One of the best things about running is that it can be done anywhere, and as the summer holidays are fast approaching, I’ve been thinking how going abroad is a great excuse to rejuvenate your running.
Far from being a chore, running on holiday can actually be a great way to discover a new place and take in the sights on foot. Also, running early in the morning or in the evening can expose a whole new side of a city, as the locals go about their daily life before the tourists hit the streets. Places often take on a different personality during the morning commute for instance, when the locals are rushing to work, and there is nothing as revealing as the experience of running along a quiet beach at sunrise or sampling the sounds and smells of town squares where markets are being set up before the crowds appear. When the streets are more empty you can enjoy the scenery and soak up the atmosphere without being hounded by stall holders or tripping over families taking photographs and get the best views to yourself.
Some entrepreneurs have already seen the value of running as sightseeing (or ‘sight-jogging’ as some are calling it), and in many major destinations there are now organised jogging tours you can book to have an experienced guide show the routes and chat about the sights as you go. For example, if you are heading to the USA check out City Running Tours , and in Europe, simillar tours offered in cities such as London, Berlin and Rome, though there are many others and it is worth checking the internet for wherever you are headed. Whether you are just wanting to continue your usual training schedule or a healthy new way to sight-see, most of the tours can be customised to your needs and will take you on a run which is far more inspiring than plodding on the hotel treadmill.
As well, as the sight-seeing potential, going for an early run after arriving somewhere new really helps to orientate yourself in your destination and can help you adjust to a different time zone. I also find a morning run is a refreshing start to the day and a good guilt-reliever for the inevitable holiday ice-creams! So make sure you add your running kit to your luggage next time you go abroad.
