Saturday, May 8, 2010

Running Map

I was looking through some historical data in SportTracks this morning (Select View > Activity Reports) when I noticed the map on the right-hand pane and all the dots on it. Each one represents somewhere I've run in the past few years, which, when viewed all at once, I thought to be pretty neat. Here are some of the highlights:
  • Alabama - Home. Hundreds of training runs (literally!) and dozens of local races. Also, where I set a PR at the Mercedes Half Marathon.
  • Bahamas - Our cruise ship docked and I couldn't get off it fast enough. A nice run through town just to explore the "real" Nassau. Not somewhere I'd want to live, but the locals were very friendly and helpful.
  • Colorado - A few road runs around the Denver suburb of Centennial while there on business. Also, some really nice trail runs (paved) at a park in nearby Littleton.
  • Florida - I used to live here, but didn't use SportTracks at that time. I do have the Seaside Half Marathon and the Breast Cancer Marathon on the map, though.
  • Georgia - Just a few training runs while in Atlanta for a class. Also, just barely (geographically speaking) making the cut is my favorite half marathon, Chickamauga Battlefield.
  • Idaho - Dirt road runs while visiting in-laws. Dusty and hilly.
  • Louisiana - Training runs on various road trips.
  • Massachusetts - The 5-mile Turkey Trot I ran with my friend, Michelle, as well as some training runs near my mother's house while visiting.
  • New Hampshire - A 5k and some training runs while visiting family at Thanksgiving.
  • New York - A run in Central Park while in town for the US Open with my buddy, Dan. I was blown away by the number of runners!
  • Tennessee - A recovery run in Chattanooga while there for Chickamauga, and a separate, grueling training run in Ducktown.
  • Texas - Lots of runs in San Antonio, where I've traveled on business 4-5 times the past few years. I think I know the downtown area pretty well now as a consequence. The AlamoDome is a good place to run intervals.
  • Utah - More training runs (before I trained, really) while in Ogden for a class. I used to live here for a few years, so it was nice to go back and visit.
  • Virginia - Training runs while at Langley for a class.
  • Washington DC - For some reason my training runs along the Potomac aren't displayed. I was in town for yet another class.
As I looked at the map I realized there are a lot more places I want to run. If I had to declare a top five, here's what they are and why:
  • British Columbia - The Olympics got me. I want to go there, despite the commercials with the smarmy Ryan Reynolds in them. It just looks gorgeous.
  • California - I've only been a couple of times, and never when I actively ran. I'd like to explore some of the vineyards around Napa Valley, and check out San Diego and San Francisco, which I understand are running hotspots.
  • New Mexico - My friend Duane raves about Taos, so I figure it must be something special. Besides, maybe some of the mojo from the elites that train there could rub off on me. :)
  • Nevada - I'd like to run around the Lake Tahoe area. Pictures I've seen of The Flume Trail are breathtaking.
  • Utah - Yes, I've already lived in and run in Utah, but not in the southeast corner near Moab. I've visited the area a number of times and always get this surreal feeling, like I'm being hugged. When I die I want my ashes scattered from the top of the Mesa Arch.
I know nobody has time to reply with all the places they've been or where they want to go, but hit me up with some rave runs of yours.

6 comments:

  1. So many places to run, so little time...

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  2. Drew,
    British Columbia is just amazing...we've visited the Fraser Valley, Silver Star (skiing), Lake Okanogen-wine country, Vancouver Island(Victoria, Tofino -- the absolute BEST place on earth). I am ready to pack my bags and move there. Definitely make a trip out there. You won't regret it.

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  3. Washington DC Mall on Thanksgiving week 2009 was prolly some of my fav runs. I had the Mall and ALL the monuments to myself. Absolutely no one was around in the early morning hours of the holiday week.
    I wished I had run more while I was in the Navy... :-/

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  4. Oh, Drew. Nothing beats running in Columbus, Mississippi. The flat base, the 9-mile perimeter over and over and over again. Breathtaking views of ... nothing.

    Up the road, however, in Starkville, are incredible country roads. Beautiful rolling hills. Stunning all around.

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  5. Between you and General Funk I'd say I have to add Starkville to the list. :)

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  6. That looks like a fun tool. Having run maybe a half-dozen times in each, you are spot-on in wishing to run in San Diego and San Francisco, both are terrific (I just returned from 3 days in San Diego). Should add Chicago to the list as well, plenty of parks along the lake to run in, looking forward to going there for a week in September myself, during my fall marathon taper.

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