Running has become part of most people’s lifestyles. It’s a healthy routine that you can usually do for free, as long as there is a safe trail or sidewalk near you. Sometimes, you have to pay for it when you join organized marathons.
In early civilizations, humans learned to run to hunt for food, particularly animals. Today, running has become a lifestyle. There are a lot of benefits in running that’s why some people consider doing this occasionally or on a daily basis.
Running is said to help with the overall mental health of an individual. It also helps to strengthen your lungs because running helps you increase the capacity of your lungs. Apart from strengthening your lungs, it also helps strengthen muscles and maintain a healthy weight.
But running could become boring if you are doing it over and over in the same area with the same views. That’s why some types of tourists join organized marathons in different parts of the world.
Some runners consider running along different trails like eco-parks and reserves. If you both love traveling and running, then you might want to consider these places in the U.S. that are perfect for running:
McKenzie River Trail
McKenzie River Trail is a 26-mile, single-track hiking and biking trail located in Blue River, Oregon. The trail offers various elevations, which could help in mixing up the difficulty your run. It has a mix of beginner, intermediate, and advanced sections, which makes it perfect for everyone.
Along the trail, you could see waterfalls, ferns, and pools of water, which could make your run a little more exciting. Though you should be reminded that the Mckenzie River is one of the coldest rivers in the United States, which is why jumping on it could be fatal.
There are also plenty of volcanic rock technical sections that could make your hike or run a little more difficult.
The trail allows you to bring pets. There is also an off-leash policy, which means your pet can freely run with you as you go along the trail.
What’s great about this trail is that you can just pause or seat and appreciate its surroundings. Go and take photos with the falls and rivers that you would see.
Kalalau Trail
This trail is located on the island of Kauai in Hawaii. It is a 22-mile round trip trail that boasts a 180-degree view of the Pacific Ocean. Imagine running this trail with your breath taken away not by running, but by the spectacular view of the Na Pali coast. You also get to see the awesome views of the mountains within the island and some seaside caves along the shore.
Several routes are going to the beach and the Hanakapi’ai waterfall. Some trails here are a bit challenging so this might be a great option for hiking as well.
Mesa Trail
This 13-mile trail is located in Boulder, Colorado, along Flatirons and foothills near Chautauqua Park and Eldorado Canyon Road. It boasts a variety of terrains that are perfect for beginners and experts. Multiple elevations would increase the level of difficulty in your run.
You may also happen to see some animals along the way such as deer, fox, and bear. Sometimes there are also coyotes, mountain lions, bobcats, and rattlesnakes, so be sure to check on the updates of wildlife activity in the area before you start running.
For scheduling, you must plan your run during daytime as the trail, including its nearby areas, are for day-use only. No camping is also allowed in the area.
There are also different activities in Mesa Trail that you may want to try after running such as fishing.
Tahoe Rim Trail
This trail is located around the Lake Tahoe Basin in the Sierra Nevada, between Tahoe City and Brockway Summit. Its loop runs for 165 miles, which is perfect if you want to try long-distance running or hiking.
While running, you will get to appreciate the panoramic views of forest areas, valleys, lakes and ancient volcanoes in surrounding areas. You also have the option to trek to the summit of some of these volcanoes and other peaks.
You can also enjoy the peace and serenity brought by the calm waters of Lake Tahoe, particularly if you wanted to rest.
If you want to experience organized marathons or be part of a competition, you may also consider joining regular marathons around the U.S. Some of these are the New York City Marathon, Chicago Marathon, Boston Marathon, Honolulu Marathon, Walt Disney World Marathon, and many more.
But before joining a marathon or scheduling your run, make sure to research about the trail and the difficulty of its terrains, including the surface. Then assess your own running skills. This would help you prevent from being injured or pushing yourself too much.
You should also consider that you have the right gear, especially your shoes. Staying hydrated is also important, so consider having a hydration pack with you, particularly if you are running long-distance in a natural trail.
Wearing comfortable clothes is important when running. Consider wearing clothes with breathable fabrics so you will not feel that hot when your heart starts pumping. Smartwatches are also encouraged so you can track your distance, even your heart-rate. Listening to music could also help you get pumped up.
Knowing your limits is also important when running. Always remember that your improvements will come gradually. As you run regularly, you get to have more strength and resistance in reaching longer distances. You do not have to rush your progress.
Running outside the places you usually run is actually refreshing. You get to explore new environments and you get to push yourself a little bit further due to terrain/trail changes. Seeing something new could also inspire you to run more so you could see more of the trails.
There are several great places to run in the U.S. and I suggest you consider researching. Maybe one of these trails is just near you.
