The Netherlands

Have you ever wanted to visit Eindhoven?  I didn't think so.  

Neither did I until I saw that they were hosting a half marathon.  It was just too convenient- 2 hour train ride from Dusseldorf and a 13:30 start time, which meant I didn't even need to get a hotel there. All I wanted to do was show up, run 13.1 miles, get my medal, and head right back on the train for my next destination. 

...and that's basically what happened, aside from a few little adventures that make traveling in Europe so much fun.  

The weather forecast was looking great until the day before the race, when it suddenly changed to a 90% chance of rain.  I hadn't actually registered yet, so I thought about just skipping the race altogether but then I realized that I would regret it.  After all, this year is all about seizing opportunities to travel.  When else will I have the chance to hop on a train for 2 hours and run a half marathon in The Netherlands?   

It was raining when I arrived in Eindhoven, so I went straight to the expo and reluctantly registered myself.  Then, I just sat around for a couple hours, listening to music and preparing for what felt more like a business meeting than a fun activity.  It's times like these that I question why I bother running so many races.  My heart wasn't in it and I just wanted the whole thing to be over.

As a last-minute registrant, I was assigned to the last corral (although I ended up sneaking into one of the middle groups).  It was actually kinda funny because one random runner mentioned to me that I was trying to go into the wrong corral.  I asked him where mine was located and, as he was asking the gatekeeper, I just snuck in and disappeared quickly.  Seriously, why did this guy even care? There are over 7,000 runners and I belong in the first corral anyhow.  I didn't feel guilty at all.  

I was still far enough from the starting line that I could barely hear the starting gun go off.  It was such an anticlimactic start to the run!  I told myself that I would just jog this one - especially with my 3-minute handicap at the starting line.  But, when you're being rained on and just want the race to be over, it is enough inspiration to run faster.  Throughout the first hour, my energy was building and I just kept passing people.  It helped to keep my mind off the fact that I had no music or desire to stay in the rain for longer than I had to.  

The course was very boring - mostly running through residential areas and 1970's-era buildings.  That said, the crowd support was quite good and there were a lot of bands - especially along the first 15k.  Once we looped back into the city center, things got a lot more exciting.  Bars lined the course and they were packed with people.  The ground was really slippery (between the rain, wet leaves, and slick bricks), but I managed to keep from falling.  It wasn't until this point that I realized just how many students are in Eindhoven, but they definitely helped the atmosphere. 

Here I am, about to cross the finish line. 

As I reached the finish line, I felt good about the race - especially considering how tired and unmotivated I felt just a few hours earlier.  I'm still frustrated that my performance is hindered by my right ankle, but that is out of my control.  Considering that I can't even stand on the balls of my feet without searing pain in my ankle, a 1:25 half marathon time is not bad.  

I accepted my finisher medal and quickly cleaned myself up for the train ride back to Germany.  On my way back to the station, I stopped along the course to cheer on a few runners and soak up the atmosphere a little more.  My support didn't last for very long because I was wary of the rain at this point.  

Doesn't this look like a pleasant way to spend a Sunday in Europe?

I don't think there are any sites to see in Eindhoven, so I'll just attach a picture of the one site that basically sums up my quick day trip: 

Here's the beautiful Eindhoven rail station

By this point, I had seen enough of Eindhoven so I thought it would be a good idea to catch an earlier train.  My ticket showed ** in the date/time fields, so I just assumed that it would be valid for any train between Eindhoven and Mainz that day.    

When the ticket collector approached my seat, he looked at my ticket and shook his head from left to right.  This is not a good sign, I thought to myself.  He said something in Dutch, to which I responded by asking if he spoke any english.  "Yes, of course" he responded.  "You will have to buy another ticket or get off at the next stop and wait for the train you have reserved."  

I did what any adventurous traveler would do: I exited at the next stop and viewed it as an opportunity to explore a new place for two hours!  The town is called Venlo and I have absolutely no idea what there is to do here. 

There was no place to lock up my luggage, so I just dragged it behind me as I walked along the cobblestone streets.  By this point, I probably just looked like a high-class hobo, as I clunked my way down the street with a camera in one hand and luggage in the other.  

It was actually a really cute town.  The shopping area was really quaint, with lots of Dutch-looking buildings, local restaurants, and a GIANT ferris wheel that was temporarily set up in a square that was about the size of a basketball court.  I smiled as I thought about how Europeans love squeezing so many things into such tight spaces. 

Here's what Venlo looks like...much more charming than Eindhoven

No better place for a ferris wheel...

By this point, I had made enough of a scene from wheeling my suitcase around the town, so I stopped at a bar near the station and enjoyed a couple Dutch beers before embarking on the remainder of my journey. 

I love my blonde beers!

On my way back to the station, I realized that all I had eaten since before the race was 2 granola bars, so I was actually a little drunk. I grabbed a quick sandwich, relaxed into my seat, and looked at my souvenir for the day's work.  When all was said and done, it was a good day trip to The Netherlands.  

It was worthwhile in the end