Lessons from traveling abroad: Running a race overseas

The first thing to remember when you're planning on running a race any time it requires travel, is to give yourself plenty of time on both sides of the race both to prepare and recover.  I arrived in Dublin on August 2nd for the Rock'n'Roll half-marathon on August 5th. This gave me time to navigate from the airport to the hostel and find the crucial places like ATMs and grocery stores the first day without worrying about needing to be anywhere.  It also gave me two full days (the 3rd and 4th) to sightsee because I had a pretty good feeling that I wouldn't be up for walking around the city much after running 13 miles.  I also gave myself a few days of recovery before hoisting my enormous backpack up and trekking on to another country.

And time for selfies with my shiny new medal!

Rock 'n' Roll Dublin Half Marathon

Despite not running since setting foot on this continent almost 2 months ago, I still finished in 2:13:22. Yay!  

Ireland had people blessing it's constantly overcast skies for probably the first time ever.

By the way, Ireland?  Amazing.  Love it.  I want to keep my entries somewhat in order though, so more Paris articles later this week, then my adventures paragliding in Munich and soaking up the sun on the coast of Croatia.  

But for me, I'll be heading to Belfast on Thursday and then hopefully *crosses fingers and prays imploringly* getting a ferry to Scotland and getting to Edinburgh before 10pm on August 11.  After that I'll be traveling the rails again, this time across Great Britain.

So much to do before I come home September 10th!

Disclaimer:  I do not recommend my training schedule to anyone not wanting to hobble up and down three flights of steps to get to their room in the hostel.

Best places to exercise in Cincinnati

Wanting to get sweaty in Cinci?  We've got a little of something for everyone!

• Urban Active/LA Fitness

LA Fitness acquired Urban Active in fall 2012 but has maintained the look and feel of the Urban Active gyms, which is open and very modern feeling.  LA Fitness itself is also open and has a very clean feeling to it, but is not as "hip" looking as Urban Active.

Despite their open layout, though, the Urban Active brand is very understanding of people who may not want to have everyone watching them exercise.  Some of their locations have women's-only workout areas, which are smaller and more private.  
The Montgomery Road location actually has a theater room with a couple dozen treadmills and elliptical machines.  It's dark and they play different movies on different days.  It's a great way to crank out a couple hours of cardio! 

Theater room at Urban Active
Photo credit: Urban Active, LA Fitness

I visited LA Fitness solely to use their lap pool, since the closest Urban Active didn't have one.  It was very clean and I never felt like I was in anyone's way, even though I am not a very fast swimmer.

The group classes offered are also nice, though I prefer an actual yoga studio or boxing ring for the kind of classes they offer.

They offer a three-day pass free, which is a great way for a traveler to get into a gym if they're unhappy with the one at their hotel.

• Cincinnati Yoga School

No pictures allowed in
the temple itself

I first ventured into CYG thanks to a Groupon, but I stayed because it's simply the best yoga studio I've found.  They have created a meditative ambiance without overdoing the incense, tiny water fountains, and CDs of chanting monks.  It has all of these things but in a more subdued and authentic manner.  I really like getting a choice between a carpeted surface and hardwood, and I LOVE the simulated starry sky on the ceiling.
The Yogis here are very devoted, not only to helping you get the most out of your practice, but also the the philosophy of yoga.  The frequently offer retreats and seminars for those interested in longer more sustained experiences.

• Downtown

There is no run I enjoy more than through downtown and along the Ohio River.  It is completely safe during daylight hours as long as you don't do something stupid like take a shortcut down a deserted alley, or ignore traffic signals.  

Pretty views, even in the winter

If you want to avoid raffic altogether, run through Yeatmans Cove Park where the Flying Pig finish line party is held every year.  Or go further east to my favorite mini park: the Theodore M Berry International Friendship Park: it's crisscrossing path winds through gardens representing the different continents and it is chock full of sprinklers in the summer!

You can even cross the river into Newport Kentucky via the pedestrian-only Purple People Bridge.  (Yep, that's its name)  You can also use the John A Roebling suspension bridge, but it gives you a much more narrow area to run and you still have to deal with exhaust from cars which also use the bridge.