Running in the New Year, Part 2

Should you have found yourself on the streets of Sao Paulo, Brazil today, you might have noticed you were sharing the streets with a rather respectable contingent of runners.  The Saint Silvester Road Race is annually held on December 31, and it is Brazil's most prestigious running event - and one of Latin America's most prestigious sporting events.  Almost every notable runner - from Emil Zatopek to Paul Tergat - has participated at least once in this event, and for the last two years first place has gone to Kwambai.

So as you're hoisting your champagne glasses to toast to 2010, take a moment to think about these guys, and the possibilities that await this part of the world, in the decade to come.  With an Olympic Games and global economic promise on the agenda for the next 10 years, Brazil looks like it's off and running with the gun, and eager to get down the path to see what these next years bring.

Why We Run Away - Because I Like To Eat. A lot.

This article is the second of the series "Why We Run Away". These articles  detail the many reasons that runners hit the road even when on vacation. 

Running makes you an athlete in all areas of life…trained in the basics, prepared for whatever comes, ready to fill each hour and deal with the decisive moment
 - Dr. George Sheehan
     
     At a marathon expo I recently saw a t-shirt that read, “I eat to run. I run to eat.” And while I eat and run for many reasons, the two are not mutually exclusive. Especially when I’m on vacation or traveling for business, and I find myself eating at restaurants more than usual, running is a great way to maintain a healthy balance.
     On almost every list I glanced through about “why runner’s run”, maintaining a healthy weight was within the top five. Vacationing or business traveling can be a bit disconcerting for any rigid runner, so it’s important to pack your trainers to reduce some of that travel anxiety. The average runner burns approximately 100 calories per mile when running outside. It’s no secret that the average American on vacation either gains weight or struggles to maintain his or her current weight. While setting a goal to lose weight while traveling might not be realistic, running will help relieve that mental anxiety and keep you tasting the local delicacies without worry.
     Running is the most efficient and cost-effective form of cardiovascular activity to help maintain a healthy body. But when you’re traveling, don’t let the anxiety get the best of you. It is important to remember that you’ll probably be walking a lot more while on vacation or touring, so don’t worry about missing a mile or two.  For more tips about running while on vacation, check out this article from Runner’s World: http://www.runnersworld.com/article/0,7120,s6-238-267--11882-1-1-2,00.html

Why We Run Away - The Psychological Benefits

This article is the first of the series "Why We Run Away". These articles will detail the many reasons that runners hit the road even when on vacation. 

    Whoever said “you can’t run away from your problems” was definitely not a runner. Because as it turns out, you can. And I swear by this tactic as the most efficient way to solve those problems. There are many answers to the question “why do you run?” But I’ve always felt that the simplest response is, “to clear my head and get started on my day.” This is one of the many reasons that even when I am in far-away lands, why I don’t just want to run, rather, I need to run.
    As it turns out, my personal experience of coming away from a run with a new solution to an age-old problem might just have some scientific validity to back it up. In his article, Mental and Emotional Aspects of Long-Distance Running, Dr. Kenneth E. Callen surveyed a population of nonprofessional long-distance runners to learn about the psychological benefits of running. His results showed that an astonishing 96% of respondents notice important mental and emotional benefits of running ranging from the typical post-run mood improvement to runners who experience unique and creative “episodes” during and after running. According to Callen, in addition to improved physical fitness, running is known to alter moods and “has been shown to be effective in the treatment of mental disorders such as mild depression, alcoholism and anxiety states.” Thus, it seems natural that runners who experience these elevated levels of happiness and greater self-confidence want to continue the activity that makes them feels this way.  
     Running while on business or holiday can be a necessity at times to maintain mental stability. One runner that Dr. Callen spoke with may have summed up the feeling of missing a few days of running best when she said, “if I take more than a few days off now, I have physical withdrawal symptoms like any addict… headache, nervousness, insomnia, and constipation. I plunge back in to running with tremendous relief and exhilaration.” As many traveling runners know, it’s a tough balance between annoying your traveling buddies by making them wait for you to go for your morning run before they can start the day, versus being a complete grouch the entire day because you missed your morning run. This runner recommends a mental warm up before the big travel date. If you know that you’re heading out of town try going for a few extra difficult long runs, and know that the reward for these long runs will be some lighter easier runs that include some days off during travel time. Save your shorter runs for traveling days, and try prepping your friends beforehand by letting them know that you’ll be going for a few runs while you’re traveling. And don’t forget to be flexible yourself. If you’re a nighttime runner, maybe you can switch it up and go in the morning. Or if you’re a morning runner, try laying out your clothes the night before if you are sharing a room. A little accommodation can go a long way when it comes to running- both on the road, and off. And when all else fails, play sick, skip the double-decker bus tour, pull a route from Active Travel (once they’re available) and run away.

