Wow, it's been so long. Unfortunately, not as much to report as there could be, as I shall explain...
After arriving in Geneva last Wednesday, there was no way I was doing anything... long plane flight, missed connection, lack of sleep, etc. Thursday we spent the day in the car and walking around some beautiful little Swiss towns: Montreux, where the big jazz festival is held (you know, "Smoke on the Water"), and Gruyere (like the cheese... we ate fondue... delicious... but cheesy...). Friday we actually did get out for a run/walk around the lake in the town we were staying. We did 3.5 miles total, and since Thursday's run only needed to be 3, it definitely counted. I also got up to run Saturday to atone for my lack of exercise Wednesday, and did another quick 3.5 before we headed to Zurich for the evening. We did a lot of walking in Zurich too, so perhaps that helps with the rest of my rather pathetic training in Europe.
Sunday we had to get to the conference center in Les Diablerets, so there wasn't technically a workout... however, after lugging my baggage on two trains, a bus, and a third train, I think I got a pretty decent upper body workout at least. I did my long run Monday, which was supposed to be 9 miles, but with the high altitude, the mountainous terrain, and a mile or so of wooded trail, I only made it 7.5. But given all those extra obstacles, I think it's ok. And it was a beautiful run... mountains, a river, adorable little Swiss cottages, cows... I stopped for a drink at a natural spring... best water I've ever tasted. Probably one of the best runs I'll have during our training.
Tuesday I was going to try to get back to a somewhat normal schedule, so I went out for a run with another coworker; however, I rolled my ankle on the trail, so we only made it 3 miles. I didn't think it was too bad, but by Wednesday it was swollen and bruising, so I decided to take some time off. So... no training Wednesday or Thursday, then traveling again on Friday.
All that time in the airplane and running around airports and a serious lack of sleep only made my ankle worse, so I took yesterday off as well. I had a lot of catching up to do anyway... sleep, bills, unpacking, laundry, errands; I took a lot of ibuprofen and tried to keep my foot elevated as much as possible. By the end of the day there was really no pain anymore and most of the swelling was gone, but I have the grossest bruise ever... I kind of want to take a picture. It's like a rainbow of colors... pretty awesome. Actually not. I can't look at my foot, it makes me want to throw up.
I was determined to get in some sort of run this weekend to try to get back on track (and get rid of the wheel of cheese and case of wine sitting in my stomach), so Chris and I set out slow this morning with the knowledge that we might have to quit. But we actually ended up making it through our entire 10 miler. I had no sharp pain, just some aching, and I was actually super glad that because of his knee, Chris wanted to walk the major hills, which probably helped. I think the ankle is ok for now... I got some new bruising after the run, but no major swelling or pain. So I'm going to try to stick to the normal schedule this week and see how it goes.
Oh yeah! I also went to belly dancing today, which didn't go so well. I haven't danced in two weeks, and it was really obvious. We did a lot of arm and shoulder work though... it was nice to target some new muscles. Hopefully the next class will go better.
The trip was awesome, but I'm so glad to be back, and ready to get back to training and a normal diet. How are Europeans so thin, anyway? They don't seem to drink water, or eat fruits and vegetables, or sleep... and they drink a lot and smoke a lot. What are we doing wrong over here? Ugh, I'm tired just thinking about it. Is it wrong if I go to bed at 8:30?
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