Sunday, May 6, 2007

Geneva half marathon!


I ran the Geneva half (or semi, as they say here) marathon today. (There was also a marathon and a marathon relay running at the same time.) After nearly a week of chilly, damp/rainy, overcast days, today was sunny and Goldilocks-warm--i.e. just right. Some highlights: running by the lake, hearing some great French-accented blues, and hearing shouts of "Allez! Allez!" and "Bon courage!" There was other great music, including some drummers and a polka band. Odder was the group of guys playing the Alphorns--those long (up to 20 feet) horns used by people in the alps to call cattle. The music was beautiful, but rather mournful for a race. In fact, it sounded a lot like they were playing taps.

I was actually quite pleased with my time, 2:17. Not even close to my PR, but not my worst either, and my training was pretty minimal this time around. I had been hoping to finish in 2:30, so you can see why I was so happy.

And, as if to make me feel bad for making snarky comments to Tony before the race about the fact that we wouldn't get finisher's t-shirts OR medals, I got instead a NICE Camelbak-style hydration pack with the Geneva marathon logo. See:

5 comments:

Anonymous said...

GREAT JOB SARA! That is a fabulous time. I think it was all that shouted French that made the difference! (Or maybe the musical dirges produced the effect...). Good weather AND a camelback? You are one lucky, lucky gal...

Sara Latta said...

Thanks, Cara. You know, I used to scoff a little at Galloway's training schedule, but it served me pretty well this time.

Yeah...good weather AND a camelback. I am indeed fortunate. But now that I've sworn off running anything longer than a half, will I really have cause to use the camelback? I always think of it as an ultra-runner's thing.

Speak(er) said...

Sara: It also works great as a dog waterer when you take the pooch for a walk. Belle loved having that thing squirted in to her mouth last summer.

Speak(er) said...

oh yeah, Great JOB!!!

Sara Latta said...

Lu, that's a great idea. Gracie loves to have water squirted into her mouth. Thanks!