Finding New Running Routes
Today, I am linking up with Sara from Lake Shore Runner for Tried It Tuesday.
As I am training for the Richmond Marathon in November, I have come across the need to change up my running routes. I am a creature of habit–once I find a route, I stick with the same route forever. However, with snake sightings on one of my routes (literally I have seen 2–and that is enough to call it quits!) and no shade on my other go-to route I need a change!
I downloaded MapMyRun a couple months back to keep in touch with my family members who run. It is such a fun app that allows me to see when my cousins are running and we have fun talking to each other and motivating one another. The app has a feature that allows you to see roads/dead ends and different potential routes to take (it also shows where water is available–I haven’t utilized that feature though).
Last week, I decided that having the sun glare down at me through my 6 mile loop was just not worth it so I used the app and went on a little adventure. I discovered an adorable neighborhood that is literally .25 miles away from my house. The neighborhood is MASSIVE and has numerous different entrances and cul-de-sacs. While running through and discovering different sections of the neighborhood I ended up doing right over 5 miles. Bonus: I didn’t see a snake!
I am so happy that I found a new route to run. It is great having a change of scenery and even better that my new route has significantly less traffic and is safer to run on. This morning, I took Scout on the new 5 mile route and she loved it. There may not be a river for her to swim in (like the snake infested route), but there are plenty of shade trees to keep her cooler.
I am excited to discover different routes and hopefully I will find another one that is as great as this new one! Sometimes getting out of your comfort zone is well worth it 🙂
Do you run the same routes or do you switch it up?
What would prevent you from running the same route? Snakes are clearly my fear!
