Those of you who know me won’t be surprised to learn that (based upon preliminary assessment) I appear to be leading the “most mangled feet” competition among the 20 runners. Is it carelessness? Oblivion? Or running? I don’t know, but somehow the past week has witnessed the steady purpling of not just one, but both of my big toe nails. As a front toe striker, this causes some pain during the start of each run. But, I have experienced the painful decay of toenails before. And despite this minor inconvenience, I’m happy to report overall good health.

Of course, icing is part of a regular prevention routine—mostly for my left knee and more recently my tibialus anterior which became slightly inflamed, possibly due to lack of warm up before a “Chris and Polly” photo shoot, our diligent videographers, who take you to the most picturesque spots along the route where you can’t help but want to run! And back and forth you will run. I believe Paul mentions something about a “Chris and Polly photo shoot” in his blog 

I discovered that ice was as difficult to come by in Belgium as in France. On the outskirts of Brussels in a Flemish neighborhood, I found a kebab restaurant and headed in with my plastic bag, hoping someone inside would understand French or English. Two men (perhaps brothers?), who I discovered had moved from Iraq four years ago, brought me to the back of the kitchen, took out the sledge hammer, and managed to chop off a bundle of freezer burn from the freezer walls. Apparently they don’t make ice in Belgium either. I was very grateful for a full bag of ice, and attempted to explain to them what I was doing (half mime, half English). I’m not sure they understood. But, at least they recognized my sincere appreciation for the ice.