Becky, Thom, Minken - this is for you!

While followers may not see much traffic on some of our blog posts, I will say that we often receive more e-mails from our posts than comments. This certainly was the case of my previous post on the culinary highlights of Belgium. So, in response to those e-mails, I am feverishly scrambling to publish a post that highlights one of the little known secrets of Belgium - now bear with me, as I try to make the connection to running, I'll get there PROMISE!

It was 5 years ago that I discovered my closet romance with the Tour de France. I was ashamed of my passion for the most unbelievable demonstration of athleticism that I had ever seen. Sure, I had watched clips on ESPN before, but really - what is more boring than a bunch of guys on bikes? Well, if you have never watched the Tour, or any biking event for that matter, you are missing something amazing.

Now, five years later, I am submerged into the cycling culture (as submerged as one can be without actually being a biker.) I wish that I had been as interested in this sport 18 years ago as I am now because if I had been, I would not have missed the Spring Classics (the Ghent-Wevelgem, the La Flèche Wallonne , La Doyenne and the Paris-Brussels.) These all take place in April - and I am hopeful that I can catch a glimpse of my favorite Belgian cyclist, Tom Boonen, as he attacks the cobbles this April. (gosh, he's beautiful!) But, 18 years ago, I could have at least done an ode to Eddy Merckx ride - right? I would certainly have known to look for a younger Johan Bruyneel (the mastermind tactician behind Lance's Tour de France Victories)

Which brings me to Lance Armstrong - impressive enough in his Tour de France fame! And, as we followers know, his history is still unfinished as he has decided to ride again this year! As I have embarked on what has proven to be an amazing journey of marathon training, I am constantly reminded of Lance's retirement and his decision to run a marathon. I have done a bit of reading into his training schedule and preparation for all three of his marathons. There were naysayers, for sure, but there were more people who were convinced that his lung capacity and his dedication to training would bring him in somewhere around 2hours and 20 minutes. Armstrong's time was 2 hours, 59 minutes and 36 seconds.(barely within the 3-hour goal that he set for himself.) For his next marathon, the seven-time Tour de France winner trained harder, was injury-free and drew upon the experience of running his previous marathon and despite the fact that he referred to his first marathon as "the hardest physical thing I have ever done," he completed in his second marathon in 2 hours, 46 minutes, 43 seconds! The latest marathon that Lance ran was the Boston Marathon (2 hours, 50 minutes, and 58 seconds.)

Now, I have two thoughts on this: 1 - the fact that this man, who has endured the Tour de France on many many occasions, winning 7 of them, says that a marathon is the hardest thing he has ever done makes me very nervous (not gonna lie.) 2 - the fact that this guy has said that and gone on the run two more marathons gives me hope.

There you go, friends. I am listening to your comments.