August 31, 2019
Border hopping for a milestone
Divonne-les-Bains to Yverdon-les-Bains, with another Swiss train ride
If anyone had suggested a decade ago that I would be capable of running the 500km from my old workplace, St Peter's School, Cambridge, to Wellington, New Zealand's cool little capital city, I'd have probably offered them a nice cup of tea and a lie-down.
Well, as it happens, they would've been right. I've done just that. In 5km stages, week by week, over four years, thanks to the magic of parkrun . And I'm absolutely chuffed.
The Very Important Event that I may have mentioned more than once in this journal was the completion of my 100th parkrun this morning - which is Quite a Big Thing in parkrun world. So, the VIE is a QBT. Crystal clear?
It was also the reason for our trek to Divonne-les-Bains, straight off the plane in Zurich on Thursday morning. Parkrun is not yet any sort of thing in Switzerland, which called for a border crossing into France. Getting to Divonne in recent days has entailed a few train rides, and the return leg, in order to head into France via Basel, may well involve one or two more. Needs must.
After the obligatory post-run coffee - something embedded in parkrun culture no matter where in the world - it is time to start the return journey. Another hot day, another eyeful of stunning Swiss scenery . . . This time, we mostly manage to hug the shores of Lac Léman (Lake Geneva), on trails that range from quiet country lanes to tree-rooted off-road tracks. We share the route with many, many locals enjoying a late summer's weekend outing on the lake.
Our destination is Renons, a handy train hub we've used before. From here, a 25 minute ride takes us to Yverdon-les-Bains, and a big step closer to our next border crossing, into France again.
It is the best of days.
This spot is where the day's map should be. Today's lesson: end Ride with GPS app before getting onto train.
Today's ride: 53 km (33 miles)
Total: 162 km (101 miles)
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