Lötschental
I have always wanted to visit the remote Swiss valley called “Lötschental“. It’s in a mountainous area that is very difficult to access. As a result, it has been isolated from the outside world for many centuries.
In 1919, a train tunnel was built and it became easier to reach the valley. To this day, the quickest way to access Lötschental is by using a car shuttle train.
When I saw that there was a half-marathon in this valley, I immediately signed up. We rented an electric car, drove to the Lötschenberg tunnel and boarded the train with the car. After a 15-minute train ride, we arrived at the other side.
And entered a world where seemingly time has stood still.
The car shuttle train.
A few hundred people live here spread across five tiny villages. It is a cul-de-sac valley with very little traffic. In fact, the main road is closed at night.
I was amazed how quiet it was – without the sound of cars or trains, you could hear the river burbling, children playing and people chatting in their small gardens. It was so peaceful.
A typical village. 
See the mask next to the door?
This isolated valley is also home to a wealth of tales, legends and myths. One of them is the spooky hand-carved masks that scare away bad spirits.
I hated them. I don’t like anything to do with “ghosties”. I don’t like scary films or books. I wish Halloween was never invented.
But here I was, stuck in the valley of monsters. They were everywhere: hanging on doorposts, sitting on balconies, standing in gardens…everywhere!
In the hotel lobby 
Monster fountains 
Our hotel key. Why?? 
At the race location.
After a restless night (dreaming of monsters), we were at the starting line at 10am. We were only 47 runners – 18 women and 29 men. The field looked young and strong.
During the first kilometre, I thought my legs were of lead. It felt as if I was running in slow motion through molasses. Was it a bad monster spell?
“How on earth am I going to survive for another 20k?” I was worried. I decided to stubbornly hang on and hope that my usual catch-up game with Kai would wake up the lazy legs.
We climbed and climbed and I was still struggling. I started to alternate running with speed-hiking. Thankfully, being such a small race, there wasn’t much overtaking happening, so at least I didn’t feel stressed by other runners. Precisely at the halfway mark, we reached the highest point of the race. From then on, it was almost all downhill. Ah, this felt better!
I finally caught up with Kai at kilometre 15 and we both flew towards the finish line. I hoped that we would manage to get in under 2h 15min, and we did!
Pre-race selfie 
Our route 
Hanging bridge 
857m of evelation (2’800ft) 
Towards the end.
We both finished in 2h 14m, Kai placed 4th of 8 in his age group (overall 15th of 29). I placed 1st in my age group… out of 2! (overall 10th out of 18).
We got post-race “Swiss Alpine Macaroni“, a hearty mix of pasta, potatoes and cheese and served with apple sauce. I also thought it was a nice gesture that every runner got a little present with local treats. Better than an ugly race shirt!
There was a small award ceremony which was slightly awkward when only two people are in a category. For a horrible moment I thought they were going to award me one of their monsters, but I got two bottles of wine instead. Yay!
Post-race photo 
Monster banner 
Monster volunteer shirts
Alpine Macaroni with apple sauce 
The kids got presents that included…. 
…a monster necklace.
Our finisher baggies with… 
…cheese, salami, chocolate and… 
…fruit cake!
Award ceremony 
First out of two 🙂 
Wine for the win!
- Monsters! Do you like scary books and films?
- Do you like Halloween?
I’m joining Kooky Runner and Zenaida’s link-up, Tuesday Topics. I’m also joining Runner’s Roundup with Mile By Mile, Coach Debbie Runs, Confessions of a Mother Runner, Runs with Pugs and Laura Norris Running.
I would love to visit a quaint and remote village like that! Living in the city can be very stressful and noisy!
No, I don’t particularly like scary things either, especially horror movies, but I don’t mind Halloween. It was very special to witness it in the USA, where some people really go all out and decorate their whole front yard. And of course, I love candy, so it’s the perfect holiday for me.
The race looks hard but great because of the wonderful scenery you got to enjoy!
It was so relaxing, Kat! What a contrast to a city – especially a busy city like London.
While we were there I was wondering whether you had visited Lötschental before. If you haven’t, that’s something for next year’s agenda. 🙂
That’s true about Halloween in the US. I was quite surprised to see what a big thing it was compared to how low-key it is in Europe. Good point about the candy! The silver lining, right? 🙂
Liebe Catrina, ” we both flew towards the finish line ” – YES !! Sag’ ich doch, darauf habe ich schon die ganze Zeit gewartet !! Bravissimo !!
