Catching Up

I've been meaning to update the blog for several days, but I just haven't seemed to find the time. Between running and dinner parties, sorting papers and teaching those last few classes, there aren't enough hours to accomplish all I'd like to. So this morning, before tackling my sorting / packing, I've sat down with a cup of coffee to let you know what Philipp and I have been up to.

The weather has been nice here, even reaching the mid 80s last Sunday. (more about that later) On Thursday of last week, which was yet another French holiday, Philipp and I had our first lunch outside in the back garden. It made me excited for many more outdoor meals in Cincinnati this summer and --of course -- in Charleston!

That afternoon, Philipp needed to move his truck, which he'd left outside the gate of the castle. And so I got my first driving lesson (for a standard transmission) in the truck! It wasn't too difficult, and I think I'd be able to get the hang of it eventually, but I still prefer my automatic. When the lesson was over, Philipp offered to have me park the truck in front of our place, but I didn't want to take the risk of getting too close to one of the neighbors' cars, so I hopped in the back ... and did a little truck rodeo ridin'!

Sunday, I ran La Course de Timo, a 10K race in nearby Seiches sur le Loir. The weather was hot and muggy ... already over 80 degrees in the morning. I wanted to improve my time from last year's race, and I started with the 50 minute pacing group. The course includes one small loop and three big ones. Here I am after the first of the big loops.

A loop later, my smile wasn't quite so big. Shorter distances mean faster speeds, and my body prefers distance to speed. Still, I wanted to push myself and try to finish in under 50 minutes. One of the pacers stayed with me (the rest of the pace group was a little in front) for the last two loops and coached me all the way. He continually encouraged me and gave me reminders to use my arms on the inclines, catch my breath in the descent, etc. In the third loop, we were joined by another runner who took over the coaching. I was so touched by the fact that these two guys were so supportive ... and they really pushed me to keep going.

In the end, I finished with a new PR (Personal Record) for the 10K, and memories of the kindness of strangers. My time for the course was 49:53, but it seems that the course was just over 10K. According to my Garmin, my 10K time was 48:11. I'll take either one! :)

After the race, Philipp's brother Dominique (who also ran the race ... in 43 minutes!), his wife and their son Maxence -- along with Philipp and I -- were all invited to the home of some friends who live near the town where the race was held. They have a beautiful home along Le Loir river. (not to be confused with La Loire, the more famous river which also goes through the area) After showers for Dominique and me, and a delicious lunch, we piled into a canoe, two kayaks and a row boat for a gentle paddle down the river. The afternoon was absolutely lovely.

So that's been the excitement over the past week or so. Now I'm full-force into sorting papers and my stuff, deciding what comes now, what comes later, what gets given away and what gets recycled. Tuesday morning is the big departure, and I have a feeling it will come too quickly.

So ... back to my boxes!