Running Away With Caitlin Ferrarini

This is why we do what we do… Caitlin Ferrarini was writing an article about maintaining your running regime while traveling when she stumbled upon our blog. The next thing you knew, we had a new follower, friend and potential travel writer on board. Not to mention a seriously serious runner. Meet Caitlin…

Kate Lincoff: What got you started running?

Caitlin Ferrarini: I started running by playing soccer when I was really young. I grew up in Springfield, Mass. There are 5K road races in the summer for kids. I started when I was young and they are once/week in the summer and I loved doing those.

KL: What kind of runner are you?

CF: I started to run marathons in college. I ran the Boston Marathon twice during college. I am definitely a distance runner. I would rather go for a 10 mile run than do a speed workout any day.

KL: When did the travel bug bite you?

CF: I did the semester at sea program during my junior year abroad. I had not traveled much before I did semester at sea. We went to nine countries in South America, Africa, Asia, and after that I just wanted to go everywhere.

KL: Were you able to run during your semester at sea?

CF: Yes I was. Not as much as I would have liked to. Some of those countries we went to I could not run in. I stayed for a week in farm country in rural India, and I decided I just couldn’t run there. I had a male friend who would run with me, and that worked out well.

KL: What is the most foreign place you have ever run?

CF: I ran in Myamar, Burma which is the most nonwestern country I have ever been to. The ship ported and there was a long strip we ran down to get off the ship. I ran with my ID and passport and it was totally grasslands. I made sure to run with friends. It was very very hot.

KL: Have you had any unique or wildly interesting experiences while running abroad?

CF: One time when I got lost running in Japan I was by myself. I was in Kyoto, and it was a very small part. I was staying with a family there. All the streets started to look the same. I picked a landmark that was a big red orange side that turned out to be the sign for “pharmacy.” It was a poor landmark to choose. I learned quickly not to choose common landmarks. I got very lost while running home. I could not find anyone who spoke English. It got pretty scary. To this day I am not sure how I made it back. I went down a random road, and it turned out to be the one with my house. That was a very memorable run.

KL: Why do you like to run while traveling?

CF: Running and traveling are in some ways very similar. Both of them I like to feel very healthy and very happy and be able to experience things with my whole self. I try to do that in traveling and I try to do that in running. To be able to do the two together seems very logical to me.

KL: What are the main articles of clothing to pack if you are heading off for 3 months?

CF: A pair of long spandex, long sleeve dry fit running shirt, two short sleeve dry fit running shirts and a pair of dry fit shorts. Always bring everything dry fit so if you don’t have access to a washer and dryer you can just rinse and re-wear. If I am staying at hostels or people’s houses it is just more pleasant for them too!

KL: What advice would you give to traveling runners?

CF: For traveling runners my advice would be to run while you are traveling. Do not give up your running while you are traveling. Also- never don’t see or do or taste or experience something new while you are traveling just to go on a run. You can do it together, but don’t sacrifice your traveling to go on a run.

KL: Thanks, Caitlin! To read more about Caitlin’s advice to traveling runners check out her article here: http://www.helium.com/items/1779197-running-on-vacation