Just last week I was lamenting about how I was not sure where/what my next race would be. I was actually quite okay with that, as I'd like to have a break from structured running and training. Plus, training in Colorado through the dead of winter means all kinds of frozen snot, slipping on ice and nightmares for my Raynauds-affected feet.
Can you even tell which one is me? |
Then my friend Sylvie tells me she is running the Paris Marathon. And I was like...Mon Dieu! OMG. I got a wild hair and decided to check flights knowing a trip like that would be way out of our price range and not at all feasible. You know because I have a kid in college and am a social worker. This combination means one thing: Ramen (or at least organic whole wheat spaghetti noodles with Prego sauce).
That is the moment it all fell into place.
Tickets were only $450 round trip. Yes. You can barely go from Denver to some field in northern Wyoming for that. (My brother said, "WTH? Are you flying Spirit?" Hah!) Then I realized the race fell the day before Emma's 16th birthday. What teenage girl doesn't want to spend her sweet 16 in Paris? I believe I spent mine eating tacos and listening to Foreigner. Then I remembered, holy shit - holy merde (<Google translate = holy shit) - I turn 50 in February and everyone keeps asking what we are doing and this is what we are DOING.
For me, an epic and ideal birthday includes travel/racing/family/friends/wine. Voila.
Sure, the race falls almost a solid two months after my actual birthday, but when you are turning a half century old, you kind of get to celebrate for the whole year or that is what I am going with. Plus, I'll be in the 50+ age group and might actually have a chance at a 2nd BQ!
So, the flights are booked, the apartment is rented through VRBO (and it's called Chateaux Monmartre...really?) and I'm registered for the race.
Probably doesn't exactly get any more real than that.
Fun fact. 57,000 people sign up for this race. Here they are:
And, there is apparently a real lack of potties along the way so public urination is a thing! Peeing at the Arc de Triomphe! A dream come true for this 50 year old American tourist.
I've probably told you this before, so I'm sorry if I'm boring you - but Paris holds a special place for me. I spent a semester there in college and was a French major. I never guessed that life would make full circle in this way and that I'd be bringing my 16 year old daughter and husband of 21 years back with me to show them the city. And, that I'd be able to actually run a a marathon.
Here I am 28 years ago, when I was 21, in Paris looking as foxy as ever.
Don't be jealous of my loafers. I'd like to say they were in fashion, but probably not. |
So there you have it. My first race on the calendar for 2017 and it's the dream of a lifetime for this girl.
What is your ideal way to celebrate a birthday milestone?
Have you ever done an international marathon? I did the Jerusalem Marathon in 2015.
SUAR
Hey, don't forget about my $100 giveaway. Get yourself some running stuff.
SOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO jealous!!!!! My birthday milestone dream is heading to Europe, no matter what year it falls in. But I usually get to spend in in NYC, which is probably my favoritest place on earth, and since I'm on Long Island it's not a difficult thing to do!
ReplyDeleteOh how very exciting!!!! I lived in Paris for a semester in college and am in love with that city. You are going to have an amazing time and I can't wait to read all about it!
ReplyDeleteRunning a marathon in a foreign country would definitely be my pick for a birthday milestone! While accomplishing Boston was on my bucket list, I'd love to run through the streets of a place like Paris. Jerusalem also sounds amazing. My list is getting too long!
ReplyDeleteDiana
betterthanalive.com
That's fantastic for you! Well done! Well I also turn 50 next March and my idea of fun is spending it running the Berlin Marathon, which I've just applied for. I may or may not take one or all of my three teenage daughters with me too. You go girl ... love your blog :-)
ReplyDeleteWow. Berlin would be amazing.
DeleteProbably the fastest marathon course in the world. Just a few weeks ago, the winning time was 2:03:03 and second place was 2:03:13!
DeleteThis is awesome! What a way to do a marathon/turn 50/turn 16!
ReplyDeleteHow amazing! Sounds like you will be celebrating your birthday the best way possible. I am running my first half marathon (Rock n Roll Phoenix) for my 25th birthday this year.
ReplyDeleteYou're turning "a half decade old"? My, but you are precocious!
ReplyDeleteHaha!! Ooops. Guess I'm not turning 5! Thanks for catching that.
DeleteI've heard people do other things besides pee along the course--anything goes. It's Europe after all...