Schon wieder ein Wettkampf – sozusagen Schlag auf Schlag !! Und das gespickt mit Monstern !! Öfter mal was Neues ! Wieder viele schöne Bilder von deinem erneuten Abenteuer.
Monster-Filme, Monster-Bücher – da bin ich ganz bei dir hat mich noch nie interessiert, genauso wenig wie Halloween, das ja irgendwann von USA zu uns herüber kam und jetzt auch hier seit vielen Jahren gefeiert wird – aber – wie gesagt ohne mich !!
Ein Abenteuer jagt das andere, wer weiß, was noch alles aus der Schweiz von euch kommen wird !
Erhole dich gut – und wie ich dich ” kenne “, steht schon bald wieder ein schnuckeliger Lauf an – oder ???????????
Frische Grüße von der Ostsee……………
Liebe Margitta
Zum Glück ist es endlich mal abwärts gegangen! Das Aufwärts-Gekrieche war ja nicht auszuhalten.
Es war ein interessanter Ausflug. Die schönen kleinen Dörfchen waren wie in der Zeit stehen geblieben. Für nächsten Samstag steht mal kein Lauf an, sondern eine Radtour. Einige Alpenpässe werden für Autos geschlossen, so dass man mit dem Fahrrad hochradeln kann. Das habe ich noch nie gemacht, ich bin gespannt!
Du bist auch kein Monster-Fan! Die Kinder im Lötschental müssen wohl alle Halloween-Fans sein… die sind ja durch die Masken schon ziemlich abgehärtet. 🙂
Danke! Geniesse deine Läufe an der schönen, erholsamen See – ich hoffe, es ist inzwischen wieder leerer bei dir.
Liebe Grüsse aus dem bewölkten Zürich!
Oh no, I don´t care for monsters, scary movies or Halloween either! Luckily Halloween is not a huge thing in Finland.
Running is a fickle thing: sometimes you feel like flying and sometimes your legs weigh a ton.
I’m glad I’m not the only one, Riitta!
Same here in Switzerland! Traditionally, it’s a very solemn affair on the 1 November to remember the dead. In recent years, the entertainment industry and stores have tried to commercialize it. Thankfully, they haven’t made a big breakthrough.
Yes!! Running is so unpredictable! Without rhyme or reason – it always leaves us guessing! 🙂
We are very alike, Catrina. I want nothing to do with monsters, ghosts and Halloween. This is all big in Canada, starting in early September and right up to Halloween. You just can’t get away from it.
What an incredible amazing area to visit and run a race. An area where there is no sounds of cars would be paradise. You did incredible on your race. That’s a lot of climbing. Congratulations to you and Kai! 🙂
I knew you would not like the monsters either, Carl!
It’s strange how it’s such a big thing in Canada and the US. Here in Europe, 1 November is a day to remember the dead and is a solemn affair. People visit the graves of their loved ones and bring flowers.
In recent years, there have been efforts to commercialize it… but fortunately, it hasn’t gained a foothold.
You would have loved this valley. It felt so pristine and pure. If it hadn’t been for the odd car and electricity, it would have felt like two centuries ago. The race route was enjoyable, but I was glad when we were finished. Thank you, Carl!
lol…you know me very well, Catrina. I am so happy there remains pristine valleys such as Lötschental on our planet. 🙂
Me too, Carl! 🙂
Liebe Catrina,
oh, was für malerische Dorfimpressionen! Warum kenne ich das Lötschental noch nicht, ich muss da mal meinen personal expert tadeln… 😉 Das Profil des Laufs ist ja schon eine Hausnummer… nur aufwärts erstmal. Ok, da fliegt es sich umso leichter dann ins Ziel. Herzliche Gratulation an euch, und dir besonders für “Catching Kai” und den Gewinn der AK! Es liest sich nach einer wunderbaren familiären Veranstaltung. Nur die Sache mit den Monstern, ich finde die (Brauchtum hin oder her) sehr furchteinflößend und möchte keinem dieser Gesellen bei Nacht begegne! Allerdings wären sie vielleicht als Pacemakrer mal was neues, da rennt man gleich nochmal eins schneller… hihi.
Ich hatte fast vermutet, du wärst am Greiffensee unterwegs, aber dieser Lauf im Lötschental war es definitiv wert!
Horrorfilme und -literatur ist gar nicht meins. Bei Halloween finde ich inzwischen manche Deko, wenn sie witzig und augenzwinkernd ist, gut, aber nicht die voll auf Grusel angelegten Sachen.
