Running In Germany

Yes I did. I brought my running shoes with me because somehow when I got started with this running thing I inspired my friend Jenny to start getting fit too. She never thought she would start running either, but she had the same experience I did. Walking is good, but running burns calories faster and gets you home faster.

Besides that, with these paths to run on who wouldn't! There are paths running all over the area behind the town that she lives in.
The first day we went out we covered about 3 miles. It was a nice rolling route, we walked and ran and walked and ran. Very nice.
The second time I went out with her we did about the same distance I guess, but it was a really long slight downhill run. We just kept going and going and going. Then we walked up to the ridge again and then ran down into town.
I should have gone out a third time, but that was the day before we left and I was really worn out. Fabulous hubby and I walked a lot on our zippy trips around Germany and the Czech Republik. It was a wonderful trip.















A quick warm up walk on this uphill, winding gravel path that leads from the town took us out into the open between the farmer's fields.

Running on these roads was great, I would have preferred my trail shoes to road shoes though. The gravels can be a pain in the foot.














The starting point for our runs after the warm up walk was by the tree line in the upper right quarter of this picture. Then we would come down this paved piece of road to an intersection where we would turn a gravel road again and head back up the hill winding to the left of this awesome scenery.

When we got back up to the top of the ridge line again there are several paths leading into just about any environment you want to run in. Stay in the open between the fields on gravel or switch to pavement.














Or do like we did and head down the gravel paths into the woods. This section is actually pretty open compared to some we ran. The tree top cover was so thick in one area it provided a permanent shade. In others the underbrush was really thin, but tree covered.
Really a great place to run.

I also went to the base fitness center with her one day. They have all sorts of equipment. Including a StairMaster, which has steps that roll like an escalator. You have to keep moving. I used one of those in Saudi Arabia, but hadn't seen one since then. I would like to have one to use around here!

All the walking and running pretty much held off the schnitzel, pommes (fries), and pastries so all is good. Oh, and the beer, lots of beer. Now I just need to get started again.