Running in Italy

HI Kelly, We'll be there in May and my whole family runs so at least I can let you know how it went when we get back. Oddly (but you can understand this) one of the things we are looking forward to in Italy is having a chance to run there.

I love to run on vacations! It allows me to be up and about before many other tourists, while the cities are still quiet. I've run in the Piazza Navona area on several vacations. It's easy to get over to the river, and run on either side of it; there's a cross street every several blocks. Once I ran across the Ponte Sant Angelo (it's pedestrian), around Castel Sant Angelo, then up to St. Peter's. (Someday, I'll run around the Circus Maximus.) Another time, I ran up via della Scroffa, which become via Ripetta, up to Piazza Popolo. On the way, you pass Ara Pacis; you can see quite a bit of it from the outside. In Florence, we stayed near Santa Croce. From there, I ran along the river (if I run along a river, I'm less likely to get lost). The best run, though, was up to Piazzale Michelangelo. The view over the city was incredible. In Venice, when we've stayed in the Cannaregio, I run along Strada Nova, then cut over Fondamente Miseracordia, all the way to the western edge of Venice. When staying closer to St. Mark's, I go over to the Riva degli Schiavoni and take it all the way to the other end of Venice (there's a park at that end). In the Cinque Terre, the villages are so small that it would be difficult to get much distance; I haven't run in any of the Cinque Terre villages. I'm a small female, and felt totally safe running in all of these locations. I was usually running at about 7 am. Because running, and U.S.-style running clothes are less common, I don't wear my skimpiest stuff. I wear triathlon shorts and a regular t-shirt; we generally travel in May or late September, though, so the weather's not so hot. I have a bad sense of direction, so i usually take some small sort of map with me, just in case. Enjoy!

My husband has a wonderful memory of running around the Circus Maximus in Rome in the early morning.

I tend to choose running routes using one of two methods - either running to and around the nearest big park or running to and around tourist sites. If you're running alone, I'd stick to tourist sites since they'll have more activity and police around even early in the morning. Pull up Google Earth and get out your guide book and see what's near your hotel. These areas have a completely different feel early in the morning when no one's around. I recommend that you run in the morning simply because there will be less traffic/people and you'll have more energy. Its been a while since I've been to Rome, but I recall that the Pantheon is pretty close to Piazza Novona and the St. Angelo castle is just across the river. In the CT there are lots of trails to hike/run on. Some are not open 24 hrs/day so you'll have to check on that. If you like hills, the upper trails have nice views. I have some great running memories from my trips. I've seen St. Mark's square in Venice completely empty and the Sabanci mosque in Adana, Turkey just as the sun came up. I've also seen a bum vomiting on a bench outside the coloseum in Rome. If you have a small camera, bring it on your run. You never know what you'll see. One last thought, pay attention to signs. I once accidently ran into a military compound in Siena thinking it was a small park. Good luck!

Thanks for your replies! Frankly, I was looking at it more like a chore I had to squeeze in, but after reading your responses, I feel more excited about it! The river suggestion is great (I also get lost easily, even in my hometown :)), and hitting the pavement early with a camera is also a great idea. Debbie-I'd love to hear your experiences when you get back-have a great trip! Thanks, all!
Kelly

I run several times on trips to Rome and Venice. In both cities, running the little narrow streets is a big hassle because there always is a pedestrian around a blind corner. Same problem with running the crowded piazzas. Rome: For my one "serious" run I take the Archeobus out to the Aqueduct Park and run with few cars and miles of open road. (DO NOT try to run past the Porta San Sebastiano to the Appia Antica because there is a very dangerous lack of shoulder, truly scary) For a quasi serious run I use the modern running track between FAO and Baths of Caracalla. I am pretty sure that I have no business getting onto the track, but I have never been turned away. The subway stop is very nearby. Running the Lungotavere is ok, but the there is a lot of traffic noise. I tried running along the river walkway far below but I found no stretch of it longer than 1/2 mile, and there are a lot of syringes. The easiest place is in the Villa Borghese, but, as a guy, I have no recommendation for a woman running alone in the park. The Circ Massimus is a must do, once; but the second time is pretty boring. Venice is a real challenge: narrow streets, lots of people. I have two favorite runs. The Riva degli Schiavoni out to Isola Saint Elena is pretty good, and increasingly uncrowded the farther out you go. I really like taking the boat to Lido, where you can run (or rent a bike) to the beach, and then run the beach, forever. Coming back I pick up some gelato for the boat ride home. Rome is well covered by Google Street View, so you can preview most of the runs that you might be considering.

I am so glad someone posted this topic because I had been thinking about what I need to do to keep up with my diet and exercise while in Europe. Lost over 100 pounds so didn't want to count on just walking to keep me in shape. So great idea about running. Hadn't thought about doing that in the morning before seeing the sights.