How to Find a Great Running Route

Why run here if you didn't have to?

If you’re like me, and you hate running on a treadmill (does it make you feel like a hamster too?), you’ll want to find a nice outdoor running route in which you can keep track of certain variables. These variables include distance, and the amount of incline you’re willing to handle. It’s not easy to always find a great running route, particularly if you live in a metropolitan area where traffic is too high and sidewalks are too narrow.

But there are ways to find great running routes, no matter where you live, and this article will help you track them down.

First, make Google Maps, Yahoo Maps, or Mapquest – whichever you prefer – your best friend.

These great sites pretty much have everything mapped out for you, and they’ll be able to track your distance. Simply explore the features a little to discover how you can “add destinations” in order to create a route for yourself, and it will give you an approximation to the distance your route is. You can then create “laps” for yourself if you want; customize it as you please, it’s your route!

Second, use these maps to explore the surrounding areas, including pictures of scenery and what your route will actually look like.

This is what you want to keep track of, because if you plan a route and find out that you’re in the industrial section of town, you probably won’t be too pleased. Be sure that you know where your route is going.

These map tools are great because they allow you to check the possible routes you want, while you can steer the overall direction of your jogging route – this will also give you direct control of the distance you want to run so that you know how far you’ve come. Many people who despise running “laps” will find one big circular route that takes them from – and back to – their home. For many people, running outside in the rain or the snow can beat the treadmill any day of the week.

Of course, a little experimentation will then be needed to make sure you’ve got a route you like. Run the route – are the roads like the map suggested they’d be? Where have you ended up? Do you see a side road that looks a little more appealing? Keep these questions in mind as you customize your own route and build on it as you improve. Keep track of the hills and inclines nearby in case you ever want to increase the difficulty of your run. Ultimately, your experience is up to you.

Photo Credits: Tiago Celestino

Originally posted 2009-03-17 05:55:11.

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