Give Me Bananas

 

Oh boy what a race.

After weeks and weeks of rain and clouds we got some sun and heat yesterday. OF ALL DAYS. Despite the warmth (ha!) I had an amazing time which was completely unexpected. You see, last year’s Grand Prix of Bern was a pain but this year’s felt like a breeze.

 

I was so surprised that it went so easy that I didn’t really push myself. Even though I originally wanted to run a 1:35 I felt like it didn’t really matter anymore.

I guess I was just amazed that it felt so easy to run these 10 miles and I just wanted to take in the scenery and enjoy it. In the end I ran the hilly course in 1:39:10 which was 40 seconds faster than last year.

On other days I’d probably be pissed by the fact that I ran the same time even though I  trained for it (I didn’t train much last year) but I’m really satisfied. My time didn’t matter, I just wanted to enjoy my very first painless race .

 

Now that I saw that a race can be fun, I can run faster next year! Haha.

Anyway, the course is fantastic. I guess that’s why so many people also love this race. Silvio took most photos that I’m posting right now as he carried his camera with him so thanks for letting me use them, love!

The course went through woods..

 

And basically through the entire city of Bern

 

There was lots of water to cool the runners down.

 

 

That bastard who is my boyfriend ran the course in 1h 33 min! And without any training whatsoever! Crazy.

There are people who constantly look amazing, even after races. I don’t. I look like a tomato that’s covered in sweat. Don’t even try to say that I don’t – you didn’t see me after I ran through the finish!

 

Speaking of the finish.. The first thing I thought was “what, it’s over already?”. Clearly a sign that I didn’t give it all.

 

See what I mean with tomato face?
Oh and there’s some nipplegate action too. Classy.

 

Btw that’s Silv’s friend Daniel (who ran with woollen socks and no running shoes but was still the fastest of us!!!), Silvio (can you say “tall”??), moi la tomate and my dad.

 

Even though I might live abroad next year I can’t wait to run the GP 2011 as well. It’s such an amazing event and the organisation is beyond fantastic.

What’s sad though is that a 25 year old runner passed away – he collapsed 1km before the finish. My heart goes out to his family. It’s really tragic when something like this happens during an event that is supposed to encourage health and wellbeing.

 

After the race we went back home to my place and had some (vegan) kedgeree (or kitchery, kidgeree, kedgaree.. however you might call it). I will post the recipe soon – it’s incredibly good and simple to make.

 

Today has been easy peasy and extremely relaxing. Selina and I walked into the city, ate some ice cream and got ticket’s for tonight’s screening of the Prince of Persia. Haha, it’s probably a pretty silly film but that’s ok as long as I get to see a topless Jake Gyllenhaal .

 

Q: What are your worst race stories (if there’s any)?
Q2: Do you have Monday off too? Three day weekends are so lovely. They should always be this long!

Hope you’re enjoying your Sundays!

This entry was posted on Sunday, May 23rd, 2010 at 3:58 pm and is filed under Running. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.