I am tying up summer with this post. We have been back for three days. It was a productive summer with lots of activities, mainly involving me juggling on the two wheels. I got to push my physical and mental limits through the two wheels while exploring Transylvania.

Fractured metatarsal

I have safely survived all these vigorous outdoor activities, and yet, ironically, I fractured my 5th metatarsal on the left foot while descending the stairs at my in-laws’ the second last week of the vacation.

Missing out on Sibiu Night Cross Challenge

With a swollen foot, all sports activities were halted, including withdrawing from the 9km Sibiu Night Cross Challenge.

There were race distances of 4.5km and 9.0km. Participants would go round the lake in the park once and twice respectively. The route was mostly on paved roads, with a small portion on dirt roads. It was a small race of 500 participants but with great ambience. A DJ played the latests dance hits throughout the event, charging up the adrenaline of the runners. Except for a confusion in signage near the finishing line between the 4.5km and 9.0km, the race went well, and best of all, all participants were served with a plate of tasty pasta at the end (which I actively participated despite not running).

The guys – Silviu, Nicolae, and Ionel – completed the race, and seemed satisfied to have done the race, despite them complaining of sudden body “aches” a couple of days before.

Ruin of upcoming race season

With my fractured metatarsal, the autumn race season is ruined. I will not be able to join the Orsay running club for at least two months and have to cancel the 2 planned races in September. The healing will take at least 6 weeks and then taking another four weeks to recover my strength. No running, minimise walking, no cycling, no swimming (as I have to walk to the pool)…it will be hard to avoid weight gain, and muscle loss. That’s why I am currently researching online for home strengthening exercises that I can do without adversely impacting my left foot.

Transilvanian Brunch

Despite the unfortunate event, I still managed to enjoy my last week of summer, ending it with an idyllic visit to Alma Vii, a former Saxon village 70km, northeast of Sibiu. Ionel and Mirela invited us to join them at Transilvanian Brunch, a series of brunches organised in different villages in the Transylvanian region to discover the local culture. I will let the following pictures introduce Alma Vill, and what we did during our 4-hour stay with Transilvanian Brunch.