Liebe Grüße aus dem sonnigen Köln!
Elke
Liebe Elke
Genau! Frage mal deinen Hausexperten! Es ist gar nicht so weit weg für euch. Es wäre eine nette Tagesreise, am besten in Verbindung mit einer schönen Wanderung.
In der Fasnachtszeit geht’s im Lötschental besonders wild zu und her: da kommen diese Monstergestalten (“Tschäggätte”) und jagen am Abend die Leute von der Strasse weg. Das wäre nichts für dich (oder für mich)! Aber deine Idee mit dem Pacemaker ist genial und wäre bestimmt sehr wirkungsvoll!
Danke dir! Die Höhenmeter waren irgendwie schwieriger als sonst, ich kam nicht vom Fleck. Zum Glück war Kai da als Ansporn.
Stimmt, der Greifensee war ja auch noch! Nur gefällt mir dieses Format nicht so. Irgendwie fehlt da die Stimmung, wenn jeder für sich an einem Wochentag alleine um den See trippelt. Hoffen wir, dass es nächstes Jahr wieder zum ursprünglichen Wettkampfmodus angepasst werden kann.
Liebe Grüsse aus dem sonnigen Zürich!
I wonder what it would be like to actually live in a village like that? We’d probably have to detox.
I’ve never been a huge fan of Halloween. I’m ok with scary movies — sometimes I like them — if they actually have a plot, though, and aren’t too gory. Movies are another type of prana, actually, everything you take in is. 🙂
Congrats to you both! Awesome job on a tough race. I love the treats you got! And you reminded me it’s about time to get the fruitcake we discovered last year that is SO good!.
I wondered about that too, Judy. I don’t think I could live in such a rural area, but it was really nice to visit (except for the monster part!) 🙂
I agree, “intelligent” scary movies with a good plot can be really good – I’m thinking of Hitchcock. But films like “The Lord of the Rings” already are too much for me. I’m not sure if the book is better?
Thank you! The treats lasted exactly one day and then we had gobbled it all up. It was the best fruit cake ever – I hope you can get yours this year, too!
Oh wow! That looks like good fun!
It was, Birdie! You would have loved the treats in the goodie bag, especially the fruitcake!
Yum! Such a civilised goodie bag!
I love the quiet and relaxing places with few people and where time seems to flow slower.
I am not a “lover” of monsters, ghosts and halloween.
Congrats on the though race and the 1st place.
I like that kind of post-race.
I also prefer local products/food instead of the usual t-shirts full of advertisements.
Places like that can be so relaxing, Stefano!
Is Halloween a big thing in Italy? Or is it more like here – a day (1 November) when people visit the graves of their dead loved ones?
Thank you – the post-race atmosphere was very nice.
Exactly! It’s more environmentally friendly too, considering that most runners just get rid of the T-shirt later on.
Here Halloween has become an opportunity for young people to celebrate late into the night.
In Italy the day to visit the graves is nov. 2nd.
Ah, I see.
Interesting that your grave-visiting date is a day later!
🌞Congrats on meeting your time goal.🏃♀️💨
Such a fun HM
Love the monster valley HM race. Love the finish bag & that mac meal. Wine a good catch. What wine was it? Local? White?
I like your honesty about being 1st of 2 in your AG. 🌞
Did they call it the matriarch award like that other race?🤣
A race to do over again.⭐
Thank you, Yves!
It turned out to be quite a fun event… once the elevation was conquered and it was all downhill.
The wine was local – a red Pinot Noir and a white wine from a grape called “Johannisberg”. I haven’t tried it yet, but I’m looking forward to tasting it soon!
Haha, we didn’t get the matriarch award on this one, thankfully! 🙂 (And to be honest, the Swiss don’t have that South African kind of humour!) 🙂
Have a wonderful week!
Funny to get Johannisberg wine! Special for you I am guessing!🤣🤣🤣 Keep on running!🏃♀️💨
🎃☠⚰Hallowe’en here is not just about monster & creepy things. It is also a costuming event! Many people like designing costumes, researching the costume & then role playing for fantasy. No monsters at all. Just fun🥳
Now I have to say that it WAS special… because we have already emptied the bottle, haha!
Dressing up into fancy costumes sounds like great fun, especially when the outfits are well made. This makes me wonder kind of characters that you have dressed up as… 🙂
Eek! The monsters are pretty scary. I was certain that this story was going to end with you getting a monster medal. Two bottles of wine is much better!
