| Date added : | 07-Oct-2009 |
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Sept 26th Travel Day Well little did I know what kind of a day was ahead of me? Normally I get on a plane, arrive in a city and get a bus or taxi to the hotel, register, and then run! No but not Lake Garda, and for the record it was my own fault. I drove to Dublin from home and boarded a plane to Milan. When I got to Milan I was told Milan was actually 60 Km away and that I would have to get a bus. Grand no problem only I was booked on a train to Lake Garda and was now due to miss it, which I did. On arrival in Milan central station I re-booked by train ticket and waited for the train. A few hours later I arrived in Lake Garda in Desenzano. I then found out that where I was actually staying was another 80Km away, so off I go and arrive at my hotel at 1am in the morning, starving with no food available anywhere. Bed and sleep….. Sept 27th Race day Up at 5am and got some fruit and a coffee. I had to then get a boat across the other side of the Lake where the marathon starts which was nice but cold. Once over the other side All the runners were getting ready for the off whilst music blasted out of the Pa. The race began up one side of the lake and it was really hot as there was no shelter from the sun. The scenery was beautiful as you follow the contours of the lake up one side and then at mile 10 or so we take off away form the lake and cross country around farms and vineyards which was just lovely. At mile 18 we are now back at the other side of the lake heading straight for home. I finished just less than 3hr 30mins but it was hard work. I was tired for about mile 8 and just had to work all day to get to the end. Straight after the race I just ran into the lake runners and kit still on and it was bliss. The place is beautiful and well worth a visit. If I was going again I would bring my wife and stay a few days and settle in. Rushing around like me is not the way to do it, however we live and learn. Next week Budapest.J xx
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