Hey Terrell, thanks so much for this post. I love your thoughts on "our places" we run and how they shape us. I had a four mile running route near my home in Oregon. This route was my escape from a high pressure real estate career, raising four children and busy volunteer life. It provided me with some much needed solace during that time.
I can imagine, Tammie! I've never been to Oregon -- though I'll be there when we run the Eugene Half this April -- but I've seen many photos that make me want to travel there. Your plate sounds like it's been extremely full -- I hope you're getting some well-deserved peace 🙌
Im green with envy….that Chattahoochee River is gorgeous! I remember driving up that way when I left the Cruel Jewel ultra in Blue Ridge, GA and I was in awe!! I told my running buddy we needed to go there when we retire…she agreed.
As for Winston Churchill, what a great quote. What a way to apply it to life too. There’s a Winston Churchill museum in Missouri that I came across by accident driving back from Illinois, which is super cool. There’s one room towards the end of the museum that is full of his quotes. My favorite is…and I’m going to butcher this….a pessimist sees difficulty in every opportunity and an optimist sees the opportunity in every difficulty….something like that. When I feel like the odds are against me, I think of that quote and it helps me pick myself back up and push forward again.
As for favorite places to run…Texas state parks. I miss them.. I’m trying to get back. I had a discussion with a supervisor and asked for a transfer approval. It’s looking good! The Cruel Jewel race in Georgia was absolutely beautiful too! I could run through that every day and be in heaven. As for here in Kansas, Shawnee Mission Park tops them all! When the seasons change and the leaves are falling…gorgeous!
Hi Jennie! 👋 You know, I've never run in one of the Texas state parks, but everything I've read about them makes them sound amazing -- there's even a race series, in which several different parks play host to a different event: https://www.ultraexpeditions.com/texasecoseries
Definitely some spots that are uh...questionable for running (like along the county jail right outside Columbia where there's no sidewalk along a four lane road). But for the most part, the trail is quiet, isolated, and amazing. It hits small towns, state parks, a national park, military bases and Greenville, Columbia and Charleston. You couldn't find a better place to get to know the state.
YES - it's honestly miraculous that it's come together and stayed in such great shape. Palmetto Conservation does an absolutely phenomenal job at maintaining the whole thing.
I used to have a place for almost 20 years along the Sammamish River in Redmond, WA. I think I even posted pictures on THM. I loved that place. It changed with the seasons, it was my hideaway from the "real world." I could easily run 13.1 miles on a smooth paved trail, or all the way to Seattle if I wanted to on the Burke-Gilman Trail or do my favorite 3 mile run and look for changes and birds. Looking at the weather up that-away, it looked like snow coming in. I'm sure the pussy-willows are out and the daffodils are blooming their hearts out next to the church.
Things change, tho. I'm in Oregon now. Eugene to be exact. I have a map of the 13.1 that we will run the end of April as a group and of the 5K. I have to say that Oregon has yet to capture my heart. I can easily identify with what you express in your article, Terrell. I'm still looking for that place. . . :)
It reminded me of running on the trail around the golf course at Duke University. It was many years ago as well - 20? 25? I was a different person then, too. Young, and single. Like you, I remember passing the same people all the time. It was a three mile loop, and I would do a loop in one direction, then the other.
I had what I called 'trail friends' - people I would sometimes see three times a week. Being in the South, we would say 'hi' every time we passed - that's just how it's done. I felt like I got to know some of them, though we never spoke. If I ran that trail today, I'm sure I would still recognized a few. Every once in awhile, I would see a trail friend in the grocery store or something. We would give a knowing smile...
Hi again, this time from Guam. I’m back to following your running schedule. Lots of traffic down town so I run on the navy base that I access to. Quiet, super safe. Was on a treadmill with a bunch of Japanese military guys, geez. They’re all about 0 percent fat. Darn. I’m still a lightweight at about 125 but not 0 percent. Not sure how the heck they do it. Best Byron, Santa Rita, Guam
Since we moved to the edge of town, I have found one long street with nothing beside it on one side, but open desert to basically CA. I fell in love! It’s fairly flat & super quiet. It’s my fav place to run, besides the dirt paseos around my neighborhood. Those are quiet & great too. Moving was the best decision for my running & our peace of mind. I wish we’d moved years ago.
Thank you for this post, so relatable. My goto run is in a neighborhood park. Even though it’s unimaginative to run the same route frequently, it gives comfort. But on reading this I also remembered the lake around which I ran every couple days while in grad school for 5 years - never went back after finishing school, it was such a familiar and comfortable place…wonder how it might feel now to go back after 24 years later!
