Its always wise to give things a little thought before you go jumping in at the deep end. However, don't think about it too much otherwise inertia will gradually pull you down.
Why not do the following (if you have some cash):
1. Book some cheap flights with Ryanair / Easyjet and go and try out a few places.
2. Buy an interrail pass and go spend a few months travelling around Europe.
Some more advice.
Why not take a mate with you? Travelling with a chum makes even the tough times seem like a laugh.
I'm not a big fan of the 'get-a-new-life' type "throw in your job and go and knit yoghurt" I'm more of a pragmatist.
Having left the UK in 1999 for Germany, we're now about to relocate to Australia.
I'm late to this thread but thought I would add my thoughts anyway.
Having (temporarily?) given up running due to injury I can honestly say that I have no regrets and that my running targets were (mostly) achieved. The way I see it the best targets are those which are 'mathematically pure' and once you have achieved that goal then the interim steps matter little. By mathematically pure I mean targets with 5 minute increments (10k) up to 10 minute increments (half-marathon) and 15 minute increments (marathon). As an example, running a sub-40 10k is hugely satisfying such that making the leap from 40.01 to 39.59 is far more satisfaying that going from 39.59 to 38.59. Similarly the sub 1:30 half and the sub 3:00 marathon have the same kudos.
Having always hated the marathon and having achieved a sub 40 10k and a sub 1:30 half I guess the only target I missed was the sub 60 10 mile (boo hiss)
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MartinH
