Friday 30 August 2013

Cześć, Kraków!

Aka.. Hi, Krakow!!

I've arrived save and sound at my hotel last night and have been out and about running around Krakow all day! Needless to say.. my feet are now tired and sore and so I'm being a bed potato and blogging! Hurraaaah for you! You get to read my rambles! So now for your eyes content, enjoy!

The Stare Miasto hosts the awesome Old Town and luckily for me, its only a short run or walk away! Today I decided to explore it in the best way I know.. running! Strapping on my hot pink Brooks Pure Flows and matching hot pink Nathan handheld, I hit the roads this morning! There is a gorgeous green belt that surrounds the Old Town called the Planty which is perfect for running (although I didn't see any other runners), biking and strolling. Hidden in the green belt there's tons of benches, statues, monuments, water features and gardens. It was really nice to get a bit of my green fix for the day after so much plane and bus time yesterday! 
Near the water is Wawel Castle, which I had to run to obviously (much to the confusion in some peoples faces when I was speedy and they were stationary/slowitary) haha yes I just made up slowitary incase you are wondering. It's a really neat little castle! Loved the views of the water out front and the big castle doors!

The Old Town features cobblestone roads, few cars, tons of stores, outdoor markets, restaurants, souveniers, tourists and fun! It reminded me a bit of Italy, but was very much Polish, not Italian! There were horse drawn carriage tours, people dressed in costumes (knights, polish outfits, and scary grim reapers and, most, randomly of all Tigger). Don't ask, cuz I don't know! Lol! I loved seeing the huts filled with massive grills covered in meat, sausages, saurkraut, veggies and potatoes! There are pretzels everywhere too! Holy smokes! I must have ran and walked past no fewer than 20 little pretzel carts! Hahaha! No shortage of carbs here! I would absolutely reccommend checking this place out if you are ever in Krakow! One favourite was a metalwork stand where they not only sold forged metal, but were hammering it right there! SOO COOL! I spent a ton of time hanging out infront if that place just watching! Way better than TV!
I've stalked up on crucial food items after finding a grocery store.. aka bananas, peanut butter (yes I was able to find it, Joel you were right!) and bread.. hellooooo peanut butter and banana sandwich! And discovered the best pirogies I've ever eaten at Zapiecek Polskie Pierogarnie! They have a ton of different fillings and are super affordable! Plus the borscht was good too! My first real Polish meal! The pork neck, tomato salad and potatoes didnt feel as polish as this did! Hahah 

Anyways, I'm waiting on the weather to see what I get up to tomorrow so you will have to wait and see.. just like me! Hahah

Love you all and take care!

Shanny

~Run happy, live happy, be happy~



Thursday 29 August 2013

Fly Time!


Well, well, well.. I can’t believe how fast the last few months have flown by! And when I say flown, I mean really fly, like how I’m in the air right now! It’s been the summer of my dreams.. each weekend I conquered mountains both near and in Whistler. The sights, smells, sounds and stinky socks have been unreal!!! Crazily enough, this is the first weekend I don’t have plans to run a mountain.. but that could always change.. Zakopane is supposed to be beautiful…

Anyways, that leads me to my point! I’m on my way to Poland for the 2013 World Mountain Running Championships at the moment! It’s been a long plane ride thus far, but really good! Bringing snacks on was definitely smart and I have enjoyed having my bagel and cream cheese. The little pasta dinners are a lot smaller than my normal plate! Bahha! I did pull together the pieces on the tray and make a little sandwich too though! That was a tastier way to eat the littte assortment! And yes, I was that weirdo doing lunges, squats and calf raises as well as stretching and rolling my feet about 2 hours into the flight. Hahahha! I managed to drift in and out of sleep for maybe an hour or so.. better than last time! Too excited to sleep now though, plus we are almost ready for our breakfast.. and landing in Frankfurt in 2 hours. Its starting to feel a lot more real now and I’m getting pumped for arriving!


Just wanted to give you an update and thanks to all my wonderful friends, family, acquaintances and running community for all the love and support. Its been incredible to know I have so many people behind me.. even if they just met me! What an amazing feeling!!

More updates to come, but take care for now. Love you all so much!

Ps. I figured out a new favourite saying the other day.. I duno if someone else said it.. im sure they have but I guess I will too if that’s the case:

Run happy, live happy, be happy J

Shanny