Paris Marathon 2006

A little over a month before Joe and I participate in the 3 Peaks Challenge. We desperately needs donations still (come on, I know you all just got your Q1 bonuses :). Please donate here: www.justgiving.com/Google3PeaksChallenge
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Many of you received Joe's professional race report from Paris, so I'll just ad a few thoughts and of course photos :)
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Joe and I just came back from our second trip to Paris since we moved to London (and I can go million times more :). This time it was for Joe's first marathon. That's right ladies and gentlemen -- 26.2 miles surrounded by spring time in Paris. The weather was purrrfect for a race, a little overcast and no rain. There is a lack photos from the marathon because Joe was too fast! He would always spot me on the sideline before I could see him running towards me! I have to proudly say that I saw him a total of 3 times (out of 5 attempts). It's tough keeping up with the marathoners when all you have is public transportation (in Paris it is pretty reliable, but stinky :)

It was a funny experience being a spectator in a foreign country. For one, I had no idea what to yell to the marathoners. I doubted they would understand 'good job!' or 'keep going!' (hee hee). People around me were yelling out something that sounded like 'alay!, but eventually I resorted to clapping and some woo-hoos. The crowd was definitely not up to par with those that gather to cheer on runners in the New York City marathon. They are the loudest and the craziest I have seen so far.

After passing up the champagne at miles 23, he finished in 3h 38' 18" with a smile on his face. Not bad for the first time eh? Yeh Joe! He's gimping around a little now. Because he couldn't run, he went and swam 1000 meters only one day after the race. Now there's a champ.

(Click photo to view full set)

In addition to running (Joe) and watching (me) the Paris marathon, we ate a lot (which never fails in Paris). We discovered Place de Madeleine this time around, where you can find the fanciest Parisian epicuries (high class grocery stores). Walk into Fauchon after admiring it's amazingly colorful window displays composed of exotic fruits and delicate pastries. The madeleines are truly yummy there. Get them in pistachio, chocolate, lemon, strawberry, caramel, or regular flavor. Buy anything from spices, chocolate, wines, coffee, cheeses, mustard. Nearby is the House of Honey, where you can get honey from all different regions of Europe.

I would soooo get fat if I moved to Paris :).

Actually, Joe weighed himself at the gym the next day and he said he gained weight! Who does that after running a marathon?! Unfortunately, I have been eating the same diet as Joe and I did not run as he did. I call it sympathy eating :)

:: Adding to our Paris Recommended List ::
http://supersko.blogspot.com/2006/04/recommended-list-paris.html

:: Travel Plans ::
Helsinki, Finland - April 14 through 17
NYC - April 19 through 23
Paris - Late April (Joe)