To check out Dr. Kenneth E. Callen's full article/study on the psychological benefits of running go to http://psy.psychiatryonline.org/cgi/reprint/24/2/133

The Other Side of 1989

As the world has marked the 20-year anniversary of the fall of the Berlin Wall this autumn, much of the talk has been about barriers coming down, hands reaching out, and revolutions of the non-violent, victorious kind.  But as the autumn comes to an end, it's important to remember that not all ended well for the citizens of Eastern Europe.

The morning of December 22, 1989, found the sleepless citizenry of Bucharest, the capital of Romania, feeling like they just lived through a nightmare.  The night before, over 1,000 people had been killed when a rally that had been convened in Piata Revolutiei in support of Nicolae Ceausescu turned into a massive street protest.  On this pivotal evening the President and Communist Party were stripped of power.  The crowd present was fired upon by those around it.

Piata Universita, site of many of the killings.  

The memorial on the right is called by Bucharesti "the olive on the cocktail sword".

No peace for this city.

To this day, no one knows who orchestrated the bloodshed that took place that day.  But one thing is certain:  whereas the twenty-year anniversary of 1989 has been welcomed with celebrations in other parts of the Continent, there is no joy in Bucharest. Other than a small official ceremony to mourn the victims, most of the city prefers to forget anything ever took place.

No Need to Reckon: That Runner's In . . .

Rookie mistake.  I haven't made one since my first week of the site.

But, if you clicked on the image and reckoned that a photo titled "Zagreb Trail Run" was taken in Zagreb, Croatia, well, you were right!  Heading down the hill of Medvednica, or "Our Mountain" as the locals like to call it, was a thrill and a treat.  It was much better than putting up with the 90-degree days in the city, too.

Running Away With Claire (Fernandez) McMullan, Milestones

Any runner could tell you that running is a metaphor for life. But have you ever noticed how different runs track the progress of different stages of life? I caught up with one of my favorite running partners, Claire (Fernandez) McMullan, and we began to reminisce about our times running together during college, on our Eurotrip, before her wedding and during her pregnancy. While life has many twists and turns, running has been a consistent and welcome friend as Claire pounds the pavement from one milestone to the next. 

Kate Lincoff: How long have you been a runner?

Claire McMullan: I started running in high school – my sister was on the cross-country team, and you need 5 girls to make up the team for scoring purposes – and that semester they only had 4. My sister told the coach “I have a twin! If I can run, she can run.” And that’s how it all started. I was kinda tricked into it.

KL: Do you think being a running has introduced you to people you would not have known otherwise?

CM: Yes, actually now that you mention it, I met one of my best friends, who happens to be interviewing me right now, while running. I was a Junior in college at Barnard College of Columbia University, and I stepped out of my dorm. I was running in Riverside Park and all of a sudden I hear this person behind me, and this chic pulls up next to me and said “hey- how far are you going?” I told her it was my long run and she asked to join. The next thing I knew we were running through Western Europe together.

KL: A fortuitous run indeed! So, have you run in many places around the world?

CM: Yes! I’m proud to say that I’ve run in all five boroughs of New York and various other States, and then I’ve run in London, Madrid, Barcelona, Germany, Venice, Rome, Florence, and outside of Paris.

KL: Do any of your runs in Western Europe stand out as the most memorable?

CM: Yes- Remember that park we ran in Madrid? There were people swimming in that park and using boats… we just stumbled upon that when we were traveling. It was absolutely gorgeous.

KL: I believe that was Parque del Retiro and it was totally exhilarating to find! What do you think are the dangers of running abroad?

