friday five: five places i'd love to run

This is my first Friday Five linkup with the ladies at Eat Pray Run DC, Mar on the Run, and You Signed Up for What?. The Friday Five topic? Five places you'd love to run. 

It's so hard to choose just 5 locations, when there are SO many beautiful ones to choose from. I'm going to stick with US locales, but if I were to go international, my wish list includes these places: Florence, Rome, London, Paris, and Greece. In general, I think running through cities is a great way to get in some sight-seeing along with some exercise :)

Five places in the US that I'd love to run (in no particular order):

1. Boston. Even though I've been to Boston (back in my Irish Dancing days), I haven't returned in my adult years, and would love to enjoy the city during a run. I'm pretty sure I'll never be fast enough to quality for the Boston Marathon, and have doubts that I could raise enough money to fundraise and run for charity. However, I'd be cool with just going for a run and exploring the city. 

Boston montage

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2. New York. I've never been to the Big Apple, but it's on my wish list. And if I ever get a chance to go, you just know I have to go for a run in Central Park!

Panoramic view of Central Park from Rockefeller Center.

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3. Napa Valley. That Zooma Napa Valley half marathon looks like a great girls weekend (and heck - my husband would love it, too!). Running a half marathon past vineyards with mountain scenery, and then hitting up some of the best winery tasting rooms in the country? Yes, please. I pretty much love any running event that includes wine in the description.

ZOOMA Napa Valley Medal

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4. San Diego. This is another place I have been to already, but again, pre-running days. I just adored this city, and would love to run along the ocean in the nearly perfect temperatures they have year-round. Also, California has a lot of breweries I would enjoy visiting. I also loved the zoo... is running allowed in there, or do they have any races through it? — that would be a lot of fun. 

Here I am at the San Diego Zoo, circa 2006

5. Washington, D.C. I was there when I was pretty young and didn't get in any sight seeing (how disappointing, I know). Planning a racecation that includes either the Cherry Blossom 10-miler or the Nike Women's Half Marathon would be a ton of fun. Not to mention getting a Tiffany's necklace for the Nike race would be pretty sweet. And then, of course, spending a few extra days to get in all of the sight-seeing.

 

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Whew! That was hard to choose only five! I secretly have a desire to travel to all 50 states, and would just love it if I could also check off a race in each one as well. Two birds, one stone... right? ;)

Thanks to Courtney, Mar, and Cynthia for hosting! Be sure to check out their five choices they posted on their blogs (just click their name/link), along with the other linkups! Ladies – please let me know if I committed any faux pas for the linkup. Hopefully I followed all of the rules :)