Now Ikea, Now I don't

 

It is fair to say we had a bit to get done this morning, and so were up with the lark studying the tram routes, buying 3 days passes, and selecting running kit for all seasons to head to our respective destinations. Chrissi was to try one of the Gothenburg parkruns, whilst I moved in a different direction towards the Slotsskogsvallen Stadium

I was busily looking at different combinations at the tram stop outside the Radisson (Central Station) when I saw an old guy in running gear and decided to make my approach. You can get away with that sort of stalking in the running community and in doing so I got on the right line and speedy direction to the station. Also learnt a lot about the history of Gothenburg en route, in particular the propensity of things to burn down (wooden houses see)

Also got a bit of sense of the history of the race I was about to run and the stadium which it starts from. In terms of races it is the smaller Gothenburg run in terms of numbers, its larger brother/sister in May is actually the biggest Half in the world which I was surprised at with the likes of the Great North etc But have BBC fact checked this and tis true, but on a different course to what I run today, but still starts / finishes in the stadium.

Onto the Stadium, picked my bib up in the indoor bit, plenty of other sports in the complex. But the actual stadium dates back to the 1920s and saw some serious athletic history in the 1940s I hear. A general point about many records broken on that track but the one I think that resonated is the mile record set there several times by a chap called Gunder Haag. Guess who it was that ended up breaking his record, a fella called Roger Bannister!

So my half marathon journey began on the same track, although the course itself was not that exciting, a 6 mile stretch down to the coast where a couple of miles of scenic coastline did provide distraction before the real slog inbound. Not firing on all cylinders with the running but held it together slightly better than Cardiff last Sunday and a nice cycle path, only a bit up and down, and came in at around 1:48 which is probably about as good as it gets at the moment. Gower Ultra in 2 weeks ...

Sat in the wooden stand afterwards (am seeing some clues here) eating a sandwich (not shrimp) and clapping in some other finishers. Chrissi eventually joined me to take a few photos and make the journey back to the city centre.  Needed to shower and change before a late afternoon of relaxed exploration.

Took a right (after a left) from the hotel to take a search for a nearby football stadium. Got a bit confused when I came across 2 stadiums. One is Galma Ullevi a newish one built on an older one, and is the home ground of 3 football clubs and the highly talented Swedish womens football team. A little further down the road is the actual Ullevi stadium, mentioned to me yesterday as the place Pele scored against Wales in the 1958 World Cup. Pretty excited by that, but surrounded by construction and perhaps lacking much connection with the past, so I had to use my vivid imagination!

Wandered back into the centre of town, through a shopping centre in search of sustenance. Had to sacrifice authenticity for hunger with a Costa Coffee type place called to wolf down a tuna focaccia. Chrissi had heard stories of a famous fish market so we took a tram and a walk out that way. A very swanky wine bar set in a church, but the downside for me, amongst all the high fashion and over priced drinks, was it stank of fish. If you like that kind of thing, and want the daily produce then fill your boots. We took a walk back into town for something a little more cosy.

We'd noted that quite a few hardy souls enjoy their early evening drinks under blankets and heaters on lounge style sofas outside bars. I quite liked the look of that so we found a position, ordered a sweet cider, and people watched at dusk.

Took the cosiness into a nearby wine bar for a less cold drink, and considered our dining options. Very much fancied trying one of the many far east restaurants out here. Had seen one called Mr Lac, not a Bond villain, but fusion cuisine. Took a punt and it paid dividends. Slightly 80s neon, but unbelievable food. A whisky sour to complete the warming process, then chilli shrimps (in cheese?) to start fusing. But the spicy chicken main, sticky, peanuty, spicy, chille, and so many flavours, possibly the nicest meal I've had in a good while. And vegi stuff for Chrissi, so many flavours in her Penang, I had to try some of that too!  

What a good day it has been, so many experiences, so much learning, knackered !