AROUND THE WORLD IN ONE WEEKEND

The race against time has taken me to places like Prague, Copenhagen, Rome, Amsterdam, Bruge, Edinburgh, London. Passport in hand, running shoes on foot, an overnight bag and a big bottle of water, I have run through many, many countries. Or at least part of them. And always with the clock ticking. Nothing like a little bit of pressure to experience another country. While I love savouring all that other countries have to offer I do not like tour groups and visiting the tourist traps. The best way to experience another culture is by rubbing shoulders with the locals. For me, that meant running half marathons in various countries.

My memories are many and my experiences have been unforgettable. Even the pickpocketed wallet and passport, the lost heirloom jewellery, the car trashed by vagrants. The night time fairytale parade in Denmark, commemorating Hans Christian Anderson's life. A midnight run to welcome in the New Year through the wintery streets of London.

Pizza in Pompeii and homebrewed beer in Prague listening to street orchestras after a race. Ferry trips across waters that carried my little right side driving car to left side driving countries.

Real chocolate croissants in Belgium in the early hours and cheese tasting after blitzing through the magnificent tulip fields of Holland. Language barrier challenges finding your way to the countryside destination before the half marathon began.

Early morning races and then exploring ancient castles and learning the intriguing history. Late night races after days wondering through farmers markets sampling local cuisine and buying unique souveniers. Money cannot buy these memories.

Every half marathon I would train for and set myself a goal. I had only a weekend to explore. I also had to run the 21km in a better time than the last country and last half marathon. The best part of the race was celebrating the run with culinary delights particular to that country. Often it was from a local market or in the town square listening to folk music. Oh how sweet is one's youth. Surely a very unusual race through my globe trotting years but a sweet contribution for #marketfriday and our very own @dswigle