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Stepping off the road and into the unknown.

This run was a little different, I’m on holiday with the camper this week, and the new route felt more like a trail adventure than a structured fartlek session.15

I chose a komoot route for this run (Fartlek Run, 1h, ADIDAS RUNNING ), about 8 km and 50 minutes, and set off from the campsite with my 1.25 L water pack. The start took me along the harbor, which was beautiful but busier than I’m used to. Running through crowds felt unusual and made it hard to keep a steady, easy pace.

From the harbor, the path led into a small old town with narrow alleys, slight climbs, and slippery cobblestone. Then came the real challenge: a steep hill. Running up was tough, but I pushed through and crossed a road to face another, even steeper climb.

Soon I was in the “olive hills”, reached by ducking under the highway through a tunnel with rocky, uneven ground. Perfect terrain for… a fartlek run? Not really. With the loose stones, potholes, and constant inclines, it felt more like an unplanned trail run.

The hills worked my glutes hard; excellent training, even if it didn’t feel like the structured fartlek session I’d imagined. The views made up for it, though; they were breathtaking.

I paused for a few photos,

and even started wondering if I should try more trail running in the future.

The challenge is that I tend to let my thoughts drift during runs, one reason I love running, but on uneven ground that makes me more likely to stumble. I also noticed some knee discomfort and realized my shoes weren’t the best choice for this type of surface.

I caught myself looking around at the scenery more than usual, which was refreshing. Normally I become so focused on pace and form that I miss what’s around me. Technique-wise, I saw how important it is to push off properly from the ball of the foot. I still need to work on foot placement and posture to feel more stable.

Turning back down the hill was a highlight; running downhill felt smooth and strong, proof that the training is paying off. Fueling was simple: one gel and steady sips of water, though in hindsight I should have drunk more earlier on the climbs instead of saving most for the end.

This wasn’t the fartlek session I expected, but it became an excellent workout for strength, stability, and awareness. The mix of effort, scenery, and reflection turned it into a memorable run.