ReplyDeleteYou and your family need to sign up for the 5k Breakfast Run. It's the day before the marathon and it is SO MUCH FUN!! My husband and I ran it 2 years ago. Everyone gets a flag for their home country so the start line is filled with runners waving their flags. We met people from America, of course, but when we'd see a flag we didn't recognize, it was a great opportunity to meet other people and learn about their country. Yes, there can be a language barrier, but that makes it even more fun!
ReplyDeleteWhen we were running, there was a very large Japanese tour group cheering for the runners. Everyone in the tour group wanted high fives and photos with everyone running. You'd have thought we were all Meb or Shalane! It was the craziest party every right there along a Parisian boulevard!
And the race ends at the foot of the Eiffel Tour with coffee and croissants. Best post-race breakfast ever!
http://www.schneiderelectricparismarathon.com/us/the-race/paris-breakfast-run
We are SO doing this. Thanks!!
DeleteCongrats! That is so awesome and the B-Day/Family/Run is a great "Trifecta" indeed! Happy 50th to you as well. It's a great milestone. I have not done any out of Canada-land marathons. My boyfriend did surprise me with a two week trip to Hawaii for my 50th two years ago. I was completely stunned! Practically the whole town we live in knew except me. The most hilarious thing was that when he told me the first thing out of my mouth was "But I have Opening Day Toronto Blue Jays tickets" !! LOL (I made a friend of mine VERY happy that year!).
ReplyDeleteHave a great trip mon ami! Go Jays Go!
WOW!!! I'm insanely jealous of your many adventures. But I've read you long enough to know that you're "good people", and so I am very, very happy for you. Cant wait to read all about it!
ReplyDeleteParis marathon is a great way to celebrate your 50th. I ran the Paris marathon to celebrate my 50th in 2013.
ReplyDeleteyouare craziest runner ever. awesome
ReplyDeleteWhat a way to celebrate 50 and 16. Fabulous!
ReplyDeleteI'm so jealous! Ran Paris last year, to celebrate my 40th! It's awesome! But sorry to disappoint, there are lots of Port-a-loos. If you want marathons without them - come to South Africa!
ReplyDelete2016 is my year to celebrate 50 years on this planet! Having "run" for over 5 years, my furthest distance was half marathon, so I decided this year I was going to complete my first ever marathon - Brighton Marathon (England) completed in April this year. But it didn't end there - I also completed my first ever (and last) Ironman!!!! Ironman Barcelona completed on 3rd October!! Hope your birthday year is just as special for you! Allison x
ReplyDeleteWow what a big year for you. Awesome!! 50 year olds rock.
DeleteThat's so awesome!! My 47th birthday did fall on the day I ran the Boston marathon in 2015... but it RAINED the whole race. So, good and bad! But the best part was that the announcer wished me a Happy Birthday when I crossed the finish. Other than the cold rain, it was the race of a lifetime. Your trip sounds like it will be too. So cool!!!
ReplyDeleteAmazing!!!!! I read you all the time but never comment but this merits a HELL YES! Go on girl, enjoy it :)
ReplyDeleteThe Paris Marathon looks amazing! I read a recap of this past year's race and it seemed like a real adventure! I hope you and your daughter have a great time!
ReplyDeleteParis is on my bucket list. In fact, it's #1.
ReplyDeleteI spent my junior year of college in France and also was a French major.
Je suis tres jalousie!!!
* jalouse. Darn spell check.
ReplyDeleteYey! We just did a half marathon in France to celebrate my step-mother's 60th birthday. Was a great excuse for champagne and baguettes!
ReplyDeleteWhat a great way to commemorate your special birthday. For my 50th I went on a week long horse back riding trip in Turkey with my BFF. It was an incredible experience.
ReplyDeleteI have done an international marathon - Berlin in 2015! Fantastic race. You're going to love the European experience and just think of those delicious pain au chocolat afterwards!
I look forward to the build up and then race report from you.
YAY! what an awesome opportunity and so fun to celebrate with your family!
ReplyDeleteI ran Paris this year! My first (and probably only) marathon. Running that far wasn't as awful as I thought it would be so I'll count it as a success.
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ReplyDeleteYou are so correct! There are not a lot of porta potties. LOTS of men peeing on the side. When I ran it several years ago they give out 1/2 bananas with their skin on so you have to peel them and toss the peel (have they NEVER seen a cartoon where someone slips on a banana peel?) and they give out small water bottles that people just toss and you are running over those also. A very different experience there but worth every penny, moment and minute you train! There is nothing like the Parisians shouting Bon Chance Madam!
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