Visiting Copenhagen? Run Here.

After a few fantastic - albeit rainy - days in Amsterdam, we were off to Copenhagen. I was especially looking forward to surrounding ourselves with Scandinavian design and culture, and exploring the city on foot.

On our first day in the city we saw notices on apartment building doors alerting residents about the Copenhagen Half Marathon, which would be run the following weekend. I haven't been able to shake the idea of going back one day to run the race. While there are definitely hills in Copenhagen, for the most part it was pretty flat where we wandered during our few days in the city.

We found Copenhagen to be a fairly easy city to get around on foot and enjoyed the two runs we had time to fit in. Definitely a great way to get our bearings and see the sights. Unfortunately it wasn't until our last night that we stumbled upon another area that would have been great to run - which I'll note below.

We stayed in a hotel right near the City Hall and Tivoli; an unusual spot for us in that it was a very touristy area, but the benefits were that it was very central, close to the train station and offered a delicious and large breakfast spread that included vegan options.

The Trifecta

Our first run combined several parks in the downtown city core, which isn't that difficult because there are a number of parks in Copenhagen. We first dipped into Ørstedsparken, which was right down the road from our hotel and features a large lake with several trails. It was a little oasis in the city. This park is just two blocks from "the lakes", a series of three lakes right on the edge of the downtown core, with a crushed gravel path around the edge. This was a beautiful place to run and is popular for running and walking. Once we got to the north end of the lakes, we took Dag Hammarskjolds Alle to Østre Anlaeg Park where once again, we found several small lakes, crushed gravel paths again and a few actual hills. Another peaceful spot in the middle of Denmark's capitol city. We left this park near the Statens Museum for Kunst, which is catty corner from Kongens Have - the King’s garden - and Rosenberg Slot, a beautiful and impressive palace. We zigzagged our way through the park to see the sights - took a few photos - then exited the garden and ran along Landemaerket and other small streets we thought looked interesting, finally making our way back to City Hall Square.

We really enjoyed this run with all the gravel paths, water views and the fact that we're not accustomed to running by a palaces built in the 1600’s. For a run that's easier to navigate, a full turn around the lakes is 6.4K.

Fredericksberg Have

We only had time for two runs during our stay in Copenhagen, and our second run took us to a different part of town, and through a few neighborhoods. I had explored Fredericksberg Have a bit on our first day when Matt was taking a tour of the Carlsberg Brewery, and wanted to get back there. There are three roads you can take to or from Fredericksberg Have - Gammel Kongevej to the north, Vestrobrograde to Fredericksberg Allé, or Vestrobrograde the full way. We took a combination there and back, dodging groups of school kids and commuters on bikes. We created a big loop of sorts, through two parks really - Frederiksberg and, to the south, Søndermarken. Through these two parks, you pass by gardens, lakes, the zoo, and, of course, Fredericksberg Castle.

Again, this run was a great mix of both city streets and calm, peaceful parks, with beautiful architecture along the way. We ran back to our hotel along Fredericksberg Allé, which is a beautiful tree lined street and reminds me, a bit, of 5th Ave along Central Park with the wide sidewalks and trees. From what I understand, this road was originally constructed as the King's private road to his new summer home.

Now, our last evening in Copenhagen we were wandering around the city, in an area we hadn't explored yet and came across Kalvabod Bølge - a promenade that runs along the waterfront, specifically designed to bring people closer to the water. The design mimics a wave, and from this wooden structure people can dive into the water for a swim (we saw a few people swimming, a unique afterwork activity), rent a kayak, walk or run along the promenade, or just enjoy some r&r. It is part of the Harbour Circle, a route along the waterfront, on both sides of the river. The full route is 13k, however there are smaller sections of 2, 4, and 7k for those looking for something a bit shorter.

I'm not sure how we didn't notice this area sooner as we had been just down the river a bit from it multiple times. Definitely a place we'd want to go back on a more sunny day.

We really did love our time in Copenhagen and I hope to go back again and explore more of the city and the region in Denmark. While we saw quite a bit over three days, there's so much more to do.

