Carbo-Loading in Slovakia

Everyone knows there is no better way to carbo-load for a marathon than visiting relatives in Europe. The act of saying no to home cooked meals is not an option as a visitor in Europe. The more you resist the more your grandmas, aunts, and relatives to want to feed you.

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We spent a couple days spent in Slovakia before we headed to the Czech Republic

Before Brigid (fellow UPraguer) and I headed to Prague, we headed to Slovakia to visit my family. The time spent visiting my family in Slovakia led to some serious carbo-loading. The carbo-loading was justified considering it was to fuel a running filled spring around Prague. Brigid and I are running the Prague Marathon on May 11th. My cousins live in a small town in central Slovakia (the small town is located a hour east of the capital of Bratislava). From baking strudel to making bryndzové halušky, it was a week filled with baking, cooking, and preparing beautiful feasts.  Some of my personal favorite Slovak dishes are bryndzové halušky and makový strudel.

Bryndzové halušky is little dough dumplings coated in salty delicious cheese swirled with bits of bacon and topped with scallops. This decadent meal is Slovakia’s national dish. Slovakia is the only country in Europe to produce this special type of sheep cheese called bryndzové cheese.

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Sunday afternoon meal after mass

In addition, we baked makový strudel. There poppy seed pastries are my absolute personal favorite. When I was in Slovakia this summer, we picked poppy flowers from my great aunt’s garden. The poppy flowers hold the poppy seeds that are dried and used for many Slovak cookies and pastries. I love preparing meals with my family in Slovakia because everything we harvest in the backyard garden makes its way on our plates.

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At the end of a fun filled week and amazing food extravaganza, we were off to Prague via a 6-hour bus through the scenic countryside of Moravia.

Having lived in Prague for over a month and a half, we have discovered fantastic running routes. Along the Vltava river, up and down Petrin Hill, or Letná Park have proved to be a few of my favorite spots. Thanks to running we have been able to discover many parks, neighborhoods, and areas around Prague.  Exploring the city by running allows me to see so much more than I would by walking. Prague has been a fantastic running city with always something new to see!

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The John Lennon wall is just one of the fun landmarks I see during a beautiful morning run through Prague.

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