mountains & medicine.: Running Recap: While it's still warm

I few months ago, whenever I told people I was moving to Switzerland, I predictably got one of a few responses:

1. Send me some chocolate!

2. I hope you know how to ski!

3. How’s you French (or German, or Italian, or [insert another European language])? A lot of people are (rightfully) confused by what language is spoken in Switzerland. Just for the record, Switzerland has four national languages: French, German, Italian, and Romansh. I live in a French-speaking area. But I digress.

4. Hope you like cold weather!

It was this last one that always worried me. I could eat chocolate every single day of my life, skiing is quite possible my favorite sport, and learning a new language seems more like an exciting opportunity than a frustrating challenge. I do not, however, like cold weather. The moment it drops below 60, I’m reaching for sweaters, scarves, and boots; any lower and my ginormous coat and fluffy earmuffs (yes, I do wear earmuffs) get added to the mix as well.

Fortunately for me, it’s not earmuff season just yet, and although I have a feeling that the winter chill is just around the corner, for now at least, it’s sunny, bright and absolutely perfect for a mid-afternoon run by the lake.

not only is this running path lake side, but it's an actual
running path too-- paved in soft-on-the-knees dirt and gravel
instead of hard pavement.

donkeys!

running between the trees.

all fountains in lausanne offer potable water! perfect
for a mid-run sip.

willow, mountains, lake.

a bend in the pier.

saint-sulpice marnina

lac leman: switzerland is on the left; france is on the right.

a calm, clear, beautiful afternoon.

I was really surprised by how many people were out—playing lawn games, grilling out, or riding bicycles. I even saw one brave soul swimming! It seemed that, while it was still warm, everyone wanted to play outside.