I am finally starting to connect with some of the runners in the group (even though it is sort of late as I only have three runs left before I head back to Alexandria). The young man (Laurent) who was the DJ at the run last Tuesday showed up. He came over and started chatting with me. I asked if he brought music this time and he pulled out his speaker and phone. He asked me if there was any particular music that I liked listening to and showed me some options on the phone. With him talking to me, other of his friends joined in. It was the first time I felt part of the group which was nice.

As usual, the run course was different than all the previous courses. I should have been aware that the run was not the normal as they broke the middle group which I run with into two groups. I chose the group where Laurent and his friends were running so I could enjoy their liveliness and the music. The group leaders referred to our group at the “plus” group which means more. As we started running, I realized the course was heading for the hill run that we had done previously. I was not thrilled to be doing hills as I had run 10 miles the day before. We ran the first hill which is pretty long and gets fairly steep for the second half but did make it up the hill without too much trouble. Last time we circled back and ran the hill a second time. This time we headed off in a different direction and I thought I was saved from having to run a second hill. I was wrong, we headed off and ended up doing a second hill. This one was less long but just a steep. I joked with Laurent and his friends that I was dying after running hills after ten miles. One of them joked he did not know what miles were.

The music on the run was very eclectic. We had French, Spanish and English songs. It cracked me up as one of the choices as YMCA (it is iconic and universal). Many in the group did the handle signs for the letters as we ran, me included. The final song in the repertoire was I will survive, which was a good choice for the final sprint to the Capitole and the end of the run. If you want to see some of the antics, there is a video posted on Instagram at @runintoulouse_officiel.

The rest of the day was pretty normal. I had lunch at the Restaurant au Gascon for lunch as they have a fantastic deal and the food is good. Again, many older people enjoying the value. Also, interestingly there are more single diners there than I normally see anywhere. Not sure if it is because it is lunch or if it is because it is an older crowd.

I walked around as usual as it was sunny and pretty weather. I could this chocolate shop window and thought it was great.

I did have one fun experience out of the ordinary as well. I went to the patisserie shop that I like and was buying a baguette. Baguette prices are regulated at 1.30 euros so I got out my change purse to get 1.30 in coins to pay. Yes, I have a change purse because euros have lots of dominations of coins and most are used regularly so you get a lot change as coins. There is 1 cent, 2 cents, 5 cents, 10 cents, 20 cents, 50 cents, 1 euro and 2 euro coins. For some reason I seem to end up with lots of coins. The clerk at the store saw I had lots of coins and asked if she could change some of my coins for larger euro coins. I was happy to oblige so she took 3 euros of my 10, 20 and 50 cents coins in exchange. It made me happy as I do not have to carry as many coins now. I was glad that she felt comfortable asking me to do it.