| Author |
Topic: Raleigh, NC runners!!!! |
avengerkat
unregistered |
 posted Aug-23-2004 08:48 AM
 
I'm a newbie runner in the Raleigh area - actually right near a lof of you guys near Lynn & Six Forks. I attempted Shelley Lake this weekend & I'm just not sure I'm ready for all those hills just yet. Just wondering if you guys knew of any nice flat places to run - the view from the treadmill is starting to get a little boring! Thanks!
~Jenn
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PackerBacker
unregistered |
posted Aug-23-2004 10:21 AM
quote:
Originally posted by avengerkat:
I'm a newbie runner in the Raleigh area - actually right near a lof of you guys near Lynn & Six Forks. I attempted Shelley Lake this weekend & I'm just not sure I'm ready for all those hills just yet. Just wondering if you guys knew of any nice flat places to run - the view from the treadmill is starting to get a little boring! Thanks!
~Jenn
Jenn,
Sorry to say but I think the greenway around Shelley Lake is about as flat as it gets around here. The greenway that crosses under Millbrook Rd and head towards Crabtree Mall is pretty flat, but you still have to run up and down the hill that is formed by the dam. Good luck running and remember that the hills get easier with time and that many hills can be run if you just take them a bit slower. ------------------
My User Profile
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RDL23
unregistered |
posted Aug-23-2004 10:33 AM
I live outside Apex and have been training on the Wake County American Tobacco Trail all summer. The soft trail has been a Godsend for training for the 1/2 and full marathon this fall. I'm a little overweight and need the extra cushion. The trail is 3.5 miles long and will be extended next year. I am thinking about going to Umstead to do some hill work, a bit of a drive for me, but maybe it's worth it.------------------
Let's race.
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bianchilvr
Cool Runner |
posted Aug-24-2004 08:22 AM
RDL,
Just a word of caution about running on the "soft" trails...if you are racing on the road, you need to make sure you are running plenty of miles on hard surface and just run the soft trails occasionally.
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RDL23
unregistered |
posted Aug-25-2004 04:47 PM
Running on trails reduces my chance of injury (I'm 46 years old and 178 lbs and 5'8"). I run on hard surfaces occasionally. I have seen no detriment to racing on pavement and training on trails--in fact it may be better this way since trail running is safer (assuming no obstacles). I raced in the "Run for the Bulls" Fayetteville 10k race in July and did pretty good after spending almost three months training on the American Tobacco Trail. The only slightly negative thing is learning what your pace is when changing from trail to pavement (I use my breathing effort as a guide). I highly recommend trail running for any runner and especially long distance runners.I'm going into the 1/2 marathon VA Beach race Sept. 5th and I can say that I feel ready from all the trail running. If it wasn't for the American Tobacco Trail, I would not be training for the half or the full marathon since pavement is too hard on the joints. ------------------
Let's race.
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lesil22
Cool Runner |
posted Aug-27-2004 11:18 AM
hey everyone! i used to live in raleigh and my family still does so i get down there a few times a year. the greenways are great. i wasn't a runner while i lived down there but i have walked most of them. i helped out at a marathon at umstead in march, the bridal trails are real nice. lots of runners, walkers, and bikers. it is hilly. i was blessed and always lived really close to the greenways. grew up next to shelley lake, i've seen that big crazy group of runners. when i was little i thought they were crazy. and now my parents live by lake lynn. there is a good chance most of you have seen my mom walking around the lakes. i think she has walked on most of the trails in raleigh.
