I remember the first run I did abroad after I did c25k in 2019. It was in Florence, by the river. I remember that sense of strength and adventure. I'm sure I wasn't running fast because I never do but I felt flowing and comfortable. Running abroad is something i have loved ever since. This last few months have been very frustrating. Like many of us here I have been repeatedly knocked over the winter by colds and flu, getting up after every knock I managed to get back to 5k and then every time I needed to have another two or three weeks off and went back to square one. Just before we came away I'd done my first 6k since last summer, was on the way through the magic plan for the fourth time and then a complete stinker of a cold actually sent me to bed. Now we are in Spain in the campervan and five days ago I decided I needed to get back to running. Four weeks off was in danger of stretching into five and that would be the longest time without running for 4 years. Can't stop now! Run 1 was 20 minutes of running and walking, run 2 25 minutes of the same. Yesterday I ran for half an hour without stopping, at my usual snail's pace but feeling OK. This is where I ran, by the blue sea under a blue sky. How could you not want to get out again? So it was 30 minutes again this morning with the wind in my face and the sound of the waves. Today was easier. My legs felt good, my breathing easy. I had time to look and listen. I'm back again.
Perfect run. How lucky we are to be able to do it.
Written by
Gwenllian1
Graduate10
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Fantastic isn't it? To be confident enough in yourself to get out at all, let alone in another country.
So far I've run in England (cos I live here lol), Germany, Poland, Russia and Greece. All of them different, some hot, some cold, some comfortable, some flat, some hilly. All of them have their special place in my heart.
That's a great haul of countries! I've managed Wales (because I live there), Devon (does it count as a different country?!), France, Spain and Italy and it just feels very special to be able to. I was amazed to complete c25k and even more amazed still to be going 4 years later and running by the Mediterranean!
I know at least one Devonian who'd say it was a different country😂
Isn't it great to smash those tired expectations that as time progresses all we're good for is sitting watching TV?? Carry on amazing yourself, with your campervan you're in a great place to do that!!
Fantastic 😍 We have been in our campervan touring Spain and Portugal for 3 weeks. I’ve only managed 3 runs so far, but am about to go along the seafront promenade, next to a fabulous beach just south of Porto! Enjoy your trip. The weather is fabulous isn’t it?
It is just great to see the sun again and to be warm!! We are moving on again today as part of taking a week or so to make the long journey north. Have a great time!
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week3run1 ✅. 3 x 17 mins with 1 min walks. 
How did your parkrun or (not)parkrun go?
