Where do YOU run?

[alisterblue.livejournal.com]

To all the Runners out there:

Hey there! I'm new to the Davis Square area and am currently training for a spring marathon. I just started the training, so I don't have to do any really long runs for a while, but I'm having a hard time finding pleasant routes. The snow/ice doesn't bother me, but the cars and the traffic do. It would be great to find a few routes that take me away from places like Mass Ave, to mix things up a bit.

So my question is.. Where do you like to run? What are your favorite routes? I'd love to find a few new, enjoyable routes that range anywhere between 3 and 10 (or more) miles. 

Any help would be much appreciated! :)

Comments

[surrealestate.livejournal.com]

This would be a good time to plug the not-very-active, but could get more active anytime if we get more local runners in, davis_ramblers. :)

(I'm training for Boston. (http://www.tuftsmarathonchallenge.com/runners/jude)

Where exactly are you starting from? This (http://www.baevents.com/jinglebell/jinglebell-2009coursemap.gif) is one of my favorite 5K routes here (just go up the bus lane and cross College to Holland to make it a closed loop).

[alisterblue.livejournal.com]

Thanks for the loop! I unfortunately was out of town the weekend of the Jingle Bell run.. that was something I was hoping to do!

I usually start right in Davis Square (to head down the Minuteman path or down Mass Ave toward the River) or toward Powder House Circle (for an all-too-short Tufts loop). I always see people running along Broadway, so I was hoping to learn more about where everyone's going!

[surrealestate.livejournal.com]

When I run on the bike path, I prefer to take Broadway into Arlington Center and get on over there because the section between Davis and Alewife is really just kind of annoying.

Also, the cemetary on Broadway at Rt 16 has a .4mile loop in it which is nice for intervals, when you don't want to stray far, or just to top off.

[ron_newman]

I'm tagging this 'local sports' for now so it doesn't get lost, but feel free to create a more appropriate tag and move it there.

[dphilli1.livejournal.com]

mystic valley parkway -- head out of davis to boston ave (tufts area), head west over rt 16, take a left at arlington st. once you get past the rt 60 rotary it turns into a wide, relatively quiet street with ginormous shoulders.

head out broadway to arlington, run around arlington.

minuteman bikeway.

take the bike path out to alewife, then head over to fresh pond/belmont area.

Also, if you have wheels and strong ankles, the middlesex fells for trail running.

[afty.livejournal.com]

I have a couple of go-to running routes around here:

- Minuteman Bike Path. It's often passable even when the roads are nasty. You can go as far as you want, at least to 22 miles if you run to the end. Though I believe once you get to Lexington, they stop plowing it.

- Charles River. I run down Mass Ave to Linnean Street and cut through the Radcliffe Quad. From Porter it's about 1.5 miles to the river, then you can do as much as you want along the river. Beware that the path along the river is often not plowed.

Also, there are a number of running clubs in the area. The Somerville Striders do a Thursday night run out of the Old Magoun Saloon, and the Somerville Road Runners have a Monday night run at the Burren and a Thursday night run at Casey's Bar. You should come out to one of the group runs!

[alisterblue.livejournal.com]

Thanks for the info! I was curious as to whether they plow the river paths (I haven't run there since early December) but that answers my question.

And I've heard of the running groups/nights before, and am eager to give them a go. I'll definitely make an appearance!

[mderidder.livejournal.com]

using a website like mapmyrun.com, you can figure out some different routes. For example, it's about 3 miles each way (or less, depending where you start from) to get to Fresh Pond, which has a mix of dirt and paved path 2.5 miles around the pond. You can also run through Cambridge to the Charles River, where there is a path. Thirdly, there is a path around upper and lower mystic lake, you can either run over there (it's a bit farther) or drive and then do the loop.

For trail running a bit farther away, middlesex fells has an orange loop that's a 5.5 mile loop. you can start and end from Sheepfold. There's also a white loop that's much longer and there's also a fire road that's shorter and flatter that they use to patrol around the shore of the reservoir to make sure people aren't letting their dogs swim there.

