Anyone who knows our running styles knows...Kee-Min & I approach running very, very differently. We don't like the same kind of training plans, we respond differently to running challenges, and on race day we absolutely have differing race strategies.
BUT I can assure you, that we are in complete agreement about one thing: Our run in Naples was the worst. run. of. our. trip. Hands down, no question. Don't get me wrong - after coaxing my body through injuries & illnesses, I am thankful for every mile of bonding I do with my running shoes. But this run was definitely a doozie, for a whole lot of reasons.
So, listen up: If you find yourself in Naples, jonesing for a run - Lesson #1: TAKE PUBLIC TRANSPORT TO THE BAY. It will be worth every penny. We did not do this, as I stubbornly *insist* on running from my front door. So this is the route we took:
The first mile was spent along on city streets: dodging traffic, avoiding construction zones, and weaving amongst commuting pedestrians. In our pre-run reconnaissance, we figured that once we got near the water, we would find a nice path/sidewalk to enjoy. Lesson #2: Such a path/sidewalk appears just a bit before Borgo Marinari (see map above), you know where you turn into the bay. So we spent the second and half of the third miles running along the industrial port. We were still dodging pedestrians and traffic, at the intersection of (un)healthy doses of air pollution from land and sea. Even our eyes were getting irritated from the who-knows-what in the air. Major, major ICK. From this perspective, it felt like Naples was made of grey, hazy, and industrial.
But once we rounded that corner by the Borgo Marinari, everything changed. Suddenly, we were in the ritzy part of Naples - we'd found the expense hotels, nice restaurants, and pricey houses. There was a wide open path right next to the sand and a gorgeous views on both sides. On land were fancy houses stacked into the hillside leading up from the water. Out toward the water was...well, open water and the promise of a new day. Had I carried my camera on the run (I didn't), this is where I would have started snapping photos. Incidentally, this is also where we started to see the locals running. A-HA!!
Believe me, we reveled in every hundredth of the 0.75 miles to our turn-around point. Unfortunately, we did kind of need to get back to our clothes and breakfast, so we grudgingly turned around and headed back into pollution and traffic. So - lesson #3: If you want to run in Naples, get thee to the bay area. [Are you getting the picture?] Your eyes, lungs, and instincts for self-preservation will thank you!
At the end of seven miles, though, it's easy to dismiss the bad, and turn philosophical - running in a new place is always an adventure, and we were thankful for the opportunity to run. Plus, just one sub-par run helped us appreciate all the beautiful and runner-friendly routes we found in so many other cities on our trip! And hopefully - should you ever find yourself in Naples - you can use our experience to your benefit. Just remember: THE BAY!
BUT I can assure you, that we are in complete agreement about one thing: Our run in Naples was the worst. run. of. our. trip. Hands down, no question. Don't get me wrong - after coaxing my body through injuries & illnesses, I am thankful for every mile of bonding I do with my running shoes. But this run was definitely a doozie, for a whole lot of reasons.
So, listen up: If you find yourself in Naples, jonesing for a run - Lesson #1: TAKE PUBLIC TRANSPORT TO THE BAY. It will be worth every penny. We did not do this, as I stubbornly *insist* on running from my front door. So this is the route we took:
The first mile was spent along on city streets: dodging traffic, avoiding construction zones, and weaving amongst commuting pedestrians. In our pre-run reconnaissance, we figured that once we got near the water, we would find a nice path/sidewalk to enjoy. Lesson #2: Such a path/sidewalk appears just a bit before Borgo Marinari (see map above), you know where you turn into the bay. So we spent the second and half of the third miles running along the industrial port. We were still dodging pedestrians and traffic, at the intersection of (un)healthy doses of air pollution from land and sea. Even our eyes were getting irritated from the who-knows-what in the air. Major, major ICK. From this perspective, it felt like Naples was made of grey, hazy, and industrial.
But once we rounded that corner by the Borgo Marinari, everything changed. Suddenly, we were in the ritzy part of Naples - we'd found the expense hotels, nice restaurants, and pricey houses. There was a wide open path right next to the sand and a gorgeous views on both sides. On land were fancy houses stacked into the hillside leading up from the water. Out toward the water was...well, open water and the promise of a new day. Had I carried my camera on the run (I didn't), this is where I would have started snapping photos. Incidentally, this is also where we started to see the locals running. A-HA!!
Believe me, we reveled in every hundredth of the 0.75 miles to our turn-around point. Unfortunately, we did kind of need to get back to our clothes and breakfast, so we grudgingly turned around and headed back into pollution and traffic. So - lesson #3: If you want to run in Naples, get thee to the bay area. [Are you getting the picture?] Your eyes, lungs, and instincts for self-preservation will thank you!
At the end of seven miles, though, it's easy to dismiss the bad, and turn philosophical - running in a new place is always an adventure, and we were thankful for the opportunity to run. Plus, just one sub-par run helped us appreciate all the beautiful and runner-friendly routes we found in so many other cities on our trip! And hopefully - should you ever find yourself in Naples - you can use our experience to your benefit. Just remember: THE BAY!
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