CM: Crabby French people. And Venice. I don’t think that there is anywhere to run in Venice.

KL: What do you think is unique about running in Western Europe versus running in America?

CM: The parks that we stumbled upon were so different. When I went to London I ran in Hyde Park and I just loved it. The park was so unique. I am accustomed to running in Central Park in New York, and everything is so wooded and you can’t necessarily see everywhere. Hyde Park was so flat and open. It was like running through open fields.

KL: When you first met your husband Todd, you went to Germany together and you came back with some great USA Olympic Team schwag. How did that happen?

CM: I got a bunch of USA Olympic Team clothes when I was in Germany because my husband’s step-sister was a professional sprinter for the US team. She gets all of these clothes from Nike, and I got my favorite USA running jacket of all time in Germany.

KL: Good thing you wound up marrying him! Any guy who connects you to free running gear is a keeper. What runs over the past few years stand out to you since you got married?

CM: I have a very fond memory of the run that we went on the morning of my wedding. I knew that I could handle whatever my wedding day would bring as long as I started the day like it was every other day. Running is, well, grounding!

KL: So I know that the traveling runs have slowed down a bit in the past few years, but the running itself hasn’t slowed down at all! Let’s talk a little about running when you were pregnant with your son.

CM: Well, it was highly annoying. I usually run about 30 miles/week. When I was pregnant I just felt slower and very tired. I was still averaging about 20 miles/week. Any running is better than no running, but it was terrible in the third trimester when I couldn’t run anymore. I would drive in my car and see runner’s along the road and feel envious. I didn’t know about those belly-bands.

KL: What’s your favorite half marathon that you have run and why?

CM: I did the Long Branch Half in Long Branch, NJ, and it was my first half marathon after having the baby. It was also my first one that I did by myself, so I was really nervous, and I ended up getting my PR- 1:45:26.

KL: I’d say that’s quite a milestone. Any final words for our blog readers?

CM: There’s only one way to become a runner- start small and be consistent.

KL: So true! And don’t forget to pick a race with good t-shirts and a medal. Thanks, Claire!

Reckon That Runner's In . . . .

Okay, sorry - this week isn't really fair, cause really, I could be kicking it down any trail in any country in this photo.  But here's a hint:  I've talked about running here before, and even posted similar photos about it.  Go through our archives to figure out where I am this week!

Ringing (or Running) In The New Year

While some may be ringing in the new year with champagne toasts and little black dresses, others, namely crazy runners, will be running races as another decade ticks away. In Berlin, Germany there is an infamous New Year’s Eve Run not to be missed. This annual race begins and ends opposite the Mommsenstadion.  You’re bound to see devils, clowns, witches, and prisoners hit the streets of Berlin 12 hours before the clock strikes midnight.

As in previous years, around 2500 runners are expected to brave either the 9.9km, 6.3km, 4km or 2km runs, start times of which are staggered between 12pm and 1pm.

Don't worry if all the holiday eating has already slowed you down a bit- the coveted trophy goes not to the fastest runner, but the best costume.

Top 5 - Must-Do Runs of Eastern Europe

You can get there on a plane, you can get there on a train.  Try to get there on a boat, if you have to take a goat.  But no matter what you do, do not miss these runs on your next Eastern European adventure:

Lake Bled, Slovenia

Just a short day-trip from Ljubljana, this picture-perfect getaway in the heart of the Julian Alps is a runner's paradise.  It is also a biker's vision, and a swimmer's dream-come-true.  You could easily spend the whole summer here, and leave in the best shape of your life.

Margaret Island:  Budapest, Hungary

Seasoned travelers will tell you that it isn't easy to find great running in old-world European capitals, and it definitely is rare to come across it in the heart of Old Town.  Budapest, however, is home to Margitsziget, an island haven for active-minded individuals.  There is even a 5K running track that rings it.

Pirita Tee:  Tallinn, Estonia

You won't get much of a hill workout in while on this route, but this fantastic running path stretches for kilometers along the Gulf of Finland.  At the height of summer, you've got over 18 hours of daylight to take advantage of the territory.

