KC Marathon didn’t quite go as planned. Tough course with over 1,000 ft of elevation, but I was somewhat ready for that. What I wasn’t ready for was the 97% humidity. I knew early on I’d have to throw my original plan out the window, since by mile 2 or 3 I was already soaked. So I decided to run by feel and go with the flow, especially since I had the best cheer squad on the course. But that’s marathoning, if every race went your way, it’d be too easy and lose the fun of it. On to the next. 🫡
3:35:38
On one of the last days of our vacation, we visited the Alhambra. The Palacio de los Leones was probably the thing I was most looking forward to and it wrapped up the trip on the highest note. A true masterpiece of 14th-century Islamic art and architecture.
I remember learning about it and seeing photos in my art history book, and seeing it in person genuinely made me tear up.
But the Alhambra is so much more than just one palace. From the fortress walls of the Alcazaba to the Renaissance grandeur of the Palacio de Carlos V, every part of it holds layers of history, beauty, and cultural fusion.
I didn’t take many pictures of Marbella since we only stayed one night on our way to Málaga. It’s known for its luxury lifestyle, upscale resorts, beach clubs, and probably some of the wildest yachts and cars I’ve ever seen. Even during my run along the beachfront, I could tell those rich people sweat differently. 🤣
We did wander through the Old Town for a bit too, whitewashed walls, flower-filled balconies, and charming little plazas tucked between narrow streets.
We spent the past two nights in Estepona, and it was waaay too cute. Estepona is known as the Jardín de la Costa del Sol (Garden of the Costa del Sol). The local government funds thousands of flower pots and planters on homes and public buildings, and they maintain all the floral decorations to promote tourism. On our first day, we explored downtown, wandered through the shops, and got lost in the flower-filled streets, and when I say there are flowers, I mean flowers EVERYWHERE, with colorful vases lining every corner. On the second day, we just chilled at the beach and that was nice. I may or may not have had one too many cervezas… but hey, it’s vacation.
