‘The Road To Chicago’ Takes An Overseas Detour

I confess ‘fear’ got the better of me leading up to a once-in-a-lifetime trip to England and Italy.  After resting for a week with my back injury, I started stressing about when and where I would squeeze in my training runs for my first EVER Marathon. (Ya, I know – first world problem!)  But, in fact, what eventually happened on my trip was far better than I could have ever imagined. (If all you want is a great chicken recipe, skip to the bottom of this post)

First Stop – London!

 I LOVE London.  I used to live there. I launched my TV career there before I gave it up to become a Holistic Nutritionist (you can read about my reinvention journey here).  Being back in London after a 10 year absence was spectacular nourishment for my soul.  I had forgotten how invigorated, inspired and ALIVE that place makes me feel. It was SO great to see my extended family, old friends and former work colleagues. 

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Postcard from London:

Magical Memorable Running Highlights

There is NO better way to see a city than to run through it

What I didn’t expect was that I would get reacquainted with the city by running past Hyde Park, Kensington Palace, the Victoria & Albert Museum, Harrods, Holland Park and Portobello Road Market.  Lacing up my sneakers and seeing my old haunts on foot, witnessing the architecture, gardens, flowers and shop displays made me more passionate about the joy of running.  AND, I am determined to go back there more often. There is NO better way to see a city than to run through it.  I’m hooked! 

So London turned out great – my old familiar stomping grounds – but now…  the thought of running in Italy had me on shpilkes!

To stick to my training plan I needed to run 23k in Milan and 26k in the Puglia countryside.  I had never run more than 21.1k!  There was the ‘fear’ again – on overdrive.  The prospect of running such long distances by myself in a foreign place was weighing on me.  European heat wave…zero ability to speak Italian…terrible navigation skills…HELP!

Postcard From Milan:

My 23K Running Tour of Italy’s Fashion Capital

My wonderful husband Andrew Burnstein saved the day!  He gets full marks for being the best husband ever for 2 reasons!  First, he surprised me and put my mind at ease by hiring a runner/tour guide (through Go Running Tours)  to be my running partner.  His name was Andrea, a triathlete, who met me at 7:30am and took me through Milan on the best city tour I’ve ever had!   The 23 kilometers were definitely tough but the run was so interesting and informative that the distraction helped keep me going.  Mission Accomplished!

My 26K Motorcade VIP Escort Run

Thankfully, Steve, an avid cyclist, plotted out a spectacular scenic sea view route through the olive groves and fig tree lined country roads. It was ‘magnifico!’  And, because I’m the world’s worst navigator, Andrew was my knight in shining armour once again.  He woke up at the crack of dawn with me and rode a scooter beside me taking photos. It was the longest distance I’ve run to date.   My hero! In fact, he and Steve gave me the full motorcade treatment for the last kilometre.  It was such a running high.

I can’t believe I actually did it.  By the time it was over, the temperature was 32 degrees Celsius. What a huge relief to get it done and the best congratulatory hug ever from Melanie.  It goes down in history as a run I will never forget!  It took a village to keep me on track, but I’m SO elated that I did it. Bonus – unlimited gelato! Now, more about food…

I don’t eat as much meat as I used to,  but when I do, I like to make this amazing recipe by one of the most infamous English Chefs on TV – Gordon Ramsay.  This chicken dish is a great source of protein (key for muscle repair and recovery) and complex carbohydrates (to fill those glycogen stores – key to fuelling any form of aerobic exercise).   Hope you like it… Roast Chicken With Chickpea Stuffing link here.