Spread My Ashes Here

"I want my ashes to be spread here," I thought to myself, my heart pounding harder than usual for running so slowly. My hands and forearms were bright red. I was ill equipped for the brisk air at 8,000ft after being forced to make a split decision on what to wear when the tram operator told me the last tram down was in 32 minutes. Seeing that I was planning on running at least 30 minutes for my afternoon run, I quickly striped off my pants and jacket opting for a short sleeve and running shorts. A couple of minutes later I would find there was a reason why, even though it is late July, I am running by patches of snow.

Despite the cold temperatures a huge smile was plastered on my face. There was no one else around except those in the gondola passing by a nearby ridge on the way to one of the many summits in St. Moritz, Switzerland and the huge gopher looking creatures scurrying all around me.

Never have I been in a place that has so captured me as in St. Moritz over the past week. The scenery is indescribable. The mountains are epic with trails winding wherever you would like to go. It seems like with every new run I find myself saying to myself this is my new favorite run of all time. Yesterday afternoon Sara and I took a tram to the top of a different peak and ran 50 minutes along a ridge that was like running on the rim of the world with stunning views the whole way. Afterward, we caught a local bus to a nearby village that had a huge spa with many different mineral baths throughout. After about an hour of soaking I was ready for bed I was so relaxed and warm, but we still had dinner waiting for us at our hotel. For dinner I enjoyed smoked Kangaroo for an appetizer, Kangaroo medallions for a main course, followed by a scoop of nut and mocha ice cream. Its days like this I believe I have the best job in the world.

The training for an elite athlete in St. Moritz is unreal. There are 100s of miles of flat trails if we want to stay flat, even more miles of adventurous single track and mountainous trails, a track, pools, asphalt 5k loops, mineral baths, physio, ect. Today, Sara and I ran on typical sender trail to a nearby glacier that was spectacular. There is not enough time to explore all this mountain has to offer. Tomorrow, Sara and I head to Zurich before catching a flight back to the states. I will miss this place, but Ill be back before I am ashes.