Running / Staying in Shape While Travelling

As a very broad generalization only, I have read (and it's consistent with my own observations) that in many but not all western European countries, the locals tend to work out in gyms, so you don't see as many jogging on the street. So you may be noticed a bit more than here. London seemed to be an exception, there were locals jogging outdoors. It shouldn't be a problem, if you use the same common sense rules you use here and maybe have your running attire a bit on the conservative side. And you're also correct that in many European countries you see fewer locals wearing shorts, at least that has been my observation, except at resorts, lakes, etc.

I have seen runners in Europe, usually in the early morning around parks rather than busy streets during traffic hours. I can't say whether they were tourists or locals. They seemed to wear the same as you would see in the U.S. or Canada, running shorts and T-shirts when it's warm, warm-up suits when it's cold.

I don't think shorts look weird for running. Walking around town or shopping in shorts, however, doesn't seem common for adults.

Shauna,

Most of Europeans wear bikini/speedos on the beach.I didn't really see much shorts, unless people are on the streets.
I saw people running close to the beach or parks, not really on the streets.For exemple in Nice, France, teh only time I've seen people running was along the main blv, which is next to the beach.
I think you would look a bit weird wearing running shorts anywahere in Europe.

In France I have lived:
South/Cote Azur: There were lots of people wearing shorts (locals, fishermen and cafe owners)and lots of people running. (Sports and triatholans are popular there) I even saw groups of runners in the mountains.

Paris: If you saw someone running they were probably either an American or a French person who took up the sport while living in the US. I wouldn't run on the street but the big parks are a great place to run early in the morning and depending there are lots of trails.

Brittany: Again most of the runners (along the coastal trails) were expats.

It doesn't really matter if other people run or wear shorts. You are not required to adapt to their customs simply be sensitive to their values and this does not factor into it. People who exercise in Europe tend to do it privately, so no running down the Champs Elysee. Most likely you will meet some interesting people who will be interested in what you are doing.

If you don't already have contacts. If you are in France look for a company called Decathalon. They are a sportingsgood store but they also list races and activiteis for a variety of sports for different regions.

And don't believe that Europeans don't wear shorts. I think that they are just better at knowing when not to wear them.

My (French) mother-in-law is fond of saying that you can spot a tourist in Paris because they are the ones not wearing shorts when it is 35 degrees. hehe

Running is huge - Every April Paris hosts a marathon race - plus there are several other shorter races throughout the year.

http://www.adventure-marathon.com/Marathon-de-Paris-2008.aspx

You can also take a look at www.runnersworld.co.uk - they typically list events throughout Europe.

I ran in shorts this morning - it was a balmy 4 degrees. :o)

A few folks from my Berlin, Prague and Vienna tour this past fall got up early every morning to run. If memory serves, the only comment I heard was that they did receive some stares when jogging in Prague and they didn't see any other joggers there, compared to the other cities. When we were at Schonbrun Palace in Vienna, there were numerous locals jogging through the gardens, many of whom were wearing shorts.

Enjoy your trip!

I have run in London, Oslo, Bergan, many Irish towns, Venice, Munich, Berlin, Copenhagen, Kyoto (Japan), and a few others. I go early in the morning and don't feel (too) out of place, although it is true that most Europeans don't run through their hometowns. I do run in shorts. I did not try it in Spain, however.

Competing whileon your trip sounds like a great idea. If you will be in Switzerland---lots of the mountain villages have trail runs which look like great fun.

my wife and I are both runners and we run wherever we go in Europe. We have run in France, Italy, Greece, Spain, and will run in Germany and Austria this spring! We wear shorts and are fine! Do not worry about it. You may get a few looks, but if you are a runner, you are used to getting these looks even in the U.S. (haven't run in Canada, so can't comment on those north of here ;?). hope this helps. Also, if you go to www.runnersworld.com there are descriptions of good places to run in most of the major cities in Europe. just type in the city name in the search box.

p.s. we usually run every other day and find that it doesn't hurt our overall aerobic fitness too much.

Hey everyone .. thanks for the responses! I found a half marathon in Nice the weekend after I arrive! :)

I've never thought of racing a triathlon while in Europe, but that gives me an idea! So I'll be packing my running shoes and shorts.

Thanks again for the encouragement. I figure running will be a good way to see some of the smaller towns.

Cheers

There is one more perspective you might want to consider. I have seen runners all over Europe, but Germany, England, Belgium, Holland and the Scandinavian countries the most. What a great way to meet locals with a common interest. True, you will probably met them more easily in a race, but athletes seem to be the same all over the world: can't get enough talking about their sport and enjoying sharing local knowledge (such as places to run) with others. I race-walk and am in my 60's - if I found others to be generous with their friendship and knowledge, you will too.

Shauna, think about it from two perspectives:

1) Running in Europe may make you look like a tourist more than in Canada. The only thing looking like a tourist can do negatively is put a barrier between you and the culture. But when you're running, do you really care all that much that Frau Schultz isn't inviting you into her home for a hot cooked meal?

2) In the chance that you do run into a local who gives you a hard time, treat it as an opportunity to share something about your culture with them as well as learning something about theirs.

http://www.runnersworld.co.uk/news/article.asp?UAN=564

The group I run with has a group heading to the Rome marathon this year, so this has been a hot topic in my area lately. You didn't indicate what kind of distance you run, but I found this article interesting. It might help you find a unique race that adds to your trip!

There is also an international race calendar search function on Runnersworld.com.

In Berner Oberland this summer I was with a hiking gorup the same time as "the inferno" - mountain trialthalon. They all wore shorts. Earlier in the year in Copenhagen, there were many many people our running along the lake/park like roads built next to streets and along water ways. When its warm and sunny in northen countries - people wear a lot less so you wont feel out of place (in fact you may be less touristy than us in our hiking or travel clothes!). Where ever you go - check with the hotels you stay at (or hostels) for local run routes. The hotel in Copenhagen had a nice map running map with distances on it. Another nice souvenir!

I'm not a runner, but I am one of those weird walker people (bad knees ended the high impact stuff). When we stayed in small-town Germany a couple of years ago there was a jogging map on a neck strap with one mile and I think it was three mile paths marked. Since then I have asked and been told either a route or given a map. I don't see as many walkers but I do see runners in the morning before work. Not so many after work. They are wearing the same things the joggers on the bridge in Chattanooga, TN wear. Good luck with the races -- I agree, the bib would be a truly awesome souvenir.