Exploring{ontherun}
| July 5, 2011 | Posted by Lauren under Running |
Just for fun, let’s start with a quick poll:
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Break the Running Route Rut
One of the best ways to get yourself out of a running rut is simply to find a new route. It’s truly amazing what a small change in scenery can do for the mental aspect of running. I know that whenever I have new and interesting things to look at on the run, the time passes by a lot quicker and I find myself wishing the run could go on forever.
Unfortunately, I live in a very (very) small state. I’m not sure how many of you are familiar with the area, but Providence is a tiny city within a tiny state. After awhile, a new place to run can be pretty hard to come by.
This is one reason why I get so excited when I have the opportunity to travel. Some people may see a new city as a place with millions of restaurants to try or museums to explore….I see it as a new running route. An almost endless supply of new roads to travel and paths to explore.
In my opinion, exploring by foot is one of the best ways to see a new place. I’ve found that I am more aware of my surroundings when I’m running (or walking) than when I’m driving. And I am able to learn my way around a lot quicker if I go for a run in that area. (Side note: my sense of direction is pretty lacking when I’m in the car, but when I run, it suddenly becomes really good. I have no idea why this is). Last week, I had a lot of fun running around San Diego. In fact, I think it’s pretty safe to say that was my favorite part of the trip.
But sometimes the intention of getting out to run around an unfamiliar area is easier said than done. There have been occasions where I’ve suddenly found myself in a not-so-nice part of town, or out further than I meant to go. No runner goes out with the goal of ending up somewhere unsafe…or lost.
Plus, if you’re going to explore an area, you want to make sure you get to see all the best sights. If there’s a place with a spectacular view or the perfect running path, you don’t want to miss it.
Which is why a little pre-run planning can go a long way.
Exploring{ontherun}
Next time you find yourself in unfamiliar territory wanting to run, don’t be afraid to…
- Map it out. Yes, it can be a lot of fun to just head out the door and see where the wind takes ya, but sometimes it’s good to make yourself a basic plan…at least to make sure that there are actually roads that go where where you want to. Free online tools like mapmyrun.com are great for this.
- Find local friends. Social media is pretty amazing – it can connect you to people from all over the world. Chances are, you’ll be able to find someone who lives in the area you’re visiting. Even if you can’t run with them, they can give you some pointers about the best places to go. When I visited Charlotte last winter, Kelly sent me a couple of awesome running routes that lead me around neighborhoods I never would’ve been able to find otherwise.
- Harness the power of Google. Look up local parks, search the websites of local running groups, use the satellite/street view on Google maps to explore the area around you. Sometimes even just Googling something like “best running routes in [X city/town]” will get you a list of places other runners like to go.
- Ask the hotel. This one is hit or miss. Sometimes the people behind the desk have no idea, but I’ve been at hotels where they have little walking/running routes mapped out for guests. Even if they don’t have a map for you, they can often tell you where local runners tend to go.
- Have an adventure. Tie up your shoes, pick a direction, and go. Fortunately, the invention of the GPS watch has made this a little easier. If I’m nervous about finding my way back, all I have to do is save my starting coordinates, pick a direction, and just run. Yes, sometimes this means I don’t find the most scenic routes, but it never fails to bring a little adventure. I’ve had some of my best runs by heading out without any direction in mind.
So next time you’re visiting a new place, don’t be afraid to break away from that hotel treadmill and explore. I can’t remember the names of the restaurants I’ve eaten at in all the places I’ve visited, but I can remember all my runs.
When you are traveling, do you use running as a way to explore? Do you come up with a plan first, or do you like to make up the route as you go?
Many of my favorite memories from recent trips involve running. It definitely is the best way to explore a new place. I’m pretty sad that I wasn’t running through San Diego with you. This means you have to go back and show me around
It looks like California was gorgeous while you were visiting. I’m so glad you had a great trip!
I love finding new places to run when I travel, it’s a great way to explore! I always make sure I go when it’s light out & that I have my phone w/ me, just to be safe (I have a terrible sense of direction).
Amen to exploring new areas by running! I always try to do that. Once when in DC, I did get completely lost though! But it was well worth it
Your pictures from San Diego look so beautiful. Why do I live in the east again?
I’ve been asking myself that every day for the past week. I think I need to switch sides of the country.
I love run-exploring new cities. I try to do out and backs and pay attention to landmarks so I don’t get lost. And now that smart phones exist, it isn’t as scary as it used to be!
Yeah, having a smart phone makes a huge difference! If I’m nervous about the route, I bring it with me. It’s definitely helped get me out of a jam more than a few times!
Yay San Diego!!:) I’m glad you were able to get out a bit and explore on your trip. I LOVE to go out and explore a new city on my runs, and have found some really cool stuff that way. I usually don’t head out with a plan, but I think it might be a good idea to start preparing a big ahead of time, because I have definitely ended up in some shady parts of town or dead ends or really hilly areas, etc, when I didn’t plan to:).
Gorgeous pictures! I have never been to California and feel I really need to go soon! I would just love to see it. I’m pretty sure I’d love it.
I really enjoy using running to explore new places – but depending on weather, how comfortable I feel in the area, and time constraints, I might just head to the hotel gym. But I much much prefer to be outside and exploring! When my family picks our summer vacation spot, a major factor is always proximity to bike paths and nice running routes. We tend to pick very activity-friendly places. Last year on vacation my mom, brother and I did our long run on the same day and it was my dad’s job to bike between the 3 of us and bring us all water periodically – quite a nice service
I love running as a way to explore new places. That’s how I fell in love with San Francisco!
I usually google local running clubs’ routes. They usually know all the good places to run.
i LOVE to run everywhere that i go. i’m with you, i don’t really feel connected to a place until i get to see it on my feet. i’m always amazed with how different everything looks behind the windshield of a car vs. the sidewalk (or shoulder of the road…)
You are so lucky! I wish I got to go to CA. Are you nice and tan now or got stuck in meetings? Either way, looks like you saw some beautiful things and had some wonderful runs. I am, apparently, still exploring my neighborhoods at home, and trying not to get lost ( i have this awful habit of getting lost, freaking out, and calling Aaron when I am driving oops). But my same old routes do get really boring, running with a friend helps you find new routes. I might have to ask you for some running advice when I hopefully go to CA next spring, well we will see! Usually, I guess when I travel it is home to NJ so no major crazy adventure but elsewhere, I get nervous and end up on the hotel’s treadmill, but u r right through blogging lots more people to run with in other places
what a gorgeous blue sky!! I love running in new places and discovering new things. Usually I like to get an idea of where I am so I don’t get totally lost, but then once I’m out the door I explore. I have the best memories from running on vacations and seeing things I never would have otherwise.
Usually when I’m traveling I stick to the hotel gym, but that’s mostly because there usually isn’t a safe place to run. But I’m moving tomorrow (to Southern CT) and I’m pretty excited to get to know the area by foot! Great post!
I prefer to run outside ANY day so I’ll try to run outside and “explore” unless I’m worry about being killed or raped (ie not safe!). I never thought about looking up local running club routes — good idea!
Thanks for linking back here from your HTC one. When I initially read this post I had no idea I’d be in SD soon (we booked our tickets a couple weeks ago). I had pretty much decided I’d be doing my planned 12 miler in TX the day before we left, but after re-reading this post & seeing your pics I realized I MUST run while I am out there. I need to take advantage of sub-100 degree temps and low humidity!
Yes! You MUST run there!! There’s a path by the water that you can take out pretty far – it goes by the airport and then onto a little island for about a mile. You could easily get in 12 miles on it!