Canyon Run:  Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina

Actually, while this isn't the best of all possible runs in this part of the world, visiting spectacular Sarajevo is a life-changing experience.  After having wandered the city's delicate bridges and ancient Ottoman streets, or polishing off your thirteenth Bosnian coffee (don't call it Turkish) served by a smiling local in an ornately-decorated cafe, and at the end of consuming more cevapi than you ever thought your arteries would be able to handle, you should go for a run.  And the canyon north of town is the place to go.

Tsaritsino Park:  Moscow, Russia

Okay, I may be a bit biased.  But this ancient estate of Catherine the Great has been fantastically restored to its classical charm, and you can loose yourself for hours on the palace's grounds.  It's a bit of a trek to get there, but this is one of Moscow's must-see sites.  So catch it on the run, and take the green line metro line to the Tsaritsino stop to get there.

The Advil of Europe

Fortunately, "ibuprofen" is a request that pretty much overcomes language and cultural barriers.  But should you find yourself traveling through Europe and desperately seeking some sort of pain relief, keep your eyes open for this baby:

Nurofen is one of the most widely-available pain relief medicines in Europe, and comes in 200mg doses, similar to our Advil.  So if you are having trouble communicating your desire for pain relief medicine to the pharmacist behind the counter, try asking for this.  Hopefully, it will save you a bit of a headache.

Counter-feet, Part 2

Perhaps even more dangerous than running across counterfeit running shoes is the risk of stumbling upon counterfeit drugs.  Experts estimate that the global counterfeit drug market will reach over 75 billion dollars in 2010.  Around 10% of drugs sold in developing countries are presumed to be counterfeit, but that number reaches closer to 20% in the former Soviet Republics.

RTW's advice - bring your own home-grown Advil on your next adventure.  This will protect you from accidentally taking a false - and perhaps hazardous - product.  Not to mention, if you've got a sore knee or twisted ankle in a foreign country, looking for a pharmacy and trying to ask for Ibuprofen is not the number-one doctor-recommended activity.

Stay tuned tomorrow, when we fill you in on some pain-killing medicine you can ask for by name on your next trip overseas.

Source:  Moscow News July 2008

Counter-feet

Or, as the real word is spelled, "counterfeit".

Part of the agreement permitting Russia to enter the World Trade Organization involves stepping up the battle against pirated goods in the country.  In 2006, the market for counterfeit products in Russia was worth up to 6 billion dollars, according to RIA Novosti.  High among the fake goods encountered were DVDs, make-up, foodstuff (particularly feta cheese (why?)), alcohol, and tobacco.  But topping off the list were clothing and, particularly, sporting apparel.

22% of shoes sold in Russia are counterfeit.

Russia's Ministry of the Interior compiled this data in a report presented by the Economic Security Department in late 2007.  The high number of counterfeit products was blamed on "the low buying capacity of most population, as well as to obvious overpricing of some licensed products."  While laws have been put in place and measures reported to be enacted to combat this problem, the market is still flooded with illegitimate goods like. Nik, Adedas, Rebok, etc.

So runners, make sure you bring your own running shoes when you travel to this part of the world.  Or, if you need to grab an emergency pairs of trainers, don't harbor a high level of expectation for those glittery gold rock stars you see in the market stall.  And worse, don't assume that, just because you are in a legitimate sporting good store with what, by all appearances is a true Nike Zoom sneaker (in lime green, no less!), that it is.  I made that mistake over a year ago, and gave myself a case of plantar fascitis that plagues me to this day.

Travel endows you with many lessons, including things to be grateful for when you return home.  Not having to think twice about the legitimacy of products you buy is one of them.

Reckon that Runner's In - Week 18 Answer

This was a hard one this week, and I could feel my reputation slipping as I struggled to guess where this photo was shot:

But to put it in her own words, "Alster Lake and the skyline of churches may be familiar to anyone who runs in Hamburg.  A great town for sure."  So for those of you who are in Germany and need to burn off that Hamburger - or make room for that Frankfurter? - running this route is the way to do it!

Think I was the first person to ever make the Frankfurter joke?

