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.