Marathon Post - Part I of Spring Break

I'm finally back in Granada and could not be any happier. After traveling for more than a week I'm ready to stay in one spot for a while, especially a spot that I know well. After my trip to Barcelona I'm tired of seeing tourists and not being able to walk.

To make this easier for me I've split my trip up into three parts. They may not come all at once, and probably not on the same day, but I'll eventually get my entire spring break up on here.

And now the story of my journey begins....

On Thursday March 13th I headed to the Granada airport to fly to Girona. I stayed overnight and took a plane the next afternoon to ROME! I made my way to our hostel and was able to easily find it. It was my first time in a real hostel and it wasn't that bad. The first one we were at was my favorite because the people working there were so friendly and really helpful.

On Saturday we woke up and went to get my race packet for my marathon. I got my bib number and racing chip, as well as a cool Asics backpack with two running shirts in it.

Waiting in the long line to get my race packet

We made our way back to the main train/bus station and took a bus tour of the city.

Circus Maximus - where chariot races were held

That was our best way to get our orientation and see the major sites.

Ruins in the Roman Forum (3rd day in Rome)

I loved seeing all of the history in the city. There was one building that I loved the most (picture below) but I never found out what it was called.

My most favorite building in Rome. I'm not sure why, but it just was. It was massive and I got to run by this in the beginning of the marathon and again near the end.

We had dinner that night in a cool little restaurant where I had a huge plate of Spaghetti. I had to get my carbs in because the next day was...

MARATHON DAY!!!!

Yes, so I hadn't been nervous for the marathon at all until the morning of. It really hit me then that I was running. I was able to make my normal USA pre-race meal which consisted of toast with peanut butter, chocolate milk, frosted flakes, and yes, even a Reese's peanut butter cup! I walked to the race start at 7:30 because we had to be there an hour early. I got so excited when I arrived, however I was a little sad at the same time. I've always been to the Vermont City Marathon and I'm so used to always being around runners that I know, that it was really sad to be the only person there! I kept looking around for familiar faces but it was only me.

The start and finish of the marathon - picture taken the day after of course.

The race started at 9. I was wayyyy in the back and had to make my way around all of the slower runners to get to a pace I was comfortable with. I tried to stay around the same people and found that after a while my splits were really consistent. I loved that they gave us drinks at every 5K cause it gave me something to look forward to. Starting at the 20K they would also give out fruit and cookies. Me being me, I always grabbed 3 cookies. I probably could have shaven off a few seconds if I didn't stop for them but they were just so good! And starting at the 7km mark and every 5 km after that we ran by a sponge station. That was handy because after I spilled the Gatorade all over my face each time I tried to drink it I just had to run 2 more km to be able to wash it off with a sponge!

I felt really good for the first 25k, but after 30k I started to get tired and slow down. At that point I think it was more mentally than physically. An Italian man, Leonardo, ran by me at that point and told me to follow him. I'm so glad he was there and that he helped me because I was able to pick up my pace again to what I had been running before. He stayed with me until about the last 3K and then told me to run ahead. He said he was so lucky to be running it because he was injured a month ago. I have to give him props to go out there and do it! While we were running together I thanked him for waking me up back there and told him I'd probably remember him for the rest of my life.

 Leonardo on my left

However....at that point in the race my body was getting quite tired. The last 2k dragged on, and all I remember about the last kilometer was running up a hill around the colloseum and practically dragging my feet. I WAS SO TIRED! I crossed the line and was so happy. Once I got my medal (which I had to stand still for) I wasn't able to walk! I got going again eventually but I moved VERY slowly. Especially on my way back to the hostel, which was an uphill trek. I got my little cape that the marathoners get to keep them warm and was sad to throw it away. I felt like superwoman! haha no not really. But I was sad to leave the marathon atmosphere. Now that I'm back in Granada I don't have that to look forward too and I feel a little lost. Runners are great people and I miss them!

