Day 4: 8 Mile

Today I had a nice little rest day after my big ole' 8 mile that I did! This is the second 8 mile long run that I have done during this training and the second time around was MUCH easier. This could have been because the first time was on my treadmill in my basement. But actually, that was a pretty easy run also. Thanks to my mom for putting on White House down so I could stare at Channing Tatum for 80 minutes 

Note: Denzel Washington was never in that movie. I actually went 80 minutes thinking Jamie Foxx was Denzel Washington.

Now that I have enjoyed a long day of rest and a day of cross exercise (that consisted of me doing a few pushups in my room next to a box of oreos) I am here to blog about the experience. 

July 5th: 8 Miles  

Mile 1-3: Parque De Retiro 

Today I took a run to the largest park in Madrid. I put mile 1-3 on this title because I actually spent about three miles dodging people through the Gran Via (busy rode in Madrid) to get to this park.  It was the only way I knew how to go that wouldn't have gotten me lost... So I sucked it up and ran through Gran Via and let the whole population of Madrid stare at me... again. 

Keep in mind, I don't have cellular data. I mean, I do. But it is very limited and I would only use it in emergencies (that was a quick note for my mom just to let her know how responsible I am with money $$$$$). 

In Madrid they have lots and LOTS of WiFi. They don't call it WiFi though. It is spelled WiFi but they say it like this: WEE-FEE. 

It was the funnest thing in the world the first time I heard someone say it and it will forever be funny. 

So here is the beautiful entrance of Parque De Retiro --->

It is right off of a pretty busy road and the first part of the park is surrounded by local vendors that are trying to sell their janky stuff. 

Janky stuff that I probably have bought a million times. Sorry mom, I love you. 

Mile 4: Still in the Park 

The options that I had with this park were the following: 

1. Be in the shade but be in a constant incline 
2. Don't be in the shade and become red like a tomato 

Well, to be honest, I tried a little bit of both. Unfortunately the tomato outweighed the incline. So now I am a tomato. Only on my shoulders though and it doesn't really hurt THAT bad. 

This is a photo of one of the areas that was clearly had no shade in sight. It was cool to run through and I snapped this rockin pic. That was really the only benefit of it. 

There are statues of people surrounding this area of the park. I have come to the conclusion that all these people are just royal. I am assuming kings. 

There are two things I never got above a C or a check minus in during my schooling. 

1. Cutting in a straight line (kindergarten)
2. History (every time it was required) 

Mile 5: Look at Dem Trees! 

How awesome are these trees?! 

They look like little pieces of green popcorn all joined together to make nature. In my head that made so much more sense. 

They are so cool though! There was a kid climbing in one and he scared the crap out of me when I ran past the tree. He goes HOLA and jumped down. I was like for real? thanks for that. Then, I wondered where in the hell this kids parents could have been. 

Probably hiding in the other tree. 

This was a fun little spot to run around. I did three or four laps to complete the mile because I wanted to see if I could find more trees like this. Unfortunately, I could not. Who I really should have been looking for is the gardener/artists who carefully crafted those leaves. 

What a guy! 

Mile 5: Found Myself a River 

I was kinda over this park during mile 5. Not to mention, I could not even find the man made lake that everyone was talking about. Apparently Parque De Retiro has a big lake that you can paddle boat and do cute stuff in. Much like downtown Naperville. Except clearly better because Naperville is not Madrid. 

I just laughed out loud because I just compared Naperville to a beautiful lake in Madrid. 

Well potentially beautiful. I may never known because my legs wouldn't let me find it. How big COULD it be? I mean if it so big I shouldn't have missed it, right? 

Maybe I wasn't in Parque De Retiro this entire time... WHAT IF. 

No thats ridiculous I totally was, I remember a sign. 

I had that entire conversation in my head when I was running around. Just pondering if I was even in the right park. Well I did find this little river/lake thing. It was cute! There was no paddle boats on it. But it was cute. Definitely a great view for mile 5. 

Mile 6: Hand

As I started to make my way back to Gran Via I found this statue. Just look. Say to the computer screen what you spot wrong. 

SHE DOESN'T HAVE A HAND. ITS A NUB. A NUB HAND.  

I laughed for ABOUT 5 minutes until I realized how stupid I am. These are the things I notice. Not the history, or the culture, or the beauty of art... no. I notice a missing hand. 

