Tales from Greece. Running on sand and chafing ...

[hollyO]

I have just returned from a week in Greece with my ever diminishing family. Just myself and OH and No4 child. I was determined to continue my running and managed 4 whilst there. I set off by 7am as it was soooo hot. Hope that didnt sound like a complaint but OMG the heat! I now have gret admiration for those who run on sand. I had to run on the beach on my last section and after moaning changed to light crying and through to a major strop, I gave up and walked! The first time I have "failed" a run. The next day I decided not to include the beach at the end of my run so therefore it was not a fail! I know, illogical isnt it?!

I decided not to take my three-quarters with me as my legs would get too hot. I bought some natty little lycra running shorts. Big mistake! Major chafing issues after about 5 minutes and lots of inelegant grabbing of material from my inner thighs for the rest of the run. Looking around the resort, I wasn't the only lady with this problem. I noticed quite a few "just got off the horse" looks.

One day there was a Wake-Up-Run which I decided to join. We all set off and I was quickly at the back of the pack but safe in the knowledge that very soon, as in my RFL, people would start walking and I would lithely jog past. Well that just didnt happen and soon they were like ants in the distance. Like the beach jogging episode I felt a tantrum coming on and slight panic but then I thought "blow it" (not those words exactly) I will just do my own thing, and I did. If you think I plodded along and caught them all up, you would be mistaken. They arrived back a good 10-15 mins ahead of me, according to my OH!

Happy runnings to you all!

[Oldgirl Graduate]

Well done for running on sand, its damn hard isn't it! I found that when you placed your foot on what you assume is firm ground the sand would suddenly sink which jarred my whole ankle and shin bone. There must be a right way to do it but I've not found it yet and have tried many times when we go out to Boa Vista. There's a beach which has about 12K of unbroken sand where we stay so no excuses not to try.

You did really well though doing 4 runs in 7 days, nice one.

[Grammadog1947 Graduate]

Great post, Holly! Next year when you visit they'll be 'eatin' YOUR dirt'...or sand...!

lol...I tried running on sand...once. Never again. Couldn't walk for 2 days. Changing your course the next day isn't a "fail" it's a "smart victory"....live to fight another day, I always say.

Glad you're back!