Active 2008

BILDAGENTUR WALDHÄUSL/BEGSTEIGER, KÄRNTEN WERBUNG (2)
That joyous feeling
If you think the whole subject of endorphins is completely fictitious
you’ve obviously never been in running shoes
The beauty of running is that you need
no previous experience. But even
experienced runners should pace themselves.
Anyone setting off too fast soon
starts panting and risks missing the best
part: the wonderful surroundings. On the
Franziskusweg in the Tiroler Wildschönau
one runs past splendid farms and rustic
mountain lodges; imposing views in the
Salzburger Alpincircus have caused many
a runner to take an unscheduled break. In
the Stodertal valley, you can try crosscountry
running, which guarantees
unique and varied experiences.
Nordic walking sticks – an increasingly
popular alternative – are available for
anyone wishing to spare their joints.
On the routes in and around Bad Ischl,
it might interest you to know that you
will be treading in the ancient footprints of
Kaiser Franz and his Sisi, who spent
many happy summers here. And the
Kulmbergrunde circuit in Ramsau with its
many woodland tracks and panoramic
viewing points must surely be one of the
most beautiful routes in the Province.
Igls and Lans in the Tirol are the locations
of centres of ‘running excellence’.
Besides a network of routes 70 km long,
visitors can obtain comprehensive advice
on running and sports medicine care.
And the Bad Tatzmannsdorf running and
Nordic walking arena has mainly developed
into an advertisement for Austria
as a “running” country. This is not just
because of the many seminars on running
and Nordic walking, but also the network
of routes covering a record 138 km of
running tracks and 280 km of Nordic
walking trails. The first step is in fact
easier than you think: After just a couple
of runs, as your own movements become
more fluent, you will feel more strength
with every breath. And sure enough you
will finally experience one of those often
quoted “joyous feelings”. •
Link tips to the text...
can be found on page 23 of this magazine.
2 3
1 When Nordic walking, one can
enjoy the landscape
2 Moving at a relaxed tempo on
varied running routes
3 There is always a nice spot to
stretch and catch one’s breath
With and without sticks
* “ENJOYING RUNNING”.
35 hotels in Lower Austria offer their guests
beautifully maintained and signposted
running trails, which start immediately in
front of the hotel entrance.
www.laufendgeniessen.at
* GASTEIN EXERCISE ARENA.
Tackle one of the eleven running and
Nordic walking courses, then head for the
spa – a wonderful relaxation. Tip: the
panoramic tour on Schlossalm.
www.gastein.com
* MOUNTAIN AIR IN RAMSAU.
The stimulating climate of Ramsau in Styria
(1,200 m) is ideal for altitude training. 45
trails really do provide running enthusiasts
with all levels of difficulty.
www.ramsausport.com
* CROSS-COUNTRY RUNNING IN
SEEFELD. The “running & Nordic walking
arena” has 18 routes at three levels of
difficulty, with a total length of 162 km.
Extras: Sawdust running track and mountain
section. www.seefeld.com
29