Running: travel, run, work
Travel, run, work. In the most cosmopolitan cities, the natural habitat of executives from half the world, the practice is wreaking havoc. The simply running pairs perfectly with the modality of express Sightseeing, whose origin we already find in other groups such as Imserso or the Japanese tourist.
Today the express trip (with photo) has become a very profitable travel format. And it is that in a world in which true luxury is FREE TIME associated with any other concept, having ten minutes to run along a route that also allows you to make a visual composition (and some pics!) of a city that you are not going to set foot in, it is the best!
San Silvestre Race
But there's more (and better) and that's the fact that it's been shown by the Cooper Institute in Dallas that running ten minutes a day lengthens life and improves your fitness. In our beloved Spain, where everything is different, el_running_ has been carried forward other sports practices such as golf (a classic for doing business) .
Here we have embraced running like a straw. That's how intense we Spaniards are. Specialists say that it has happened, of course, because of "the crisis" and that it is generating a hair-raising volume of business. But running is more than a sport. It is a philosophy of life that has penetrated at a time when it was necessary : in running everyone is victorious. Because, as sportswriter Chris Brasher said when he completed the New York Marathon in November 1979 to write an article for The Observer: "To understand this story, you must believe that the human race can be one merry family, working together, laughing united and achieves the impossible".
Turia Garden, in Valencia
Our favorite Spanish cities for simply running are:
VALENCIA
When you get to the city, you can see that, as in many others, there are a large number of bridges that cross the slopes of the river. But beware, whoever looks out will discover that instead of water there is an extensive park where the river once flowed: it is the Turia Garden . During a 9 kilometer journey you will find fountains, gardens, sports areas... and you can run following a path designed for this purpose.
You will find dozens of people practicing running which is quite motivating. Flat, with no traffic to cut you off and with trees, it is a circuit that will delight all fans. The disadvantage is the weather, since in summer it can have a high degree of humidity, so it is advisable to go out at night under the light of the park's streetlights. Pure romanticism.
DONOSTIA
It is a classic to visit its wonderful beaches. Start with the Shell and go along the promenade enjoying the views of the sea until you reach the Kursaal It's delicious. You can alternate the race between the beach and the promenade since the latter will always be very crowded. It is an 8-kilometre journey, round trip, which can be complemented with the climb to Mount Igueldo if you want to train strength. In this way, we will culminate our race with just over 11 kilometers and the show: Donostia from the mountain . To take into account the windy days that can be terrible to run but with the advantage of being able to enjoy the rough sea.
La Concha Beach, in San Sebastian
BARCELONA
The visitor fond of running will go to the beach or to Montjuïc , more than recommended places for this sport practice. However, Barcelona's fans of running or cycling know the water walk very well. A route that surrounds the city through the area of Collserola It will offer you privileged views along 8 kilometers. Dozens of athletes will accompany you on the tour, which can sometimes be a nuisance due to the large influx of people, especially on weekends. However, we will always have the option of deviating towards the mountain area and practicing a little trail.
THE 'RUNNING', THAT WAY OF TRAVELING
If you travel abroad, you can always consult the opinion of expert runners, a website that has a list of cities that a real MAMIL has trotted: Keith Hauser. From Australia to Barbados, passing through Germany, the USA... an endless number of destinations traveled by a master runner.
Taking advantage of the commercial pull of simply running, all kinds of entities have jumped on the bandwagon. Also tour operators. There are specialized ones that sell you the trip already with the number for a marathon (if you are interested in a great race like the one in Tokyo); or the trip with the possibility of designing your own route. If you are one of those who prefer to create your own route. And if you are so addicted that marathons are the leitmotiv of your travels, we recommend this guide that has just been published The 400 best races in the world, (Editorial GeoPlaneta) with contributions from the best runners in the world and urban routes of just 10 km to ultramarathons that exceed 300 km (from the most classic ones like the New York marathon to the most extreme ones like the The Last Desert in Antarctica ) : there are one month long across an entire continent.
Berlin, a perfect destination for running
We especially like these two European cities:
BERLIN
Berlin is well known for huge parks. We can go through them as we please without worrying too much about the traffic since it is not particularly dense. However, the running fan will be able to take advantage of the stay to visit the city of Potsdam . Hundreds of Prussian-style gardens and dozens of palaces make up the Potsdam park. Many travel it by bicycle but running we can do about 20 kilometers alternating training with the constant ascent and descent of stairs , making short breaks while we are amazed by the buildings.
VENICE
Anyone who has been to the city knows its main problem: it is infested with tourists. However, it has one big advantage: Theres no cars . The second is permanent but the first is not, at dawn, around 5 or 6 in the morning. For early risers who like to have breakfast after a good workout, it will be a great delight to be able to go crossing the bridges and walking its alleys . Enjoy a solitary Venice, which happens for barely an hour from the first rays of the sun. Keep in mind that it is easy to get lost, so it is good to carry the runner's gps. Beware of the cobbled streets that can easily cause injuries. We will find few passers-by along the way and we will have enjoyed a unique race in a wonderful city.
San Silvestre Race
SAN SILVESTRE IN SIGHT!
And if you want to end this year in the best possible way, sign up for the San Silvestre Vallecana (until November 30). You still have time. Only for €20 you can run for a few hours before eating the grapes. Get one of the 40,000 race numbers (this year only _ online) _and enjoy one of the most traditional races in Spain that has already turned half a century and that boasts of being the coolest in the world along with New York and Sao Paulo, as well as one of the most geeks. The starting signal has been given by Karina to Rocío Jurado.
*** You may also be interested in...**
- Seven sports reasons to travel to New York
- Golf destinations
- 5 bike routes for this winter: the French Way
- Cycling through New York? Yes, we can
- All items of Rosa Marques