Posts Tagged ‘Portland’
Summer Means Trails!
Well, I guess the nice thing about the Pacific Northwest is that you can run on trails all year long in the lower elevations. That was what I loved about coming to Washing for college after growing up in Colorado… there was never (ok, twice) snow on the ground that prevented me from getting a good run in. But trail running in the winter means embracing the elements, especially the MUD. We take the University of Portland team for long runs every Sunday to different areas of Forest Park and I have a rule about walking directly to the shower to undress. The shoes go straight to the drying racks in the garage and don’t set foot inside. It’s all about dirt containment!
The summer here in this corner of the country… is generally another story.
Trail running is an enjoyable way to get in longer, slower runs to build endurance. Dirt is great for lessening the risk of impact related injuries like stress fractures. The uneven terrain also helps build strength in your core and works your stabilizing muscles… this can also help prevent injuries from happening over time. If you feel uneasy on trails, you could try doing some balancing exercises at home and work on ankle strengthening exercises (like sitting with your legs crossed and tracing each letter of the alphabet with your foot in the air). The most common trail injuries are turned ankles, so you’ll want to watch for rocks and roots. The good news is that more you run on trails, the stronger your ankles will get!
For me time goes by so much more quickly gliding through forests or along the ocean than pounding the pavement. Running in these settings is my mediation. Somehow being surrounded by towering redwoods or the vast sky of the horizon, my problems seem tiny. All I have to focus on is breathing and taking it all in.
If you happen to be visiting Portland, Oregon or if you live here… the Portland Monthly magazine has a great issue out right now. I picked it up last weekend at Whole Foods as inspiration to get out to the Gorge and the Coast. My husband and I love driving to different trails for adventure runs when the weather’s warmer and we don’t have weekend practice. I hate to say it, but living in the Northwest, but when it’s cold and rainy- I’d rather just slog through Forest Park then drive out of town. When I’m freezing, I like to be close to a hot bath when I’m done.
Enough about the rain. The weather has been warmer for a month or so and it feels like Summer is just around the corner. I can’t wait to get out of town for some fun! The hardest part for us is usually choosing where to end up.
Portland Monthly Article: The trails are broken up into categories based on the following locations:
- Portland
- The Coast
- The Gorge
- St. Helens (the mountain not the town)
- The Valley (down toward Salem)
- Mt. Hood
By no means an exhaustive list, but a great start and includes both well-known and interesting ones as well.
Find a Trail Map: Check out the featured tool where you can find a trail close to a certain area. It’s great if you’re looking to minimize your drive time or looking to for a route close to a known destination!
And hey, are you looking for people to run with? My friend Mallory who ran XC and Track at Portland State helps to organize a group called Trail Factor. They meet every Sunday at trails all over the area. As long as you don’t mind an 8am start time, it’s a great group full of interesting people of all ability levels. For more information or to check out their schedule: www.trailfactor.com
Wishing you sunshine & happy trails…
