Running at 11 am in Spain...

So in attempting to stay in shape and I try to go running 3 or 4 times a week. With the amount of random classes I teach and random social outings this translates into somehow finding 1.5 hours to get a work out in:

• 15 mins to "get ready" bc I am really skilled at finding things to do in between putting on running clothes and sneakers , aka, checking facebook, downloading music... you get the idea.
• 30 to 45 mins of running (depending on my mood) and maybe some ab work outs if I am feeling really ambitious!
• 15 mins to shower and get ready in record time (normally 20 mins from shower to when I rush out the door to the next event on my schedule, which I almost always arrive late to, but in Spain, thats expected and encouraged!)

So finding 1.5 free hours can be an issue, so when I have a free day I like to go in the morning, which also takes time because for the first time in my life, I have been sleeping in until like 10 every thursday and friday.

So today I got into my running at 11:00...I think everyone and their mother...(literally the street is littered with little old ladies) was out and about. So during a typical run I have to avoid Spanish men who can't walk in a straight line,swing their umbrellas thus I have to time my "passing" of them. Theres also the random strollers, running children, cars pulled up on the sidewalk and the smoking woman who are talking with their hands and almost burn me in the arm (ok not really but I could see it happening). Then there are the dogs, their doggie poo littered on the sidewalk and of course, my favorite running obstacles:

the groups of teenagers walking three-across staring at you as you run because:

• a) you're running at 11 and no one runs at this time
• b) your're in shorts and no one wears shorts at this time of year
• c) you're a girl and girls don't run
• d) you're blonde/ blue eyed and no one like you lives here

Overall, running is much more fun here because of all the wonderful people watching and obstacles . I don't mind it because normally I run down on the Island in the river, but it is currently flooded because we our experiencing monsoon type rain for this time of year. OH and my favorite part of today's run: The Churro Man down on the corner waved to me... damn it feels good to feel like you're part of the in-crowd!!!

Until next time BESOS!!!