Crossing things off my list

Originally there was only one thing on my list, but the day got filled.

It started with a long run in preparation for a half-marathon in July.
The heat and humidity wiped me out even though I started at 6:30 a.m.
Truth - this is tomorrow's forecast, but it is virtually the same.

Next up was another new library (more about that later) where I checked out Frankenstein Junior, known as Young Frankenstein in English. We'll watch it to celebrate Father's Day.

I was lucky that the library that had the movie was
within walking distance of the Maker Faire, my first.

The building is made with two different types of filaments so it looks great in person. The geographical piece changed colors as it went. So many cool things that people made

One of may favorite uses for a laser cutter was to make a dollhouse!

I walked to the bus stop and waited across from an
old fire station that is now a training center and museum

Last August we bought special art passport that would get us into six museums at almost half price and would let us skip the line. Three were big ones (Miro, National Art Museum of Catalonia, and Picasso), but the others were all contemporary art museums. One was close to where I wanted to catch the train so I decided to visit.

I liked the building and all the skateboarders outside, but some of the exhibits were disturbing. The forensic architecture exhibit, which I found fascinating, focused on all sorts of crimes and the Martha Rosler: God Bless America! exhibit had a lot of social commentary. I found the combination overwhelming. You can take virtual tour of some of the museum here.

After making an imaginary wish list in the gift shop I headed to the train station along Carrer d'Elisabets and found this cool store that takes street banners and turns them into pencil cases, wallets, messenger bags, etc. I wanted one of everything.

I also want this banner advertising our town's festival.
It is free to look and takes up no room in the suitcase.

Another new thing

One more Danish post. First here are more of the usual beautiful pictures.

near the cathedral

path to water in Bognæs

view of fjord

The new thing was something I had heard about when lived there but I had been too intimidated to try it on my own. This time our host family said they were doing it and I was happy to join in.

From their description, "A white running T-shirt with a panting balding gentleman who is about to be passed by a few slender herring and the slogan "Take care of yourself - ran for their lives." It is characterized for members of Roskilde running club Running for Life, which has existed since 1992. Race for Life is behind the monthly jogging in the People's Park. There is a trophy in the club, which every six months transferred to the member who has improved his personal maturity most of the past season. In addition, the club organizes joint training sessions and participates in many jogging around Zealand - from five km.-relay races for marathon. The tradition offers to club members and their families gather after the race for burger buns with glazed ham and salad."

The organizers have created a 1.667 km loop that is undulating and on a variety of surfaces. There is no preregistration and the cost is 10 DKK ($1.50). People are invited to do any distance between 1.7 and 8 km and prizes are given at random. Now that I have done it once I wish I could do it again!

One more new thing was paying for A. to use the train since it was our first visit since he was over the age of eleven. Turns out he is the same price as taking a dog on the train!

A few things I learned

from rtve.e

Looking at all the stats, pictures, videos, and news stories about the marathon was educational.  Here are some things I learned.

There were a total of 4554 men and women in my age group. There were 829 women, or 18.6%. 

Indeed though women’s participation globally is up 27% (men’s by 8%), on average women make up only 30% of marathoners. In many southern European nations women make up only around 10%. The UK is the ninth most gender equal nation (34%) and the US is number one (45%).      from The Guardian

Along the course were men and women with these backpacks and flags.
They helped people with cramps, blisters, or other minor issues.

I knew there would be massages after the run and I probably would have
benefited from one, but I generally do not like people rubbing my body.

What I didn't know was that there were also podiatrists on site. I would definitely have
benefited from someone dealing with the blisters (not uncommon in a marathon).

Maybe you don't want to know this.
See the port-a-potty? A bit further behind the runners is another plastic thing.
Do you know what that is? I would not have known if I had not seen a bunch of men standing by it.

I always wondered how runners were connected with their personal refreshments
not something they do for the everyday people). I see from this shot that a volunteer
holds a runner's number and food or drink and the runners know to look for the
person with their number. I would like a volunteer job with less responsibility.

I had watched a video someone had made about last year's marathon and was
surprised when he talked about his pace per mile, but I figured he had just
done the conversion. I was surprised to see a mile sign every five miles.
(This is about where the leader drops her closest competitor, the woman in blue.)

