Running in Madrid

Last week I was in Madrid with work, and what a hectic time to be there - as 1.5 million pilgrims descended on the city to see the Pope as he visited Spain. There were nuns, priests and pilgrims everywhere, and to say it was surreal would be something of an understatement, particularly when I found myself in the middle of a Catholic fiesta that was as big (and loud) as any festival I've been to.

I was staying really close to Jardines del Buen Retiro - a large park in the city centre, so once the sun had sunk a little I joined hundreds of other runners and made my way around the edge of the park.

On my run I wore: sports bra, vest, shorts and iD trainers all by Nike

I should have realised the scale of the park by paying a bit more attention to this

It turned out that the park is rather larger than I'd anticipated, and by half way I could really feel it - especially as it was sooooo hot

Views like this made the journey a little more bearable though!

There were a lot of Madrid Marathon t-shirts on display (but I couldn't get a steady shot of any) Anyway, it got me thinking that maybe it might be quite a nice marathon to run. Then I thought better of it!

And couldn't help but wish I was sitting here rather than running past it

Scenes like this made me feel like I could be in the gardens of Versailles

It's such an amazing space - with manicured gardens, ponds, secret seats and so many people to see. I love that it seemed as though everyone was there just enjoying their evening - be it on rollerskates, whilst walking the dog or lifting weights

If you're in Madrid then I definitely recommend checking out the lovely Jardines del Buen Retiro, and after your run I think your totally justified in admired the setting sun with a self-congratulatory glass of wine.

Thanks Madrid!

I stayed at the Hotel Hospes - so close to the park, it's perfect for runners.

Hospes Madrid

Plaza de la Independencia 3  

28001 Madrid

Spain
Te: +34 914 32 29 11

www.hospes.com

Running in Paris

Last week I was working in Paris, and was lucky enough to be staying at the luxurious Le Bristol hotel - something of a classic on the hotel circuit. Having lived out all my foodie dreams dining at Le Restaurant Gastronomique -  the hotel's three Michelin starred restaurant, where I worked my way through six courses and a vintage wine list - and was even invited in to the kitchens afterwards to meet chef Eric Frechon, the guilt of my gorging got the better of me, so the next morning I headed out in to the sunny Paris streets for a run.

Dinner. Amuse bouche

You know the butter's going to be good when they name the farmer who made it mmmmmmm :-) butter face

Langoustine and caviar wrapped in Provencal green pepper

Truffle ravioli (Ordinarily I have an aversion to any foam based food, but I made an exception for this)

Seam bream with muscles, celery and samphire

Wine that's older than me

As seen through my eyes

Pudding. Chocolate sorbet covered in edible gold leaf, balanced on a dark chocolate tower filled with chocolate mousse and encased in a chocolate sculpted dome

Demolition

And that's an abridged version of the meal!

On my 'recovery' run I wore: vintage vest, fluorescent bra, capri pants and iD trainers all by Nike, socks by Sweaty Betty.

Le beau Bristol

Le Bristol is set just off the Champs-Élysées and close to Les Tuileries gardens, a verdant manicured garden which edges on to the Louvre museum - so that's where I ran.

First past Prada...

Then past a blushing bride 

Place de la Concorde

Le Tour d'Eiffel

Les Tuileries

The Louvre

It was such a beautiful day, and running past world famous monuments felt pretty epic for such an early hour. Though it did make me realise that I don't run in enough new ares in London - so from here on in I'm going to make an effort to 'run London'.

Later on that day I undid all my good work by tucking in to a cactus tostada at my new discovery - a Mexican cafe and speakeasy bar in the Marais. But believe me, it was worth every bite! I even got photographed for Mexican newspaper Reforma, so if you see me, please will you send my taco stuffing face a copy?!

Thanks. x

Le Bristol
112 rue Faubourg St honore
75008 Paris
www.lebristolparis.com

Candelaria
52 Rue de Saintonge
75003 Paris
www.candelariaparis.com

Running in Marseille

I'm in Marseille in the South of France with work this week, and as part of my vow to run in every country I visit, I made sure I packed my running gear. 

I've been a little preoccupied recently, and ashamedly running has been put on the back burner. That said, I've been really looking forward to getting back to it whilst I'm here, and I think you'll appreciate why when you see the pictures below. 

I'm staying in the Vieux Port of Marseille, which is really close to the beaches too. My route took me along the coastline, and while I only did about 8k, it was totally mesmerising. 

In the distance you can see les Isles Calanques - a group of small, semi deserted islands, one of which - the Isle d'If, was made famous by the author Alexandre Dumas, in his novel The Count of Monte Cristo. You can take a ferry the short distance from Marseille and visit the islands.  

I watched the bobbing boats and couldn't help wishing I was diving off one of them.

Part of what I love about this part of Provence is that it's not too gentrified. The architecture reflects the city's past, and while many may loathe this ostentatious style - I love it!

A statue which I didn't stop to read about

Eric Cantona at the bus stop

On my run I wore trusted Nike Dri Fit vest, shoddy old Topshop leggings (I had packed a new pair of swanky new running shorts to debut en France, but the wrong size was displayed on the hanger - so I had to resort to wearing these) Wright Sock socks and my well loved and better worn Nike iD run like 'elle Lunar Glide 2 trainers.  

I'm staying at the Sofitel hotel in Marseille and before I left they gave me a cute trainer shaped map showing local running routes, and on my return I was given a sweet little pouch containing a towel, bottle of mineral water and a cereal bar. It's only a little thing, but they make the difference right?!

Sofitel Marseille 36 Boulevard Charles Livon 13007 Marseille France Tel: +33 4 91 15 59 56

www.sofitel.com

Thanks Provence. Tu me manques. x (I lived in Provence for a very idle year)