Carpe the Diem. Seize The Carp.

Hey! Long time no see! That’s probably what you’re saying right now. Yeah. Its been a while. I know. But! I’m back! So enjoy reading up!

Not too much happened between the return from Holland and where I stand right now packing to leave for Ireland. I spent most of my days running. Reading. And sitting around. Perfect.  I also changed up my plans a bit for the end of the trip post running.  Instead of going to Russia to watch the World Championships, I’ve decided to do a bit of traveling in my last two weeks and really try to take in as much Europe as I can.  That said I also spent a good amount of time planning the journey.  Still up in the air but tentatively Italy, Switzerland, France and Germany are on the itinerary.  Finally making it to the homeland. Hell yeah.

Like I said, I really did nothing until Friday when I ventured north a bit to Mora.  I have this unlimited bus pass so I figured might as well use it.  Mora was pretty cool.  I guess they have this massive 90km cross country ski race every year with like thousands of people and it ends in the city.  Pretty cool.  I never want to cross country ski 90km.  It made for some cool sights though.  

"Bull Mountain! Don't go changing!"-Papa Muntz

    

 I think that says “You’re now finished. Why would you ever cross country ski for 90 km?”

World’s Largest Wooden Horse. Aside from the Trojan Horse. That thing housed warriors.  This probably just houses mice.

  

Saturday we ventured into Falun for practice and then met up with a few of Martin’s friends to hang.  The day was spent hanging/swimming at this park/beach.  I don’t know what it really was.  Either way. Tan lines were in full effect.  From there we headed to one of the girl’s houses for dinner.  We played this weird Swedish lawn bowling type game thing.  Its just like little wood nubs in the ground. And you throw dowels at them to knock them down. And theres all these rules. And I don’t know. I really didn’t know what I was doing.  All I know is that it was cool.  I got to throw stuff.  I was awful at it.  And the girl’s won twice.  I hate losing.     

Sunday, Martin and I went to a local ski mountain that was probably a similar size to the ski mountain in Watertown where I tried learning to snowboard.  Pretty small.  They had this luge/toboggan type thing that you rode up using the T-bar and then raced down.  Now this is my kind of party. Martin and I decided to race down. I’m always down for a race. I ended up losing. By a lot. I hate losing.  But I didn’t hate this.  This ruled! 

Shit just got real!

After the race we checked out this concert venue created my a meteor like a million years ago.  It was just a giant hole in the ground with a lake and stage.  No pictures because we had to hoist ourselves on fences to see it. But take my word it was cool.  I’d be down to see Nickleback there.  No I wouldn’t.  Nickleback still sucks. 

That night I got my second Swedish lesson.  Today’s topic.  Pick up lines.  Yes, Ladies and Gentleman. Mitchell can now pick up chicks in Swedish.  Or at least attempt to.  It probably won’t work, but I have the capability!  I also learned some verbs and other important stuff.  I can now formulate sentences! I’m still no where close to fluent.  Whatever.  Pick up lines are the most important.

So this catches us up to today. Monday.  The day before I leave to go run in Dublin.  This is one of the meets that I’ve looked forward to the most on this trip.  I’m running the 400 hurdles in the Morton Games in Dublin, Ireland. I’m still amazed I got into this meet.  Quick back story I was originally rejected from it.  I woke up the following morning to a lane opening and them willing to pay for my flight, accommodation and food!  Talk about a 180 flip! Pretty nuts, but super awesome.  There’s a bunch of big names running and its going to be televised in Ireland and the UK.  And then all the races will be on Flotrack after the meet! My workouts have gone real well and with the shear speed of the field I’m in I really think I can run a pretty good time.  Guess we’ll find out. Until then I need to decide if I’m going to pack my wolf shirt or not.  Who am I kidding. Of course I’m going to pack it.