A MISSING HAND. 

This was the best part of mile 6. Not this was the best mile ever. Because of this missing hand. I just wondered for about another mile where the hand could have gone. 

Did someone steal it? 

Did someone try to clean the statue and then knock it off?

If you look really hard there is a wire sticking out to where the hand used to be. I think that when the hand was taken off, it was done purposely. Because the wire is still there. 

I will never know. Never. 

Mile 7: On the Road Again 

Here I am, back on Gran Via. Now if you notice there are no pedestrians. Except for the one guy across the street, but he doesn't matter. 

When I was running down Gran Via towards the Parque I kid you not there were a million more people. I dont know where they went but this scared me. It's like someone told them I was coming back and they need to move out the way. 

Don't get me wrong, I am not complaining. It was just weird to run down Gran Via and not have to dodge anyone. The people in Madrid have no idea what time is. 

One would argue that I have no concept of time as well... and I will defend myself against that because its true. I don't. My sincerest apologies to all those affected by my tardiness.  

I would always get mad at my mom for being late. I would say "mom hurry up we are late" and she would say "why hurry, we are already late." SERIOUSLY?

Mile 8: PIG 

I FOUND A PIG ON A LEASH DURING MILE 8. REPEAT: I FOUND A PIG ON A LEASH DURING MILE 8. 

LOOK AT IT. 

That was the highlight of my 8 miles. Well, there is your proof that I, in fact, finished 8 miles. Next week's long run is 9 so wish me luck. 

Hopefully I will find another pig. A girl can dream right? 

XO 

Day Three: Short Run

Today was another petite run through the streets of Madrid.

3 miles!

I am following a strict schedule thanks to Hal Higdon, marathon trainer and runner extraordinaire. Hal Higdon provides me with a weekly schedule of how many miles I must complete each day. There are usually two short runs, a medium run, a long run, a cross exercise (yoga, abs, etc), and rest periods. This three mile was my short run. As the weeks keep going, the short to medium miles become incredibly easier.

Its like easy mac... so easy.


Anyways-- here are three photos during my 3 mile run.

JULY 4- HAPPY BIRTHDAY AMERICA

Mile 1: "Why are you so sweaty?" "I was watching cops"

If you didn't know, the title for this mile is thanks to Step Brothers and it is so perfect for this post.

Madrid has this incredible law enforcement system. I think that men send in some headshots to headquarters of police hiring and then women sit in a circle and pick the hottests ones. Honestly, if I could sit down with a police officer and ask them a few questions they would consist of the following:

1. What are your actual credentials?
2. Do you workout often?
3. What is the hiring process?
4. Are you also a male stripper?


Enjoy this photo. -------->

It was the only one I could take without looking obvious. It does the booty justice. (is this even legal?)

Mile 2: The Hideaway 

The next mile I took myself out of Gran Via, the main road in Madrid, and traveled to this nice little pathway surrounded by trees. This was actually hidden off to right at the end of a little road. You would have never realized the road would end into this park like area. The road was silent but was surrounded with small shops on either end. 

As the road came to an end, it slowly transitioned to this beautiful pathway.

To the left of the pathway was this small river. Very small. It went down for about a mile and a half. I had to get off this path as soon as possible though. The pebbles and stones were difficult to find traction beneath my feet. I felt like I was concentrating more on not twisting my ankle then the actual running.

We all know how easy it is for me to trip, fall, and hurt my ankle... we didn't need to add another to the list. Another important part to this mile was that a group of bearded police officers were there to greet me at the end.

It is too bad I didn't have time to voluntarily arrest myself.

Mile 3: A Beautiful Sight 

I somehow perfectly timed this run because I ended up in the park close to my apartment. I usually begin in this area but find more interesting things to take pictures of. This is why I have not mentioned it yet!

Finally, I can describe this park to all my fellow blogger fans.

This park is right off of Gran Via. On the first day of our arrival Grace (my brave best friend who has decided to deal with me for a month abroad) and I decided to go for a run. We saw this park on the cab ride in and thought it was much bigger.

Its not, it is about half a football field.

So that first day, not knowing where anything is, Grace and I ran around it like... 15 times. Then, at one point we gave up going in circles and went separate ways. We agreed to meet back at this fountain an hour later.

