Now some people may not think any type of run contains any type of goodness and it does happen that some runs really don’t contain any goodness at all, but on a good day and if I’m in the mood, I love this route. Primarily the first 10km of the run are on asphalt and then dirt track, with a bit of a brutal 3/4 km climb to warm you up. What’s good about a climb I hear you say? Well, the view for a start, but more on that later. After the climb you will descend into a lovely pastoral valley and it is very likely that you are not going to see a soul for the first 2 thirds of this run, and I think that’s what makes this route so nice. It’s quiet, it’s also quite challenging without being difficult and it is very beautiful all year round.
Running pretty much has a hold on me at the moment, an iron grip if you will, something that doesn’t need inspiration as it in itself is the fuel for my inspiration. There was a time when it was an effort to get out and go for a run. A bit of a chore, something that I’d have to push myself to do and whilst doing it , I would often be thinking about the next one and when it would happen. Often struggling with my endurance and ability to find a rhythm as my mind ran around more than my legs did. Now I think my general level of fitness is high enough to be able to take enjoyment in the process itself. I think the idea when I started running was to get fit and the fitness itself would make me feel better within myself. I misguidedly ignored that the process of running itself could be an enjoyable experience and it can be an amazing physical mediation. In the past my go to enjoyable exercise options have always been climbing and walking, climbing is an all-encompassing experience that places you right there and into that moment and that place with an immediacy and focus that I’ve struggled to find or replicate in other sports. Once you have mastered some key elements of climbing and being there and in the moment, reading the situation and the rock itself and then challenging yourself up over and across the rock is a great experience. Running was something I did as a filler, to keep my general fitness level up, especially if I was recovering from an injury. Something that was easy and accessible, didn’t require being anywhere specific or any real kit and could be achieved within a pretty small-time frame, and this is part of the beauty of running in my opinion. It is open to all, you just need a pair of trainers and off you go, you don’t need to get bogged down in all the paraphernalia. A whole industry has grown up around running and the need to have expensive kit and this and that. I’ve literally survived on A couple of pairs of Decathlons cheapest running shoes and a pair of Asics that I bought due to the fact they were marked down by 50% and even then they only came into their own once I’d hammered them on some dirt trails. They are now so comfy and my feet feel free and comfortable in them, the odd stone will dig at my soles (soul!) occasionally and I have turned my ankle once or twice but that comes with running on dirt tracks and trails, where focus and anticipation are paramount.
During the pandemic running and walking became a lifeline for many people, as other forms of exercise and social connection became forbidden and were no longer accessible, as sports centres and pools closed. I also started to run more frequently during the lockdowns and my current phase of running has its origins deep within the Covid 19 lockdowns of 2019/20. Connecting with friends also became its own form of exercise as people embarked on larger than normal walking routines many armed with flasks, cans and bottles! Moderately popular walking/running and cycling routes became busy highways for disconnected city dwellers. This also threw up a multitude of congestion and overuse issues, as people tried to figure out the etiquettes of usage whilst having to manage their fear of human proximity. On a few memorable occasions I witnessed older citizens, whom had probably most to fear from any exposure to the Covid19 virus, throw themselves into the oncoming path of a runner as they tried to avoid an approaching walker or other potential virus spreader. I also saw a well-executed clothesline performed by a pensioner on runner as they extended their arms outwards in an effort to put distance between themselves and a bottleneck of nervous people that was accumulating on the path. I make NO judgement on those things that I witnessed during the strange times, I relate them as funny stories, things that happened as people struggled to stay sane and find normalcy in a hectic metropolis that’s character and rules had changed beyond comprehension. I caught myself on many an occasion behaving in ways I still find bewildering.
Anyway I am running away with myself here…….The point of this Blog Post is to describe a running route that I currently take from where I live, in the hope it will be useful to someone at some point. Whilst covering a little bit of background and some interesting links to some other running related posts and ideas.
My recent running schedule has increased somewhat lately and in the last month I’ve increased the frequency of my running and my running week currently consists of a 10km, 5km, 10km, 5km with no break days, then a Friday walk and rest from running for the weekend. This schedule has 2 routes, the longer one is a mixed trail, tracks, sand and road run with a 200m climb and a descent, the 5km is on the flat of the beach road with a little climb to finish. This type and frequency of running took me a while to attain and at certain stages I thought I wasn’t seeing many gains in either fitness or enjoyment and it was slowly becoming a drag to get myself into those shoes and out of the house. I had become frustrated and had also lost my focus. I dropped one of the 10km runs (I was doing 3 a week) and added 2 easier 5km ones into my week. This change worked wonders, and it made my 10km runs much more satisfying and allowed me to use the 5km ones as little mindless excursions down the road just to get the blood moving and the heart pumping. With the easier terrain there is no need to be focussing on where my feet are and what’s underneath them, I instead can focus on technique and practising different breathing patterns, and from this schedule emerged the 10 miles of goodness and not long after that my first half marathon.