This year is the 25th anniversary of Barcelona hosting the Olympics. The organizers invited the medalists from the marathon to participate in some social and running events and the men's bronze medalist, Stephan Freigang from Germany, ran the marathon and "managed to finish the event in 3:02". I have no idea what managed means in this context. The guy is 49-years-old and that is significantly faster than a Boston qualifying time, but I guess the running governing body was not impressed.

The men's winner, Jonah Kipkemoi Chesum, was in the race as a pacer. I knew there were pacers for some people (trying to 3:30 or 3:45, for example - the slowest pace group was for 4:30), but I had no idea the leaders had pacers. It was Chesum's first race at this distance and he wasn't expected to go the whole way, but he felt good and kept going and no one kept up with him! Most people had no idea who he was because his bib said only, "Pacer." On top of that, he is a Paralympian!

Helen Bekele was the fastest woman ever on the course and is congratulated by
one of her pacers. Even though my Spanish is very basic I thoroughly enjoyed
watching the coverage here (which is where I got many of these pictures).

A nice day of sight-seeing!

Challenge

Last June I signed up to run the Barcelona Marathon.
The Zurich in the name refers to the insurance company that sponsors the event.

The route goes by a lot of tourist spots, which was fun for the runners
and maybe entertaining for tourists.  Or maybe a big pain in the neck.

I enjoyed being part of the pre-race expo and 

seeing where I would be on Sunday.

Bonus picture of scooters for my younger sister.

This is part of my loot. The women had orange shirts with a picture
of women and the men had grey shirts with an orange picture of a man.

I also received a magazine with all sorts of details and a bit
about mental preparation, like letting go of worries about weather
and "the shape of rivals".  It was like they read my mind.

And then came the big day! I had been training with a long-distance coach and felt prepared (nervous, scared).  I was grateful to have already achieved my first goal, which was to come through the training without an injury.

D. took his bike to Barcelona and found me on different parts of the route.
He brought socks, drinks, food, and sunglasses in case I wanted them.

I am glad there was entertainment for him along the way,
like this group running with the rolling giants.
I like that the giants' shirts match the runners' shirts!

Was this more entertaining for us than for the runner?

The energy from the drumming groups on the route was fantastic.

A. came to town to cheer for me and R. made dinner tonight.
It's great to have a supportive family!

This is now mine!
Finishing was my second goal.

The first half was exactly the pace I wanted and the second half was not. I did not meet my third goal (going faster than I did in Denmark six years ago). I was happy to finish strong and pass a few people who had passed me.

Now it is onto recovery.  Walking to the train was slow and going up and down the stairs was awful. It was nice to stretch my legs on the train instead of having to drive home. Cycling from the station was also slow, but better than walking.

I am trying to decide whether to train for a half-marathon so I can run for the cycle over the course of a year (almost).  I ran a 10K on New Year's Eve, a marathon today, and I am guessing I will run a 5K on Thanksgiving. Something to look forward to!

Weekend summary

David wasn't scheduled to return until Saturday night so we were on our own for most of the weekend.  We started it off by visiting several stores for wand supplies.

I got distracted by roasted chestnuts, even though it isn't 1 November yet.

A. got right to work.

It was pouring rain on Saturday morning but only drizzling by the time we left for Barcelona.  We walked around Sagrada Familia (seen behind the trees), walked through parks, visited a library, and stopped in a few stores. We both enjoyed not having a schedule and just a couple destinations.

D. made it home and we started the day together by walking a few blocks to catch some of the 21.1km (half-marathon) going through town.  Most participants had their names on their bibs so we cheered for them by name and got lots of thumbs up.

I was surprised that the race went right through the pedestrian area and past the autumn festival.

image taken from here

The finish was in front of city hall and a lot of kids waited for their parents and they crossed the finish line together.  It looked like a disaster waiting to happen but it was very sweet to watch. 

Most of the festival had taken place on Saturday, but today was the day for local organizations to have booths.  There were national groups like Oxfam and Amnesty International, 

and local political groups.

I was not only amazed to see women making lace, but to see that they could talk while doing it.

Here are some of the weekend's wands.