Slowly but surely

I can still only see the sea ahead of me but I am drawing closer to the coast of France, with a smidgen more than 86k covered since the beginning of the year.  No new pictures, as the view is the same, and the red line showing my progress only a little bit longer than last week.

Along the way I have gained some company, of sorts.  The daughter of a close friend has just started the Couch to 5K programme (inspired by me, I am proud to say!) and is very keen to (eventually) take part in a Park Run.  When I mentioned that there were Park Runs in France she seemed keener than ever, so as long as we both keep making progress we could be jogging through the Bois de Boulogne or the Parc Montsouris before the year is out!  Definitely something to aim for!  

When I lived in Paris I never so much as ran for a bus, let alone ran for fun, so it will be a new experience.  I don't remember ever seeing joggers on the streets - maybe I just don't remember them as running wasn't part of my consciousness (or even my vocabulary!) in those days, or maybe there wasn't such a drive towards fitness and activity back in the 80s.  Or perhaps it isn't a French 'thing'.  Looking at the lists of runners at the different Park Runs in France, the majority of names would indicate that the ex-pats, rather than the natives, are out in force on a Saturday morning.  I shall be able to see for myself soon enough!

So, until next week, when I hope to have cracked 100k, I shall say, 'A la prochaine!'