Day 76 – EU – France [Rest Day in Salon De Provence]

19/02/20

 Rest day in Salon De Provence (France, Europe)

Sightseeing, Tramontane and Mistral wind, a new pair of shoes and a well deserved rest

As in all rest days, I spent a fair bit of time on pedestrian admin tasks. I try to have 2 weeks worth of hotels booking ahead of me as I start each new week. Booking hotels entails looking at each stage in detail, studying the route, the kilometers, the terrain and profile. I try not to go above 48km a day and not below 30km. This is not only to maintain a 40km daily average, but also to keep the load and the demand on the body to a “reasonable” level.

The past week, for instance, was a high mileage week. Of the 6 running days, 3 were above 45km, and all runs were above 40km. But the terrain was easy and all runs were reasonably flat. I try to reach a balance and ensure that what I am putting my body through is sustainable.

I was well intent on enjoying my stay in Salon de Provence and going around town to see the sights! Despite the blue sky and sunshine, walking around was challenging as Mistral and Tramontane winds were blowing strongly and turning an otherwise pleasant day into a really cold one. I went around the two soap-making factories, a well preserved tradition, as well as the castle and the historical city centre.

I also got my new pair of running shoes, the 3rd of the world run, which I’m looking forward to trying out tomorrow!