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Are you one of them? Do you find yourself running the same routes all the time? Or do you try to mix it up once in awhile?
Back in the early days, I was one of those predictable runners. I had a favorite route that I ran all the time...always the same distance... and (probably) always at the same easy pace. No hills, no speed intervals, no change of terrain. Boring. Blah. Blech.
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Thankfully, my eagerness to grow as a runner (and my boredom with the same old route) got the best of me. I now have several routes that I utilize in my training. All serve different purposes, and all have their own individual nuances. Care to hear more?
Here's where I'm running...and how far:
The #5at5 route
I have mentioned this route a time or two (or several). As the name implies, it's a 5-mile route that I usually run at 5:00 a.m. with my friend (and main training partner), Barb. It's a looped route that goes out to our middle school and back to my driveway. There are a few rolling hills (which aren't as noticeable in the fall/winter/early spring due to the darkness), but most of the route is pretty flat. Barb and I run this route a lot, even when we're not in training, because it's a perfect distance and has very limited traffic (especially in the early hours of the morning).
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| One of the many #5at5 runs with Barb |
My old standby-2.25-miler
This is the route that started it all....the route that I ran all the time when I was a new runner and didn't know to do things differently. It's a flat route, and the 2.25-mile distance is a convenient quick workout if I don't have a lot of time. It goes around part of the nearby college campus, so it is well-lit in the early morning or evening hours. And a bonus? All of those lampposts are great markers for intervals or Fartleks. Sometimes I run an extra block (or several!) out and back, which can up the total distance to 2.5-3 miles (if I'm wanting a more "rounded" number).
This is the route that started it all....the route that I ran all the time when I was a new runner and didn't know to do things differently. It's a flat route, and the 2.25-mile distance is a convenient quick workout if I don't have a lot of time. It goes around part of the nearby college campus, so it is well-lit in the early morning or evening hours. And a bonus? All of those lampposts are great markers for intervals or Fartleks. Sometimes I run an extra block (or several!) out and back, which can up the total distance to 2.5-3 miles (if I'm wanting a more "rounded" number).
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| one of many sunrises I've witnessed along the route |
The 1.5-miler around campus
There is a loop around the college campus I run (and walk) frequently which is exactly one mile in distance. The caveat is that it's a couple of blocks from my house, so adding those extra blocks (to and from) makes it a 1.5 mile adventure. I can also do as many loops around that 1-mile perimeter as I want and not have to worry about looking like a lost idiot because with the constant motion of students coming and going, no one is going to notice me coming around for a second (or third) lap. I know, pure genius...right?
There is a loop around the college campus I run (and walk) frequently which is exactly one mile in distance. The caveat is that it's a couple of blocks from my house, so adding those extra blocks (to and from) makes it a 1.5 mile adventure. I can also do as many loops around that 1-mile perimeter as I want and not have to worry about looking like a lost idiot because with the constant motion of students coming and going, no one is going to notice me coming around for a second (or third) lap. I know, pure genius...right?
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| Among the numerous lampposts on campus |
The 2-mile quick & easy (hilly) route
I live in a somewhat hilly neighborhood. Every run from my driveway either starts or ends on an incline. The block I live on is exactly a half mile in distance around the perimeter, and that will net me two good hills (one on the "front" side, and another on the "back"). Across the street from my house is another block, but it's a little bit smaller...it takes three complete laps to get a mile in distance. But, that little block also has a hill on its front and back sides, and they are on a steeper incline. Thus, I can run alternating loops around these two blocks...starting with the small block, then doing a loop around the big block, then the small one (again), and the big one (again), and ending with a final lap around the small one. This little excursion takes me approximately 20 minutes, is two miles in cumulative distance, and there are 10 hills conquered in that short amount of time. This little route gives me a lot of bang for my (running) buck! It's perfect in the dark or in inclement weather, or any time I don't feel like venturing too far from my house.
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| At the base of my driveway...with the little block (and one of its hills) behind me |
The lake
And, finally, the lake! We have a beautiful lake on the southwest area of town. It has a partial wooded path, some fine gravel, and some paved concrete...all culminating in an approximate mile loop around its perimeter. Often times, I'll drive over and just run a few laps around the lake. Other times, I'll run the two miles from my house, do a couple laps around the lake, and run back home. It's a perfect setting if I'm not feeling like committing to a long run or don't know how far I want to run...I can start out with a lap or two around the lake, and stop whenever I want. It's also a perfect location for a group run because runners of all abilities and paces can run "together" and not have to worry about being left behind.
