I should have run yesterday but the aftermath of walking around BA in what turned out to be highly unsuitable flat sandals has left my left foot resembling a raw beef burger.
Right foot fine but left foot definitely a walking disaster. It was agreed a light duties day with not so much walking would be in order.
First off visit the amazing mechanical flower a symbol of hope that opens every morning at 8 called the Floralis Genérica
Ordinarily I’m a teenager when it comes to sleep but an unexpected call from Italy woke us up, we’re only 20 minutes walk from the flower so we decided to walk/hobble to see it. We rounded the corner and it was already opened up and it was just after 7.30 - aha- the petals are seriously damaged. Then we spotted the notice telling us that it has not worked since a big storm in 2023 and they are working on feasibility studies to work out how to repair it. Oh well that’s a shame but never mind there’s a design and art museum nearby we’ve spotted the inevitable gift shop and coffee bar and strolled in to see what time the exhibits were open. Lots of folk wearing lanyards, seemingly a self serve breakfast buffet available.
In we popped happily mooching around. No sign of any galleries or opening hours or ticket office though, although in one room there was a PowerPoint presentation in course talking about Gender and Diversity in the Public Sector.
No one said a word two obvious tourists, no lanyards, in trainers randomly wandering in and out of rooms…
We beat a hasty retreat - Outside the JCR family had a fit of giggles we were in a faculty/conference arm of the museum. In fairness to us , it had a gift shop and even Banksy says always exit through the gift shop. The museum itself was behind the gift shop and faculty building. Banksy proved right after all. Beefburger foot playing up, therefore hobble back to the hotel.
The pic shows the sign in place at lunchtime when we returned …. It was not there at 7.50
Next on the agenda, breakfast at the hotel. I’ve been playing banana bingo most mornings, as the breakfast buffet is covered by napkins for hygiene purposes and I’ve been searching for fresh fruit specifically a banana, to give me good energy calories rather than croissant type calories.
There seems to be about 20 guests in this hotel, but only one banana for breakfast
Therefore it’s a game of chance - first of all which covered dish has the fruit and then is there a banana?
Banana Bingo Score so far:-
Sunday -JCR - 1
Monday - JCR - 1 shared with Mr JCR
Tuesday - Random French Guy1 vs JCR - 0
Wednesday- JCR - 0
Thursday - No banana for me or the RFG
So that was three strikes out Thursday morning. No working flower, no museum visit and no bananas. Week 5 Run 1 had to make up for that.
Beefburger foot suitably padded and ibuprofen taken. I was never going to be breaking records at 26 degrees. Wasn’t nervous at all some logistical issues there is a 12 lane dual carriageway to cross to go to Parque Thays and consequently the traffic lights don’t always synch with the run and walk intervals.
Luckily the running gods were smiling because I was able to dart - I say dart am still on snail minus one pace. No topless running men today just lots of swishy ponytail runners male and female making light work of the little hills. Me not so much, running gingerly the pace is not great but Jo Cool was quietly insistent that keeping it slow was the way to go.
I ran towards yesterday’s museum and then back over the crazy painted bridge. The second run interval felt hard but I was definitely more even in pace and had a wry smile when Jo Cool said I couldn’t have imagined I’d be running this far now - too right Jo I am in Buenos Aires !
The last run I have to admit was much harder than I imagined I dropped a gear to snail minus two and I wasn’t really feeling the love if I’m honest. Feet felt a bit leaden and slightly sore and I almost screamed out loud when I kicked my own Beefburger foot - tiredness causing a miskick on my blistered toes
Still it was fine - it’s humid and 26 degrees and I have sore feet but a singing heart - next run out takes me on the homeward half of the runs.
Btw better running music today I chose my Rooting for Reggae - even for a tone deaf person I could time my steps to the reggae beat. Particular thanks to Althea and Donna and The Maytals.
Run 5 no banana skins so that’s Bingo in my eyes…
Late banana bingo update - 3 in the fruit bowl one apiece for me and Mr JCR and one left over maybe for the RFG
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I'm back after a week of timber rafting and only one run
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W8R1 "I could have eaten a fridge!" 🍝
An early graduation present - New shoes
Week 7 Run 1 - tiny bear hut which left me almost bare! but in the club.
