Week 12 - 01/29/2019 Zurich for the First Time

We ended up with another snowy weekend and more snow was coming for the week.  My run buddies were busy on Monday,  I decided to take Monday's run indoors and just had an hour and a half recovery run on the treadmill.  Because most of our runs have been outside, I actually look forward to my treadmill runs where I can indulge myself on Netflix for endless hours.

With more snow overnight, Tuesday's run ended up being another slow snow run around the block avoiding cars and snow banks.  Check out how we got our kiddies to the bus stop that morning.

After our run, I got a call from work with some flights available up for grabs.  I was offered Frankfurt, Dubai or Zurich.  I had never been to Zurich or Dubai, but the trip to Dubai would have taken me away from the family for 5 days. So I opted for Zurich.  I quickly made it home to pack and get the home prepared for me being away for the next few days.

Thank goodness Some Sidewalks were Plowed

I was excited to go to Zurich as I had never been there in my 20 years of flying.  I soon realised that I would have to do one of my long runs there as I would be missing a run with my friends on Thursday so I had to pack up my gear for a 24 km long run in Zurich.  I usually like to look up running routes, but did not have anytime as I had just found out about the flight.  I quickly checked the weather and packed accordingly and headed out the door.

The flight to Zurich was quiet and uneventful. I asked my fellow crew members who had been to the city about areas to run and found out that we stay in a small town outside of the city centre.  I was told that there were some trails up a mountain and a lake that I could run around.

We arrived early Wednesday morning Zurich.  It was about 2 degrees with little snow which was a nice change from the snow storm I had left in Markham.  After a quick nap,  I headed down to ask the concierge about running routes.  She gave me a small map with directions to the lake which was only about 7 km, so I decided to improvise.  A fellow crew member had told me that I could exit the hotel and see a mountain where I could just run to the base of and find a trail head.  Her instructions were pretty simple so off I went.

Snow Trails 

Made it up to the Top

The trails were light snow covered as I headed up the trail head. There were many markers along the way, but I had no idea where they were directing me to :)  It's part of the fun when running trails.

Because I had overslept, I knew that I wanted to head back down the trails and back towards the town and find the lakes before it was dark.

Bike Trails

This Way Out

Luckily, I ended up seeing some people walking their dogs and out for evening hike which reassured me that I was not lost.

I made it back down the trail to find my way to the lake with the map the concierge had given me.  I followed it to a park which was part trail and part paved sidewalk.  It had 15 stations with exercises posted.

I made it to 10 of the 15 stations before I realized that a few of the stations were beside the prison and train track. I decided to head back to find my way to the lake as it was sun was starting to set.

Finally found the Lake

The map was fairly vague and I had looped around a few times before I spotted some other runners and followed them towards the lake and the running route that the concierge had told me about. I was so relieved when I finally spotted the lakes.

Sunset over the Lake

The run had been another adventure through a beautiful city. I am so grateful my job allows me to see such amazing cities.  I had to finish the last 10kms on the hotel treadmill as it got dark.

I was able to make it back to spend Friday with the kids as they had the day off from school.  With the all the snow that we had got during the week, we decided to go tobogganing. It was nice to have the day off from running and just having fun with the kids.

But we were right back at it Saturday morning to finish the second long run for the week.  My buddy and I met up before sunrise in hopes to run trails, but ended up running mostly on the road because of all the snow.  I was happy to have some company again for a long run.

Another week was done and the snow seems to be never ending.  Zurich was a real treat and would definitely love to go back in warmer weather to run the trails again.

How was your week? Any races ?