Prague — Damned by the fitday gods

So, recent readers of Michigan Muscle Boy, many of whom may have just come to the blog as a result of my rambling on about it during this trip, will think that all I do is complain.  Indeed, my first few days on this journey were hard.  I was out of the house at 5 AM last Saturday after two hours sleep and didn't get here until Monday afternoon, over 48 hours later.  Then, I managed to work out.

Further, my eating here has not been exemplary by my previous fitday standards.  In fact, I have not been updating my fitday profile out of embarassment.  But, all of that ends tomorrow when I journey back to Ann Arbor.

That does not mean there have not been pleasures.  In fact, some have been so great that I fear for my soul.

Thus, in preparing to return to Ann Arbor, I feel compelled to an act of perhaps unrecompensed pennance, an account of a meal I had by the banks of the Vltava in the Hergetova Cihelna restaurant, a meal of epicurean delights.  One that will surely have me damned by the fitday gods.  Damned perhaps even by my loyal training companion, Arnold, who ever sticks to her 1,350 calorie or less do-or-die bodybuilding diet.  Pray forgive me, all.  The photo on the left shows me as I rode the train into this last circle of hell from which I fear there is no exit.

The meal started innocently enough with a Veal/Vegetable Terrine from the special Czech Menu.  That's sort of veal and vegetables held together by gelatin. One of my kind dining companions assured me that said dish was quite healthy because collagen was the substance holding it all together, not pure fat as I suspected.  Assuaged, I permitted myself some small enjoyment.  It was healthy after all.

Next, I transitioned to Fallow Dear, another Czech Menu item.  I was going all Czech all the time at that point, a matter of preserving health as my dinner companion had assured me must be the case with my previous dish.  Fallow Deer would befit Arnold's husband Jim, a skilled hunter.  There were also fried potatoes with it, seemingly a Czech staple.

Unfortunately, dessert proved to the donnybrook in my attempt to go all Czech.  The poppy seeds and white chocolate soft cake had to be cooked from scratch for 20 minutes, a killer.  Further, I was not entirely sure how chocolate would fit into the upcoming return to fitday profile living.  So I opted for Forest Berries instead, stick with the hunting theme.  Besides, Forest Berries had to be healthy.  Well, the berries were okay, but the creme that came with them and the fig sorbet were utterly decadent.

Thus ended my journey into night.  In spite of the hell of getting here, the trip turned out to be decent.  I had a fun time working with the entrepreneurial companies, and the students were all on top of things.  Dining companions dragged me into unplanned decadence.

Tomorrow, I return to the family and my regular routine.  Arnold's training schedule has taken another twist toward intensity as she pursues the perfect physique.  I'm planning on starting back with her right away in my own quest for the most intense workout possible that doesn't destroy body parts.  I wonder if I'm up to it after this week of softness.  And then, there's the question in my mind, was this damnation or a brief taste of heaven?

Comments

[Scott]

I'm getting hungry just looking through that menu - a week of decadent eating isn't going to have a huge impact. Just don't get used to it :)

[Bud Gibson]

It was a good trip, and I suspect one must stop and enjoy a little to make all this working out worthwhile.

[David Clark]

Dear MMB,
on behalf of the Hergetova Cihelna restaurant, I'd like to say thank you for your kind comments! They are especially meaningful coming from someone who's travelled extensively as you have. We try to compare favorably with top restaurants in other parts of the world, and it's nice to hear when we succeed. Next time you're in Prague, you can check out one of our other 4 restaurants in town. I'd love to hear your opinions on those too. (http>//www.kampagroup.com). Thanks again for the feedback!
David Clark
Kampa Group

[Bud Gibson]

Thanks David, it was a nice trip. When I get back to Prague, I'll check out some of the others.