Author: Vicky
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Explore Stockholm: Scenic Running Routes You Can’t Miss
Last summer, my husband and I spent ten days in Europe, visiting Stockholm, Tallinn, and Helsinki. In each city, we found time to work out and run, so I thought I’d share a few of our favourite routes. I know I’m super late in posting these, but better late than…
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Lost Your Running Mojo? Why You Shouldn’t Rely on Motivation.
(I wrote this a little while ago and totally forgot to post it. It’s still relevant though, since we’re deep into fall marathon training season.) Every now and then, I lose my running mojo, and it’s so frustrating. There’s usually a reason for it such as being too tired, having…
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Philadelphia Marathon Training: An Update
This year I decided that instead of running my favourite marathon, Chicago, I’d take on Philadelphia. I made this choice for a few reasons: Summer heat in DC: The hot, humid weather makes training really tough. I don’t look forward to running, I slog through my sessions, and I lose…
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Bitten by a Dog While Running? Here’s What to Do
Exactly a year ago, I was running in DC, down Embassy Row, to be precise, on an easy evening run when a dog ran at me from behind and bit my arm. You might be wondering, “How on earth did that happen?” or “What did you do to provoke the…
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Best Running Trails Near Heathrow Airport: Explore Harmondsworth Moor
Recently, my husband and I spent a night at Heathrow Airport ahead of a long-haul flight back to the US. While our hotel ticked the basic boxes, it didn’t have a gym, and knowing that we had a full day of sitting ahead of us, I was determined to get…
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Exploring the Wrekin: A Classic Hike in Shropshire’s Countryside
Final Thoughts I’m so glad we finally made the climb. It was a personal milestone, a nostalgic reconnection with my roots, and a surprisingly challenging bit of exercise, all rolled into one. I’d recommend it to anyone visiting Shropshire, whether you’re a seasoned hiker or just fancy a beautiful walk…
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Discovering Shrewsbury’s Parkrun Experience
A couple of weeks ago, while visiting family in the UK, we spent a few days in my hometown of Shrewsbury – a picturesque, medieval market town nestled in a bend of the River Severn. With its Tudor buildings, winding alleys, and warm community feel, it’s a lovely place to…
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Exploring Philadelphia’s Schuylkill River Trail
Last weekend, my husband and I drove up to Philadelphia to visit a friend of his who was in town. Since it’s about a three-hour drive from DC, we decided to make a weekend of it, booking a hotel, strolling through the city, grabbing lunch, and enjoying an afternoon drink…
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The Importance of Taking a Break After a Marathon
Whether you crossed the finish line with a PB, gritted your teeth through every mile, or soaked in the scenery on a coastal course like the Big Sur International Marathon, one thing is true for all marathoners: recovery matters. After weeks, and often months, of commitment, training, and race-day focus,…
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Big Sur Marathon: A Wild, Windy and Wonderfully Scenic Adventure
When I entered the Big Sur Marathon lottery last year, I didn’t fully grasp what I was signing up for. I’m used to big-city marathons; flat, fast courses with huge crowds of spectators and high energy from start to finish. Big Sur, by contrast, is the polar opposite: small, hilly,…
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Big Sur Weekend: The Start of the Racecation Adventure
I’m writing this from the plane – we’re currently en route to San Francisco for a long weekend in California, and I’m so excited! We’ve been planning this trip for ages, and there’s so much to see and do. Once upon a time, back when I still lived in the…
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Exploring Lady Bird Lake in Austin
Last week, I traveled to Austin for SXSW EDU for work. It was my first time in the city, and I was excited, not only for the conference but also to catch up with a wonderful friend who lives there. I’d also heard amazing things about running in Austin, and…
