What better way than to see the parts of a country that you’d never see without your trainers.
During a run in Iceland, I got into the zone about my top 10 runs… a massive percentage of them occurred whilst on holiday or at work. I decided to share my top ten….
10) Robs Legendary Head Torch Run
Starting at Groats road rep lane it takes in the start of the Hazelhead Parkrun before branching right towards Countesswells forrest. Previous to the new houses the route was twisty twinned through the old horse stables…it’s a great run… even more so in the winter where on one occasion running through untouched snow was absolutely brilliant!
9) South Korea Costa Del Sol
A funny one this, the resort we were at was modelled on the Costa Del Sol. The long marbled pavements with Gaudi sculptures and beautiful coves where the sea would rush in. We trained on the beach front and the beach itself but the only surprising difference was that it was -5c. Sunny, but -5c. The sunrise was spectacular and getting up early, and struggling with jet lag allowed me to see this specticle.
8) Icelandic Lighthouse Aurora Watching
This run was great, it would have rated higher but for the icy path causing me to go head over heel on more than one occasion. This long out and back hugged the shoreline to a remote lighthouse which was beautiful. There were no Northern Lights this time around but the starry sky and moon light were brighter than the head torch, and there was something Bear Grylls-esk about running to moonlight.
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7) The Four Top Challenge – Dyce
This challenge takes in both sides of the A96 as it passes through Kirkhill and Tyrebagger Forrest’s. Starting on the Kirkhill side, running up and around the back to Hill of Marcus peaking here and going down and up the North side (or backside on Strava) of Tappie top where the views are phenom. Taking the walking path or alternatively the mountain bike path down to join the loop path. From here making your way back down to the car park, before crossing the A96 into Tyrebagger….NB follow the toad around to the car park and catch the circular path from here. Peaking Elrick then linking in Brimmond give the four peaks …roughly 11-13miles. I did this in winter, in snow, with head torch…. amazing!!
6) Calella Out and Back
Very hot 13 miles along the Mediterranean coast. The run was brilliant as the smoothies at the end were amazing. The route took in a lot of rugged climbs but mostly along the boulevard of Calella. What made it interesting was that I stumbled across a lovely market for pets… dogs, cats, budgies… all sorts of toys, outfits, scratching posts, cages even loads of preened dogs on show… a remarkable sight. An oh the smoothie was mango and banana…lush.
5) Brisbane Bridges and Cardiac Hill
Running with my colleague, we had to get up at 5am, much to the dismay of our room mates, to avoid the heat. But even at 5am the sweat dropped off is as we took the river path down past the famous Brisbane Bridge before crossing further down after Kangaroo point into the South Embankment. It was one of the busiest places I have run, with separate lanes for runners, bikes and walkers…. Australia really was set up for sport! We had planned to take in the ParkRun but on that day we were training at the Commonwealth pool.
4) Toblach Trails
During a down day during the Tour De Ski I headed out looking to get a few miles in the legs following long days of driving the Alps/Dolomites. After a long, long climb I was rewarded with a lovely long Forrest path that took me back to the hotel… it was one of the best Forrest trails I’ve run and the under foot was so springy that it was hard not to run fast and far…. the only thing stopping me -12c without windchill. Buffs and gloves so so so important.
3) Hanoi – The lake of the Returned Sword
Getting up on your honeymoon early for a run is dedication but I had made a pact with myself that if I got up early and was back in good time…she’d never know!
All runs were special in Vietnam (The Dragon Bridge below in Hue was special and lit up in all colours at night), taking in many practises such as yoga, Tai-Chi, badminton, running, walking and even a laughing group. The whole community we’re out and making their way counterclockwise around the lake…. I realised after one lap that I was going clockwise against the Feng Shui. I was so taken aback with the amount of activity going on, I persuaded my new wife, Sarah, to come on the walk/jog with me and see this for herself!! She really enjoyed it, especially getting up before the sun!!!!
2) Kings Park, Perth Australia
One of the best. Nature, sunrise and trails! The park was huge, the trails were a million miles from the nearby roads and you could get lost in the middle of the city. Our digs were at the University campus and running early when it was still dark meant you were rewarded with the sunrise over Perth. I must have run here 5 times over the two weeks, and each run was completely different. One day I had planned a 10km route, got 3km in … saw a sign that wasn’t there the day before warning about wasps and snakes…. every stick I passed after this was in my head trying to kill me!!! My second favourite run, beautiful and worth the early mornings.
1) San Francisco Hills
This tops the list. We were staying in an AirBnB at the top of a hill (Potrero District). For anyone that’s been to SanFran before knows… there isn’t much flat areas. It was misty and around 12c when I set off, and found my route take in many areas of poverty including the Mission District. The volume of homeless people on the street was at a level I had never witnessed before. I initially felt intimidated when running down certain streets ( it kept my pace very high). The city never slept, it just shut one eye and rested. I ran early morning, and there were people getting home from work, people going to work, people collecting plastic bottles, people sitting watching over their friends, people in ill-health and people just hanging on in life.
It was here, in SanFran, that the people I encountered cheered, shouted pleasantries, shouting “God Bless You” “Get The World Man” “I wish I could Run”…. I was angry at myself for pre-judging, assuming I was going to be in danger when the support was very welcoming. Im not for one second saying don’t be safe and cautious but it was one of the best runs I have ran soley due to the fact it opened my eyes to how lucky I am to be able to lace up and run.
It makes you think. It makes you stop and take note. It’s something we take for granted sometimes … our health.
It may be a chore packing the trainers in the case, but the trails, sights sounds and smells really increase your experience of life. From the mopeds of Vietnam to the bees of Perth, the homeless in Cali to the deserted mountains of the alps, from the four peaks on the doorstep to the South Korea Costa. Where ever you go, make sure your feet follow!
Others that didn’t make the list… Arizona Desert, Les Arc Stage Climb, run along the Danube in Hungary, Street Circuits in Bucharest, Copenhagen airport district, Orienteering in Norway, Trail running at Fort George, coastal cliff running in Tenerife and island hopping in Sweden…. life is an adventure.
Experience life, life experience!!
Run Long and Prosper
James
