Travelling trainers
Kelly Ng
A FRIEND sent me cartoonist Margaret Flatley’s illustrated perspective on how running makes her feel like a local in a new city with the message “Thought of you…”
The lovely visuals, which the Washington Post ran last weekend, spoke of how Flatley has uncovered interesting sights and spots while exploring each travel destination in her trainers.
They do strike a chord. I am one of those avid travellers who will always make space for a pair of running shoes in their suitcase or backpack. I have always enjoyed finding my bearings in a new place on foot – and morning runs add a different level of excitement to that.
Some travel companions have considered it strange (“Why would you go running when you are here for a break?”) but over the years, I have also found some who would gladly join the club.
Why run on a holiday?!
When time is short, scheduling a run has helped me cover certain sights and attractions that had to be dropped from the day’s itinerary. Including runs in the longer, more relaxed vacations, on the other hand, has let me uncover hidden gems and led me on unplanned adventures.
In Sydney, a friend and I found a coffee joint during our morning runs which soon became part of our morning routine during the trip. In Kyoto, we got to see the neighbourhood in its early morning quiet before others woke up.
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Depending on where you are, going for a run abroad also offers refreshing experiences for city slickers like us Singaporeans.
In Chapel Hill, North Carolina, where I spent a semester abroad in my university days, I ran alongside deer and turkeys in the woods. I also ran through the countryside and beachside towns. I remember once running to a farm known for its ice cream – when everyone else in our party drove there via a different route – and caught one of the most beautiful sunsets along the way. I also shaved off some calories from the ice cream, I suppose. It pays to be the oddball sometimes.
Running during the winter in New York City helped me build mental resilience; at times, the bone-chilling weather motivated me to go faster. In the autumn, I saw the leaves fall and change colour as I looped around Central Park, a reminder of the temporal things in life. These are experiences I would never get in tropical Singapore.
Sometimes I make the running the trip itself. Overseas races are always a great way to feel the pulse of a new city – not just by chasing its pavements, but also because of how supporters add to the experience. Running the Brooklyn Half Marathon in 2019, I felt enveloped by the warmth of families and friend groups who had gathered to root for their loved ones. Many residents in the neighbourhoods en route also stood by to cheer us on. Many offered fruit, drinks and music… It was an extravaganza.
Tips
Where possible, I would run with a friend, especially in a place I am unfamiliar with. You may also join organised group runs in many cities. Go! Running Tours, for example, now offers running tours in some 60 cities. I ensure that my envisioned route would be well lit. Rule of thumb: Do not run after dark, and be cautious of dawn. I usually avoid running in neighbourhoods with haphazard traffic, especially if the pavements are too narrow or cluttered.
I would also ask a local – it could be someone at the hotel’s concierge, or the Airbnb host – where not to run.
Be flexible about possibly having to change the route, and going slow. You may notice something along the way that piques your curiousity and it can lead you somewhere new – just make sure you are in a relatively safe neighbourhood.
I usually run with my phone when abroad, which would be helpful not just for finding my bearings, but to take pictures of interesting sights. After all, I might not see them again.
Oh, and I would also bring some cash with me for that hole-in-the-wall caffeine fix.
When these aspects of safety are taken care of, it’s time to take in the sights, sounds and scents that the new destination can offer.
Island off an island This isn’t quite like running overseas, but Sentosa can offer a breath of fresh air away from the hustle and bustle of the city-state. The cove, especially, has several good spots to catch the sun rise.
Distance: About 9 km
Route markers: (A) Start at Tanjong Beach (B) Palawan Beach (C) Siloso Point (D) Imbiah Station, continue along Artillery Ave (E) U-turn at Sentosa Cove, roundabout near 7-11 (F) Turn left onto Artillery Ave South (G) End at FOC Sentosa
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