A story of going from being a non-runner to planning for a marathon in three years...

Saturday, January 29, 2011

Remember the Run

Guess where I got to run this week?



Hint: I'm standing in front of the Alamo.


If you guessed San Antonio, Texas you'd be right!

I had to go to San Antonio for a workshop and the colleague I went with is also a runner. She convinced me to bring my running gear AND to get up before the sun for a short run on Friday morning.

San Antonio has a beautiful River Walk in downtown that would have been a pleasure to run on in the early morning hours. Sadly, we were staying in the Medical District which was about a 20 minute car ride from downtown. So, instead, I planned out a 3.2 mile looped route by using Google and Gmap Pedometer but due to missing a street sign we ended up just doing an easy out-and-back run from our hotel.

Things I didn't know about San Antonio:

1. It's hilly
2. It's at an elevation of 1,000 feet above sea level
3. They don't seem to like sidewalks (at least in the Medical District)

To this girl from the flat and relatively low lands of metro Chicago those things made for an interesting run.

However, the company and the weather more than made up for it. I got to wear capris! And try out my new arm warmers.



The arm warmers are a great addition to my running gear. They're especially perfect for traveling when you're not sure if you'll be running in 40 degree weather or 65 degree weather. Instead of packing two shirts (long sleeved and short sleeved) I just packed my short sleeved top and my arm warmers and was ready for anything.

Funny tidbit: my running buddy and I met in the lobby of our hotel at 6:30 AM on Friday morning wearing shirts from the same race (the Soldier Field 10 Mile). Granted, hers was a long-sleeved one and mine was the short-sleeved one but we had a good laugh about it.

I'm glad she convinced me to get up and run with her before our workshop. If I'd been by myself I don't think I would have done it. And now I can add Texas to the list of states I've run in. And maybe someday I can get back to San Antonio and run the River Walk, too.

San Antonio Run by snmnstrz21 at Garmin Connect - Details

Do you try to workout when you travel?

5 comments:

Aimee Lieby said...

I'm so sad that you are only four hours away and in my very favorite city! Sad cause I don't get to meet you and you are (relatively) so close.

Anonymous said...

Wow, I have never been to Texas!!! That is so neat.....I have always wanted to go there. I can't IMAGINE how good it felt to run in warm (to us Midwesterners) ;-) weather!

I definitely look forward to running and walking when I travel. I know it sounds cheesy, but I do honestly think you're able to get a better "feel" for new places when you see them on foot.

Jacklyn said...

Before going back to school, one of my favorite things about traveling for my job was running and waking up with a new city while traveling. I loved it! Such a cool way to see the city!

Rose @ Eat, Drink, and Be Meiri said...

I try to run when I travel, but it usually doesn't happen. The upside is, I end up walking a whole ton, so at least I'm keeping my legs strong.

kilax said...

Erin, I am so so happy you got a run in! Another new state that you ran in! You should have a little map or something.

I am really curious about arm warmers! Do you think I would like them? Maybe I will order some. I did order compression socks this week. :)

And I do try to workout when I travel. I like seeing new places.

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