In town, a quick 4 miles without crossing too many intersections is, starting in Davis, up Holland to Paulina, right on Broadway to Central, right on Central to Somerville Ave, right on Somerville Ave, bear right onto Elm and back to the square. For 5.5 miles, do the same loop, but continue up Holland to Broadway and then to Rt 16, make a right and then a right on Powderhouse. Go through the Rotary and take Broadway to Central, return to Davis the same way as above.

[808.livejournal.com]

This is overall great advice. Especially when running with headphones on, one has to work harder to stay alert for bikes.

However, I want to clarify one thing. Most paths in this area are legally considered "mixed-use paths", not "bike paths". Only bike lanes marked as such give special treatment to bicyclists.

[ron_newman]

Seconded -- the Minuteman and both of the paths leading from Davis Square are equally for pedestrians and bicyclists.

[alisterblue.livejournal.com]

I agree with both points. However..
I fall into the group of runners who are very conscious of their position on the bike path, and nothing irks me more than people (cyclists, runners, and walkers alike) who simply don't pay attention. I believe that the difference in this consciousness lies in the intent of those on the path. Many of us are out there for fitness reasons -- whether physical or mental -- and we tend to be quick-thinking and efficient. We stick close to the right side, and respect the space of the other recreational athletes with an understanding of their intent and what they're going through. But then there are others who just want to go for a leisurely stroll. And these strolls are not only slow and wide and self-absorbed (no offense, I've been there too) but they can be incredibly annoying to the rest of us who are trying to just get in our daily fix of exercise-induced endorphins.

At least it's cold out. I've noticed a lot less strolling as of late :)

[surrealestate.livejournal.com]

On the Rhode Island bike path, bicycles stay to the right and peds to the left, which makes a ton of sense because the peds can see the bicycles coming and get out of the way gracefully instead of being beeped from behind and/or a potentially dangerous pass. I've never really understood why that's not done here.

Fresh Pond

[serious-noir.livejournal.com]

I imagine you know @ Fresh Pond - if not, it is a nice place to run.

[ludimagist.livejournal.com]

I have a regular loop through Medford Square for my short runs.

The group I do longer runs with goes up by and/or around the lakes in Winchester.

[alisterblue.livejournal.com]

What group do you do longer runs with? I'd love to learn more about that.

[ludimagist.livejournal.com]

I'm doing the President's Marathon Challenge with Tufts University.

http://www.tuftsmarathonchallenge.com/

[surrealestate.livejournal.com]

Hey, me too! ;)

[arrowintwolakes.livejournal.com]

This is my normal 5k route (http://maps.google.com/maps?f=d&source=s_d&saddr=47+Paulina+St,+Somerville,+MA+02144&daddr=Medford+St+%26+Lowell+St,+Somerville,+MA+02145+to:Highland+Ave+%26+Lowell+St,+Somerville,+MA+to:Highland+Ave+%26+Cedar+St,+Somerville,+MA+to:Cedar+St+%26+Grove-Cedar+Bikepath,+Somerville,+MA+to:Davis+Square+to:47+Paulina+St,+Somerville,+MA+02144&hl=en&geocode=FQb8hgId5rnC-ym5GnAxHnfjiTF4xh77pdGQgg%3BFfPqhgIdTgvD-yldKjCPKXfjiTFE1JjWLQ9i1g%3BFbzShgIdi_rC-ymDUNjrL3fjiTGMIIMhusiDvg%3BFZbahgIdLenC-yknUY3-JHfjiTEhsh7DTFygxQ%3BFcvhhgIdeO7C-yn3NqDcJXfjiTHgecFwqtFWNQ%3BFRzshgId_sDC-w%3BFQb8hgId5rnC-ym5GnAxHnfjiTF4xh77pdGQgg&mra=ls&via=5&dirflg=w&doflg=ptk&sll=42.396492,-71.118643&sspn=0.010348,0.01929&ie=UTF8&z=15). There's a nice little rise going over the railroad tracks in Ball Sq. and there's also a really nice hill on Lowell St. It's very scenic, like a tour of West Somerville.

[alisterblue.livejournal.com]

Thanks! I actually ran part of your loop (without knowing it, of course) as an out-and-back today. Since I much prefer loops to the former, I'll be giving it a go!