Funny story about that first run: 
As our time was coming to an end I started making my way back to the fountain. It was an hour later and I could not find Grace... I kept running around to check and see if she was somewhere else.

The moment my song on my IPod came to an end someone comes from behind me and SCARES THE LIVING SHIT OUT OF ME. 

That someone was Grace. So thanks Grace for letting me poop my pants in the streets of Madrid.

So really, this mile I was just replaying that nightmare in my head. Wondering if maybe Grace was lurking in the background ready to pounce at any time.

Well, thats the end of run three! Talk soon my homies.

PLUG: DON'T FORGET TO DONATE TO MY RUNNING PAGE

Day Two: Sunset

Today and tomorrow are quick and easy. Four and three miles. This hills, like I have mentioned several times, are really putting some pressure on my ankles. Honestly, the pain will be useful once I return to the states. Chicago is completely flat. I am hoping that as my training gets to the homestretch back in Chicago I will be able to use this hill endurance to my advantage. 

July 3rd- 4 Miles

Mile 1: The Aztecs! 

This park is a hidden gem. You walk up a few (million) stairs. BUT THEN, you arrive to the top and immediately arrive to this beautiful aztec inspired building.

What is even more cool is that when I circled back around to end my run the sun was about to set.

I must not give you all the good details THIS EARLY in the blog. Therefore you will just have to force your eyeballs to continue to the end.

Now, I know I put a lot of hype to the sunset of this park but there is actually a part of it that is much better. Five minutes into my run through the Aztec park I spotted a balcony. I got closer... then closer... and in an instant I was looking at the entire city of Madrid.

LOOK BELOW. JUST LOOK. ITS SO PRETTY!

To the left is the Royal Palace (featured in my first post that I am sure you all read). You are not suppose to stop during training and the run should be a consistent pace. I absolutely broke that rule to take in this landscape.

Mile 2: Follow the Yellow Grey Brick Road 

Mile 2 started on a quant little road with trees lined up on both sides. I took that road down for a mile, it felt like it was never going to end! On that path I was able to pinpoint some new routes I could take for my next run.                                                                                                                                       There was a new path everywhere I looked! I obviously didn't take them because they were all uphill and I was not in the mood to climb mount everest. 

Which is an incredible exaggeration because a 90 year old women was walking up with her groceries and made me look like a lazy asshole. 

This mile was a breeze... why? BECAUSE THERE WERE SO MANY DOGS. DOGS ON DOGS ON DOGS ON DOGS. 

MADRID HAS SO MANY DOGS 

If I had a euro for how many pugs I have seen so far I would have enough money to buy eight pugs and then fly them back to Chicago with me in my own private jet. 

I couldn't take a picture while I was running because their owners kept staring at me. That could have been for a few reasons: 

1. NO ONE RUNS HERE. (because they don't eat- they have a "light" breakfast and don't eat dinner till 9pm and walk everywhere. God bless McDonalds for providing sausage McGriddles in all areas of the world.) 
2. They just stare to stare. 
3. I was in fact wearing a Jonas Brothers shirt circa 2008. 

So instead, enjoy this picture I took with Pedro the bulldog at 3am. It's Angels spanish boyfriend. They now have a beautiful long distance relationship. 

Mile 3: A Statue

I couldn't tell you this statues purpose or what it was called or really what it even was... so enjoy this picture and ponder on all those questions. 

Mile 4: Paparazzi 

As promised from mile 1 I must now inform you of the sunset. As I mentioned, I ran pretty late in the afternoon/evening (I dont even know how to categorize the time here because the sun never goes away.) Around 9:15 I ended back from where I started, the Aztec Park. 

At this point I found out that someone leaked the information on my whereabouts and the paparazzi were all lined up waiting to take pictures of me. 

Like I thought I was only a thing in America but I guess I am an international celebrity now. 

JUST KIDDING 

This is crazy. All of these people were lined up to take a picture of the sunset! They all had professional cameras and everything. They had a countdown going. It was unreal. 

I obviously used my spanglish to ask what they were all waiting for. This is how that conversation went. 

Me: "Porque estas waiting aqui?" 

Spanish man: "I aspeak English."

He obviously was just intimidated by my amazing Spanish. 

So I waiting for the sunset while stretching and snapped a few pics of my own and went back to my apartamento.

Thats all for today folks. XO 

I forgot to stop the watch at 4....

