Happy Saturday!
This morning I woke up after 8 hours of sleep ready to conquer my first long run on my new, shortened training schedule. Gia and I started fresh this week with a 5-6 day a week training schedule that will get me back on marathon track in no time. I only 8 miles on the plan but was still excited to get outside since the weather was absolutely perfect!
I started around 8:30 and enjoyed 8 miles along Lake Geneva keeping about a 9:55 pace most of the time. I tend to go out too fast on long runs so I made a conscious effort to keep the pace slower. The run was great until around mile 5 when I realized how thirsty I was. I forgot that even when it’s 70 degrees and humid water is an integral part of any long run. Running along the lake was like torture as I couldn’t find a single water fountain anywhere!
Luckily, around mile 6.5 I found a little shop along the water just opening and begged the owner for some water. My French skills are still very basic but luckily I know how to ask for tap water! Next week’s long run will include water, regardless of temperature. I took out my running water bottle from last Summer this afternoon and am currently soaking it in the sink so it’ll be fresh and clean!
After a quick trip to the local farmer’s market where I stocked up on produce, bread and cheese for the week I spent the rest of the afternoon soaking up sun at Geneve- Plage with my friend Sara. Two acres of park along Lake Geneva this is a Summer destination for locals as it offers a swimming pool, a water slide, large grassy area for sun bathing, and 1,3,5, & 10 meter diving boards!
As many things are very expensive in Geneva Sara and I were surprised to see that a day pass is only 7 CHF per person! Even though it was sunny and 85 degrees the area was only about half full. This was perfect as it was quiet enough to talk and catch up on magazine reading but busy enough to feel like you were at the right place for today’s weather. For lunch we both tried something from their self service restaurant, the cheaper of the two restaurants on site. The tomato, pesto and mozzarella sandwich was perfect when enjoyed on the beach towel under the sun!
The lake water has warmed enough that it is pleasant to swim in and as I showed Sara, it’s very different than swimming in most US lakes. Lake Geneva is crystal clear which is refreshing considering I’m accustomed to swimming in Georgia lakes or the Atlantic Ocean, neither of which are clear! By the end of the afternoon I overcame my subtle fear of heights to make it off the 3 meter spring board but look forward to jumping of the 5 meter platform next time! Unfortunately it was closed today while the 10 meter platform was open. There is nothing like relaxing on a floating dock watching people overcome their fears jumping off the 10 meter platform. Some people did cannonballs or pikes while others awkwardly sprawled their limbs while dropping into the chilly lake.
Diving boards? Love em or hate em? I can’t remember the last time I was on a diving board as I feel they are rare in the US these days. However, I love a platform board as the spring on the other boards makes me scared shitless, regardless of the height!
