Running while out-of-town

It is often hard to make time or find a good place to run when you are out-of-town in an unfamiliar area. You can always get on the treadmill at your hotel, but I prefer to venture out on the road. I usually consult my blackberry for a local map or better yet, ask the concierge at the hotel what they would recommend. Today I had the opportunity to run while I was in Manhattan Beach, CA. I asked one of the valets, Kirk, what the safest way to run down to the beach was and he gave me some very easy directions and even made some suggestions to make the run more interesting. After thanking, Kirk, I set off on my adventure. Ten miles later, I had enjoyed a run that will go on my top 5 favorite list!!! I ran from the hotel down a straight shot of road a little under 2 miles to the Pacific Ocean and the Strand of Manhattan Beach. I ran down the Strand and then back up the Strand to the Manhattan Beach pier. I videotaped a portion of this run and I have added it to my Facebook page. I will admit that I slowed down and even stopped at times to take in the sights, but when it was all said and done, I had a fantastic 10 mile run at about 7:50 per mile pace and I took in some great scenery along the way. The only disappointing part of the run was when I ran down to Sand Dune Park (where the pro beach volley ball players run up a huge sand dune hill- picture attached) to find that the park was closed and the dune hill was fenced off. That would have been one heck of a hill repeat! So, my advice to others is to never be afraid to run outside when you are out-of-town. You just might come across one of your top 5 favorite runs!!!