GRASSias

Good evening!

Conveniently this is the time in which it is both evening for myself and those in the states. I wanted to keep all mi amigos updated on my marathon progress while abroad (and to give comfort to those who already donated that I am still in fact running the marathon.) 

Therefore, I am going to blog each run that I complete during this European adventure. The blogs will be just as frequent as my drinking.

So everyday. 

Enjoy this blog as I take you through the inside of my brain during each run.

P.S Did you know they use KiloMeters here? Ole! to my clever blog titled inspired by the Spanish metric system. 

July 2nd - 7 Miles 

Mile Uno: Metra? Metro? 

Please do not be confused as the image on the right is not the BNSF Metra Railway. Although, ironically enough the transportation system in Madrid is called the METRO. Let me just tell you, the Metro is fabulous. It is the diva of all public transportation. You do not wait more than FIVE minutes for a train. 

I encountered this outside rail track as I was running through one of Madrid's million parks. I saw an incredibly large bridge, filled with graffiti, without any knowledge of where it may lead me, and made the intelligent decision to cross it. 

As sarcastic as I may sound, this decision to cross this bridge turned out to be quite satisfying for the next mile. 

Mile Dos: Graffiti for Days

 Across the bridge was an entrance to the next park in my grassy adventure. This park was filled with insane amounts of graffiti. The graffiti that you never want to erase. It was art!

The graffiti is what made this park beautiful.

My spanish professor made a word up in class today: Japi!

She claims that English hurts her heart, which is concerning, so she made up her own spanish version of a word that already had a spanish translation.

Anyways, the graffiti in this park really made me japi.

Therefore, I dedicate this mile to Carmen Hernandez. Spanish professor whose heart hurts from english... or America?

Mile Tres: Hill or Hell? 

The problem with Madrid is that nothing is flat. The hills are alive with the sound of pain. 

When you train in Chicago you have the convenience of running on a flat surface. Not to mention we are on the grid system so getting lost usually isn't an issue.

Except for me, because I am always lost. 

Anyways, the hills are stupid and my legs despise them. The evil sister of hills are stairs. Madrid and stairs really love to create some issues in the running world. 

As I got to mile three I was feeling fantastic. 

Then came these stairs. 

Note: the people above- I would have given them AT LEAST 50 euros to carry me.  

Mile Cuatro: ....

LOL. HILLS. 

Mile Cinco: Fan Club

After climbing Dorothy's Yellow Brick Road to Satan's house I found myself back with regular pedestrians. Local Spaniards. 

At our orientation I learned only remember three things:

1. It is rude to stretch in public (wtf?) 

2. People stay out till 6am (I learned that the hard way)

3. People in Spain like to stare at Americans. 

WHY ARE YOU LOOKING AT ME???

(these people are LITERALLY across the street staring at me.) 

Mile Seis: Amen Hallelujah 

Those stairs tho.












Besides having to walk up another million stairs I was in awe when I reached the top. I was almost to the end of my first running adventure.

 A beautiful sight appeared: Almudena Cathedral

Almudena Cathedral is a fairly new addition to Madrid. It looks much older than it actually is, but it is definitely a sight to see. It was reconstructed not to long ago (20 years) (oh hey- I am 20 years!) This photo does it no justice, but believe me... it was a great start to mile seven. 

Mile SIETE: FINALE! 

To be honest, I was never actually out of breath or in a major struggle throughout this run. 

(This a god damn lie- those stairs could have given me a quadruple bypass.)

As I rounded the corner from the Almudena Cathedral I reached my destination: THE ROYAL PALACE. Obviously this was one of the first attractions I saw upon arriving to Madrid but it always amazes me everytime I pass it. 

The Royal Palace is literally five minutes from my apartment. I get to see it WHENEVER I WANT. Unfortunately, the royal family does not live here because they want to be humble or something. So instead, they live in another big place in another beautiful city. 

So while they are out I have decided to take charge and make sure that nothing bad happens. Prince Felipe is a homie and a future husband of mine. Unfortunately he forgot to tell the guards to open the gate but, like, I can wait. 

Happy running and till next time! PLEASE DONATE to my Chicago Marathon Page. I am running for the Christopher Reeve Foundation to support my brother Pete and all those struggling with a spinal injury. 

CLICK HERE TO DONATE.