- Photos by Aleix Ferrer and Christian Meier
Run your city // In Girona with Sarah Bergeron-Larouche
What brought you there?
The opportunity presented itself so we said let's go, we don't really have any obligations.
We knew that a new trail runner community was developing. Christian Meier, a former professional cyclist, opened a running store there and created a clothing company ( Chance Running ) , with which I had just entered into a partnership.
Tell me briefly about your trip.As we were traveling with Ida, my 2-year-old dog, this required: European passport, veterinary examination, microchip, up-to-date vaccinations, direct flight from Montreal to Paris in a cargo plane. It's an additional stress, but everything went well; no lost or broken bike and our very calm dog was recovered on European soil.
In Girona in February, the nights are cool but with the sun it can reach 20 degrees in the afternoon. I'm quickly attaching the group workouts from the Overland Running Provisions store. The level is quite good, the running community is mainly made up of expats and former triathletes, road runners, cyclists, trail runners. Three training sessions per week in addition to spontaneous invitations and weekend outings in the Pyrenees. In Girona, everything is on foot and all my new friends live in the same square kilometer as me. The rhythm of Spain is different, we meet for coffee, tapas, a drink and we rarely have dinner before 8 p.m. Live and let live, we take it easy.
Spain is the garden of Europe, I was impressed by the size and quality of the fruits and vegetables!
Mathieu and I took part in a few races, the level was very high. The runners are fast and numerous, it's super stimulating to be pushed like this.
What is your favorite route?
During my last week, I had the chance to go train with Christian and Jovica, another athlete on the Norda and Chance team, at Cap de Kreus. This was my favorite outing . A nice mix of elevation gain with very fast sections and an extraordinary view since the route runs along the Mediterranean.
Is it a good city for running?
Absolutely, I don't know of a better place. The trails are really specific, there is variety and they are accessible all year round. Strava alert: the city is still little known for racing so it's relatively easy to get local legends , a little harder for KOMs since the level is very high.
Fun Fact
I returned from Spain at the beginning of April with a little 18-week-old “Nina” in my belly. We land in Montreal and the next day is a stormy day in Quebec. We say to ourselves that next year, we will have to leave for 3 months and come back in May.
What makes you run?
The well-being. When I run, I feel like I'm the best version of myself, that's when I have creative ideas, that I recharge my batteries to move forward better in other spheres of life. my life. I need to run, it's vital. I enjoy other outdoor sports, but none give me the same satisfaction.
What is your favorite route?
During my last week, I had the chance to go train with Christian and Jovica, another athlete on the Norda and Chance team, at Cap de Kreus. This was my favorite outing . A nice mix of elevation gain with very fast sections and an extraordinary view since the route runs along the Mediterranean.
Is it a good city for running?
Absolutely, I don't know of a better place. The trails are really specific, there is variety and they are accessible all year round. Strava alert: the city is still little known for racing so it's relatively easy to get local legends , a little harder for KOMs since the level is very high.
Fun Fact
I returned from Spain at the beginning of April with a little 18-week-old “Nina” in my belly. We land in Montreal and the next day is a stormy day in Quebec. We say to ourselves that next year, we will have to leave for 3 months and come back in May.
What makes you run?
The well-being. When I run, I feel like I'm the best version of myself, that's when I have creative ideas, that I recharge my batteries to move forward better in other spheres of life. my life. I need to run, it's vital. I enjoy other outdoor sports, but none give me the same satisfaction.
