"Running" Errands

  Recently I have read several blogs discussing cyclists, not commuters but guys who really only use their bikes for exercise, using their bikes to run errands rather than just for training. I love this idea and have even occasionally run errands on my bike. However, as I was reading these blogs I began to think why can't I do this with my sport. Yeah I walk to the grocery store occasionally and walk to buy our fruits and vegetables from the guy who sells on the street here but why not actually do what the phrase says you are doing, "run errands?" I mean throw on my Sauconys, my shorts, dry wick shirt, grab a back pack, turn on the Garmin and run some errands. There have been occasions when my wife knew I was heading out for a run and she would ask me to pick up some things during my cool down but that’s not what I'm talking about here.

  So the other day I had something I needed to pick-up from a store on the fringe of the old market here in Marrakech and I had a six mile easy run to do but not enough time to do both. As I was thinking about whether I could put off this little errand one more day, I realized why not just run there buy what I needed and go home? This would be the perfect opportunity to try out my new excuse to go for a run.

  When I got home I grabbed a small running back pack that I bought last year in Spain (something like this), some money and headed out the door. I knew a route that would take me three miles to get to the store so off I went. One of the places I occasionally run is down by the old market, there is always so much to see. What I don't normally do is run down there after 5pm when everyone is driving or riding home. Traffic is nuts! But that is about what time my run was.

This is the kind of traffic I have to deal with all the time. Buses, taxis, cyclists, and donkey pulled carts.

One of the entrances to the old market

  I made it down there taking an easy pace and without any problems. After about a minute of looking for the store then explaining to the man what it was I needed I secured my purchase in my bag and headed off back home.

The store where I bought what I needed

 An old gate

Bab (Gate) Doukkala

  So how would I say my little experience in "running an errand" go? I'd say it went great. But I have come to realize the limitations associated with this kind of endeavor. Let me list a few:

1. Just as with a bike you are limited by the size of your bag. It is unlikely that you would have a pleasant experience doing this kind of shopping with a 35+ liter hiking pack (like this).
2. Carry something liquid and your likely to have problems especially if that something is a soda... think about that for a second.
3. People in the check-out line will think you're crazy, but many people already think that about your running already so who cares what they think. Just don’t use a towel in the store to wipe your sweat unless you plan to buy it.

  Well, I hope I've given you something to think about. Now get out there and run some errands.

Running Motivation

  Sometimes it is easy to get caught up in the excitement of doing something big, like your first half or full marathon or maybe your first ultra marathon. This is great but never forget that the process of training is a huge part of the experience and will either make or break you on race day. Miles upon miles (kilometers upon kilometers, for anyone outside the USA) you will spend more time training than you ever will racing so enjoy it. Now, get out there and run.

Exploring on a Seven Mile Run

  Since I am currently on a build up cycle in my training, my mileage is beginning to ramp up and I am constantly looking for new places to run so as not to get bored. This past Wednesday I had an easy seven miles with just enough time to fit them in over lunch so I did a little exploring in a farming area close by the city.

Sheep!

Horse!

  As is the case with almost all of Marrakech, the route was pancake flat which is a problem I am going to have to find a solution for or suffer later in some of the events I would like to participate in this year. Sadly, it was still close enough to the city that I was running on pavement and not trails but although there was no sidewalks there was (as usual) a large shoulder. Also, as usual the cars and trucks passing gave me plenty of room. The sites I got were awesome, even if the smells were not. This was due to the amazing amount of donkey cart traffic on the road taking vegetables to the city and their byproducts. 

A Farm and Farm House

An Empty Field and Mountains

  This week, if you have the time, go out on your run, ride, hike, or walk and do some exploring in your area. I remember that when I was living in the States and started running I began to discover parts of my city my friends, some of whom had lived there much longer than me, had never even heard of. So, go out and find something new or interesting. Try out a trail or bike path you have never done before, you may find your new favorite route. If you find somewhere new or interesting tell us about it in the comments below. Now get outside and enjoy!

Views From Last Week

A Sidewalk Next to a Busy Road

  Running in general takes you to many interesting places and running in Morocco can take you to some really interesting places and sights. Like the run through the middle of a huge thousand year old souq (market) or to a 1,500+ year old castle with roman ruins inside. 

  However, as most runners will attest, on a normal day of running it is getting comfortable and enjoying running in the mundane. If you're a road runner, you probably spend hours on the empty roads on the outskirts of town. If your a trail runner, you often run the same trail loop in the woods close to your house over and over again until you can make it to the big parks on the weekends. 

  One of the things that I have learned in the last few years about running is not only being comfortable in the repetitious sights but to see the unique in all of my runs. Whether it be a small park in Rabat or a long stretch of city road in Marrakech, I am thankful that I have learned to find unique things in even the most repetitive runs. Before this gets too deep lets be clear, some of these things I see could be due to dehydration, the strenuous forces placed on my body by a hard training run, or the unhealthy intake of vast amount of engine exhaust associated with running in a highly populous city. I am sure that these things are more likely.

  The pictures in this post are from some of those repetitive routes that I did this past week. Notice that in the next two I'm running in a bike/moped/scooter lane. Although in Marrakech these lanes are few, when you can find them they are an awesome relief from running on the side of big busy roads, since these lanes are seldom used by anyone not on a bicycle. 

 A Bike Lane

The Same Bike Lane

  Now, go for a run and enjoy those awesome empty roads, trails, and bike paths.

Running Motivation

    With new years less than a month in the past, I wanted to offer up a little motivation to all the beginning runners who started running as a new year's resolution. While living and running in Morocco, I end up seeing all kinds of people out running and doing all kinds of exercises. What is great about this is that they are out there doing something. Many of these people are people you would expect to see on a couch watching lots of television, but they are out in the streets running and trying to change and that is a good thing.

    I saw this quote on twitter by professional long distance runner Kara Goucher, "Don't try to rush progress. Remember- a step forward, no matter how small, is a step in the right direction. Keep believing."

    If you are struggling with a new year's resolution or any kind of training / exercise program, remember that the hardest part is getting your shoes on and getting out the door.