Annecy Adventure

Confession: Last weekend, I should have been running the Annecy Half Marathon.

I wanted to. I honestly, honestly did. My friend Amy was already signed up for the full Annecy Marathon and after hearing her talk about this amazingly beautiful course, I knew I definitely wanted to run too.

But:  The website was only in French. I needed a signed doctor's note to run. Registering would take ten or so minutes out of my already jam-packed day. I kept putting it off, and off, and off. 

The day after the Lisbon Half Marathon, I was on a total, total runner's high. I had just had one of the best races ever and I honestly couldn't wait to do another. As soon as we returned to our hostel, I pulled out my computer and started to sign up for Annecy.

It was full. I knew Annecy was a smaller race, capped at a couple thousand runners, but I still didn't expect it to actually fill up. There were so many other races that weekend! Vienna, Madrid, Zurich, Boston! Why were so many people running Annecy? Why did my race fill up?

Despite being bummed about not running the Annecy Half, I decided to make the most of a gorgeous weekend, and went to Annecy anyway. Ben, myself, and several other friends all joined Amy for a lovely pre-race day trip. We spent a beautiful afternoon walking around, playing on paddle boats, and eating fabulous pizza (even if I wasn't running with Amy, I saw no reason why I shouldn't still carb load with her.) Although I was a little sad when I saw countless runners toting their expo bags and scoping the course, I still had a spectacular day and thoroughly enjoyed the stunning little French town. 

as soon as we arrive in annecy, ben buys a snack. we've
been together nearly three years and I still have no idea
how he manages to eat so much. 

sunny park! I could definitely spend a lazy afternoon here. 

Lausanne is beautiful, but Annecy? Absolutely gorgeous. 

me + b :)

the water was so clear!

favorite picture. hands down. I kind of want to frame it... 

I always sort of assumed this building was a church, but it's not. It's a
prison. Who knew? 

Ben and Mikeal, eating snails. I can't understand how
people eat regular meat, much less snails...

A lot of folks call Annecy the "Venice of France". I can definitely see why. 

me + b, the sequel. 

so many flowers! I love spring. 

It wouldn't be a photo-heave travel post without a floral close-up, now
would it?

baby ducks! 

paddleboating! julianne sunbathed while amy and I pedaled. 

amy: paddler number one 

vanessa: paddler number two

SO much fun! I wish I could travel everywhere by paddle boat...

beautiful, beautiful, annecy.