The Final Details: Denver–>Jerusalem Marathon!

You guys are the best people ever. Thank you for all of the comments you left on my last post. I am now officially prepared to travel the hell out of this trip.

I got my e-ticket yesterday. Yeah, it was  bit last minute, but it is happening! Today I got my final itinerary. Let me tell you some of the highlights.

I leave Denver Monday afternoon and travel for a million hours before arriving in Tel Aviv at about 3:30 p.m. on Tuesday.

The first night there we eat dinner at the Eucalyptus Restaurant. This is a Kosher restaurant right by the walls of the Old City. It serves a modern twist on Biblical cuisine. I don’t really know what that is (camel kabobs?), but apparently it involves cooking ancient recipes with special spices and local and wild herbs.  The menu includes ceviche, falafel, couscous and lamb. I love all of these things much more than Kraft Mac ‘n Cheese or even Chipotle. Yes, please.

In Jerusalem we will be staying at the Prima Kings Hotel, which is right in the heart of the city. I’m digging these flowers they have on all of the balconies. I’m going to do my best not to pick them.

The days leading up the Jerusalem Marathon (which is on March 13), we will tour the Old City and the Israel Museum,  see the main points of the marathon course, do a “Smart Tour” of the city (is this a segway??) and go to the race expo. We will also have dinner one night with the Director of the Ministry of Tourism and another night with the Mayor of Jerusalem (who is a big time runner).

Friday is marathon day followed by a trip to the Western Wall, if desired. Because I will likely have hit my own kind of special “wall” earlier in the day, I will be face down on my bed as DOMS sets in.

I cannot wait for Saturday. This is when we head to the Dead Sea (the lowest point on earth) to soak up its magic (supposedly you cannot burn there, only tan. I’m still bringing my Coppertone). We will also tour Masada, the mountain top fortress from 73 C.E. I read the book way back when. It is a heartbreaking and amazing story.

I am going to see if I can run up the mountain top because my legs will probably want to do that (I’m sure my trail runner extraordinaire friend Adam Chase will do it. Peer pressure). I hope I can remember to bring my People magazine.

Next, we head to Tel Aviv to stay at the 5 star beachside Carlton Hotel. Ok, pinch me. It is 81 degrees in Tel Aviv today (although I don’t think it will be that warm when we are there).

Sunday is all things Tel Aviv. We will tour Old Jaffa (ancient seaport related to the biblical tale of Jonah and the Whale). Then, it’s dinner at Vicky Cristina tapas bar and off to the airport for my late night flight for the U.S.

Now, let’s talk about my goals for the race. Hahahahaha!!! Do you think I have any goals for the race? You’re so high.  I am severely undertrained for this marathon, especially since I only found out about it 5 weeks ago. My training was my taper if that makes any sense. Maybe I will steal the segway and make the best of it.

My goal is to not hurt myself too badly, to take tons of pictures, to meet people and to soak it all up.

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Shalom!

SUAR