Favorite Runs: International

There are so many beautiful places that I have run, I couldn't possibly pick a favorite. Instead, I'm going to highlight some of my favorite domestic and international runs and hope I describe them with some justice.

I begin with three runs on the beautiful and pristine islands of Greece--Crete, Santorini and Mykonos. Nikolaos is a beautiful seaside town about 40 minutes from the airport in Crete, depending on how fast your taxi driver drives--to be truthful there are only varying degrees of fast in Crete. You can run by the shore on a rock walkway with crashing waves at your feet. The ocean is crystal clear allowing you the vantage point of snorkeling without getting wet and there is always a gentle breeze to beat back the heat. Nikolaos looks a bit like what you imagine Venice would resemble if the water were crystal clear. As one of the most southern Greek islands, Crete is not high on the list of tourist stops so runners really stick out. Nothing says type-A American like running through Nikolaos. Still, how can you resist lacing up your shoes and taking the asphalt tour.

Santorini is one of those places where everyone should go at least once in their life--and many, many people do. It is probably the most popular Greek island destination and it is worthy of that ranking. Fira is a town carefully carved out of the face of a cliff. There is a path between Fira and the next town Oia. Oia sits a little higher then Fira and has a fantastic view of the sunset. To run between the two towns on this path is a bit challenging with the hills but your pain, should there be any, is abated by the breathtaking view. There is so much to see, other islands, the ferries running in the water below, the Santorini taxis (donkeys) moving tourists up the cliff--it's dizzying really but a must for the to do list.

Lastly, Plati Yialos on the island of Mykonos. Plati Yialos is a quiet seaside resort a bus ride from the shops and restaurants of Mykonos. The road between is full of farms, mostly lucky sheep grazing in the fields. When you run there you get strange looks from both the sheep and the farmers but to both I always bade "kalimera" which is good morning in Greek. This native greeting usually caught the farmers by surprise, chasing away their confused look at the spectacle before them.

While in Greece you can also visit the site of the original Olympic games in Delphi. There is a healthy climb to the stadium but when you reach the final ascent and walk inside the stadium, you are overcome with awe as you visualize the history that took place there.

One last reflection on Greece, do not even try to run in Athens. People drive on the sidewalk there. I don't care what metropolitan areas you have run through, Greece should not be one of them if you value your life.