I Attempted Training in Europe as a D1 Distance Runner

Training in Europe as a college distance runner was one of the most unique experiences of my career. Balancing running and travel across Europe was a lot harder than I expected. Between navigating unfamiliar cities, adjusting to different time zones, and finding safe places to run, keeping my training on track required a level of flexibility I was not used to. But it was also one of the most eye-opening running experiences I have ever had.

Training in Europe: Starting with a Tempo Workout in Spain

My trip started in Spain, where I had a tempo workout scheduled. Usually my tempo pace sits around 5:20s or 5:30s per mile, but because of the insane travel leading up to it, I adjusted my expectations down to 5:40s or 5:50s. The structure was two miles at tempo, half mile easy, two miles at tempo, half mile easy, and another mile at tempo with a warmup and cooldown.

The result was not as fast as it should have been. I ended up around high 5:40s, low 5:50s on the tempo reps, and I could not even get exact splits because my watch did not hit the mile markers properly. At 8 a.m. in Spain, I spent more time dodging pedestrians than I was expecting. But what mattered was getting the workout done, and I did.

Exploring El Mercado and Packing for the Next Stop

After the workout I explored the local market, exchanging dollars for euros and picking up supplies. One of the unexpected highlights was interacting with locals. I attempted some Spanish at the currency exchange, and the person behind the counter told me I spoke very good Spanish, which felt like a small win in an otherwise chaotic travel day. Packing light was essential for this trip because I was bouncing between multiple cities with just a carry-on.

Long Run in Marseille

France turned out to have the best running of the entire trip. The scenery in Marseille was beautiful, but what really stood out was the running culture. It seemed like everyone there took running seriously. People had super shoes, Garmin watches, and were following actual training plans. I watched runners pass me doing intervals, tempo work, and structured sessions. It felt like being in a running city where the sport was genuinely respected, and that energy made my long run there one of the most enjoyable of the summer.

Rest Day in Genova

I did not actually run in Genova, and honestly, that would have been a nightmare. The city is insanely hilly, with streets that climb straight up at angles that would destroy your legs on a training day. It was probably the most beautiful city we visited, though. Sometimes the best thing you can do as a runner on a trip like this is recognize when a rest day makes more sense than forcing a bad workout in tough conditions.

Hill Work in Florence

Florence was the last training stop. The city itself is super busy, but I found a trail that goes out by the train tracks where it was nothing but runners and cyclists working hard. I did a hill workout there, taking advantage of the terrain. Running hills in Italy with the Tuscan architecture in the background is not something I ever expected to experience as a college distance runner, and it reminded me why moments like these make the grind worth it.

What I Learned About Running While Traveling

Looking back, Spain surprised me the most because I had built up expectations about the culture, and it was incredible to see it all come to life. The running there was not great because the city was too busy for fast work, and we did not get up early enough to beat the crowds. France was the winner for running quality. Genova was the smart rest day. And Florence had the best trails for structured work.

The biggest takeaway from this trip is that training while traveling requires letting go of perfection. Your paces will be slower, your routes will be improvised, and your schedule will not look anything like what you planned. But if you stay flexible and focus on getting the work done rather than hitting exact numbers, you can come out of a trip like this without losing any fitness. The mental break from routine is worth more than a few perfect splits on a track.

If you are a runner planning a trip overseas, my advice is to research your routes ahead of time, adjust your pace expectations down by 10 to 15 seconds per mile, and embrace the experience. Running in a new country teaches you more about yourself as an athlete than another week on your home loop ever will.

For more on my training approach, see my full lifting plan as a D1 runner.