Running Break

jeffontour

I'm in the early stages of contemplating taking off for a few months to switch off and just run and bike for a bit. The question is where, when and how!

The only place I've any experience of for this sort of thing is Albuquerque, New Mexico. That was many moons ago but it was an ideal place to train. Warm dry climate, mountains on the doorstep, altitude etc.

I'm looking for something similar now I guess. Any suggestions or previous experience greatly appreciated!

Gringo78

Is cost of living an issue? Someplace in South America or Central America would probably work out very cheap. The more rural you go, the more dirt tracks you find.....with a garmin what more would you want?

nerraw1111

Nepal.

It ticks the same boxes as New Mexico, mountains/altitude on your doorstep in the form of the mighty Himalayas.

Opportunities for mountain biking, epic trekking and trail running. Also white water rafting.

Moire O Sullivan has some great info and links regarding running in Nepal: http://moireosullivan.wordpress.com/ It seems Nepal is getting a growing reputation for trail running.

I spent over a month there in 2007 and it was bliss. Lovely people, incredible scenery and culture, and super cheap. I did a 20-odd day trek and it was one the best experiences I've ever had. Plenty of three-four day trails all over the Himalayas for spectacular trail running and biking.

Argentina and Patagonia, depending on time of year, is another option

stryker171

Hit Melbourne, Australia nov/dec for summer and you can train on the flat or the hills all within a 20minute bike commute from the city. There are Tri clubs and cycling clubs all over the place. Beach Road would have over 1000 cyclists along it on a sunday morning so you can take your pick of any bunch that comes past and join in the pack.

jeffontour

Gringo78 wrote: »

Is cost of living an issue? Someplace in South America or Central America would probably work out very cheap.

Until I win the Lotto money is always a consideration! So yes, Southern or Central America would be great from that aspect. I'm no Caballo Blanco as made famous by the recent Born to Run book so would like somewhere relatively developed I think. That's what I liked about Albuquerque, small enough city but with great wilderness on the doorstep.

Gringo78 wrote: »

The more rural you go, the more dirt tracks you find.....with a garmin what more would you want?

True!

another world

If your heading to South America I´d recommend somewhere in Argentina or Chile (I´d recommend others but you mentioned you wanted somewhere developed). Bariloche in Argentina would be an amazing place for it, there are trails everywhere and the mountain biking would be excellent. Chile has pretty much the same but they´re not as friendly over there so I personally wouldn´t bother;) It would really just be in our winter because it´d be covered in snow in our summer (unless you´re a skier :cool:) Oh, it´s pretty cheap as well.

jeffontour

nerraw1111 wrote: »

Nepal.

Hadn't entered my thoughts at all! Now to scuttle off under a rock for a while and read Moires blog....

MrCreosote

French Alps. Somewhere in the Chamonix valley- cheap enough if you camp and stay out of Chamonix itself. Fantastic trailrunning, great mountainbiking and striking range for plenty TdF cols. Easy to train it out if the weather craps out too.
It's busy in the summer though.

Krusty_Clown

Were I given the opportunity I think I would head to Utah, to the national parks and Moab desert. Some fantastic trail running, mountain biking, and cycleing trails and plenty more besides. Lots of ultra-marathons and all at high altitude (well, 4,000+ feet anyway).

Easy to get to, no shots required, not as rural as other suggestions, but there are many many very remote areas.

jeffontour

Krusty_Clown wrote: »

Were I given the opportunity I think I would head to Utah

Good call. Only problem is if this does happen I think it is likely to be late this year early next, which makes Utah not ideal from a climate point of view I reckon.

I've been to Bryce, Zion and Arches national parks before and would defo be great to spend a while running round there.

Thanks for all the suggestions everyone. Problem is I'm terrible at making decisions...

Krusty_Clown

jeffontour wrote: »

Good call. Only problem is if this does happen I think it is likely to be late this year early next, which makes Utah not ideal from a climate point of view I reckon.

I've been to Bryce, Zion and Arches national parks before and would defo be great to spend a while running round there.

Thanks for all the suggestions everyone. Problem is I'm terrible at making decisions...

What, you mean ski season?

digme

When are you going?
How much running would you say you'd be doing? Sounds like a fantastic way to spend a bit of time

jeffontour

digme wrote: »

When are you going?
How much running would you say you'd be doing? Sounds like a fantastic way to spend a bit of time

It's an if I go at the mo depending on lots of things but I think best timing would be 3 months max. over the winter, November through January. That would be the ideal however, even a month would be great.

At the moment I'm leaning towards an approach along the lines of..

Gentle run in the morning.
Breakfast.
Relax, explore surroundings, solve world hunger for the morning/early afternoon.
Lunch.
Relax.
Train.
Relax.

With some ambitious but realistic goals based on the free time afforded by the above ideal world scenario. But as I've said, it's all just a work in progress at the mo which sounds fabulous to me as well!