[arrowintwolakes.livejournal.com]

I'm looking for a 10k route that I want to keep as scenic and interesting as this one. That's one of the things I like about my current loop: it's very engaging with both the terrain and the surroundings. A good variety. But of course, it's not long enough for a 10k. I've been scouting out for a good 10k loop with the caveat that it starts and stops with my apartment on Paulina Street. :) Any ideas are gratefully accepted! I was thinking of running around Tufts or through Union and back; maybe even to Inman and back, but I'm not sure.

[natef.livejournal.com]

How about adding Prospect Hill? I like to pass through there:
route (http://maps.google.com/maps?f=d&source=s_d&saddr=47+Paulina+St,+Somerville,+MA+02144&daddr=Sycamore+St+to:Radcliffe+Rd+to:Prospect+Hill+Pkwy+to:Vinal+Ave+to:Avon+St+to:Westwood+Rd+to:Hudson+St+to:Cedar+St+%26+Grove-Cedar+Bikepath,+Somerville,+MA+to:Alewife+Linear+Park%2FSomerville+Community+Path+to:42.399693,-71.127763+to:47+Paulina+St,+Somerville,+MA+02144&geocode=FQb8hgId5rnC-ym5GnAxHnfjiTF4xh77pdGQgg%3BFa3dhgId2iDD-w%3BFd7KhgId1DXD-w%3BFS6vhgIdzjTD-w%3BFRm3hgIdMCLD-w%3BFdi-hgIdYBfD-w%3BFfXGhgId9ALD-w%3BFWXShgIdQwTD-w%3BFcvhhgIdeO7C-yn3NqDcJXfjiTHgecFwqtFWNQ%3BFTPwhgId0KfC-w%3B%3BFQb8hgId5rnC-ym5GnAxHnfjiTF4xh77pdGQgg&hl=en&mra=dpe&mrcr=4&mrsp=10&sz=15&via=2,3,4,5,9,10&dirflg=w&doflg=ptk&sll=42.392625,-71.101456&sspn=0.02786,0.066047&ie=UTF8&ll=42.391294,-71.106863&spn=0.02786,0.066047&z=15)

Thank you!

[alisterblue.livejournal.com]

Thanks to everyone for the advice! I will soon be exploring Arlington, Fresh Pond, Middlesex Fells (I love trail running), and the Mystic Valley Parkway, in addition to trying out some of your favorite loops and groups!
Cheers!

mapmyrun

[cthulhia]

allows you to search for existing local routes.

I like the striders loop for a 5k.

A mid-range (for you) run would be to loop around mystic lakes. ends up being ~9 miles, with many roads to make it longer. Very pretty route.

Re: mapmyrun

[yourenotwithme.livejournal.com]

ditto the mystic lakes route.

Winter conditions

[alisterblue.livejournal.com]

How are the Fresh Pond and Mystic Lakes paths in the winter months?

Re: Winter conditions

[surrealestate.livejournal.com]

The loop around the Mystic Lakes is on roads, so it's fine.

I was on the Fresh Pond inner loop last week and it was packed snow/ice pretty much the whole way with occasional patches of pavement.

[mjrocks98.livejournal.com]

For my short runs I do the Bike Path. I definitely us Mapmyrun.com I love that site!!!!! I keep my routes closed on there (as a woman I really don't want some strange following me on my path), but a lot of people keep their paths open so you can search & use their routes or just get ideas from them. When I got into my super long runs during my marathon training I would take the T out to Cleveland circle, run down Beacon & Comm Aves, loop the Common & the Esplanade a few times, & run back up to Davis. Depending on how many loops I did would get me anywhere from 20 to 26 miles.

[obie119.livejournal.com]

Definitely check www.srr.org (Somerville Road Runners). Not only are there the group runs on Monday (Burren) and Thursday (Casey's in East Somerville), but there's track on Tuesdays, and long runs on the weekends. Different members host the long runs, so you get a chance to run various nice routes in new places. Plus you'll always have people to say hi to at races, it is seriously the friendliest club.

Plus, the Thursday Night Run is turning 15 next month - we've never missed a Thursday now for 15 years. We have fun theme nights on the Thursdays too, including a Pie-off, a Chili-off, costume runs at Halloween, etc...