I do enjoy suspenseful books and movies to a point – once that point gets crossed my adrenaline gets tapped out and I’m done.
Ha, that would have been a very fitting ending to the story, Birchie! Or with a race T-shirt with monsters all over it. I’m so glad I got the wine!
Yes! I agree that suspense is a good thing. You put it very nicely – when it becomes exhausting, it loses its attraction.
I’m not a huge fan of Halloween so the monsters freaked me out a little bit, lol. But this is definitely a unique place for a race!
Aren’t the monsters horrible? Imagine being a kid and growing up with monsters all over the place.
It was lovely to race, Kim. At least, the downhill part was enjoyable. 🙂
Okay….I don’t care for monsters (I hate horror films), but the art geek in me is intrigued with the masks. So long as the masks are not attached to a body, that is LOL. I, also, was expecting a mask-medal as your AG award…but the wine was a better fit 🙂
I hate horror films, too, Kim! True, vom an art perspective, the masks are well done. They are all hand-crafted from wood and you can even take a course to learn how to do it.
Haha, I’m so glad I got wine!!
That looks like a cute town! Although I’m with you on the monsters. I hate it all and it would totally leave me a bit uneasy. I love that the race gave each runner a goodie bag with local treats. Plus, the wine bottles sounds like a great prize!
The tiny villages were so lovely, I really liked the flowers hanging from the windows and balconies. The goodie bags were great, Virjinia! It was all eaten by the next day, especially the fruit cake was delicious. Yay for wine!!
Liebe Catrina,
wenn man ständig Wettkämpfe läuft, dürfen auch mal bleiernde Beine vorkommen 😀 Aber zusammen mit dem Downhill kann es so schlimm nicht gewesen sein, wenn Ihr bei dem Profil nur 2:14 Std. gebraucht habt, Gratuliere Euch beiden.
Dieses Tal steigert die Bilderbuchidylle der Schweiz ja noch einmal deutlich. Wenn auch die Abgeschiedenheit zu seltsamen Stilblüten geführt hat. Anreise mit dem Autozug einnert mich hingegen an Sylt, da geht es ja auch mit so einem Shuttle-Zug rüber.
Grusel- und Horror ist auch so gar nicht mein Metier und Halloween geht mir nur auf die Nerven 😉
Die Petunien-Pracht an dem Haus ist absolut der Hammer, so schön!
Liebe Grüße
Volker
Danke, lieber Volker!
Ich glaube, ich muss den Beinen jetzt erst mal Ruhe geben, sonst werden die nicht mehr fit. Am Samstag geht’s auf’s Fahrrad, dann haben sie wenigstens etwas Abwechslung.
Das wusste ich gar nicht mit Sylt. Ich hatte mir immer vorgestellt, dass es eine Autobrücke gibt. Cool!
Als wir durch den Tunnel fuhren, war es übrigens stockdunkel – kein einziges Licht. Schon da fing das Gespenstische an…
Es ist wirklich interessant, wie fast alle eine Abneigung für Halloween und Horror haben. Schön zu wissen, dass man nicht alleine ist! 🙂
Geniesse deinen Resturlaub und macht ein paar schöne Ausflüge!
Liebe Grüsse aus dem sonnigen Zürich!
What a fun race! I would love to visit somewhere like that, so quiet. But i’m with you about the monster masks, lol! It’s kind of quaint. The car train is interesting. I swear, for such a tiny country, Switzerland is just fascinating!
The race route was lovely, Wendy! I said to Kai that we need to go back and hike it to enjoy the surroundings more. Maybe next time I’ll be mentally better prepared for the monsters, too!
We have been focusing on discovering new places in this tiny country and I am amazed at how there is to explore!
oh wow those masks are something else! What a fun venue for a race. Congratulations on winning your AG. You have had some fun races lately
Thank you, Deborah! We have been spoilt with some interesting races in the past few weeks. The next one will be in three weeks in Berne, it’s a 10-miler through the city. It’s a nice way to explore places!
I’m not much for monsters, Halloween and scary things. Masks aside, what a beautiful location! Congrats on your AG 🙂
Thank you, Michelle! It’s interesting how many dislike the scary stuff. I’m so glad I’m not the only one who doesn’t embrace Halloween! 🙂
I’m not really into monsters or scary stuff either. But that town sounds so intriguing! Very cool that you took a train car to get up there. And congrats on your race- wine is the best award I think!!
