Running Outside Your Country

I haven't done much running outside of America.  Plenty of runs and races outside of Illinois--who doesn't travel to ultramarathons around their region--but only one race so far outside of the States.  I did the Canadian Death Race in 2010.  Sorta. You can read my short summary of that experience from my August 12, 2010 blog post. While that race didn't go well, it sure did excite me about running, and racing, outside of my comfort zone. Canada was beautiful. Other countries must also offer gorgeous venues for running, right?

I wouldn't mind heading back to Canada for a race or two, and I already have my eye on a 2013 Nicaraguan 50km race, but those are for next year and beyond. What about today? Tomorrow? Next week? I have an answer to those questions!  I will be running, not racing, in Turkey and Greece this week and next. Just some basic, short runs to keep in shape and "see the sights" in a different way. Everyone visits the Blue Mosque in Istanbul, but how many run around it?  Millions of tourists walk (slowly) to the top of the Acropolis in Athens, but who runs around that sucker?  Hopefully me. I'll share pictures upon my return. Hope I don't get caught up in the Greek national elections...or the Euro Cup 2012 craziness...at least not too caught up.

Best part of this upcoming trip?  Meeting up with my wife who has been in Turkey for 10 days already. Running is awesome, but wives are pretty special too.