When people think of running outside, Parks and Running Tracks are the first thoughts to enter a persons mind. The outside provides many running environments.
One factor that influences the running environment is where you live.
Living in the suburbs provides many Parks and endless sidewalks to explore. A few years ago I lived in Downtown Kansas City. City running has unique challenges, traffic is the biggest hurdle. Running when traffic is minimal will solve some of the traffic issues, stay away from rush hour traffic, would not suggest 6am and 5pm for running downtown!!! Early on Saturday & Sunday mornings are the best times, minimal traffic preventing all the stops. Map out the run in advance, as a new runner I would map a run with several stops, this helped me develop a habit to run. The Liberty Memorial, Starbucks, and the Farmers Market in Riverside are some of the stops I used when I started running.
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ReplyDeleteThe City has so many request for walking trails. I would like to try using more of them. Find some on the outskirts of town where there is less traffic would be more my speed too.
ReplyDeleteDo you think areas with lots of trees are safe? Kansas City has lots of trees!
Personal safety is important when running, when listing to music while running I never have the music loud enough not to hear my surroundings and I am alert to who and whats around me. If unsure if an area is safe I would run with a friend or walk the trail during a busy time when lots of people are using the trail. Use your best judgment and trust your gut, when I ran downtown I avoided areas I felt were unsafe. A crime map will provide information on crimes in the area you are running.Below is a crime map for Kansas City.
Deletehttp://spotcrime.com/mo/kansas+city
Many maps are available, Google crime map Kansas city.
Not sure about tress and safety, sounds like an interesting retrospective study!
I was actually thinking about trying running this spring to see if it was something I liked/ would stick with. People either love it or hate it, but I have never really tried. I want to try it for a health benefit. I have heard running can really clear your mind and relieve stress. Why do you run?
ReplyDeleteRunning has many health benefits, physically and mentally. The physically health benefits was my motivation originally. The mental benefits developed quickly and this is what motivated me to continue to run. My stress levels are elevated and my outlook on life seems not as optimistic on weeks I do not get to run.
DeleteCall me or email me if you want to go running! I will go with you and help you get started! I love it so much...it keeps me grounded and it is such a stress reliever!
DeleteThat sounds great, nice to run with someone who will motivate you!
DeleteWhen I see people running downtown, I cannot help but think about all of the exhaust and dust and crap they must breathe deep into their lungs. I can't help it, it is the RT in me! I just have thoughts of people trying to be healthy but is breathing in the fumes from traffic really healthy?
ReplyDeleteGood point fellow RT, masks are available for running in the winter.Not sure about a mask to prevent or decrease the inhalation of exhaust when running is available. Time for some research......
DeleteScott - I would love to know when you started running and why? Did you run cross country in high school or did you catch the running bug later in life?
ReplyDeleteThe closest I came to running on a regular basis was when I played outdoor soccer for K-State women's team in 1986. Boy was that a long time ago! I was in much better shape then!! Obviously, playing soccer does not involve non-stop running; however, if you played defense like me and you were on the losing team...you would run your butt off practically the whole game!
LOL, soccer is a great sport ( Go KC Sporting), played soccer myself, left wing. Soccer was not the catalysis to my running, was looking for a sport that did not need a specific location like a filed or gym and would help keep me in shape.Running fit the ticket.
DeleteScott- Another avenue for running is registering for obstacle course runs like the ruckus run or warrior dash. I participated in the ruckus run on Saturday the 31st and let me tell you that 4 mile course was no joke. I enjoyed it and literally used every muscle in my body!
ReplyDeleteAre you signed up for the warrior in May?
DeleteRuns are great, good way to test yourself, a good activity for building team work with groups, and for groups of friends to enjoy running together. Impressive,the rucks run (warrior dash) is a tough course, great job!!!!!
DeleteI heard the warrior dash was crazy last year with the heat. One of my co-workers just signed up to do it this year.
DeleteRunning is a sport, train, hydrate, and knowing the weather the day of the event is important. Know your limits as well and track your hart rate.
DeleteKnow your target heart rate, go to the link below and enter your age, the site calculates you hart rate range.
http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/target-heart-rate/SM00083
I like to run on my treadmill or at 24-Hour Fitness. In the air conditioning and in front of a television makes the workout seem to go much faster. I need to keep my mind preoccupied and not think about how much I would rather be sitting on the couch watching, napping, or in my pool.
ReplyDelete