A new training spot

I was up bright and early today. Meeting with a small group of Irish athletes to drive to a spot to run. This place looked to me like it was an exclusive neighborhood and/or holiday resort in the works. Roads were finished but completely deserted, apartments and hotels empty and unoccupied. And to beat it all, a gorgeous golf course plonked right in the middle of it all. This was the first bit of grass I had seen since being here, and it was green, and alot of green. It stood out like a sore thumb. I don't think I saw a single golfer and I was so tempted to jump on, but knowing my luck I would have been run off there and embarassed the entire team. It was a very quiet, peaceful run and I enjoyed it thoroughly. This development had a 5.1k loop with bike track, and markings every 100m on the ground. Even as I was running I had some of the Irish team coaches handing out water, and throwing it over me, completely spoiled, crazy. You know me I am just a low key plug away myself type of person so this is all very strange to me. I guess everyone can enjoy a bit of pampering now and then.

Training
I ran 70mins nice and relaxed today. The day after a track session I like to run dead easy. Felt pretty good. The legs were a little tired and lazy from yesterday's session. This afternoon I did a core session and had another stretch out by the physio, as well as a light massage to loosen out the legs.


Todays little fact about Murcia - but firstly, I would like to point out that I am not actually in Murcia. However, I am in a small town that is part of Murcia called Las Alcazares. Part of the Murcia region of south-eastern Spain, Los Alcazares has a permanent population of around 15,000 though this increases to something like 150,000 during the busy summer season. Las Alcazares is half way along the inland coast Mar Menor. The Mar Menor is a salt-water lagoon of 128km sq with a sea temperature of 5 degrees above the Mediterranean. It is quite unknown to a lot of people and probably "Spains best kept secret". The area enjoys an average of 320 days sunshine a year. The mineral-rich water of the Mar Menor is revered for its health-giving properties and is listed by the World Health Organisation as one of the healthiest places on earth.



So I found my explanation for the warm and ridiculously salty water at the local beach. And now I am going to go and be healthy and take a swim.