Coming back from Vienna in June still stuck with my injury, I was determined to use my two months in France to get treated and recover properly before leaving again in September. Summer programme: physio twice a week, swimming and cycling waiting to hopefully go back to running again one day or another. But it was a wasted effort, my tendonitis would definitely not leave me in peace. Worse, after a few days hiking, I started to get pain in both knees. I arrived in Madrid in September half limping, down in the dumps, wondering if I would ever be running again. But, with time, and ice, there comes a day when you finally have the guts to force the hand of destiny. You try once, twice, relapse for two weeks, try again, and step by step things are somehow going back to normal. So, here are some spots I recommend for a run in Madrid.
City profile
Geography: Capital of Spain, right in the middle of the Iberian Peninsula.
Population: 3.2 million inhabitants
Climate: as the Madrileños say, “nueve meses de invierno, tres meses de infierno”, meaning that the year in the Castilla region is divided between long, cold winters and very hot summers. As I’ve been there from September to December, I didn’t suffer from either terrific heat nor cold.
What it’s famous for: Tons of famous squares (Puerta del Sol, Plaza Mayor…), museums (museo del Prado, museo de la Reina Sofía…), palaces, churches… Madrid is also famous for its vibrant night life in different parts of the city (Malasaña, la Latina…)
Running friendliness: ✴️✴️✴️
How I ended-up in Madrid
After a break at university in Grenoble, I had to go back to the business school for one more year. I chose a random specialisation to move to the Madrid campus (the only motivation to endure one last year ).
First run
October, 9 months after the start of my injury, 8 months after my last (test) run. I’m dead scared, but I feel like it’s time. Lacing my running shoes, putting up my watch and identification wristband, adjusting my pony tail, tying my key to the laces of my shorts. All these routine gestures coming back instantly. Running down the street straight, entering the park (parque del Oeste) where I walked ten times already, I’m mentally taking notes of all my sensations, checking signs of pain and discomfort, evaluating my breathing and cardio capacity which turn out to be not that bad. I limit myself to 25 minutes, take the bus back, write down everything on a note book. Repeat once a week, then twice a week extending a few hundred meters at a time.
Where to run in Madrid? Running spots to consider
Parque del Retiro, classy but busy
The iconic park of Madrid with its famous statues, its pond and boats, greenhouses, roses garden, buskers… And a large playground for a running session.
Why run there:
- Perfect for a touristic run, that park has plenty of things to see
- With a perimeter of 4,5km you can run a rather long distance without getting bored
- Many small dirt tracks here and there between the trees
- Long and straight alleys for interval training
- Very easy to access, there is a metro station giving directly within the park
…and why not:
- Super touristic and always crowded… Can be a bit annoying to zigzag between people
Parque del Oeste, for a hilly run
My usual running and walking spot as it was the closest park to were I lived. El Parque del Oeste is rather an English-style garden, less organized and hilly, as opposed to the Retiro.
Why run there:
- Rather quiet compared with the Retiro
- Beautiful, with majestic trees, hilly landscape, rivers
- You can pass by the Debot Temple (Egyptian temple), another famous attraction of Madrid
- Many slopes to work on your cardio and strength
…and why not:
- Not so large for a long run
- Not easy if you don’t like running up and down, and not well adapted for speed training
- There’s an annoying road cutting the park in two
Madrid Río: the river banks for some peace and quiet
Madrid Río is a relatively recent park. It is a long green corridor that follows the Manzanares river on 10km on the South-West side of Madrid. In theory, the park stretches from el Pardo in the North to Getafe in the South, but its central part runs from the Matadero (former slaughter house converted into a cultural center, metro station Legazpi) to the Royal Palace. The park was also designed for physical activities, with 30km of cycling lanes that are largely used by runners.
Why run there:
- Green, quiet, no cars on a long distance
- Great for long runs, you can even extend in other neighbouring parks (Casa de Campo, Parque de San Isidro…)
- Many things to see on the way (views on the river, bridges, buildings, Matadero, views on Madrid…) it’s not just a boring straight line
- Good for interval training (all flat!)
…and why not:
- A bit far if you stay on the other side of Madrid
- Only tarmac…
- Many people cycling, skating and roller-skating, so watch out!
Casa de Campo, for a (very) long run
Somehow the equivalent of Tiergarten in Berlin. Formally the royal forest, Casa de Campo is now a huge public park home to the Madrid zoo, a lake, a kind of urban forest and several view points on the city. This is where the best Spanish runners are training. The main accesses are near the metro stations Principe Pío, Lago, Batán and Casa de Campo.
Why run there:
- It’s huge! With more than 1,500 hectares, you can easily run 15 to 20 km, and much more… In the middle of the park, you forget that you are running in Madrid.
- You have both tarmac and dirt tracks
- Green and (somehow) wild
- The park has a few small hills to run up and down (yes, that’s an advantage)
- Enough space and tracks for interval training, including uphill
- Many fountains to drink on the way
…and why not:
- For experienced runners. You may run more kilometres than expected…
- A bit far from the city centre and if you live in the East side of Madrid
- Crowded around the lake
What about the city centre?
I’m not a fan of running in the streets, as you have to zigzag between people, cross roads, stop all the time (and that’s driving me crazy 🙄). But that’s definitely possible in Madrid for a touristic run, as the city has several long avenues and pedestrian streets. You can, for instance, make a loop taking Gran Vía, passing the Plaza de Cibeles and going down on the Prado Avenue (the one with all the museums) or continue straight to Puerta de Alcala to arrive in the Retiro. From the Prado Avenue, you can discover the small streets of Lavapies and/or la Latina neighbourhoods (it’s calmer). From there, go back up to the Plaza Mayor or directly to the Royal Palace. I would recommend avoiding the heart of the centre around Puerta del Sol where it’s pretty much impossible to run.
And you, what are your favourite running routes in Madrid?