The Lausanne Walking Event 2017

Doesn't this look exciting?
A flash tee-shirt, a medal and a number bib with my name on it!

It all started with this poster!
What about if I took part in this sports' event?
I've already done this quarter marathon, which is 10.54 km (6.55 miles) twice,
but that was ten years' ago!
Why not again this year?
The sheer thought made me want to do it and I started training right away,
doing a minimum of 10.000 steps a day and mostly doing much more!
The spring weather was perfect: dry, sunny, not too hot.
I walked just everywhere!

I mentioned my intentions to my daughter, who is a regular runner
who usually does running events.
She thought about my participation this year and said that she would join me!
Great!
We've never done this together before!

The morning of the big day, I prepared a homemade Birchermuesli
which I made by mixing organic oats, almonds and raisins, 
soaked overnight in almond or rice milk.
At the last minute, I added sliced banana and fresh raspberries.
A good energy-giving preparation for our power walking!

Here we are
fresh and full of energy before the quarter marathon!

Here is the walking group at the starting point waiting to get into our stride.

On the downhill part we could even chat!

Coming in over the arrival line!
I did it!
It was great!
I can feel all the little bones in my feet!
Timing: 1 hour 41 minutes!
I wanted to do it in less than 1hr45!
Better timing than I imagined.
The last time I did this walking event I did it in 1hr32.
The route was a slightly different one this time with more uphill parts
and I'm also ten years older with less time spent training!
Here we both are after finishing, wearing our medals and feeling elated and happy!

We had a special healthy, late lunch at one of the restaurants
special dishes had been prepared for the day.
A detox smoothie and a vegetarian platter.
Delicious!

Here is the outside terrace of the restaurant, empty when we left.

We all know the benefits of walking. 
Have you ever tried Power Walking?
It's invigorating and mood-enhancing and great for our health.
I'm going to continue getting out, even when it's raining!

We are finally getting some rain after an early spring and I just love
using my colourful umbrellas, like the one you see above.
In fact, I love umbrellas!

I'm enclosing the link to a short video below


from the official Lausanne Sports' Event.
It's really worth watching to get a feel of the fun and exciting atmosphere.
My daughter and I can be seen coming in towards the finishing line
in the second video clip and also the third one right after the advertisement!
Turn up your sound for the accompanying uplifting music
and lovely scenes of the city in which I live!

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Easter 2017

An Easter poem

Golden daffodils

Pastel blossom

Tiny parasols opening on the chestnut tree

A lovely Narcissus bathing in the sun

Tiny eggs

and more blossom
one can never have enough blossom!

Spring green pleated leaves just unfurling

and a field of cheerful daffodils

A nest of feathers, new this year

and blue ones too from other years


Wishing you all a wonderful Easter with sunshine and flowers
and chocolate bunnies too!

Red Blinds and Pink Blossom. Scene & Story: March 2017

This colourful scene totally captured my attention when I was out at the end of March practicing for a new challenge - and it has nothing to do with photography! 

The red blinds were eye-catching all alone, but with that gorgeous bright pink blossom with the branches spreading right across them, it was irresistible!
I even got a window reflections of the flowers and a hint of the beautiful blue sky!
Did you ever think that red and pink looked so good together?

So what is this new challenge all about?
It's one that I haven't done in too long a time!
Now the warmer, and mostly drier, weather is here,
I decided that I would walk 10.000 steps a day. To encourage me further,
 I invested in an activity tracker which measures more than just steps.
When I reach the 10.000 mark each day, I get stars and rockets and fireworks
on my Fitbit tracker screen! That's so encouraging and makes me laugh!

The next part of my challenge is to walk the quarter-marathon (10.54 km/6.55 miles)
that will be taking part on Sunday 23 April in the city of Lausanne where I live!
The last time I did it was in 2007 and I managed a timing of 1hr32!
This year the route is different and there seems to be more uphill parts
which makes it more challenging!

I have been out training and working on improving my stamina and practicing uphill walking around my city, down by the lake and in the parks. This is a very hilly city!

The photograph of the blinds and the blossom was taken when I was out practicing
after a tough climb uphill. So I was happy to pause in my training and catch my breath.
So lucky too, that I'd managed to fit my pocket camera into my waist pouch!

As I reluctantly left this beautiful scene to continue my rapid walking,
I looked back one more time and caught the upper part of the blossoming tree
 against the blue of the sky!

I knew you wanted to see that as well!

All we need now is dry weather to make our Walking Event the best ever 
and a cooling breeze wouldn't go amiss either!

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Joining our Scene and Story link-up at Paisley Rain Boots

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Taking a blogging break.
I seem to be busy with so many other things right now.
See you all again soon!