I have been meaning to edit and publish this post for over a week now, but time has slipped away from me.  Class ended and finals commenced last week, and I am leaving London for Germany on Friday.  Hence, I am entering the study abroad phase where everything seems unimaginably surreal, and time literally seems to be slipping through my fingers.  The past four months have flown by, and although living in London has been an amazing opportunity, I am ready to return to the convenience, comfort, and realness of America.  But, I’ll elaborate on that another day; today, I have Edinburgh, running, and vegetarian food on the brain.

Last weekend, I finished my third (and fastest!!!) half marathon underneath beautiful blue skies in Edinburgh, Scotland. I convinced my friend Heather, who previously denounced  half marathons, to fly across the ocean to keep me company on the  gorgeous 13.1 mile course with promises of a once-in-a-lifetime experience.  Thankfully, for Heather’s sake,, aside from boasting inaugural half marathons,  Edinburgh is not short on photographic scenery, tourist attractions, or charming cafes where J.K Rowling used to shorthand the Harry Potter manuscripts.

Heather and I ran a great race until mile ten, where it became a battle between body and mind.  I was literally blabbering about anything and everything to take my mind off the pain.  Thank goodness I had Heather listen to my incessant rambling;  I would have looked like a damn fool talking to myself.   But, in the end, my friend Heather and I finished strong – probably a little too strong considering we both experienced some uncomfortable IT band pain for the following days.  Yet, despite the pain, when I finished, I didn’t hate running or question my sanity.  Usually, after finishing half marathons, I swear off running for months, so it might be safe to say that my running mojo is officially back, or in the alternative, I have officially lost my mind.  This is favorable since I am registered to run my first marathon in October.  Eek!

Further, we all know the most important thing about racing is the post race meal.  Based on some review for cheap places to eat in Edinburgh, my friend Heather and I ended up at the Red Squirrel – cost effective and vegetarian friendly were priorities, but I though the name was pretty cute too.

And apparently, red squirrels are endangered in Scotland, and since I am a crazy, animal lover, I love institutions that bring awareness to animal issues, especially if they do so with cute graphics.  I am a total sucker for cute graphics.

Plus, they had exactly what I wanted – flavored beer and a vegetarian breakfast, complete with pseudo haggis and vegetairan sausage.

All and all, it was the perfect ending to a nearly perfect, albeit slightly painful, race day.

I am crossing my fingers I will be back tomorrow with reports of decent Mexican food in London.