I recently met up with the exchange students in Slovakia in Košice to participate in the second oldest marathon in the world, I traveled there by train, as did most of the other exchangers. We ended up having a lot of fun on the train, as we all packed into a handful of train cabs, with more people per cab than there were seats while we played music and talked the whole way.
Saturday was spent walking around the city and walking through Biela Noc, a traveling nighttime contemporary art exhibition spread out across the streets and parks of the city. That night I was the last student to head home to the families that were hosting us for the night, as me and two other people were the only exchange students who had opted to run a half marathon, as opposed to the 4 kilometer fun-run. The next morning I was up and ready for the race (or so I thought), and we headed into the city to head to the start line.
As daylight started to fade, the Biela Noc light displays began 
The St. Elisabeth Cathedral illuminated for Biela Noc 
Torch lighting ceremony 
My group and I in front of the cathedral
It’s important to note that despite knowing about this weekend roughly a month in advance, I did not train for it whatsoever. I was able to finish in two and a half hours, but it definitely cost me, I am paying the price for my lack of preparation. The city itself is beautiful and I am very happy I ran the half marathon, at points I was regretting the choice I had made, but as I started the last kilometer there were thousands of people lining the path cheering me on (no runners were close to me at this point because I had fallen behind the main pack about halfway through the race). I got a full second (maybe third or fourth…) wind as everyone started cheering me on as I approached the cathedral to see the finish line. The feeling I had on that last straight and after I finished and was given my medal has given me a bit of a running bug, I’m looking forward to other events here, as well as back home, with the Boston Marathon as my main goal.
The last photo taken before I age my knees ten years in 2 1/2 hours 
Smiling through the pain 
Taken just after we had all received our medals
Way to see it through, Addy. Still proud of you.