The end of the weekend

It's hard to believe it's the end of the weekend. I'm sort of dreading this next week in a way but I'm sure I'll push through. Atleast with training, this next week is the lightest one in the training plan. I guess I shouldn't complain!

This morning I rode the bike for 45 minutes and came across yet another interesting event at Hero's Square park. With every lap, I watched as the Hungarian armed services and their tanks, a plane, and other machinery lined up along the grass. Obviously they were having an exhibition as everyone in camouflage flocked in. A line of camouflage tents also caught my eye.

In another corner of the park, completely unrelated, the police were blocking off a section where horses were coming through and lining the grounds. Again, men in uniform on the horses. I wish I had the time to find out what the event was all about. On Saturday, there was a women's health fitness day sponsored by the margarine company "Flora", which I found hilarious. Walking past at one point there was a giant aerobics class taking place (over 200 women) in the park. It's been an interesting weekend at the park to say the least and I realized that this summer there will never a dull moment for me because this park is always going to have events going on!

I finished 9.5 miles in 45 minutes and jumped off, locked up the bike, drank some fluids and set off for a 2 mile run. Although I felt like I was going slower than a turtle, my mile splits weren't nearly as bad as I imagined. That was good news because on Saturday, I skipped a swim workout because I just wasn't feeling great. I figured it would be better to rest and recover than push it. I think it paid off. I'm still drinking lots of OJ and taking extra vitamin C. I think germs accumulate in warmer weather and riding all the trams, buses and metro where peoples hands are on everything is a germ infestation in the making. Thankfully, I've got "Germ Blaster" hand sanitizer from the states. Not that I'm germ-phobic, but I hate getting sick.

This coming week is lighter for training....I guess it would be considered a taper week? It's actually the lightest week on my schedule until the week of the race. Well, it's good timing because this week is going to be extra full of people.
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Tanya comes from the States on Tuesday night and with her some Tri-stuff I ordered. That's always fun! She's also bringing 3 big jars of creamy peanut butter (YUM!), lots of tuna fish and 2 big bags of starburst, per my request. (Can you believe I've already gone through the two bags my sister brought in March? Yep, well, atleast I didn't eat them all. Giveaways at the high school! American candy rocks!)

I'm sure Tanya can self-entertain and in fact, I'm counting on it. Unfortunately, she's going to have to. I doubt she came to Budapest to sit in Hungarian high schools and help lead University English clubs. So, I've been pulling out the maps and trying to figure out a decent "suggested" schedule for those times when I won't be around and then hopefully I can join her in the off time. Most of the girls I regularly meet with are in the middle of "dead week," preparing and taking finals so that seems to work out well too.

This coming weekend I'm also going to have a Latvian family (Andre, Melanie and their daughter Elza) staying with me before they go back to the U.S. One big happy family in my flat! I hope we survive. :D I'm just thankful I have enough room for everyone to stay.

The one person I'm absolutely looking forward to coming is Lara in June. If all works out with her visa, she'll be with me for atleast a month.

Well, guys. Have a great week training and I hope you have summer weather to enjoy! If you're near the Ocean, please take a walk along the beach. I miss the smell of salt water and the sound of ocean waves on the shore. And take a mental picture for me then send it my way :D Have a great summer!!