January came and went…. I wasn’t ready! So here I am at the start of February reminiscing of my running travels since returning to the UK in April 2015. Summer came and went with the usual flurry of hen parties and weddings but Amongst the Pimms and prosecco I managed a good bit of running in various European destinations so here’s my round up of the top 3:

1. Amsterdam

Yep, even during a 3 day hen party in one of the most hedonistic European cities I managed a couple of beautiful runs along the river – there’s really no excuse not to pack your trainers if you’re going to find yourself in this fabulous city for the weekend… There are endless canals to explore, a picturesque river it’s impossible to get lost running along and a variety of parks to choose from. Did I feel like a bit of a loser rising early to run when 13 hungover heads around me slept soundly? Yep. Did I feel just a little bit smug on my return? Course I did. That’s the whole point.

2. Ibiza

Ok. Let’s be honest, I’m going to have a hard time convincing any of you to pack your trainers if you’re planning a trip to Ibiza this year… But I’ll give it a bash. Firstly, Ibiza is an idyllic island with miles of coastline just waiting for you to discover; the water is crystal clear and theres not a cloud in the sky; secondly, once you get off the main roads there are a plethora of tracks with no traffic where you can run in peace for miles (aside from the odd viscous barking dog); thirdly the smug factor is at an all time high if you once again find yourself on a 4 day hen party with 12 others and manage to fit in a run or two amongst the chaos…
3. Dubrovnik
 Similar to Ibiza another beautiful coastline awaits in the city of Dubrovnik; the rocky outcrops and various other Croatian islands in the distance make this a worthwhile running destination. I did find that it’s not the easiest place to find a quiet road or trail… I was here on a wedding staying out of town which made it possible with a little effort, but if you’re staying in the Old Town it could be difficult (it’s tourist central… You’ve been warned).

So there you have it people, even if the weekend revolves around wearing a pink sash whilst downing prosecco on the back of a 12 man bicycle or even downing a vodka Coke out of a teacup being served by an 18 year old stripper…. There’s still time for a run should you feel that way inclined…