These tiny villages were amazing. They only have a few hundred inhabitants – and only one of them had a tiny grocery shop (which was closed over the weekend). Exactly, Lisa – wine should be the standard at races! 🙂
Liebe Catrina,
also ich kann da nicht mit Abneigung gegen Horror dienen, in meiner Jugendzeit habe ich sämtliche Zombie- und Freddy Krüger Filme mit Begeisterung konsumiert! 😀
Und die Masken sind ja außerdem keine Monster, sondern haben ja Tradition und ihre Funktion. Bei uns gibt es ja die Perchten, die auch sehr kunstvoll sein können.
Leider wird aus diesen Traditionen immer öfter nur ein Volksfest zum Besäufnis gemacht, genau wie aus Halloween ein Konsumhype wurde. Schade um die eigentliche Bedeutung.
Aber jetzt mal zum Wesentlichen: gratuliere dir, diesen sicher megaanstrengenden Lauf trotz Bleibeinen so souverän durchgezogen zu haben! Vielleicht wäre eine kurze Erholungspause wirklich nicht so schlecht? 😉
Was, liebe Doris?! Du, ein Horror-Fan??! Damit habe ich jetzt nicht gerechnet!
Ich habe gerade “Perchten” gegoogelt – wow! Die Masken sind ja noch etwas gruseliger als die im Lötschental. Aber der geschichtliche Hintergrund dazu ist sehr interessant. Schon wieder was gelernt – danke!
Richtig: der Konsumhype um Halloween ist ein Ablöscher. Der ursprüngliche, ehrwürdige Gedanke geht darin völlig verloren. Ich bin nur froh, hat es hier in Europa (noch) nicht die krassen Ausmasse wie in den USA angenommen hat.
Danke dir! Yep, jetzt müssen wir uns wirklich erholen. Schliesslich wollen wir am GP Bern keine Bleibeine haben! 😉
Such an awesome race except for the hill. Lol
Congrats. You guys did great.
I love getting dressed up for Halloween. Yes on scary movies too.
The hill was quite a workout! I’m amazed that some could do this in 1h 40 mins and faster.
Ah, you are one of the scary movie lovers. I wouldn’t have guessed that, Darlene! 😄
Wow- what a cool experience!!! I’m glad you didn’t get a race shirt- it might have had a monster on it. The town’s obsession with monsters is fascinating. I guess I’m kind of neutral towards them- they don’t scare me, but I would rather look at something prettier.
When I looked at the course elevation, I knew why your legs felt like lead for the first half!!! Congratulations on running a strong race. I’m glad you won your age group, otherwise you would have come in last. 🙂
That was my fear too! What would I do with a monster-race-shirt?! Or a monster medal? Or a miniature monster to take home? Yikes!
Thank you, Jenny. You are right, that’s another way of looking at it: it was either first or last in my AG… I’m glad I got in before the other lady, haha!
Hi Catrina,
Congrats on having won 1st place in the race 🙂
This place looks really weird and beautiful at the same time. Seems this is the place where Grimms fairies could have taken their inspiration as well.
I know places like that in the Harz region “The famous Blocksberg” where the “witches” go dancing every year.
However, seems like a beautiful run, even with fast hiking interludes in such a beautiful scenery.
I am attempting to go for my first cross country run on 11 Nov, “The Steinhart Lauf” in Münsterland, and have no clue how to get there in terms of performance – almost like your attempt last year with the 5 k and then running an ultra after ….wow.
So, I am doing what I can and will hopefully not chicken out once the day arrives – harhar.
Greeting to Kai as well from Germany.
Ginger
PS: Keep up the Sauerkraut 🙂
Thank you, Ginger!
You are right, the Grimm brothers would have loved this place. I’ve heard of the term “Walpurgisnacht” but never of the “Blocksberg” and just looked it up. So interesting! The things I’m learning this week. 😉
How exciting, Ginger!!! I just looked for it on the internet – is it the “Steinhart500”? I see they offer 14k, 28k and 42k with the option to quit after every 14k-loop. I would love to do a race like that! What length have you signed up for?
I would just do it as a fun run – no need to stress yourself, especially since this is one of the first races since the pandemic started.
Enjoy it and let us know how it went!!
Greetings back! Going to get my daily portion of Sauerkraut right now! 🙂
How fun! Well, except the masks and the obsession with monsters. Very interesting about the town’s obsessions with monsters. Overall it looks like a very pretty town!
Congrats on another race!
The villages were so pretty! I loved the quiet and slow-paced lifestyle.
