Secret Blog for Killing Track and Parkrun PBs

Up early this morning, long run in the forest including 9km tempo run on the Allee Royale. I felt much better than yesterday. Not so many people around although lots of dog walkers and a lone minstrel playing flute beneath the trees. No need for a second run today. My last night here before moving on to my final destination for 13 nights. Tomorrow I'll repeat the run of today, starting earlier. I will aim to get some strides in on track that afternoon to wake my legs up. Parkrun on Saturday.

I woke late for this morning's run around Chateau de Vincennes. In the afternoon a longer run of 85 minutes exploring the forest and running laps on a flat 1.5km hotdog loop. I've settled into what will be my daily routine for just over two weeks. The routine: Morning run, watch Tour de France on TV, afternoon run. I have two nights here before moving to Puteaux on Friday for 13 nights.

Big day of moving again. Up very early for jog to train station trip from Epernay to Reims. I had lots of time to wander Reims and participate in the Tour de France animations that happen before the riders depart. Then it was off to Reims train station again to catch a train to Paris. My hotel was an hour and forty minutes walk from the train station. No rush as the Tour de France coverage had just begun on TV...I'm watching that now. This apartment is very near Chateau de Vincennes. The only time I've been here is running Marathon de Paris. I'll do some running over this year's Marathon de Paris course in coming days to get my head around next year's event which I will be running. Today Steve ran a 10km tempo run. Average was 4:04/km with last 6km at sub-4:00/km. Another good session despite a recent lergy.

This morning an early 5km jog as the Tour de France logistics crew set up barriers, signage, infrastructure. I ran a little bit out on the course, then back to the finish. Basically all up in the last two kilometres to finish. Someone like the winner of Fleche Wallone will suit. Route follows Avenue de Champagne (past Moet & Chandon), finishes up on a hill overlooking the town near an apartment estate. I spent the day walking the streets sucking in the vibe. I watched most of the Tour de France coverage from hotel room (only 200m from course) before stepping out the door with plenty of time to find a TV in a shop window (bonus), right next to the barriers 1.6km from finish. I didn't need to move from that spot, watched the riders go past and shop TV to see the race finish...perfect. I strolled home very happy knowing Canberran Michael Matthews finished 2nd on the day.

Morning run from the hotel out to Moussy and Chavot-Concourt, a distance of 12km all up. I've been paying a visit to Moussy since 2008. It's a quiet village on the edge of town, vineyards all around, plenty of family champagne caves without all the fuss of the larger companies. I had a nice picnic up there in 2008, this time discovering a cherry tree laden with fruit. That's a sign of a late summer despite the heat wave last week. No sessions this week until I get sorted back in Paris. I'll be running Parkrun Bois de Boulogne on the next two Saturdays.

This evening Epernay time the Gold Coast Half Marathon is on. It's one of my favourite events. A couple of times I've used the event as a springboard to France, flying straight out of Brisbane day of the race. In 2017 I went home week before the race, then on to France. The weather this year hasn't been as kind as I remember. Very strong winds and some rain have fallen over the last few days. Despite this the 10km race was very quick yesterday. I hope the weather is good for Jen who is running this evening in the Gold Coast Half Marathon, just as she did last year. Happy running Jen :-) [Jen ran 1:52:30 :-)] Roger is up there too, dong the full marathon I believe [Roger ran 4:31 in full marathon].