Bottom line, I like variety. I have learned that my body benefits when I'm constantly changing my routes, distances, and terrain. There's no time for plateauing or getting stagnant, right?
What's your running routine like? Do you vary your routes? Got any favorites that you run more often than others?
And, finally, the lake! We have a beautiful lake on the southwest area of town. It has a partial wooded path, some fine gravel, and some paved concrete...all culminating in an approximate mile loop around its perimeter. Often times, I'll drive over and just run a few laps around the lake. Other times, I'll run the two miles from my house, do a couple laps around the lake, and run back home. It's a perfect setting if I'm not feeling like committing to a long run or don't know how far I want to run...I can start out with a lap or two around the lake, and stop whenever I want. It's also a perfect location for a group run because runners of all abilities and paces can run "together" and not have to worry about being left behind.
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| on part of the wooded path at the lake |
What's your running routine like? Do you vary your routes? Got any favorites that you run more often than others?
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I have a variety of routes I like to run--it depends on my mood and the weather. When it's really windy, I stick to my tried and true neighborhood route because there are frequent changes in direction. Keeps me out of the wind for too long. I vary that route too because I had that creepy neighbor figure out when I ran by--he used to wait for me in his driveway so he could run with me. Ick.
ReplyDeleteEEEWWWWW, no one wants a creepy neighbor inviting himself along for a run....
DeleteI get very, very bored if I run in the same place all the time. I like variety in everything!
ReplyDeleteEven running in my neighborhood, which isn't very large, I have different routes. There's the small hill repeats; the big hill repeats. There's the mostly flat one for speed work or tempos. There's the other large hill. There's down by the college. There's down the big hill on the other side of the neighborhood, which invariably means the big uphill on the way back.
That's just in my neighborhood.
ha ha ha, we definitely have a lot in common! I haven't touched on my speedwork "locations." There area more hills (not mentioned) of various lengths and inclines and streets and sidewalks (that have no street intersections) AND the college track a couple blocks away LOL I think I just drafted a future blog post ;-) ((thanks!))
DeleteI do generally run the same trail but we run it in different directions. Does that count?? I am a creature of habit. We will be running into DC for July 4th though
ReplyDeleteI would think a trail would give you plenty of variety by virtue of rolling hills and curves...right? I think you're good ;-)
DeleteI have a handful of routes that I alternate between depending on how much time I have to run and who I am with.
ReplyDeleteI enjoy hearing about other runner's routes! Wouldnt it be fun to be able to run some favorite routes with our blogger friends that we only get to read about? -M
agreed! I live in a moderately small town (population 10,000), so I have to get really creative switching things up for my routes LOL
DeleteMy runs are pretty boring - short and flat. I never run in the neighborhood because the scenery is so dull. I vary the routes - Ualbany, rail trail, bike path on the Hudson, bike path on the Mohawk and a few others. it depends on how much time I have and where my friends are running.
ReplyDeleteI wish I had more access to trails...the city streets get pretty mundane....
DeleteI have a couple different neighborhood loops I regularly do for my weekday runs. And then I go further afield for some variety on weekend runs, but that's mostly rotating among a couple local options too. I definitely try to take advantage of begin able to see new routes when I travel :)
ReplyDeleteI enjoy exploring new places on foot, too, when we're traveling.
DeleteI agree. I like variety in my running routes. I have some basic routes that I run around town or out in the countryside, then I have variations that I can add to each of those routes. Each Tuesday we run at running club, so that is a different and new (to me) route each week. We will be traveling a bunch this summer, so I will have to find routes in various locations, which I enjoy.
ReplyDeleteI try to vary these chosen routes from time-to-time, too. I add out & back loops, or run the routes in the opposite direction on alternate runs, etc.
DeleteI am guilty of running the same routes. The only time I change it up is when I can get out of the city - either to trails or to the subrubs. I really need to do a better job of exploring different neighborhoods in Chicago.
ReplyDeleteYes, I can only imagine the variety you have access to in Chicago!
DeleteI have a limited variety of routes. Now that it's a little brighter in the morning, I am more willing to get out and about and try new things, but usually I stick to the same area because of proximity to lights and sidewalks. I do love finding new routes, though.
ReplyDeleteMy town is nothing grandiose, but I still think there are some streets I have not yet explored...It's fun finding new sights or hills, etc.
DeleteOh I love this! I got so sick SO SICK of all my routes, the 10 mile one, the 5 mile one, all of them. Starting to go on the canals has really helped with that as there's always something different there even if the route is the same.
ReplyDelete