Frühlingslauf Innsbruck

1 April:

Well today didn’t start off good, even though it was a Friday! Rode my bike to school, typical day right? NO! Half way to school, I have to cross this intersection that is very unique to say the least. Did I make it successfully across the intersection? Nein!! A car managed to bump my bike and made me wreck in the middle of the crosswalk! Apparently Austrians don’t know how to drive… well I guess they can drive just not see!!! Thankfully I wasn’t hurt badly or anything like that, it was just a big shock. Had me all shook up for the first few hours of class though.

Guess you should have read what day this post was from! April Fools!! 

I actually made it to class just fine, had a productive day in class and found out some great information. My first visitors have booked their flights to Austria!! Extremely extremely excited to have family here and show them around! My mom and Aunt will be coming in the middle of May for ten days!! Haven’t finalized any plans yet, but we will spend a few days in Innsbruck and travel around Europe some! Very much looking forward to this! And what’s even more exciting? They have never been to Europe before! They don’t know what they are missing!

 And to make my day even better, even though a Friday is good enough in itself, I got my first package in the mail!!! When I was opening it you would think there was a million dollars in it, dumped out everything on my bed! Cliff Bars, granola bars, photos, and Easter candy galore!!! Love you Mom!!

 After all the excitement, I made dinner with friends. We had lots of delicious pasta with veggies. Loaded up on my carbs for my race! Got a good nights rest for my big race the next day!

2 April:

Woke up feeling well rested for my Half Marathon!! Pierre from France and Thomas from Austria both ran the race for me (Half Marathon Virgins!).

Posters I've seen all over town for the race!

Race Map

So this map probably doesn't mean much to you if you aren't familiar with Innsbruck, but let's just say I ended up running from the middle of town (Mark Platz) all the way back to my apartment, turned around, and ran the entire distance of town, past the airport, finally turned around, and then ran back to the finish line in the center center! Wow!

Had the most perfect weather for a race! 24 degrees! 

Everyone doing a warmup!

About to start the race!

And it begins!

Can you find me? Hint... Look to the right. Wearing my sunnies!

And off to run 21.1k!

Had a great time running the race. Stefan managed to find Pierre and I running along the course. He rode his bike alongside us for awhile which was awesome! Our personal trainer! My favorite part of the race is still the water breaks where you continue to run, grab your cup, drink the water like you've never had water before, and then throw the cup on the ground and continue running! 

Ran along the river most of the way, saw parks and everyone enjoying the beautiful weather. People were just sitting along the river, playing guitars, reading books, relaxing, soaking up the sun. And here I was running 13.1 miles. What's wrong with me?

Pierre and I stuck together for nearly all of the race until the last 5k, he was hurting a bit and told me to continue on. Managed to finish the race in 1:49 which I was proud of. My goal was two hours; goal accomplished! 

After the race!

After the race and a much needed shower, I went out to a typical Tryolean dinner with Thomas and Johanna.

Going to the lake tomorrow! Such a perfect weather weekend!