Laura-Jane Adventures

This was a trip that I know my younger self would have been so proud of, and it helped me to reflect on how far I have come.

I would honestly say I am still riding the high that was the ‘Barcelona Half Marathon’, even three weeks on as I sit and write this blog post. The trip was emotional and reflective and a milestone in my running journey. *Spoiler alert*: I was aiming for a sub-two hour half marathon, and I did it, securing my personal best effort for a half marathon. It has never been about the time for me, but I would be lying if I said this didn’t make me feel super proud.

The On Running Community in London organised the Barcelona trip last year. Coach Ross – a former On ambassador – floated the idea of a few half marathons abroad where we would go as a group to visit and run the races. The opportunity to do that together not only showcases how close the running community is but also how passionate people are about forming lasting connections with one another and seeking out new experiences.

My friends Sofia and Nacho and I all booked an Airbnb together and got our flights sorted. I had been to Barcelona once before, in the summer of 2021, for a few days with friends I was interning with. In all honesty, on that trip, I didn’t see hype around Barcelona. Partly, I would say, because there were still a lot of Covid restrictions at the time, but other than that, I don’t know why I failed to see what I did this time. On this trip I realised why the city is world-famous.

For me, that realisation was due to the people and community, the food, the art and feeling my happiest and most confident in Spain.

Razze: Spain’s biggest run club

A big part of my long weekend in Barcelona for the half marathon was spent with Razze – Spain’s biggest run club. I found about about Razze through a friend I run with in London and when I booked the trip to Barcelona I knew that I had to check them out.

The club run weekly events, partnering with Nike and local businesses. They are known as the home of ‘spicy runners’. I would recommend the club to anyone who wants a high-energy running club that pushes you to bring out your confident side.

Together, Razze and Nike ran a full weekend event at a warehouse in the city. I spent Friday morning with the club, getting to know some of the members and chatting with the businesses partnering with Razze. PureSport was there, and a local coffee shop called Syra Coffee helped keep everyone caffeinated.

Saturday morning was the shakeout run. It was super busy, and because of that it did feel a little hectic. When we got back after the run, we were able to chat, have a coffee and get some free t-shirts from Nike. Nike were there the whole weekend, allowing people to print two unique stickers onto a t-shirt all for free. That was pretty cool!

On Sunday night, after the half-marathon, Razze held its Razze Rave. It was a great opportunity to celebrate and hear about how everyone’s race went.

The Barcelona Half Marathon: my experience & tips

The Barcelona Half Marathon is renowned for its flat course. It boasts beautiful views of the city and occurs at a time of year when the temperature is usually not too hot or too cold. This was my third official half marathon, but I would recommend it as a perfect choice for a first half marathon.

Having said that, the one less positive thing I would say is that the bag drops were badly located, and so if you plan to drop off a bag, ensure you arrive early! Or even better, if you have someone there who can keep your things – do that! A friend and I ended up starting 45 minutes after our start time due to not being able to easily get to the bag drop and having to run through people already running to get to the other side where it was located. It meant that when we started, we were the last people to start (I promise I am not joking), and due to that, we missed out on the amazing atmosphere of runners and the crowd cheering everyone on.

It certainly made for a race that did not begin as I had hoped. Before I got into it, it took me about 5km to calm my nerves and anxiety, and thankfully, I managed to catch up with the larger group of runners. Maybe this helped me get that PB, but I don’t fancy starting a race that stressed again.

One thing I can tell you for sure is that this weekend, as I run the Paris Half Marathon, my mum will kindly be keeping my things!

The City’s Canvas

There are so many things you can do in Barcelona. Although one of the most interesting and alluring things the city offers is its art and architecture. Home to the likes of Pablo Picasso, Antoni Gaudí and Joan Miró, a visiter will not fall short of finding beauitful artwork.

A visit to the Picasso Museum, where you will find one of the largest collections of Picasso’s work, is essential if you are a fan of his artwork. You will have the opportunity to see how his work transformed throughout the years. They have a wonderful exhibition on right now that looks at Catalan artists in Paris during The Belle Époque. I loved it as it built upon my knowledge of Paris, particularly Montmartre.

If a person were to leave Barcelona and not see at least one piece of Guadí’s art work it would be criminal. The city oozes with his work, and some of his most famous works include the Sagrada Familia, Casa Batlló, and Park Güell. I really appreciated Park Güell when I first visited Barcelona. Wandering through the park on a sunny day and admiring the views of Barcelona from the Hill of the Three Crosses is not to be missed.

Another option to take in the art of Barcelona is exploring the city’s many independent galleries. A couple of the more well-known ones are Senda and Bombon, but tucked away in side streets, you will find many to get lost in.

La comida

One of the things I love about exploring a new place – and many will already know this – is eating my way around. This becomes even better and more fun when you get to use the excuse of ‘oh, I am just carb loading’. Check out my list of places to try below:

• Ugot Bruncherie – a yummy brunch spot
• Nomad Coffee Bar – some of the best coffee in Barcelona
• Soma – modern tapas
• Federal Cafè – one of my favourite cafés in Spain, with locations in places like Madrid, Valencia, and Palma.
• Orgio Bakery – try their chocolate cookie!
• Brisa Palau de Mar – unbelievable paella
• Cajú – good gelato here

Click here for my Google Maps list with more locations.

All in all, the trip to Barcelona to run the half marathon will definitely be a lasting memory of mine for quite some time. It helped me to realise that I have really achieved a lot since moving to London. I have prioritised my fitness in a way I have never done before. I have also connected with people who make me feel seen and understood. Two aspects of my life that I plan on continuing to strengthen. Gracias for being here!

Lots of love,

Laura-Jane