Running Routes – Plan for Success

How do you make good running routes? Simply put – planning! There’s more to it than just strapping your shoes on your feet and setting out on an aimless trip. Don’t get me wrong, running out the door with no particular place to go is a blast. However, planning can make a good run, great… and functional.

First, map out two to three go-to running routes. These will allow you to bust out a certain amount of miles each week. You will use these the most. Know them, love them and run them!

Since I ran in the morning, these pre-planned running routes allowed me to roll out of bed, grab a quick bite, hydrate and run out the door. Also, I still had to go to work so I made sure my routes began and finished at my front door, eliminating unnecessary commute time to my running spot. (More sleepy time!)

Second, start thinking about your longer running routes. Since you run these on the weekend, you’ll be able to drive to these. I have two favorite running routes. My first little slice of heaven is the Chicago lakefront. The scenery is absolutely breathtaking and it has mile markers, making it easy to keep track of distance. My second slice is a forest preserve about 30 miles southwest of the city. A beautiful trail through a gorgeous tree-lined pathway. I always felt like I was getting extra oxygen.

Also, plan your running routes according to surface. Don’t run on concrete every time. Mix your running surfaces up between sidewalks, trails and gravel.

Another tip for the beginner running tips list!

- Planning doesn’t have to be boring!

I always approached my routes as a way to discover and experience a new part of Chicago. From scoping out new restaurants to taking a “running” architectural tour, the idea is to enjoy your runs. Another way to make it exciting is to…

Reward yourself after a long run. You’ll thank… yourself!

If you can’t see the light at the end of the tunnel, turn the light on! Meaning, if you’re dreading your long weekend run, create a reason to finish. Brunch was my light. I planned my running route (several times) to finish at my favorite brunch spot. I’m not sure about you, but to me, I absolutely loved knowing that a big stack of pancakes, eggs and a cup of coffee were waiting for me at the end of my run.

Massages are great too. Book one a few weeks in advance, put it on your calendar, and get ready to see the light!

Now that you know what goes into planning fantastic running routes, let’s take a look at a few tools to mapping them out.

Landmarks: Use landmarks to gage your distance. For instance, I know the lake is exactly 4 miles from my house. This makes a great 8-mile roundtrip route. Also, I can add a few miles on either end to get 10, 12, etc.

Google Maps: This is a very easy tool to use to get exact miles. There’s even a pedometer-integrated Google Map. It’s my main running route planner.

Here are a few pointers to keep in mind when planning.

Scenery vs. Convenience: Sometimes getting in the car and going to your favorite running spot is easy, sometimes it’s not. Depending on how much time you have, plan accordingly. Remember, scenery is great, but only if you have time to enjoy it.

Change is Good: Keep your weekday runs fairly consistent, but allow yourself the freedom to be creative with your weekend runs. Run in a new park, find a new trail, discover a new neighborhood, etc.

Safety is Key: Don’t run down dark alleys. Don’t go out to the middle of nowhere without a running buddy. If you do, let people know where you are. Commonsense is a great rule of thumb. If you wouldn’t normally walk into a certain neighbor at night, probably not a good idea to run there either.

Running, Uninterrupted: Stoplights are great for traffic management, but they tend to break your focus. If you can, plan a route with the least amount of interruptions, i.e. cars, angry dogs, etc.

Protect thy Skin: You cannot out run the sun! Wear sunscreen, sunglasses and a hat if you’re really sensitive to sun.

Eyes up, Feet Forward: Keep your eyes up when running. It helps you focus on what’s ahead. In fact, pick out a point down the road and run to it. Then pick out another point and run to that and so on. This helps time fly!

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