Thanks for this subject Terrell, my places are similar. I enjoy two parks in Paulding Co. a few miles apart from each other. One has woods trails, weaving in and out of trees for a few miles (my solitude runs, where I can just get lost in thoughts) - the other has a wonderful half-mile asphalt loop with uphill and downhill grades (where I train for an upcoming half). After a three-year break (family concerns) I'm moving back to Georgia soon to run there once again, I can't wait.
Beautiful Lake Hollingsworth in Lakeland, FL is my place! I e been going there to run & walk since I was a teenager (almost 6 decades😳). Florida Southern College sits on this lake, as well as several beautiful old homes. It’s home to gators, otters, ducks, bunnies & a host of birds!!! It’s about 2.75 miles of friendly folks & an ever changing array of nature, not to mention some incredible sunrises & sunsets🥰
I feel like this post and your “where is your favorite place to run” requires two answers: my “comfort run” is the 3 miles around the lake near my house. It’s a perfect 5k with a great hill is I need to get in some hill reps. My favorite is a 13 mile loop around Seattle: space needle, waterfront, fancy neighborhoods, Ballard locks, ship canal bridge, houseboats, lake union, and back to the space needle.
Oh wow, Jenna -- that 13-mile loop around Seattle sounds AMAZING. That's another city I've never been to, but have always wanted to go. What a route -- have you run the half or the marathon out there?
The Seattle marathon (and half) is always the Sunday after Thanksgiving, so not the most convenient or weather-friendly time of year…I’ve done the half a couple times though :)
Hey Terrell, thanks so much for this post. I love your thoughts on "our places" we run and how they shape us. I had a four mile running route near my home in Oregon. This route was my escape from a high pressure real estate career, raising four children and busy volunteer life. It provided me with some much needed solace during that time.
I can imagine, Tammie! I've never been to Oregon -- though I'll be there when we run the Eugene Half this April -- but I've seen many photos that make me want to travel there. Your plate sounds like it's been extremely full -- I hope you're getting some well-deserved peace 🙌
Im green with envy….that Chattahoochee River is gorgeous! I remember driving up that way when I left the Cruel Jewel ultra in Blue Ridge, GA and I was in awe!! I told my running buddy we needed to go there when we retire…she agreed.
As for Winston Churchill, what a great quote. What a way to apply it to life too. There’s a Winston Churchill museum in Missouri that I came across by accident driving back from Illinois, which is super cool. There’s one room towards the end of the museum that is full of his quotes. My favorite is…and I’m going to butcher this….a pessimist sees difficulty in every opportunity and an optimist sees the opportunity in every difficulty….something like that. When I feel like the odds are against me, I think of that quote and it helps me pick myself back up and push forward again.
As for favorite places to run…Texas state parks. I miss them.. I’m trying to get back. I had a discussion with a supervisor and asked for a transfer approval. It’s looking good! The Cruel Jewel race in Georgia was absolutely beautiful too! I could run through that every day and be in heaven. As for here in Kansas, Shawnee Mission Park tops them all! When the seasons change and the leaves are falling…gorgeous!
Hi Jennie! 👋 You know, I've never run in one of the Texas state parks, but everything I've read about them makes them sound amazing -- there's even a race series, in which several different parks play host to a different event: https://www.ultraexpeditions.com/texasecoseries
So you're moving to Texas, then?
This insanely long trail across South Carolina will always be my favorite: https://palmettoconservation.org/palmetto-trail/
Definitely some spots that are uh...questionable for running (like along the county jail right outside Columbia where there's no sidewalk along a four lane road). But for the most part, the trail is quiet, isolated, and amazing. It hits small towns, state parks, a national park, military bases and Greenville, Columbia and Charleston. You couldn't find a better place to get to know the state.
This looks seriously cool, Scott -- and it's 500 miles long? Wow.
YES - it's honestly miraculous that it's come together and stayed in such great shape. Palmetto Conservation does an absolutely phenomenal job at maintaining the whole thing.
I used to have a place for almost 20 years along the Sammamish River in Redmond, WA. I think I even posted pictures on THM. I loved that place. It changed with the seasons, it was my hideaway from the "real world." I could easily run 13.1 miles on a smooth paved trail, or all the way to Seattle if I wanted to on the Burke-Gilman Trail or do my favorite 3 mile run and look for changes and birds. Looking at the weather up that-away, it looked like snow coming in. I'm sure the pussy-willows are out and the daffodils are blooming their hearts out next to the church.
