Half Marathon and Swiss Cows

Before the race with my dear friend Shannon.  Ready to go with smiles on our faces.  Yeah, that won't last. 

So, I ran my first half-marathon a few weeks ago.  First AND last.

It was in central Switzerland, near Lucerne, around a lake called Sempachersee.   Yeah, I had never heard of it either.  It wasn't in the mighty Alps like you might think, it being Switzerland and all, but the Sempachersee is nestled in the gentle, rolling countryside. Sempachersee wasn't as strikingly gorgeous as Lake Garda, Italy last October, but it was still beautiful in a very understated and peaceful way.  And it was flat.  You can't beat that!

Here are a few thoughts on this race:

It was a lot harder than I thought it was going to be.  Two weeks earlier I ran 11 miles in 1:32.  I thought I was well positioned to do the half in 1:50.  But, first off, what is the deal with having to run in a stampede?  The first couple miles I couldn't go faster even though I wanted to. I was completely surrounded by other runners and there's no way to pass.  Finally, at about mile two or three, it started to thin out and I could set my own pace.  I've decided I'm not keen on running with others….  it kind of messes up my groove.  I did the first three miles in 23 something, fives miles at 40 something… and it just got slower from there... seven miles at 58 something… and then I lost track after that. The middle of the race was the hardest part for me.  I started to feel sluggish and slowed my pace. And then around mile nine or ten the cramps hit.  It's really hard to run when your gut is tied up in knots. It literally felt like pregnancy contractions.  And the Europeans don't believe in porta-potties.  The last three or four miles I just wanted to quit, but I pushed through and finished the race in 1:57:12, which actually surprised me.  I thought I was over two hours.  Even though I didn't achieve my goal, my friend who is a half marathon pro said my goal was probably unrealistic for a first timer.  So, I'm satisfied.

  This go around was a lot more fun because I had a friend there beside me.  Shannon moved onto RB last summer and she's been a godsend!  For whatever reason, I've had a more difficult time making friends here in Stuttgart than at any other duty station (maybe I'm just SUPER weird and don't know it??)  So, Shannon was a literal answer to prayers.   

Nope, not weird. 

Running with the herd

And it was fun to have my family there… even though Ben was a little overwhelmed with all the kiddos at the finish line.  It was a little anti-climatic when I crossed and no one was there… I found all the kids oblivious at the bouncy castle while Ben was looking for me in the wrong place.  Ah well.  

I found this gem on the race website.  I look like a corpse.   The couple behind me, on the other hand...

I realize these are the least flattering pictures in the world… but I'm posting them proudly any way… CROSSING THE LINE.  

Finished!  And lived to tell the tale.  And thankfully the color came back to my face.

So, here's the rest of the weekend.  Ben had both Friday and Monday off, so we took full advantage. 

First, Rhinefalls…The Rhine River's point of origin is at some glacier in Switzerland, and then it goes through Germany and empties out in the North Sea (I think the Netherlands?) Rhine Falls is the largest waterfall in Europe. It was fun!

Shannon's husband was TDY, so she brought a friend from church to help with her four kids.  

We stayed at a farm.  This was the best part of the trip.  Check out Hans the farmer, literally running from the cows. 

Caroline LOVED feeding the cows.

The cute abode where we stayed

Chocolate factory tour was a HUGE hit… mostly because we got to sample unlimited amounts of Swiss chocolate.  And we got to make our own chocolate bar (at an additional cost, of course). 

You pushed the donkey's nose and he spat out a golden chocolate coin.  GOLDEN.

Lucerne itself:

We did the golden ticket round trip which took us on a boat ride across Lake Lucerne, up the steepest cogwheel in the world to Mt. Pilatus, and then down a cable car back to Lucerne.  It was beautiful but very touristy.  I know I'm a tourist, so why do I get so bugged by other tourists?

And then, yeah, the summit was enshrouded with fog.  But at least Shannon entertained the troops by putting bread on the kids' heads.

At the rodelbahn… beautiful area but the ride was a complete FAIL.  I've never waited in line so long for a rodelbahn.  Way too many tourists.  

On the way home we took the LONG route home, through France, to stop by the American cemetery outside Epinal (which also happens to be an area from my mission).  This was Ben's idea, because he wanted to honor Memorial Day.  It was great. 

This was a very moving exhibition done by some French elementary students thanking the U.S. service members for liberating France.  So cool to know they are passing this history down to the rising generations.

Thanks Grandpa Shaha for his amazing pacifier.  He looks very dapper in it.

Bad Wimpfen and Bird Show

A few Saturdays ago we day tripped it to Bad Wimpfen, a charming little village along the Neckar River, and Guttenberg Castle where we saw a bird show. 

Now that spring is in full force and everything is green and beautiful I've been wanting to get our family out more on the weekends.  There's still so much to explore and see not far from home…  but I'm amazed at how difficult it is.  It seems like there's always something going on.  Life with three kids is busy and it just gets busier and busier!

Nonetheless, we made it happen. We packed up a picnic basket and threw the scooters in the back of the van and headed out. Exploring the town was ok… The best part was this ice cream joint that gave you a generous serving for only 90 cents.  Score. 

We also climbed a tower that gave us cool views of the city.  

The Neckar River… it runs through Stuttgart and Heidelberg

This is how it's done

Then we headed up the road just a few kilometers to a castle that put on a very cool bird show.  Yes, it was in German, but still… the demonstrations were awesome.  The birds flew right over our heads.  As Ben put it, "I got slapped in the face like five times by the eagle's wing."

The bald eagle is catching a chick in its beak.  

The views were amazing too.

Ok, so we had to get back to Stuttgart so I could do a blasted 11 mile run.  I was all stressed out about that. I am soooo glad my training is over.  So, before leaving, we had a quick meal at a restaurant that had amazing views.  

As we were waiting for the food, James went off exploring with Ben close behind.  Soon I hear James screaming off in the distance.  I look down the huge hill and see that Ben is half way down it holding screaming James.  A few minutes later he comes up and James is just covered from head to toe in Stinging Nettle!  His face was red and swollen with white bumps all over it.  His hands, arms, and ankles were covered too.  My heart just melted for the poor, miserable guy. I guess he was running along and leaned against a dilapidated fence that broke and he just went tumbling head over heels down the hill.  Ben chased after him but James got a pretty good head start.  So, while Ben went to wash him off in the bathroom I called a nurse from church.  I was so glad she picked up her phone.  She told me we didn't need to take him to a hospital (I wasn't sure since he was so young and he was in such bad shape) but to just wash him real well, give him chamomile lotion, and it would all go away within 24 hours.  And she was right.  It was kind of a sad way to end a very nice day.  

Here's James in the carseat… his skin was already doing much better. 

And here's a pic of the doomed hill