Paris Farewll Run

After two glorious fun-filled weeks, today is the day we bid farewell to Paris. I woke up early so I could sneak in one last run before we leave. Before I get to the run, I just wanted to relay some trivia about French eating that I've learned on this trip: In France, a tiny, pre-meal snack is called an "Hors d'œuvre" (that we knew). Only formal restaurants have this on their "carte." An appetizer is called an "entrée." A main course is called a "plate." The total list of things available to order is called the "carte." A "menu" is a selection of things from the "carte" that you can order for a fixed price (like a "combo meal" at a fast food restaurant. A "formule" is another word for "menu." At most French eateries, you will never, ever, never get the check until you ask for it. Ever. The check is called "l'addition." The idea of a waiter rushing you through a meal is unknown here. They will not come to clear your "entrée" dishes until you are obviously done. And only when everyone at the table is done. They will not come to clear your "plate" dishes until everyone at the table is obviously done. I like this. In France, there are "cafes," "brasseries," "bars," "restaurants," bistrots," and even "auberges." I still don't know the difference between them. OK, on to the run. I set out to do a quick 2.5 or 3 this morning-- just enough to get the blood circulating for my 16 hour flight today. Ugh. As usual, I walked down to the Place du Trocadéro and through the Palais de Chaillot down to the Seine. I headed east down the Seine, watching the sun come up over the river. Just a spectacular site! I continued down past the Pont de l'Alma to the Pont Alexandre III and crossed over the Seine. I ran up the esplanade to Les Invalides (one of my favorite sites in Paris). As I was passing it, I saw a group of men arriving for work there. What an awesome place to work!! I headed back down the esplanade and back to the Seine. I headed west, passing the Pont de l'Alma and the Musee de Branly. I turned at the Eiffel Tower and headed up the Parc du Champs de Mars towards the Ecole Militaire. The ground was pretty damp from yesterday's rain and I could tell my shoes were getting pretty dirty. But it's Paris dirt! At the Ecole Militaire, I looped back and headed back toward the Seine. The Eiffel Tower loomed ahead. I ran underneath it and crossed the Pont d'Iéna. I sprinted up the ramp at the Palais de Chaillot one last time. (I didn't realize it til yesterday, but this neighborhood is at the top of a hill called the Butte Chaillot.) When I got to the top, I sat on the steps of the museum looking at the Eiffel Tower and the rest of Paris spread out below. We've had a great time the last two weeks, but I'm ready to get home. Phoenix, here we come! Activity Route: -- Elev. Avg: 119 ft Location: Neuilly-sur-Seine, Elev. Gain: +112 ft Date: 11/12/08 Up/Downhill: [+853/-741] Time: 07:00 AM Difficulty: 2.8 / 5.0 Performance Distance: 4.39 miles Time: 0:38:17 Speed: 6.9 mph Pace: 8' 43 /mi Calories: 609 Map Elevation (ft) Pace (min/mile) Splits Mile Pace (min/mile) Speed (mph) Elevation Gain actual +/- avg actual +/- avg 1 8' 28 -0' 15 7.1 +0.2 +63 ft 2 9' 09 +0' 26 6.5 -0.3 -53 ft 3 9' 38 +0' 55 6.2 -0.7 +62 ft 4 8' 57 +0' 14 6.7 -0.2 +16 ft end 10' 16 +1' 33 5.8 -1.0 +23 ft Versus average of 8' 43 min/mile

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