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I started traveling at a time when I didn't have a lot of money and was afraid to venture out on my own. In 2011, I booked a solo flight to Costa Rica and took my running shoes along. I didn't rent a car, I did absolutely no research- and I had little money!

I booked a cheap hotel in the jungle- making my first major issue transportation from the typical sight seeing and tours. My hotel recommended a coffee plantation tour although, at this time it was of little interest since I had not discovered the taste of coffee that now CONSUMES me. But I decided to give it a go since it was less than 10 dollars for the tour and only 2 miles away.   Being the active kid that I was, I decided to jog  to the coffee plantation. Not wanting to miss the tour, I left the hotel early and jogged faster than my usual pace. I arrived entirely too early and found myself standing outside the gate unsure if I should enter the property. A worker finally asked what I was doing, since I looked highly suspect- I told him I was there for the tour and of course he advised me I was about an hour early.... what a dork I was!

I asked if I could run the grounds before the tour began, he seemed a bit confused but he swung open the gate for me. I ran between the coffee plant rows until the tour began. After the tour, I ran back to my hotel. I remember thinking it was the best run I had ever had. And that is when my travel running started... when I travel, I pack my running shoes. 

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