Thank you, Zenaida! 😄
Soso, liebe Catrina,
da fährste ins Lötschental und denn haste Angst vor so ne Monster! – Dir zum Trost, ich mag sie auch überhaupt nicht, nich die Gruselfiguren, keene Horrorfilme und schon gar nich Halloween. Letzteres auch nicht, weil es auch noch den Reformationstag mehr und mehr zu verdrängen scheint.
Die Masken im Tal, naja, würden mir auch nicht gefallen, könnte ich aber fürs Wochenende “übersehen”! Zumindest könnte ich trotzdem gut schlafen. 🙂
Aber es war wohl ein schöner Lauf, auch wenn es erst mächtig und ermüdend hoch ging. … und obwohl das Runtergerenne nich so deins ist, war es diesmal super dienlich! 😉 Schön auch, dass du deinen Kai wieder einfangen konntest. So is Weglaufen für ihn keine Option mehr! 😛
Herzlichen Glückwunsch für eure Platzierungen und für deinen AK-Sieg. Egal wieviele mitgelaufen sind, du hast Strecke, Gegnerin und Monster besiegt. Die anderen hatten nur noch mehr Angst.
Alles Gute und radel die Müdigkeit mal raus!
LG Manfred
Lieber Manfred
Wusste ich doch, dass die gruseligen Monster auch nicht so dein Ding sind. 🙂
Ich bin froh, dass sie keine Masken im Hotelzimmer aufgehängt haben. Ich glaube, dann hätte ich ein Badetuch darüber werfen müssen.
Die Umgebung war wunderschön – eigentlich fast zu schade, um rennend da durchzuhetzen. Eines Tages möchte ich da zurückgehen und ein bisschen wandern. Wir sind an zwei wunderschöne Seen vorbeigekommen, aber leider hatten wir keine Zeit zum Fotografieren. Das Runterlaufen war diesmal eine willkommene Abwechslung!
Haha, eine Kommentatorin meinte, wenn ich nicht erste geworden wäre in meiner AK, dann wäre ich letzte geworden. So bin ich froh, dass ich wenigstens die andere Dame geschlagen habe! 🙂 Und die Monster haben wir dann am Ende des Tages auch besiegt. 😉
Danke dir! Morgen geht’s los! Ich habe etwas Angst, den Berg mit den Klickpedalen hochzuradeln… jetzt muss Kai noch die Pedalen umbauen, der Arme.
Liebe Grüsse und erhole dich gut von Berlin!
Yay for wine!
I hate monsters, and those masks are freaking me right out. We are currently enmeshed in a battle in my house: the kiddo wants to watch all the terrifying movies, and I’m like nope nope nope. We can watch The Nightmare Before Christmas, thank you.
Oh, that must be quite a challenge! I understand why a young kid is attracted by “monster movies” and it must be challenging for parents. I’m with you on the nope nope nope stance, Jenn!
Ok, they sound a liiiittle twisted, in that village, with all the monsters 😀 Probably due to the isolation…fertile ground for spooky tales.
Anyway, great recap! Thanks for taking us on this journey to this remote place that sounds really cool. Congrats on completing the race! Glad they gave you guys wine and not monster souvenirs lol.
Ps: in the photo where you asked if we noticed the mask…i was looking for blue covid masks. It took me a sec! 😀 It’s a sign of the times.
I think so too, Firefly! I think hundreds of years of isolation does give rise to some scary myths.
Thank you! It was a very interesting experience. We really have to go back there one day for a hike. It was a shame to race through all the beautiful surroundings without taking the time to appreciate it properly.
Haha! I never thought of that! Just sees how the pandemic has changed our perception. Great observation, Firefly!
Congrats on winning your age group! Even out of two still means a win! I’m not a huge fan of scary movies and Halloween decorations. Some of the Halloween decorations out on people’s lawns give me a startle when running in the dark!
Thank you, Laura!
Haha, the first out of two is still better than the last of two, right? 🙂
Things like luminous skeletons would scare me too! I’m glad that Halloween decorations are not a big thing in Switzerland.
Wow – what a cool village. I definitely would like to visit that. I really expected some kind of monster in the race swag – you must have been disappointed ;). 857 HM – no wonder the first half felt tough – that’s A LOT of uphill! Congrats on your age group win!
You would have enjoyed the rustic feel in these little villages, Roni. I was so disappointed that I didn’t get a monster! 🙂
Thanks! It was either first or last in my age group… I was glad I was first this time!