When I was in Toulouse in the autumn, I would do my long runs on the Canal du Midi. It was a great place for long runs as it has a long distance to run, it is flat, there is nice scenery to view and things to see. Once you get out of the main part of the city, the path is fairly open without many pedestrians and biker. You are never alone but it is not crowded.

I was not sure how far I live from the canal now. So after doing my shopping, I decided to walk from the Victor Hugo market to the Gare du Matabiau which is where I used to start my run along the canal. It was about a half mile from the apartment to the Gare and then I would continue my run along the canal. Once I arrived at the Gare, I started my Garmin in the walk mode and then followed the canal until I got to the apartment I am living in now. It was about 2.75 miles from the Gare to the apartment so that gave me a good idea of what I would need to do to get a ten mile run in along the canal. The only issue with this course is that the last couple of miles of this route will be in the more crowded portion of the canal. It will still be a good run as the part from my apartment to the Gare seems to be the less populated area of the canal.

The run actually covers two canals. In the late 1600s, a canal was build from the Garonne river to the canal du Midi. My apartment is just off the Canal de Brienne. So my run would cover the Canal de Brienne to the Canal du Midi. Both are tree lined with paths along them so are great for running.

Even though I did this reconnaissance, my first long run this weekend will be along the Garonne river on the path right in front of my apartment. I have not run very far on that path so want to try a new run and experience the new environment.

I am adding some pictures of the places I shop so you get feel of the city and how shopping is done. This is the seafood market at Victor Hugo. I am amazed every time I shop there the variety of seafood that is available and all the things that you generally cannot find in the Alexandria.

Below is my favorite patisserie. The best part is they have small pastries so I do not feel like I am being to indulgent eating them.

The featured picture is all the things that I buy to eat when here in France. It really makes me happy to be able to buy almost all local foods. One of the interesting things I have found is a the stalls, most of them state where all the products come from. This is especially true of the fruit and vegetable stands.

Below is the wine I bought for dinner. It is from the Cahors regions which is about 2 hours south of Toulouse.