by Day 1 – Ayia Napa
Ayia Napa is widely famous for its sculpture symposium, and since 2014 a vast area has been its combined Sculpture and Cactus Parks, a quite remarkable place – mostly Greek mythology but quite a lot else (including some inspired by the fossilised mini-hippos found here). There’s scope to develop and make a more rounded visitor experience as it matures, but the volume of sculpture in this huge cactus-laden park is quite astonishing, and like many good museums, there’s really too much to take in during one visit.
Day 2 – Larnaka Half Marathon
I’m very pleased with a new Half-Marathon PB, achieved despite a two-month foot injury. I woke to an impressive display of lightning across the bay, which produced some exceptionally heavy rain on the way into town. But I could see clearing skies to the west so waited till the rain had stopped before getting out of the car. That left wet road surfaces and a few large puddles, but fortunately the rain stayed away until a few drops fell in the last 500 metres.
I thought it somewhat poor event design around the start, with toilets and bag drop on opposite sides of the closed course while caused lots of us to vault the barriers while officials tried to discourage us, but otherwise it was an easy preparation for the start. I kept to or just ahead of my target pace, though I was close to my limits, and knocked 57 seconds off, which was more than planned. Sub-1h50 at Chelmsford in March is the next ideal goal.
Those running the full marathon were treated to more rain in the second half, so I was glad to have stopped at 21.1km.
It took my muscles a long time to stop cramping and allow me to get back into the car and return to the hotel, where the early start for the run meant breakfast was still being served. I piled my plate but actually struggled to eat it all – a shame as the food at the Novotel was really excellent.
I thought the reflection of the mosque on the salt lake during this morning’s race was lovely, so I popped back early afternoon for a walk to stretch my twitching leg muscles and grab a few photos. The last bit through the woods was much too muddy, but otherwise a delightful wander.
Day 3
A bit of gentle exploration today – a run up the hill behind Oroklini before a late breakfast, and three historic spots in Larnaca followed by a late lunch.
Day 4
Final morning, final activities…
