Only mad fools and Englishmen...

...(and people desperate to keep some semblance of fitness) go out in the mid day sun. Oh OK, it wasn't mid day at all but rather 5am (thats 4am UK time people - kudos please for my sheer determination!) that saw me trotting along the beach on the southern tip of Menorca for the past fortnight.

I decided not to take the bike as last year I saw no other cyclists, however this year, it seems to have exploded in popularity as a sport - both roadie and mountainbike - on the island much as it has elsewhere in the world! They have even built designated cycle paths alongside but raised off the main roads including white lines down the middle to separate the directions!

Early morning swim laps Binibequer beach

So yeah, had to 'make do' with swimming in azure blue coves and running along cliff tops that made my heart ache with their pure, unspoilt beauty. Oh and paddling and going in those ridiculously funny round boat things and snorkelling and other water sports (you at the back - stop giggling). Menorca was declared a Biosphere Reserve by UNESCO back in 1993 and so is the least touristy of the Balearics and even at the height of its tourist season - august - when mainland Spain also shuts down and migrates south - at 5am, you have the place to yourself (save the odd other runner). Its also about the only time of day temperature wise that this poor northern European body could hack running in! At nights it drops from average 32 - 36 deg C to 28 deg C with about 84% humidity but as the sun rises......eeeek!!! You know that scene in The Chronicles of Riddick where they're trying to outrun the sunscorch on Crematoria? That was me that was...

The first half of the second week I was less determined due to well, PMT and so decided to sod any exercise that didn't involve light toodling, drowning myself in Hierbas and giant prawns thus ruining any good work done in previous week :) however we moved villa to one on top of a very steep hill and as a result, for the first time ever...I maintained weight on holiday despite eating more food that I ever thought possible. I've also discovered a really hilly route for the roadie next time!

5am runs.... good for the soul

It was a great holiday and I'm now depressed about being back but was happy to get out for an easy couple hours on the roadie this morning to spin out the old muscles, stopping briefly at the shop to say hi and try out a new time trial bike the Boss had told me someone was selling. Its nice and it fits and I want it but I'm saving my money - there are plans afoot to return to the Island for longer at Christmas.

Anyway back to it tomorrow in earnest. Got a couple of 10k's coming up sooner than I'd remembered lol!