In all if I had to recommend a form of exercise to anyone or even a starter or filler exercise for other sports, distance running and also distance walking would be the ones. From these activities you can progress anywhere and they give us many fundamental skills, principles and health benefits that make many other activities infinitely more accessible. Before we became farmers and food producers, we would have been nomadic wanderers. Humans would have needed to source food by walking, chasing or climbing in difficult terrains and that would have gone the other way to with us running, climbing and hiding to avoid becoming food. So it would make sense that we would evolve to be very adept walkers, runners and to some extents climbers. There’s an excellent book by Dr Michael Stroud that covers his views on the evolutionary characteristics of these forms of exercise and some other really interesting fitness related topics including his totally bonkers traverse of Antarctica with Ranulph Fiennes. In this book he covers many aspects of endurance and nutrition and how as humans if we keep on running and walking frequently, we can remain very fit and able to carry on with a high endurance for sports well into our old age. Far to much to go into in detail in this blog but it is an excellent read. ( Mike Stroud (2004). Survival of the Fittest. Random House (Yellow Jersey Press). The benefits don’t stop there either, there are many anecdotal examples of the effects of running on mental health and also on its ability to aid us in navigating the stresses and strains of everyday life. Greater Creativity, better sleep, calmer states of mind and increased productivity have all been attributed to implementing running on a regular basis, as well as a post run satisfaction that is referred to as “The Runners High”.
Ok the run! It’s easy to describe this run (which can also be walked, cycled, skipped, hopping would be difficult but you are welcome to try!) My disclaimer for this being you are more than welcome to try doing it by any means you see fit as you and you alone are responsible for how and where you go out to walk, run or hop and also responsible for your own safety whilst doing so. This is a route I enjoy doing and if you go for it, I hope you enjoy it. I shall give my ideas on what I do whilst running the road aspect of this run, but again your own care and attention is your responsibility. I shall put a google maps link for the start of the run, which starts at the beginning of Strada Delle Dune localitá San Nicoló. The Alelka Domo B&B is located on the corner of its junction with the SP83 and also opposite The Campervan Area by Ristorante San Nicoló. The route which I have plotted on www.plotaroute.com has a distance of roughly 16.5 km or 10.25 miles. When I have run it previously with a tracker it came in at about 1 km more, so I may have lost some distance on those curves with my sloppy plotting skills. Anyone who tries this route then please let me know what you get as a distance, I’ll also explain one little detour you can also make if you want a scenic vista and how I finished the route to push it to a half marathon.
The first 10km of the route is on Strada Delle Dune and as such is easy to navigate. The road starts as asphalt passing the Madonina and the ghostly sentinels of the never completed campsite. It then gently works its way uphill past the remains of the Byzantine church dedicated to San Nicoló. Past the entrance to the Lisandrus valley and as you reach the first bridge the asphalt turns to track as it winds up past the S’Archiotta B&B and the Dune Di San Nicoló. Climbing higher you’ll start passing the hunting dog kennels, don’t be alarmed by their barking as you work your way up hill. Towards the penultimate curve of the track a sign post labelled Arcu Su Ladragu gives you the option of turning left of the route for A steep climb up to the peak for a marvellous view across the bay and beach of San Nicoló. I don’t normally do this optional section as I live here and this is part of my 10km route, but for those visiting it is worth the expenditure. From the summit return back to Strada Delle Dune the way you came and continue up and though the final section of road, before it starts descending into the next valley and down towards the Lago at Piscina Morta. Once you cross the bridge the road starts a gentle winding climb up to the farms and Agritourismo. At the farm stay left on Strada Delle Dune and follow the road as it curves around the valley. The road will start to descend again as it heads down towards its termination at the asphalt of the SP83. Once at the junction turn left and follow the S shaped curve onto the straight stretch of road. When I run on the roads here, always stick to the outside edge of the curve no matter what way I end up facing the traffic. In my mind it gives vehicles more space and time to see you. The local drivers will usually be coming around the corner straddling the centre line, but tourists and campers will not. The roads don’t have space for pedestrians so keep your ears up and eyes peeled. Fortunately the route leaves the SP83 after a short while. At the first road junction proper turn right and cross the river as you run up the straight road (Strada Vicinale “Su Sizzimurreddu – Fighezia”), eventually taking a left hand turn at the T- junction onto Strada di Santa Giusta. These roads are very small and quiet and traffic is usually more inclined to slower speeds and less stupidity! Follow Strada di Santa Giusta past Trattoria del Sole e delle Luna (I wouldn’t recommend stopping now, but highly recommend a return to this fabulous local restaurant). Eventually you will reach another T- junction where you turn left onto Strada Provinciale 105 and follow till you again reach the SP83 and turn right towards San Nicoló. The curves will bring you past the pineta and onto the main long beachside road, where you can finish on the final straight. (you can enter the woods and follow the same route as the road which will take you to the back of the C.F. Portixeddu, where you can again access the road). This keeps you off the road a little longer.
If you fancy making this a half marathon, hit Strada delle Dune once more and climb up until the Dune di San Nicoló access track and then turn around and go full tilt back down to finish on a Euphoric final descent!
I’ll add a warning here too, sometimes vehicles using Strada Delle Dune are driven faster than they should be for a shared access road. The whole of the road is part of the cycling route of the Cammino Minerario di Santa Barbera, and two thirds of it are a part of the 304/304A trekking routes as well as a much used area for dog walking and for access to the Dune di San Nicoló, not to mention climbers and tourists heading to the Lisandrus Valley. If you have any issues, please try noting the incident and petition the Comune in Buggerru. With increased usage comes increased risks, but there are ways of minimising these risks and road signs indicating the presence of other users is a great first step to making everyone aware of each other.
If you’re a runner, enjoy your running. If you are not a runner, get out there and give it ago.
Thanks for reading.
Thanks to Dillan M, AKA Jon Doe for the music that accompanies the video clip. Check out his Youtube channel for more of his music. https://www.youtube.com/@thebookofjondoe
Google maps Link to Strada Delle Dune San Nicoló starting point. https://goo.gl/maps/unrhHRYfNRWnYffQA
Ok this is a first attempt as I don’t use a GPS but this is a link to the route you’ll be able to access a GPX file on www.plotaroute.com