Going to Amsterdam? Read about three great runs to do in the city here.

Going to Run on Your Next Trip? Do This Before You Go.

We’ve just finished an incredible trip abroad. Actually, as I write this, we are high above the Atlantic Ocean; between Iceland and Greenland according to the map on the screen in front of me.

This trip we’ve been on, to Reykjavik, Amsterdam and Copenhagen, is one we’ve wanted to take for years. It’s a bit sad to see it coming to an end and know that we’ll both be back at our desks tomorrow rather than exploring cobblestone streets and palaces. But, that’s life and what we have to do to go on more trips in the future. Right?

Our trip wasn’t necessarily an adventure vacation - we spent most of our time in cities, not on mountains - but it went without saying that we were going to run as many times as we could because that’s one of our favorite ways to explore new places.

We ran five times: three mornings in Amsterdam and twice in Copenhagen, and covered 26 miles. Of course, we covered countless more miles walking around. On several occasions, my Fitbit reached more than 35,000 steps at the end of the day.

We enjoyed all of our runs and felt that they helped us get to know the cities better. Let’s face it though, adding running gear to your suitcase does require space and weight, so it’s important to make it worth it.

In my opinion, it really comes down to one thing: Do the prep work.

Much like planning for any long run or training, taking time to prepare and plan will increase your enjoyment of running on vacation. 

Seek out recommendations for where to run from the running community. I received great tips from friends who have run in the cities before, and also found a few blog posts through Google searches. This helped me narrow down where we should go - and all of our runs took us to, or through, parks. Local running groups are great sources of information and even company if you are looking to join in on a group run or don’t want to run alone. Some cities also have running tours where you can, well, get a tour of the city from a local while you go for a run. (We did this in Montreal years ago and it was fantastic.)

You’ll need to the right gear, but not too much. Think about what you’ll need and check the weather forecast, but be prepared for anything if you’re going to a city or country known for erratic weather patterns. If you can, cut down on the impact on your suitcase by packing fewer outfits than the number of runs you plan to do, and plan to do some wash while you’re away. We stayed at an AirBnB in Amsterdam which we chose in part because it had a washer and dryer, so we were able to do laundry part way through our trip. While I personally think the AirBnB fees are getting a bit out of control, this one wasn’t bad and the ability to do laundry clinched it for us. I strongly recommend taking something to carry water (we saw very few drinking fountains on our trip) and even a lightweight hydration pack without the bladder if you want to do some exploring (or brunching) after your run but before you head back to the hotel. Also good for carrying bulky keys and a map, in case you don’t have cell phone service. (But take that phone for photos!) 

Back to parks for a moment. I highly recommend incorporating parks into your route, especially if you’re visiting a city. They tend to offer safe running routes that don’t require frequent stops for traffic lights, not to mention green space helps us relax.

While you’re out on the run, be open to turning down a street that looks interesting and don’t forget to look around you. While you might be training for a race or want to get in a specific distance, you’re in a new place. Look around you and take it all in. Don’t let it all go by in a blur.

Finally, remember to stretch when you’re done. It's an easy thing to forget when you're ready coffee and a delicious brunch, but you'll be happy you took the time to do it in the long run.

It's really fairly simple. Make the commitment. Plan ahead. Explore. Have fun.

Do you run when you travel? Why or why not?

Four Winter Runcation Ideas

It may reach 60 degrees in Denver today, but a recent opportunity to spend weekend in Phoenix for a Oiselle team meet up was a great escape from winter weather. It got me thinking about how amazing and energizing it can be to get away from the cold of winter for a few days of sun and warmth. Even though I saw flowers starting to bloom during a walk the other day, the snow will be back still this season.

A change of scenery and new places to explore through running can provide a big motivation boost for runners, any time of the year, but especially now. Here's a look at a few winter getaways we've enjoyed that make perfect mid-winter runcation destinations.

Charleston, SC
With a temperate climate, quaint charm complete with cobblestone streets, an impressive food scene and packed with history, this is clearly a great city to explore running with plenty of non-running diversions.