Could barely walk but I was happy. Was done the marathon and had my medal

Oh so duh! I should probably write how I did! Haha. I ran a 3:26:54. I wasn't sure what my time was as I was running it because I was stupid in the beginning. Instead of pressing split on my watch after the first kilometer, I pressed stopped, and I had no idea how long that happened for! I was 71st out of 1676 female runners so that's not bad, and the 3rd American female to cross the finish. I was just really happy with my time. I didn't talk a lot about my training in my posts because I didn't get any real training in. I only had about 8 weeks of real running and with those weeks I never did speed workouts. I wasn't sure how I would run at all and I was afriad to talk about it to people. My goal for the next marathon is to follow an actual racing plan for the full weeks that it requires. I don't want to make it up each day as I did this time around.

I can't wait to run the marathon in VT but that'll have to be after I graduate. It'll be sad though that I'll have to train for it next year when I'm in VT instead of Granada because it's going to be so cold!
Moving away from the marathon and back to Rome....

That night we moved to a new hostel that was further away from the city than our first one. We went out to dinner (which cost a lot more than I wanted it to) but they gave us so much food. We were all tired and went to bed when we got back.

The next day was hard. I was so sore from the race but it was my last day in Rome so I had to go walk around. I ended up being gone for 12 hours which probably wasn't the best thing for my legs. Our first stop of the day was the Vatican but there was such a long line to get in that we didn't wait in it.

We headed to the Pantheon and then we got gelato!! MMMM so good! After that we headed to the Colosseum and took a tour of it, as well as a tour of the Ruins nearby.



At 5:00 we walked around the Roman Forum.



It closed at 5:30 so we decided to get dinner. However, we walked around probably for an hour and a half before we finally found the place that everyone wanted to go to. Guidebooks can be good at times because they tell you things to see, but after running a marathon and walking around all day, I really hated that guidebook at that point! I just wanted food and a place to sit down.

We luckily made the metro before it closed at 9 and made our way back to the hostel. I hit the hay and hit it hard! I had to wake up bright and early (4:45am) to get on a plane to Belgium, but I´ll leave that for another post!

La Fruta en Espana es....

Maravillosa!! Mmmm Mmmm!!

Today I took a different walk home from classes. I went down Gran Vía and turned down near the cathedral. I was just exploring a little since I never go down that way unless it's at night or on a Sunday. But I couldn't believe my eyes!

There were fruit stands EVERYWHERE! I wanted to stop and buy something at each of them. The fruit here is nothing like in the US. I just couldn't believe how delicious their strawberries looked. They were HUGE and there wasn't a bad one in the batch. One woman had them stacked neatly on top of each other. They must spend so much time each morning setting them up. There was dried fruit everywhere and fruit I had never seen in my life! Aw so amazing. I bought two bananas for my trip and 4 strawberries because they were just that big!



yesterday was my 21st birthday. It was alright. I couldn't go out and celebrate the way you would normally celebrate a 21st birthday because 1) I had a midterm for my literature class at 8:30 this morning and 2) because I don't want to lose what I have for the marathon. So instead of alcohol I had something even better.

Ice Cream!

This picture doesn't do justice

Ben & Jerry's was closed which was so sad. So that meant that I couldn't get the brownie sundae I've been waiting a month for. We walked to the plaza near the cathedral where they sell flowers and bought some ice cream from the heladería I referred to in my previous post. The ice cream, or maybe it was gelato, was seriously a work of art. I have to take a better picture of it because it makes me want to try every flavor. I had a scoop of Roche and a scoop of Kinder egg on my cone and it was oh so yummy!

This weekend I went up to the Albaycin twice in the afternoon. The second night we went exploring and found a new place to watch the sunset. We got there a little late though so the sun was basically down.



We took a different path down from the Albayzin and found a bunch of cool graffiti. I have to say that it doesn't compare to the graffiti that was along the river in Sevilla. That stuff was seriously art.



But today is Wednesday the 12th, which means that tomorrow I leave for my journey. I don't know what else to call it because it's going to be quite a trip. I was going to fly into Barcelona thinking that I would be near people I know, however I soon discovered that Ryan Air, the airline I'm taking, flies to airports far away from the cities they tell you. So the first night I'll be in Girona, not sure what's there, but I'll be there. Friday afternoon I take off for Rome. On Sunday I'll run the marathon. I honestly have no idea how that is going to go. The most I got to run during my raining in one day was 19 miles so I'm hoping I'll be OK for the rest of it. I was really stupid when I registered and didn't register with a time, so now I'm afraid I'm starting very far in back of the 14,000+ runners that'll be there. Hopefully I can sneak my way to the zone I want to be in.

