During our run-up to the Authentic Athens Marathon, we’ve been exploring this ancient city and preparing for the race. Steve will do the marathon’s 26.2 miles and I’m registered for the 10K. 
Both races finish in the Panathenaic Stadium, the site of the first modern Olympics in 1898 and the finish of the Olympic Marathon in 2004. 
The all-marble stadium is a key landmark in Athens, so we are excited to finish our races there.
Yesterday we navigated the Athens bus system to get to the Filaro area of town to attend the Marathon Expo. We picked up our race numbers and checked out all of the running-related exhibits at the site.
You never know who you’ll meet at the Expo
This is a traditional step for any Marathon and it’s fun to see the various vendors and try out new products.
The first few days here we were on our own but now we are part of Marathon Tours, a travel group dedicated to supporting traveling runners. Our package includes a city tour, welcome cocktail reception and pre-race pasta dinner, as well as other race support.
As part of the group we visited the Acropolis. We’d been here with Mom and Dad almost 20 years ago and boy have things changed! 
The site has seen extensive restoration which makes it easier to imagine what it looked like 2500 years ago when it was built.
The Parthenon 🏛 originally housed a 40 foot gold statue of Athena and was a temple honoring the goddess. 
In the 2500 years since it has suffered the damages of war and transformations into a Roman palace, Turkish harem, and a World War II sentry. This place has seen history. Now it is being carefully restored.
Besides the Parthenon, various other temples have been restored upon the Acropolis. The Temple of Athena Nike and the Erechtheion, flanked by the beautiful Caryatid Porch, are my favorite parts.
Caryatids of the Erechtheion
Another highlight of our trip so far has been the Greek cooking class we took. 
Our small group of four learned to make seven traditional dishes including dolmades (stuffed grape leaves) and spanokopita (spinach pie). 
We got the recipes, so be prepared for Greek food coming out of our Prescott kitchen.
After a final stroll through Athen’s Central Market and the Plaka, we are preparing for tomorrow’s run. More to come! 
View from our room of the Parthenon
Sailboats in the harbor
Parthenon
Happy at the Parthenon
Athens and the Panathenaic Stadium in the distance
Erechthion
Beautiful day on the Acropolis
The Parthenon looms
Theater of Dionysius
Original stadium seats
Athens Central Market
Athens Central Market sausages
Egg delivery in Athens
Ruins in the Athens subway station
Athens subway is clean, safe, and well organized
All of the crew (except Marnie, who took a day off the bike and opted for a massage instead) did the 100 mile option on the fifth day, successfully completing 110 miles for the day. 
We also visited Riverside, IA, a town that claims to be the future birthplace of Captain Kirk. It’s kitsch at its finest. 
Last year was our first experience with the legendary ride and we’ve been planning a repeat trip ever since. This year, however, we’ll be joined by Steve’s brother Gary, which should just add to the fun. But first we have to get there!
Our destination was the International Balloon Museum, the site of the annual balloon festival. It was a beautiful morning for a ride with Albuquerque’s famous hot air balloons in the distance. 
On the way we stopped to see the massive cow lots outside of Dodge City
and to get another passport stamp at Fort Larned. 
As we travel along the Santa Fe Trail and learn about life in the mid-1800s, we are more and more grateful for our Ford F-150 and air conditioning!
We enjoyed a great BBQ dinner and rolled ice cream–a real treat. Good thing the riding starts soon!
We’ll soon be in Iowa and ready to ride. stay tuned!