Things change, tho. I'm in Oregon now. Eugene to be exact. I have a map of the 13.1 that we will run the end of April as a group and of the 5K. I have to say that Oregon has yet to capture my heart. I can easily identify with what you express in your article, Terrell. I'm still looking for that place. . . :)
Hi, Terrell! Looks like the time for the 5K on Saturday April 27th has changed to 8AM. around Hayward Field. Should be interesting. See you then!
Thanks so much for the update on this, Nilima!! Good to know 👍
You wouldn't want to be late for the party!! (I don't know if you get updates , I do!) :)
So foggy this morning it's hard to see the great outdoors!
Love this reflection, thank you.
It reminded me of running on the trail around the golf course at Duke University. It was many years ago as well - 20? 25? I was a different person then, too. Young, and single. Like you, I remember passing the same people all the time. It was a three mile loop, and I would do a loop in one direction, then the other.
I had what I called 'trail friends' - people I would sometimes see three times a week. Being in the South, we would say 'hi' every time we passed - that's just how it's done. I felt like I got to know some of them, though we never spoke. If I ran that trail today, I'm sure I would still recognized a few. Every once in awhile, I would see a trail friend in the grocery store or something. We would give a knowing smile...
Hi again, this time from Guam. I’m back to following your running schedule. Lots of traffic down town so I run on the navy base that I access to. Quiet, super safe. Was on a treadmill with a bunch of Japanese military guys, geez. They’re all about 0 percent fat. Darn. I’m still a lightweight at about 125 but not 0 percent. Not sure how the heck they do it. Best Byron, Santa Rita, Guam
Love this piece Terrell. Places carry special meaning and memories❤️
Thank you, Minh! How are you these days?
I'm doing great! Running my half this weekend and asking for tips from your Strava community🏃🏻♀️
Since we moved to the edge of town, I have found one long street with nothing beside it on one side, but open desert to basically CA. I fell in love! It’s fairly flat & super quiet. It’s my fav place to run, besides the dirt paseos around my neighborhood. Those are quiet & great too. Moving was the best decision for my running & our peace of mind. I wish we’d moved years ago.
That sounds amazing, Corrina! Where were you living before? (I long for a place to live like this too!)
My hubby and I grew up in Vegas and where we WERE living had been the edge of town at one time. Now it’s inner city. We moved the the SW part of town.
I’ve got pictures
Your photos are always amazing, Matt! Love to see them, either in reply back or in the Chat 👍
That's easy, Central Park. 'Nuff said.
YES!! Of course, how did I not think of that?
Great post and beautiful pictures.
Thanks, Blue!
Thank you for this post, so relatable. My goto run is in a neighborhood park. Even though it’s unimaginative to run the same route frequently, it gives comfort. But on reading this I also remembered the lake around which I ran every couple days while in grad school for 5 years - never went back after finishing school, it was such a familiar and comfortable place…wonder how it might feel now to go back after 24 years later!
You should, Rupa! Is it far away?
Only some 30 miles away - I really should!
Thanks for this subject Terrell, my places are similar. I enjoy two parks in Paulding Co. a few miles apart from each other. One has woods trails, weaving in and out of trees for a few miles (my solitude runs, where I can just get lost in thoughts) - the other has a wonderful half-mile asphalt loop with uphill and downhill grades (where I train for an upcoming half). After a three-year break (family concerns) I'm moving back to Georgia soon to run there once again, I can't wait.
Hey Terrell!
I love this picture, it reminds me of one of my favorite places to run...The Erie Canal Trail. It's flat but the sights, sounds are magnificent!
Hope all is well and happy running. :)
Beautiful Lake Hollingsworth in Lakeland, FL is my place! I e been going there to run & walk since I was a teenager (almost 6 decades😳). Florida Southern College sits on this lake, as well as several beautiful old homes. It’s home to gators, otters, ducks, bunnies & a host of birds!!! It’s about 2.75 miles of friendly folks & an ever changing array of nature, not to mention some incredible sunrises & sunsets🥰
It sounds absolutely lovely, Sharon! 🙌
I feel like this post and your “where is your favorite place to run” requires two answers: my “comfort run” is the 3 miles around the lake near my house. It’s a perfect 5k with a great hill is I need to get in some hill reps. My favorite is a 13 mile loop around Seattle: space needle, waterfront, fancy neighborhoods, Ballard locks, ship canal bridge, houseboats, lake union, and back to the space needle.
Oh wow, Jenna -- that 13-mile loop around Seattle sounds AMAZING. That's another city I've never been to, but have always wanted to go. What a route -- have you run the half or the marathon out there?
The Seattle marathon (and half) is always the Sunday after Thanksgiving, so not the most convenient or weather-friendly time of year…I’ve done the half a couple times though :)