I'll be in Rome until March 18th, and from there I'll fly to Brussels, Belgium and take a train to Brugge. I hear that it's really cool there and the people are so nice. I'm so excited to be able to have a Belgium waffle and chocolate of course!

I'll only be there for two days though because I'm going to fly back to Barcelona and spend two days there. On Saturday the 22nd I'm going to take an over night train back to Granada. I would have liked to have come to Granada instead of Barcelona but the Holy week is next week and all of the hostels are booked. And since I'm cheap, I'd rather not have to pay for another night at the hostel and that's why I'll spend the night on a train. That'll save me a hostel room and the hassle of a plane trip.

Yep, so those are my plans, hopefully everything will work out alright. I'll be sure to take pictures and I'll update you all when I get back! Take care! I miss you all!

Lazy Saturday

I decided not to go anywhere this weekend since I'll definitely have my fair share of traveling starting on Thursday. Yesterday (Friday) I really didn't do much. In the morning about 20 something of us from AIFS went to la Casa de Frederico Garcia Lorca. He has a few but we went to one of them outside the city. The tour was quick and we were back in Granada in 2 hours. I did a little homework and in the afternoon walked up to the Albyzin by myself to enjoy the sun and Granada. What better place to enjoy Granada than at the Albyzin.

This morning I cleaned my room and packed a few things that I know I won't need until I go home. I've been trying to make a conscious effort this week to be a cleaner person. Anyone who has seen my room at home would know why....

After my cleaning I decided to go on a little walk before lunch. It is so beautiful out right now. About 63 degrees. I ended up walking all over the place and found myself in a plaza behind our hostel. I think the music led me there. All of the restaurants have their tables out now so people can enjoy the weather as they dine, and the heladerías, or ice cream shops, have finally opened up! That's a great sign. But right in the middle of the plaza there was a band playing music and people were there dancing. It was just a really great way to spend 30 minutes, watching them dance and listening to the music. I sure wish I could dance like they did! Man, they were all so good. And people would just jump right in and grab someone they had never met!

But now it's time for lunch so I must go.

Hiking and the Beach

We had a four day weekend this past weekend because it was a holiday on Thursday and Friday. That meant that a lot of people traveled. I was planning on staying in Granada and making day trips to the mountain and the beach, until Lauren came along. (I do mean that in a good way!)

On Thursday Lauren and I tried to get tickets for a bull fight, however they're more expensive when you try to purchase them the day of the event....that or they were sold out of the cheap ones. We decided that 45 Euros was way to much and after finding this out at the bull ring, we headed back to Granada on bus. With nothing to do we hit up the cine (after purchasing our candy and soda to sneak in) and watched 27 Vestidos (27 dresses).

The next day, Friday, we woke up and took a random bus to a town called Dilar. We had missed the two other buses we originally wanted to take and didn't want to wait another hour. Dilar seemed like it was in the middle of no where, but it was very pretty. There were farmers out in their fields, working them by hand.

A man working on his field in Dilar

We'd stop and ask them directions to the national park (cause we kept seeing signs for it) but it was a lot further than we expected. Our stomachs took over after a while, and we headed back to the bus to eat lunch in Granada.

The last view of Dilar before we turned around

That afternoon Lauren, her roommate, and I took a bus to the bus station, then took another bus to a beach called Almunecar.

A view of the mountains from our Bus to Almunecar

It's a stony beach still located in the Province of Granada, so it wasn't one of the prettiest. However, it sure was cool to be there in March. That night we ate dinner at McDonald's. I've gone there three times already during this trip, which is strange since I never eat there in the states. Spanish Lion McFlurries are amazing though and I'll miss them when I go home.

We took a taxi to an apartment owned by Lauren's host family. It was a little smelly inside but it was perfect for us. We had a view of a castle right behind us, as well as a bird park basically in our back yard. There was a little kitchen so we could hit up the grocery store to prepare food instead of ordering out.

