"Tula, Eat Something!"

This has been the advice and rebuke of friends and colleagues as I continue my attempt in this 21km run. These last weeks I came to place where my body wasn't any more sore or in pain than normal, but I simply had no energy and could push myself no longer and was stuck between 10 - 12km - depressingly I thought that was the end of my half-marathon hopes.

"EAT protein!"

Tuna, peanuts, beans, eggs, red meat... mmmm, and certainly my beloved sausages. Thus I zealously began my over-eating adventure. Maybe 'over-eating' is a bit strong, maybe 'excess' or even 'sufficient eating' is more appropriate. Nonetheless, homemade tuna melts on Friday and a juicy steak on Saturday was a good start to a few days of lots of food (compared to my normal eating regime). And I can't complain - I like good food.

It works!

I completely surprised myself today, when at the gym I ran 16 kilometres - which means yes, only five more to the goal! With a little more than 2 months of training to go, if I keep at it (eating & running) I'm sure to be able to make it! Barring injury and illness. I can't stop smiling.

Ooof, but regardless how much tuna I have eaten, I'm sure to have sore muscles tomorrow.

Day 2 of New Shoe Trial

(plus couldn't stop from myself from giggling when the guy next to me fell (safely) from his treadmill whilst trying to sip water from his water bottle)

The Curse of Big Foot

Clearly Czech women with large feet do not run.

Being frightened by a friend who runs regularly, I decided I should invest in a second pair of running shoes. The wearing down of the soles of old shoes brings knee troubles, hip pain and more, so having a second pair is smart.

Pretending to be knowledgeable whilst perusing the shoe display at a Prague sports store, I chose two shoe types which seemed best. Upon telling the shop attendant my size, she looked at me quizzically and said I should probably get a man's shoe. Hmm. As this was not an option for various reasons - one, that I do not have man's feet - I asked her which shoes they did have for such gigantic feet as mine.

She produced a New Balance women's running shoe, which seemed alright. Though treading around the store for 2 minutes is much different than running the streets of Prague for 3 hours, so how was I to know.

Thankfully, the store allows a 30 day return&exchange policy. Day one of New Shoe Trial seemed to be fine...

Lend me Your Ears!

Yes, I do like this iPod and it gives me energy for my brisk outdoor runs.

But I've run into a problem - my ears are not shaped to hold for more than 2 minutes these tiny 'ear buds' which keep the music moving through my head. I guess people's ear are like snowflakes - no two are the same.

Consequently every few minutes or less, I'm adjusting and readjusting these small musical beans so they don't drop out of my ears mid-run.

Outdoors is much better as the woolly ski cap keeps them firmly in place.

I'm contemplating buying some huge earrings which would hold them somehow for the entire run, but am open to other suggestions!

New Gym, New Smells

- Exiting the tram - diesel from trucks barrelling down Evropska.

- Approaching the gym - cigarette smoke from employees and fitness gurus, who can't go too long without a fag.

- Entering the gym - body odor of squash players and those grunting away in the weight room.

- Changing in locker room - steam from the showers and a multiplicity of perfumes and sprays.

I've been to this gym before and chose this option yesterday, since my regular one closes at 8pm daily, which doesn't leave much time for Sunday afternoon city shopping and a consecutive evening workout.

This gym is much bigger and has much more options for those wishing to drop a few kilos, develop a sixpack or train for the Prague Half Marathon.

There are five courts for squash/racquet ball and many stationary bicycles, a large weight room and three treadmills - hurrah.

However, these treadmills are pre-programmed so that after 30 minutes the machine decides you need a smoke break, so it simply stops. For the non-smoker, it's not possible to start the machine again to resume running. I then played the game of mid-run jumping onto the adjacent treadmill to begin again. It's a fun game.

But today is sunny-ish, so I hope to escape the smoker regime and run through the Šárka trails!

Sidenote: I have a problem with people brushing their hair in public. Please don't.

Mysterious Prague 6 Pooper Scooper

Czechs love dogs - large, small, hairy, bald - it doesn't matter. They love them and I don't mind them, but Czech German Shepherds, Czech Cocker Spaniels and Czech Yorkshire Terriers all poo. Consequently, these little deposits do not always make it to the grass on the side of the trail upon which some folk choose to run. Instead the little doggy dupas (see October 16 post) release their surprises on the path itself.

However, though certain that this happens and a witness to these physiological events, the poo does not stay on the path for long. I don't know how it happens, but there must be some secret and caring park ranger who clears the paths (surely just for me) of all kinds of debris - leaves, branches, poo... I'm eternally grateful to him/her/it, for as the days get darker, I'm not exactly sure what I'm trodding in!

(Bet you thought I was gonna put a photo with poo in it... but didn't find any on the trail, so sorry!)

Photo Finish or Finish Photo?!

Upon receiving confirmation of my Half-Marathon registration along with my number - F901 - I was reminded of the list of items/events/discounts which are included in my participation. A new line which was not there previously stated:

FINISH PHOTO – It will be possible to order by mail or on-line via our web site. You will find more info in your technical envelope. Remember to smile while crossing the finish line!


No ordinary person will want a photo of themselves after sweating laboriously through the streets of Prague for 21 kilometres!


But the more I'm learning about runners, the more I realise that they have some peculiarities which are common amongst the lot of them... clearly wanting to have their cramps & soreness documented photographically is one of them!