Wish You Were Here - Favorite Running Routes
Training
run
Every runner has a favorite route. Whether it's near a lush green trail, pristene river, or monumental landmarks in a big city, we're spoiled training near such beauty. To honor our favorite trails and paths, we asked people in the running world to tell us theirs. Tell us yours on Twitter @oiselle or in the comments below. Wish you were here...
Christy Turlington
Founder of Every Mother Counts
West Side Highway - New York, NY
I love running on Long Island in the summer, which is when I am usually training and need a bit more diversity in my scenery for longer runs. I ran the Hamptons Half Marathon last September for the first time and have used that course several times since for long runs. We are close to the ocean out here which makes it 10-15 degrees cooler than in NYC and also farmland so there are lots big old trees that provide shade along the way.
Lauren Fleshman
Pro runner for Oiselle & Co-Founder of Pickybars
The Deschutes River Trail loop - Bend, OR
It starts right in town and within 5 minutes you feel like you're on a remote trail way out in the wilderness. It's rolly, windy, and interesting without being dangerous. Plus there are two bridges, and I love me a bridge over rough water.
Greg Metcalf
Head Cross Country and Track Coach at University of Washington
Arboretum Loop - Seattle, WA
I love running in the Arb specifically out my office door down to the water's edge over the Montlake cut through Foster and Marsh Island and then through the main loop of the Arboretum trail. It is absolutely beautiful! You get a combination of running over bridges some actually floating on the lake, to soft wood chip paths, and to changing leaves in the fall. Not to mention fresh air and amazing smells from the abundance of flowers and different kinds of trees and foliage. This is a must see while you are in Seattle.
Kara Goucher
Professional Runner for Oiselle
Coot Lake - Boulder, CO
My favorite place to run is from Coot Lake in Boulder. There are endless varieties of runs from Coot. You can do a short flat loop around the lake which is 1.25 miles, or you can connect to the reservoir, eagles trail, or endless dirt roads. You can literally do a run of any length from Coot. The surface is well maintained and the view of the flatirons is amazing. It’s my fave!
Owner and Designer at Erica Sara Designs
Lock Ridge Park - Alburtis, PA
With Central Park or the Hudson River as my former favorite spots, I didn’t think I could find a new route that could compare but I’m happy to report I was wrong! My route to the park varies depending on my goal mileage for the day so I might run by beautiful corn fields, old barns, animals like deer, wild turkey and pigs, and streams. Once I get there, the park features the ruins of an old coal burning furnace that looks a bit like a stone castle. Each run feels like a new story and a fun adventure!
Larissa Rivers
Run Marketing Manager at Strava
The Dipsea - Mill Valley to Stinson Beach, CA
The Dipsea is such an iconic route. It is the oldest trail race in the US, taking you from downtown Mill Valley to Stinson Beach. Along the way you'll climb 600+ stairs, view sweeping views of the Pacific Ocean and descend on single track trails through redwood forests. It's simply breathtaking, gorgeous yes but mostly because it has more than 2,000 feet of climbing in 7 miles. Even better, it's ~ 2 miles from my door!
Sally Bergesen
Founder and CEO of Oiselle
Burke-Gilman Trail to the Urban Horticulture Center - Seattle, WA
This loop has a little bit of everything: flat ground, rolling hills, Seattle landmarks, Kid Valley…training essentials. The Burke-Gilman Trail also has soft surface options, great for training and tempos. The loop ends with a killer one mile hill from the trail back to my house, which according to Coach Fleshman is how runners get tough. It’s the best of Seattle.
Kate Grace
Professional Runner for Oiselle
A lap of Central Park - New York, NY
In general I'm a trail person, but a Central Park run whenever I'm in town is just a blast. The mix of people - joggers, bikers, tourists and locals - gives me a surge of energy. And the rolling hill and changes of scenery make the time fly by. Plus, the people watching is fabulous.
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