specific route- just head east and a little south toward the Saleve by walking trails and country roads, and I know I'll end up in Geneva eventually.

Challex getting smaller in the distance.

A few berries were a nice treat.

The pears looked good too.

Jura behind me and a long flat stretch.

Closer now to the Saleve.

Passing through Bernex.

Finishing the long day's trek on a busy , but direct road after a long time wandering. Geneva city limits...only a bit further to the center.

Jumping off the bridge into the river seems like a great idea. There were crowds of kids jumping and hanging from under the bridges. It looked like fun.

After 15 meandering miles, I arrived in the city center, but without the hoopla of the Jet d'Eau. For some reason the fountain had been turned off this afternoon. I could see it from as far as my house and several points along the walk, and was hoping it would mark my finish in the city. Oh well, time to catch a ride home, my feet are tired.