Training Log: Torino

Instead of a pre-breakfast run I went on the indoor bike for 30 min. Actually, these bikes were outside and I could watch the waves crashing onto the rocks. The wind is still fierce and cold, but we were somewhat protected.

Getting out of the car at almost 2000 m we were greeting with very cold winds. I put on everything I had, but I did forget the pantlegs to my shorts. We climbed quickly through a very light pine forest, so pretty light-green on lava-black sand. The clouds moved in and out and sometimes we were protected from the wind and it was immediately nice and warm. After we turned all of a sudden for about 20 min it was sunny and warm with beautiful skies. Then the clouds moved in for real and we didn't see anything anylonger. Getting back to the car and heading downwards to the coast and some warmth.

Waking up to rain followed by pouring rain. But after 2 pm it cleared up and the sun came out. So amazing. However, the very strong wind prevailed. Went out for a run after 4 into very strong headwind along the coast. The waves were amazing, the sea is really furious it seems. At the end, I went a little further to explore and see whether it would be possible to continue after the houses and it was. Turned back though and the wind pushed me back home, that was fun.

The run was followed by some swimming, 10 min pretty much with an effort. This huge pool was heated salt water. I did not put even a finger above the water surface the air and wind were so cold and fierce. But it felt good. Did also a few stretches to alleviate my back pain, I hope.

First day on Teneriffe. Slept well for the first time in quite a while! But woke up with more back pain and very tight muscles. Did some stretches and went out the door with Urs for a pre-breakfast jog. It is so nice (for a change) to know this place, to know where to run and what to expect. I'm really enjoying this vacation as we had lots of unknow adventures on our travels these lase 2 months. I'm getting old and feel the stress and energy-sapping ways of travelling unknown areas where everything has to be figured out first and dealt with when things don't turn out as hoped.
But here we can kick back for a week.
The run/jog went better and better the further I went, the same loop I used to do last year. 20 degrees and sunshine, what could be better before a delicious breakfast outside under palmtrees?

Went up towards Monte Teide (3700 m, an extinguished volcano and highest peak of Spain!) but stopped along the way and did a loop around the volcano Chinyero which erupted in 1909 and we walked around the caldera mostly in a beautiful pine forest but occasionally traversing the jagged lava fields. It was a most enjoyable, easy hike on a well-marked trail. Lots of people on the trails most of them Germans, some Swiss!
A sunny day but still some cold wind occasionally. Had a view west over the Atlantic to the neighboring island Gomera and La Palma.
Still having back pain.