Running while Abroad!

I’ve been running a lot in Granada, and it has not always been easy! In New York, there’s Central Park right outside my door, and Riverside Park just a jog away. The Hudson River calls to me on long run days, when I need some wind to cool me off, and the East River fights to do the same. But in Granada, there’s not a massive park. El Parque de Federico García Lorca certainly is beautiful, but definitely lacking when it comes to paths for distance running.

But all this to say I have certainly found my spots here that make running worthwhile. I began the semester with the hope to just keep running for fun, but a couple months in, my friend who is studying in Lisbon asked if I would like to do the half-marathon there with her on December 1st. So it did happen, I did it, I lived, and I couldn’t have done it without the help of the wonderful city of Granada. Here’s some things to know if you’re trying to run in Granada, or abroad in general!

1. Make a loose plan.

Study-abroad-life can tire you out quick, so try to plan out your runs if you wanna be able to stick with it! I don’t mean holding yourself to a rigorous training plan, but just waking up and saying, “Yeah, I have time today! I’m gonna run three miles in the afternoon,” is super helpful when trying to manage your time in an exciting new city. 

2. Ensure you have the right equipment.

Check the weather frequently, especially when considering times to run. In the beginning of the semester, I made the mistake of running during siesta one too many times. There’s a reason why people take siesta here; it gets HOT in the afternoon! So make sure you’re wearing the right clothes, and that you feel comfy getting out there. 

3. Research running routes, and try to switch it up.

Nobody likes to just run in circles around random blocks, right? Well, maybe you do, but if not, try to look up running routes in your area. Random Granada blogs helped me out a lot with this, and it made me feel much safer knowing that I was running on popular routes. 

4. Find a running buddy.

I could not have done a lot of these runs without my buddies! Running with people is a great way to make fast friends (no pun intended) and stay aware when running. It’s so awesome to explore the city this way, and even more awesome when you get to share it with someone. 

5. Keep your eyes open for a race! 

This Lisbon half-marathon is something I will remember forever! Though it was not my first, it was actually my fastest, and probably the most exciting. It was so special to run with my friend in a new city, and it wasn’t too hard to coordinate. There’s plenty of local races in every city if you don’t want to get on a plane to find one!

Anyway, shoutout to Granada for just being the best in every way. Once again. I’m terribly sad to be leaving this place so soon.

¡Hasta pronto!

Lily