Yaye! We made it to the beach

The next day Lauren and I went for a run and then we headed to the beach. None of the Spaniards were wearing bathing suits, only the Americans. It was probably in the 70s so it was really nice to lay out, but too cold to go in the water. The sun went behind some clouds around 1 so we went back to the apartment for lunch before we went exploring.


We went to a park near the apartment since the castle was closed for siesta. Then we headed to a lookout on rock which was really amazing. We had to climb up a path to get to it.


After, we split an order of churros with chocolate, which was yummy. At 4 we went up to the castle which had great views of the ocean.


We followed that by a trip to a Roman cave and then sat on the beach for a little while longer. It was just so great to be there. It really felt like a vacation for once. Oh! And that night we found the Little Mermaid in Spanish and watched it. I think it's been like over 10 years since I last saw it.

We headed home Sunday morning and I was really surprised to find out how warm it was in Granada. It had been 73 degrees on Sunday and Monday which was so great. However, yesterday it got really windy, and today the temperature was 48 for most of the day. I had to take out the jacket that I had just put away Sunday night....

I have to do some homework though. It turns out I have a mid term next Wednesday even though the midterm schedule we got from the secretary said that it'd be in April.... Needless to say, I'll be doing quite a bit of studying this weekend. I hope everyone is doing well! I miss you all!!!!!!!!!

Monkeys, Rain, and too many Cathedrals

Why hello there! It has been quite a while! Classes are going well but it's becoming hard to want to do homework since we don't really get what I'd consider homework. I can tell that my Spanish is improving though, which is great. I watched Spanish TV for the first time this weekend and I understood a lot of what I was watching! Yaye for me.

Anyway, the past few weeks have really flown by. I've had two weeks of classes since my trip to Paris and I don't even know where they went. We walked up to the Albayzin the Sunday after Paris and I noticed that some of the trees are starting to bud. Apparently it's unseasonably warm here in Granada and some places saw blooms in January.

A door on the way up to the Albayzin

This weekend was really fun. On Friday AIFS left Granada to go to Gibraltar, Sevilla, and Cordoba. Our first stop was Gibraltar. It's on the southern tip of Spain and on a clear day the African coast is visible from it. Gibraltar is actually part of the United Kingdom so they had their own form of the pound and the people spoke both Spanish and English. It was quite interesting actually because we found Reese's Peanut butter cups (they don't exist anywhere else in Spain) and they even had Yorkie bars - delicious chocolate bars from England. I bought a Cadbury egg - something that I thought I was going to have to miss this year and was very excited to find them in Gibraltar.

Anyway, like I said, on a clear day you can see Africa. However, this was no clear day. Within 5 minutes of getting off the bus and going through customs, were were all pretty much one big mess. We had to walk across an air strip with the rain coming down and the wind pushing us all over. It was a little fun, but I really didn't plan on getting soaked. Neither were our umbrellas since they failed to work and we ended up having to put them away because of the wind.

Walking across the airstrip toward the rock

After our lunch we hopped aboard mini buses to go up to the top of the rock. First we stopped at a spot that would be so beautiful in sunny weather. There's a light house and when you look out at the ocean you can normally see the Mediterranean, the Atlantic, the coast of Spain, and the coast of Africa. However, all I saw was water and rain clouds.

I don't know how we didn't blow away!

Next we stopped at some really cool caves and were greeted by monkeys jumping on the mirrors of our buses. Apparently there are 300 monkeys living on the rock and somehow they got there from Africa.

