Running in Japan - Japan is a great country in which to run: clean air, well-maintained trails and roads. The only problem may be if you are in a major urban environment like Tokyo or Osaka; it is not exactly commonplace to see runners in major metropolitan areas, nor are the parks always big enough to accommodate long distance runs.
Sarajevo memoirs - Now that the airport is open, and the skies are clear of trails left by NATO jets, and there are no more gut-wrenching sonic booms, there are no excuses - come and tramp the surrounding hills of the city often called "Planet Sarajevo". The town lies some two thousand feet up, cramped between the mountains. If you want some running with a difference, then this is it.
Korea is not really built for running - Great country for mountain climbing and hiking. Not the most enthusiastic when it comes to running. It is just that Korea is not really built for running; jogging in urban areas is annoying outside of the approved paths. Although there are numbers of events in the bigger cities, the field is scarce.
Running with the silent spectators - During my run I constantly felt this friendly human-like presence but with an awkward silence. It is like running the New York City marathon with silent spectators. Come to think of it, I had run New York City marathons in the eighties where I had found a few sections of the course with silent spectators, but glad to say that I found them vocal and involved during more recent runs.
A run in an Indian village - I was running only to complete my mileage. Suddenly I noticed a crowd of young kids behind me laughing and imitating me running. I asked them to join me, and they did. They were all 8 to 12 years old, wearing sandals or barefoot. They ran with an enthusiasm of a child given an unexpected monsoon holiday at school. It was pure joy, the sheer joy of running without any limitations.
Jogging in Jerusalem - I went jogging, and as I turned the corner, I saw that it appeared to be an unkept access road behind a large complex of some sort, possibly a school. About three hundred feet in front of me was a group of kids, maybe six or seven total. I was listening to music on my iPod and didn't think much of the kids until I got closer.
Running ancient crossroads - Most people visit Israel to see its inspiring holy sites and magnificent archaeological remains. For runners, this ancient crossroads also has much to offer as the Holyland is blessed with some great running options.
Marathon monks - The Marathon Monks are a group of Japanese Buddhist monks that are part of the Tendai sect located in the mountains looking over the ancient capital of Kyoto and have a quest called "Mt. Hiei 1000 Day Journey": the goal is to run the equivalent of the entire equator - or once around the world over an eight year period.
Tarahumara foot-racing - No doubt the Tarahumares are the greatest runners in the world, not in regard to speed, but endurance: a Tarahumare will easily run 170 miles without stopping. This propensity for running is so great that the name of the tribe alludes to it. Tarahumare is a Spanish corruption of "ralįmari", or "foot-runners".
How to run in a foreign Country - It is often a surprise hearing about runners who won't run in a strange city. Whether there on business or pleasure, some people don't even bother packing their running shoes with them. Instead, make it a habit to run on every trip if you can. Here are a few tips about running in a new place, particularly a foreign Country.
Year-round running in Alaska - Scott May ran over 1,500 miles on dirt and asphalt during summer months, but a significant amount of his mileage was completed on snow and ice. May is not one to let a little winter weather keep him inside. "I'm not a treadmill person," May said. "To get that kind of mileage, you have to run in the winter."
Maori reflections on running - On a warm sunny day, I run through sun filled valley, bathed in the healing glow of Ranginui, ancestral Sky Father. In a southerly storm I run the hills: gale rain lashed, thunder growled, lightning flash-warned; at play with Tawhirimatea, ancestral cousin, God of the Winds.
Three running cultures you should know - With many nations becoming modernized as the world gets smaller, there are few remaining places on Earth where running is still a way of life, essential to survival, not thought of as fitness or a way to relieve stress. Cultures in which running is life, deeply ingrained in the minds and hearts of natives. But where can we find such "running cultures"?
In the Land of a Thousand Hills - Rwanda, known as the "Land of a Thousand Hills", is a fabulous place to run. The capital city of Kigali is perched 4,800 feet above sea level and is knit together by a network of well-paved roads. There are dirt paths everywhere, soft and forgiving on the knees, radiating into the surrounding countryside.
Running in Georgia - Despite the heat and humidity, I managed to run most days in Georgia, exploring new areas and trying, possibly in vain, to counteract the typical Georgia diet, heavy in cheese, eggs and bread. Tbilisi was my favourite running spot, had the greatest variety of things to see, and flat / hilly / on road / off road running options. Tbilisi gets bonus points for having almost no strays dogs.
