Gotta’ Run: The end of Julian’s European running adventure – Salisbury Post

Last week, the Julien family shared the start of a week-long European running vacation. Rebecca, Scott, Hope, Eli, and Noah make up Rowan’s best running family. This is the conclusion.

Italy was the last country we visited, starting in the small town of Marenello, where the family found a bike path that ran behind several farms and a golf course, staying along a river the entire way. The trail had a nice surface of small gravel, was mostly flat and under trees on a very hot afternoon. They started running around 5:30pm and this time we saw many cyclists, some female walkers, and a few runners who agreed to join us. The trail went on for miles and had connection points to other areas of the city. They loved this trail so much that they decided to go again the next morning.

The final destination of the trip was the rural town of Seinan. Near their accommodation, most of the roads were narrow, had little bicycle traffic, and had no shoulders or curbs, but some stone walls.

Rebecca said: “I found a tourist app about dirt roads and cycling through the countryside. Locals told me it was okay to use the roads as long as there were no signs or gates. The area is hilly and It was perfect for training in the hills. Eli found a dirt road and we all rode together until late in the morning for this adventure as part of our final day. We hit the dirt road I parked the car, but was shocked when an Italian cyclist came flying at me with a bib on it.A local man at the entrance to the road said, “You can park anywhere you like and use it.” Their dirt road is finer gravel than our dirt road, but has some large flat stones embedded in it for traction. It is wide and has plenty of space to pass. We all started riding with Italian cyclists. ”

The cyclists were followed by motorbikes, stopping along the way for hydration and health checks. Since the boys and Scott were out on their own, Hope and Rebecca decided to stay together and make it a training day in the hills. They ran about a mile, stretched, and started hill sprints (about 200 meter hills). They could run up hills faster than cyclists, often passing them on the way up the hill, but of course on the way down. Rebecca used this to train harder and push to catch up with the next cyclist up the hill.

Rebecca added: Unfortunately, we witnessed a cyclist get into a terrible accident and an ambulance came to pick him up. Other cyclists remained around his belongings until the team arrived. An estimated 400-500 cyclists of all ages and levels passed us during our training. We had great views at the top, especially as we rode near local farms with the Great Pyrenees dogs guarding the horses and livestock. All of this was one of the highlights of our trip and the most unexpected adventure. ”

Rebecca concluded: “I share all this as good information to others about how to see local traditions in travel, exercise, and great adventures. Just pack light clothes and running shoes in your suitcase. Our running adventure was free and gave us some personal highlights that you wouldn’t get by paying for a major travel company. These countries have trails created primarily for cyclists. We’re really proud of our system, but we also allow runners and walkers to use it. They connect small cities, allow people to run long distances while avoiding traffic, and make everyday activities available to everyone. We offer a vacation exercise experience that has us excited for our upcoming adventures!”

The next local race is the familiar Teens with a Mission 5K and Superhero Fun Run at First Presbyterian Church on Friday night, April 26th., Held at 7pm This is Salisbury’s only night race, with all proceeds going to youth mission trips.

For information on this and other events, visit www.salisburyrowanrunners.org.