- 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 running community was developing. Christian Meier, a former professional cyclist, opened a running shop 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 are travelling with Ida, my 2 year old dog, it required: European passport, veterinary examination, microchip, up-to-date vaccinations, direct flight Montreal-Paris in a cargo plane. It is 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 you can reach 20 degrees in the afternoon. I quickly join the group training sessions at 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 done on foot and all my new friends live in the same square kilometer as me. The pace of Spain is different, we meet for a 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 have participated in a few races, the level was very high. The runners are fast and numerous, it's super stimulating to be pushed like that.
What is your favorite course?
During my last week, I had the chance to go and train with Christian and Jovica, another athlete on the Norda and Chance team, at Cap de Kreus. It was my favorite outing . A beautiful mix of elevation with very fast sections and an extraordinary view since the course runs along the Mediterranean.
Is this a good city for racing?
Absolutely, I don't know a better place. The trails are really specific, there is variety and they are accessible all year round. Strava alert: the city is still not very well known for running so it's relatively easy to have local legends , a little harder for KOMs since the level is very high.
Fun Fact
I come back 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, it's a stormy day in Quebec. We tell ourselves that next year, we'll have to go away for 3 months and come back in May.
What makes you run?
Well-being. When I run, I feel like I'm the best version of myself, that's when I have creative ideas, that's when I recharge my batteries to better advance in other areas of my life. I need to run, it's vital. I enjoy other outdoor sports, but none of them give me the same satisfaction.
What is your favorite course?
During my last week, I had the chance to go and train with Christian and Jovica, another athlete on the Norda and Chance team, at Cap de Kreus. It was my favorite outing . A beautiful mix of elevation with very fast sections and an extraordinary view since the course runs along the Mediterranean.
Is this a good city for racing?
Absolutely, I don't know a better place. The trails are really specific, there is variety and they are accessible all year round. Strava alert: the city is still not very well known for running so it's relatively easy to have local legends , a little harder for KOMs since the level is very high.
Fun Fact
I come back 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, it's a stormy day in Quebec. We tell ourselves that next year, we'll have to go away for 3 months and come back in May.
What makes you run?
Well-being. When I run, I feel like I'm the best version of myself, that's when I have creative ideas, that's when I recharge my batteries to better advance in other areas of my life. I need to run, it's vital. I enjoy other outdoor sports, but none of them give me the same satisfaction.