Pain-Free Running - Reasons We Need to Run The World

- by Taylor


There's nothing like a memorable sunrise, a stunning vista, or an exchange of smiles with a fellow runner to remind me why I love to run abroad.  But for every positive running experience I've had overseas, I've had my fair share of negative ones as well.  I've choked on smog, dodged speeding cars, and stopped dead in my tracks in hopes that that pack of wild dogs won't attack me.  Perhaps the most frustrating results of my foreign running, however, are injuries.  I've run in every country I've ever visited, and I've come away from a few of them with a few undesirable memories.  These include:

• IT Band Syndrome - Edinburgh, Scotland:  Cheers to the Royal Mile for that one.  I loved my daily romps from Edinburgh Castle to down and around Holyrood Park until one day a pain in my hip became a little more painful than it'd been.  I shorted my route, slowed my pace, and eventually stopped running all together.  It was four years before I could once again get on the road without pain.
• Sore Knees - Siena, Italy:  Desperate for my daily workout, I took to running up and down the hill on which this serene city sits.  Running up the hill was a great workout; running down, not such a great idea.  Never once did I manage to explore the running routes of Florence (my next destination) because of the damage I did.
• Plantar Fascitis - Moscow, Russia:  While I've become fond of saying, "I have an Achilles heel, and it is my Achilles heel," this all-too-common malady is most sensitive to the connective tissue on the bottom of the foot.  When living in Moscow this past year, I took to the treadmill to beat off the mid-winter blues.  Little did I know I was doing it on a pair of counterfeit running shoes (stay tuned for next week's discussion on this), and to this day I am hobbled by pain.

Note two important facts about the above injuries:  they are all chronic - meaning I dealt with them for months after inducing them - and they all should have been preventable.

How might I have avoided being overcome by these problems?  Well, I could have stopped running, of course.  But anyone who runs know's that's not the answer.  Or, if I had a guide for each of those cities that told me how to get to a place, a beautiful place, a quite expanse with great terrain and great atmosphere, well, I might never have induced them in the first place.

It was too late for me.  But as of next year, it won't be for you.  We expect to begin releasing chapters for Running The World - A Runner's Guide to Europe in mid-2010.  So stay tuned!

Reckon that Runner's In - Week 18

One might ask whether that Jaye Zola ever stays in one place.  The answer, as far as we can tell, is no.  She's off on the road and running again - any guesses as to where she is this week?  Put 'em in the comments section below, and the answer will come out this weekend!

December Running in Europe - Races, Fun Runs, and Charity Events

The weather outside may be frightful, but that's never stopped us from lacing up our shoes and hitting the road.  Bring in the end of the year with an all-out sprint - there are some great runs to participate in if you're in Europe this winter.  Below are some of our favorites:

Photo from ViewLondon.co.uk

• SANTAS ON THE RUN - LONDON, UK:  This is the MUST DO event of December.  If you are in or around London on Thursday, December 3, at 18.30, please go to the Oxo Tower on the South Bank and be a part of the 5K parade!  

• Portugal:  The Lisbon Marathon races through the capital of this up-and-coming European country, and it should not be missed.  If you haven't been hitting your long runs lately, there's a fun 6K run that anyone can join.  Sunday, December 6.  Marathon, half-marathon, 6K.

• Spain:  Who needs an excuse to go to Mallorca in December?   If you do, the Calvia Marathon should suit your purposes just fine.  Sunday, December 13.  Marathon, possible beach trip.

• Italy:  The Maratona di Reggio Emilia.  Reggio Emilia is a town in the Emila-Romagna region of Italy.  It is partway between Parma and Modena, and is the home of the finest parmigiano reggiano cheese.  Their aid stations must have the best paninis.  Sunday, December 13. Marathon.  

And that's the races till 2010, when the rounds of running pick up again.  It should be an exciting year for all of us, especially us.  Until then, happy running!

Reckon That Runner's In... Answer

You got it, Brit! That runner was having a glass of champagne watching the sunset over Ayer's Rock, also known as Uluru. This National Park is located in the Red Centre of Australia, about 5 hours driving distance from Alice Springs. The Aborginee tribes strongly discourage tourists from hiking up and on this spiritual refuge, but they are not opposed to people walking/running around it. It's approximately 10km, or 6.2 miles to run around the entire rock, but I have to warn you, there are no water stops in this desert! Watch out! It gets very hot midday.