Hanging out with the Monkey

We headed back to the bus to go to Sevilla. Our hotels were interesting. They had a kitchen to make food but not enough utensils, and no soap to wash the utensils. I'm not even sure if they were clean when we got there. But we got to go to a grocery store right across the street to get our dinners. Believe it or not, I had a grilled peanut-butter-banana sandwich and it was amazing. You should try it sometime. Very delicious. The next morning we saw a big dead bug outside the door of our neighbor which worried me a little. But other than that there weren't any problems

On Saturday we went on a tour of Sevilla. Once again, more rain. But we were lucky in that it didn't start until after our tour finished. I absolutely love Sevilla. It is probably my most favorite city so far on this trip. I had really wanted to study there instead of Granada, however I realized when I was there that it probably would have been too big for me. I just like how there's so much history in the city. With all of the rain we weren't able to explore as much as I would have liked to. A few of us had lunch at this nice restaurant. I ordered paella but it was nothing like homemade paella. During the afternoon I went on a run with two girls and we got soaked! AHHH. That night everyone stayed in .... oh rain rain rain...

The Cathedral in Sevilla

Sunday we packed up our stuff and headed to Cordoba. But oh wait! We weren't allowed to leave Sevilla because THERE WAS A MARATHON HAPPENING! The city had closed off exits. Oh if I had known about it I would have done Sevilla instead of Rome and all of AIFS could have watched me. We got out of the bus for about 45 minutes to cheer on the runners and it was so cool. Most people seemed to be having fun as they cheered and so many of the runners loved having us there. They were smiling, high-fiving, and even clapping at US as we were cheering and clapping for them (I didn't see too many spectators where we were at the 19km mark). It made me really excited to run Rome!

Runners in the marathon - they were happy to have us there cheering them on

We got to Cordoba and it was SUNNY!!! We had lunch and went on a tour of a mosque with a cathedral inside of it. I forgot to mention that in Sevilla we went on a tour of a cathedral. They're nice, but I have no idea how many of them I've seen on this trip. I'm ready for something different. We had two hours after the tour to explore the city. It was such a cute little city. We each got a delicious ice cream cone that hit the spot! MMmm.

We headed home to Granada at 5 and made it here by 8. Once again, it felt great to be back in a city that I know. Every day that goes by now I realize that Granada feels more like home to me. I'm no longer counting down the days till I return home, they're now the days I have left to enjoy Granada.

I just got back from a run that was absolutely amazing. I went on the same route that we went for the hike and even though I was running up a mountain for the first 35 minutes, it was a really great run! I was the only person going up the hill the entire time and it was just so peaceful and really amazing to be able to stand there on the mountain and look over all of the land. I felt so little up there but it was such a cool feeling to know that I ran up there. I think I'll do that run more often because even though I was gone for over an hour, it didn't feel like it at all. I wasn't ready to come back down.

And before I go, I have to mention how it's like 68 degrees here but if I hadn't checked out the temperature I probably would have walked outside with my winter jacket on. I'm so used to seeing everyone here bundled up for winter weather. If I were in VT and it was 68 I'd probably have capris on and just a light sweater if anything. How strange!

Anyway, I must go shower now. Hasta luego!!

Finally we have France!

I'm finally caught up and have uploaded my photos from France!

Last night I went to the movie theaters with a friend and we saw Juno. It was in Spanish so I didn't get to hear all of the little things in it, but I got the main idea of what was happening and was able to understand them a little bit. It was a good movie. Other than that, not much to update you on...

Granada's Cathedral

Yaye I've accomplished something this morning! I have uploaded the pictures from Segovia. After looking at them again it made me want to go back!

Since today is Friday I don't have classes. This morning we had a little tour of the Cathedral nearby in Granada and of the place where Queen Isabella and King Ferdinand are buried (we could actually see their caskets). For those who don't know their Spanish history, they were the ones that finally ended the Reconquista by taking over the City of Granada from the Moors in 1492. What else happened in 1492? Oh yeah, how about Columbus discovering America. And who gave him the financial means to do that? Why, it was Queen Isabella!

I enjoyed the tour for the fact that I got to learn about the history of Granada, as well as the huge building, the Cathedral, that I walk by quite often. The one thing that bothers me about going into Cathedrals though is how much colder it is inside of them than outside! I was freezing the entire time! It'll be good when summer comes, but we probably won't have any tours left to go on.



So yesterday was Valentines day and Thomas surprised me with a beautiful bouquet of roses! I got a call that I had a package at our main office and they were there! I really wasn't expecting to get flowers at all. He's such a good boyfriend! I don't know what I'd do without him. Thank you Tom!!

Thank you Tom!