Running or Routine?
My biggest dilemma, when I was packing my backpack almost 10 months ago, was “Should I take my joggers?”
Amanda had visions of me out running at night in Asia somewhere, getting lost or something terrible happening, so sanity or fear prevailed and they were left in a packing box at home.
Well for the first seven months I would see people out running and quietly I would wish that was me. (If you think that sounds weird, dont worry, you’re probably in the majority!).
By the time we got to Munich, Germany (after 7 months), I couldn’t wait any longer. 60 Euros later and I was now the proud owner of a brand new pair of Asics!
I think those Asics came just at the right time for me. By month seven when we hit Italy, we were starting to lose our way a bit.
It was ironic, but as “independent travellers” travelling through S.E. Asia, China, India and the Middle East, we actually found it easier than in the “Civilized West” of Europe.
I think from being so long on the road in developing countries, we had become very accustomed to things that way, so arriving in civilized Europe was actually quite tough for us, from the perspective of higher prices, lack of available internet!, people (generally) appearing less friendly (or more busy!) and I suppose from a travel perspective, Europe was quite like being at home.
This all had alot to do with our decision to add Morocco to our itinery. I felt to get back on track, we needed a clear path and a bit of “spicing” it up.
Instantly when we got to Morocco, we felt alive again – the people appeared friendlier, the pace was slower, things were cheaper and perhaps our senses were again being challenged.
After Morocco, we moved easily through Spain (we had our mojo back!), had an absolutely amazing 2 weeks in Montaigu de Quercy (S.W. France) and kept powering on to Paris, then England.
…..So back to those joggers!!! I have had the pleasure of running in Strasbourg, Lyon, Marseille, Seville, Madrid, Barcelona, Littlehampton (England) and finally my favourite run to date, a great run in London last week. Through Hyde Park, passed Buckingham Palace up to Westminster and Big Ben, across the Thames to the London Eye, back across the bridge, up Whitehall past Downing Street to Trafalgar Square, then up the Mall and finally back through Hyde Park!
…….Roll on next week, it’s New York and Central Park!
7 comments
Still trying to keep up with Ryan on the 10km. Well done!! Good to hear from you as well.
Just checked out your photos of your time in France…I’m turning the greenest shade of green even as I type…. The pics of Paris are fantastic, and I’m happy to say I will be there in a few months – honeymooning! So jealous of you guys and those spectacular sunsets in rural France – where exactly was that town?
We’ve been following your travel from the beginning, even found one of Amanda’s comments on Craig’s website. As you are coming to New York State we’d love to offer you hospitality for a few days on your way from NYC to Niagara Falls.
Hi, Thanks for your comment on the blog. At this stage we don’t have any plans to go to Niagara Falls but thanks for the offer!
Hi Tammy, How lucky are you to honeymoon in Paris! Actually we did as well – 15 years ago! That little French town is called Montaigu de Quercy and it’s just beautiful. I’ll be putting a link up on our “accommodation” page to the cottage we stayed in, which is owned by my in laws.
Hi there,
This post made me smile! We are a family of 5 just finishing an 8 month RTW trip. I took my running shoes but wore them only once in the first 5 months of the trip when I needed closed shoes for high ropes climbing. Then we stayed right beside Stanley Park in Vancouver. The running shoes started to get some use! Luckily since I was copping some flak for carting them so far by then!
Anna
Yeah, Ryan felt the same frustration… So he ran occasionally in his hiking boots. The weight of boots may have contributed to him losing 10kg on the trip. He also committed to 30-min “mini-workouts” on the floor of wherever we were staying, about three times a week. Now he has a six pack. Mmmm.
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