I saw this topic & kind of laughed to myself. I lived in Aliso Viejo for a couple of years and there was this running/walking/horseback path along one of the main roads that I lived near and I always wanted to journey down at a nice leisurely walk with my dog. I find myself going back to Aliso Viejo every couple of months and I must drive a long this path and every time I find myself just dying to park the car and go for a run. Last time I was visiting there, the whole path was lined with yellow & orange wild flowers and absolutely beautiful. I asked my husband if he'd mind if next time we went out for a visit if I got up early to go run and he looked at me like I was crazy. My kids and my husband just don't understand!   I only took up running two years ago and never took advantage of the opportunity to run outdoors when living in California & I don't get to run as much as I'd like to since I have two young children but I must say, I will get out to run this pathway on my next vacation even if that means, I have to sneak my running shoes in the car and sneaking out early morning!

I hope no one minds if I revive an old post, but I recently had an epiphany and remembered this thread at the time.  As some of you know, I recently spent a week hiking, climbing, and snowboarding in the mountains of California between 9,000 ft. and 14,500 ft.  Virtually every day had hours of strenuous exercise, and many days started in the dark — as early as 12:15 am one day.  On the last day, I crushed a PR that is very important to me and had stood for 12 years.  That was one of the best days of my life — only events like marriage, births of children, etc. rank higher.  That is when the epiphany occurred.  For me, running is an efficient means to get in shape for my true outdoor passions.  But, fundamentally, my trip wasn't any different than a running vacation would be for someone whose true passion is running itself.  And that week was a heck of a lot of fun.

My original thought on this topic was dismissive.  Richard's response captured my thoughts on the matter far better than I could have written.  If you had asked me if I was having fun — and getting my money's worth — on Mt. Shasta at 12,500 ft. when I was on a 45 degree sheet of ice, with my crampon points barely gripping the inclined plane of doom below, with 1,7000 ft. of thin air to go, I probably would have stabbed you with my ice axe.  But, like the force of the headwind at Mile 11 of the most recent Havasu Half, that feeling passes quickly when you sit on the summit.  When I collapsed at the end of the day happier than when I started, that was pretty special.

I have a feeling this is why some silly people go on running vacations.  Exotic locales, vivid scenery, and personal accomplishments can be a very intoxicating mix.