• Where to run: Waterfront Park and the Battery Promenade provide stunning views of the water. Wander through the neighborhoods to take in the beautiful homes.
• Where to eat: Eli's Table, Fleet Landing, FIG, Jestine's Kitchen
• What to see & do: spa services at the Charleston Place, explore the vendors in the City Market, walk through the old neighborhoods, shopping along King Street, head out of town a bit for visits to Fort Sumter and the Middleton Place plantation.
• Where to stay: Charleston Place is a bit pricey but has a great location, excellent service and the rooms are beautiful. To stay like a local, this charming carriage house might be just the thing you're looking for.

Savannah, GA

Savannah oozes history and southern charm. You can't help but feel like you've been transported to another time and have walked into the film "Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil." With parks and gardens around every corner, stunningly elegant homes and southern cooking, it's easy to start your day with a run exploring the city then filling the remaining hours with any number of activities.

• Where to run: Forsyth Park (below, top) and Daffin Park are beautiful but offer limited trails. Include one of the parks in your run but meander through the neighborhoods.
• Where to eat: Angel's BBQ, Soho South Cafe, Clary's Cafe, Crystal Beer Parlor, and Leopold's Ice Cream
• What to see: Owens-Thomas House (below, bottom), Mercer Williams House, SCAD Museum of Arts, shopping in the historic district
• Where to stay: The Mansion on Forsyth Park is beautiful while Hotel Indigo and the Andaz Savannah are closer to the action.

Santa Fe, NM

Yes it can snow in Santa Fe but the area still provides a great getaway during the colder months and plenty to keep you busy for a long weekend. This is a great option if you particularly enjoy trail running, art, margaritas and soaking tubs.

• Where to run & hike: The Dale Ball Trail (below bottom) system offers 22 miles of well marked but challenging trails with stunning views and varying terrain. Additional trail options can be found here.
• Where to eat: Maria's, The Shed, The Teahouse, Plaza Cafe
• What to do when not running: See all the art - there are more than a hundred galleries to explore along Canyon Road and the Georgia O'Keeffe Museum is not to be missed while the Loretto Chapel's staircase is a mysterious work of art. Schedule time in a soaking pool at Ten Thousand Waves for after a long run (tip: try to get a private pool/sauna and arrive early to enjoy the foot soak). Stop by the farmer's market at the Railyard (below top) for fresh food, chilis, spices and more.
• Where to stay: Casita Hopi through Airbnb is a bit out of downtown but incredibly comfortable and a perfect home base if you like to prepare some of your own meals and enjoy privacy. La Fonda on the Plaza, Hotel St. Francis and the Old Santa Fe Inn are steps from the Plaza, restaurants, and more.

Phoenix, AZ

Alright, 75 degrees is the middle of January and to go out for a run in shorts and a tank is pretty nice. It almost feels luxurious. What most surprised me about Phoenix is that while it's mostly flat, there are mountains in and surrounding the city. While the 1,000-ish ft elevation was a nice change for our group from Colorado, it might add a little challenge for those coming from sea level.

• Where to run & hike: Piestewa Peak and Dreamy Draw Recreation Area (below bottom), Camelback Mountain, find more trails here. To hit the pavement, head to Tempe Town Lake, the Arizona Canal or the Indian Bend Wash Greenbelt in Scottsdale.
• Where to eat: Luci's at the Orchard (below top), True Food Kitchen, Culinary Dropout, Sauce, Desoto Central Market
• What to do when not running: Papago Park (featuring hole-in-the-rock, the zoo and the botanical garden), the Phoenix Art Museum, take a tour of Frank Lloyd Wright's winter home Taliesin West, visit old town Scottsdale, all the golf you could want.
• Where to stay: The Embassy Suites where we stayed is close to Piestewa Peak and the Biltmore Fashion park, and also a throwback to the 1980's. The Hotel Valley Ho in Scottsdale has a cool retro vibe, while this cute bungalow in a quiet neighborhood or private guest house with pool and hot tub might be more your style.

What are your favorite runcation destinations? * How do you stay motivated in the winter?

Feel free to contact me if you have questions about any of these spots!