Day 263 – EU – France [Rest Day in Lapalisse]

23/12/20

 Rest day in Lapalisse (France, Europe)

Celebrating the first week of the re-start and exchanging about the journey

I was in a mood to celebrate today, the restart had been quite tough in terms of weather conditions but pleasant in terms of finding my legs pretty quickly once again. I read an article some time ago about “muscle memory” and whether that is what is helping me be back on track so quickly or something else, there is something to say about the incredible resilience of the human body. I figure as long as the engine is fed the fuel it needs (my desire to be on the journey) it will work alright.

I had a very enjoyable call with Serge Girard, one of the 6 world runners (who also is the world record holder). Serge has an incredible running pedigree with so many running adventures to his name. He has also written a great book about all his adventures “Le Marin des continents” (the continents’ sailor – not sure if it is translated in english). We both were born in Paris and grew up in Normandy, Serge is still living there, being the mayor of a Normand town. I am really looking forward to reaching Normandy early January and running a few kilometers by his side!

Lapalisse is a very pretty and hospitable village. This morning my hosts knocked at my door to invite me over for aperitif & dinner! Regine and Bruno gave me the best of welcome. We discussed travels, places, lockdown, hiking and the trails of France. Bruno is also a marathoner in his own rights, having run the Paris marathon a few times. I could have spent the whole evening talking with them, it was so pleasant. But I had to head home, take a last call and get a rest. Regine drove me home and generously gave me a few homemade coconut-cakes treats, which sure will come handy on my runs in the next few days!

A great rest day in quite an original town – Lapalisse is located on the “Nationale 7” road, the historical holiday-road of France. There is an annual event where ancient cars rally to Lapalisse to recreate the famous traffic jam in Lapalisse that was characteristic of the holiday rush at the start of the holiday season! Maybe one day I’ll return to see this event, it must be worth the sight ?