I have taken to running in the last six months – not massive distances or super regular but mostly when I am travelling and without access to a yoga class or reformer Pilates studio – my other favourite ways to exercise. The biggest benefit is it that it gets you out on the roads and through parks to places and at times you might not otherwise visit.
Last week in Sri Lanka the rewards were greater than ever before. The men on the streets cheered and hi-fived, the women gave wry little smiles of encouragement. As I entered Galle Fort I was met with crowds of people – its 9AM and it seems today is weddings day – so much colour and costume.. I stopped to take pictures but as the entire wedding parties turned one by one to look at me now I had stopped I realised in my shorts and vest I wasn’t really appropriately dressed…and pressed on.. Further on boys in white shorts and vests, girls in white skirts and blouses with red ties did marching practice on the streets, Sri Lankan men practiced yoga on the ramparts and on the main green more school kids practised a dance in their hundreds.
It seems to really pay to get out at other times than we usually would.
I use the nike+ running app to chart my efforts- picture of this run above – I love the shapes on the maps the lines make and intend one day to print them all and make a collage. Check out my other runs around the world on this link. Let me know if you use it too and let’s encourage each other to achieve our goals.
