Runs in Europe

Comparison is the thief of joy, jealousy is one of the 7 deadly sins, everyone has their own timing. Yeah, whatever. If my friends are doing something cooler, more exciting, and more ambitious than me... I've gotta fucking try it. 

That's how I felt when I woke up Sunday morning at 7:30AM to an alarm I set 2 hours before, after a set at Elsewhere lasted until the sun came up. I stumbled out of bed, still drunk from the night before, to go watch my roommate, Cedric, run a half marathon in bum-fuck nowhere. I grabbed my suitcase which I packed in the haste of pregaming before heading out to watch him. After this, I thought, I'll finally be able to relax... I'm flying to Italy at 3pm... just make it till then. 

1.5 hours later and a quick Chunder I'm transported to a sea of Lululemon wearing 20-30 somethings with signs cheering on their favorite runners. We barely see Cedric in the crowd of runners, he's pacing at an 8 minute mile. How the hell is this man running an 8 min mile half marathon when he was with me at Elsewhere not 4 hours before. And that's when it clicked, I compared, got honest with myself and subconsciously decided it was time to stop making excuses. 

This lead me to run every other day during my relaxing trip in Europe. In total, I ran 5 different places, all with different but equally beautiful views. I saw sights that I never would have seen if I hadn't left bright and early to run, regardless of if I was out till 3am the night before. Below are a few highlights from the run... but ever since that dreadful Sunday a flip has switched and no matter where I am, a run will be required until I can beat this man. 

I ran the dreadful Cinque Terre, through the streets of Florence, and ran along the port city of La Spezia. My times were shit but the time was fantastic. Runners high - mixed with the excitement for traveling gave me such a head rush that I haven't felt since high school.