RDL23-where is this american tobacco trail? sounds like a nice place to run.
well i will be in raleigh running sometime in september, don't think i will be there on a weekend. but anyone who runs during the week might just pass me.
leslie------------------
http://interwovendesign.com/kick/userdisplay.php3?username=lesil22
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RDL23
unregistered |
posted Aug-27-2004 05:14 PM
He is information on the American Tobacco trail:http://www.traillink.com/TL_Active_Pages/TrailSearch/default.asp?Action=DisplayDetails&ID=1096 I use the Wake County part. Wake is extending the trail an additional mile toward Chatham Country next year, and Chatham County is putting their first few miles near Wake Country shortly after or during Wake's new contruction. When Chatham County is finished, Wake will connect the trail. Eventually, the trail will be connected from New Hill-Olive Chapel Road, Wake Country through to Durham downtown. Now that would be a long run! ------------------
Let's race. [This message has been edited by RDL23 (edited Aug-27-2004).]
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RunningKatieDid
unregistered |
posted Aug-29-2004 04:58 PM
Hi fellow Raleigh runners!
I am a Wake County teacher too!
I love the Crabtree Trail and Lake Johnson... although it is pretty hilly.
Shelley Lake and Lake Lynn are good also.Take care all!
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Tanager
unregistered |
posted Sep-07-2004 09:53 PM
Hi all...I live in SW Durham (right near the aforementioned ATT, which actually connects to my neighborhood). I was a pretty good HS runner (4:22 mile, ran a 33+ 10k), but I had a long break from serious running after I got married. Let my weight go, etc. etc. etc. Now I've gotten serious again, but I'm older and *considerably* slower. It was really frustrating at first, because I kept comparing myself to the runner I was when I was younger. Obviously, that was silly and unproductive. I finally ran my first race in years this June, the Race for the Cure, and that was great - not only running the race, but it was sort of a turning point for me - now my most recent race was no longer from when I was a young whippet, I now have my "adult" PR against which I can compare myself. (I'm not sure if that all makes sense, but bear with me.) It's been great for me, especially in the mental area. As for runs, I like the following: ATT and a couple of other nearby abandoned railroad beds for flat trail running (and I agree with the poster who thinks it's fine to train on trails to race on roads - the less wear and tear, the better, IMHO). I also enjoy Umstead (the Company Mill loop, especially) SP and Duke Forest - Hard Climb Road is a great place for hill training. I run on the roads around my area as well, which unfortunately means battling traffic, as I live right off of 751 - it's become rather hellish the last couple of years. I do like running up to Woodcroft, where there are a number of good paved paths to explore. We do not, unfortunately, enjoy the same level of greenway riches as those of you in Chapel Hill or Wake County (Durham CC could not possibly care less about non-motorized transport, sadly). I am also a bit of a cyclist, although purely noncompetitively for now, and that really helps as well - it's a great switch on those mornings when I'm just a little too sore to contemplate the pounding of a run. I don't know if there are folks here who live out my way, but in any case, I just found this site, and it's great to see others in the area who share the same passion. Great running to everyone! ------------------
--
Tanager
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kbrincks
unregistered |
posted Sep-20-2004 09:34 AM
Garner runner needs a place to run!
Hi,
I live in Garner off Jones Sausage Road. I run in my neighborhood sometimes but mainly at East Garner Middle School Track. The track is only 850ft around, thats 31 laps for 5 miles. I am new to the area so I haven't a suitable road path to run. The roads are so narrow and have no shoulders. The traffic moves at 45 mph or better. This is why I have been running at the track.
Does anyone know of a good running path or neighborhood to run? Do you know if there is a good 400 meter track open to the public. The high school tracks seem to be locked up.
Thanks for any help!
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emlennon
Cool Runner |
posted Oct-03-2004 05:10 PM
Hi All! It was nice to get some advice from other Raleigh runners -- I am somewhat new to the area, and I've basically been jogging around my neighborhood and trying to add new little loops, but I'm getting a little bored now.For those of you that run at Johnson Lake -- I've found it kind of inconvenient to try to cross the road in the middle -- do you just run around the paved part or is there a way to get around crossing? I saw that someone said they didn't feel safe running at Shelley Lake -- is there a good time of day to go when you can feel safe (I'm a female and I run alone. . .) That's a bit of a drive for me too. . . I live in southwest raleigh -- is there a track nearby that anyone knows of? And how are the trails at Umstead? Are they wide and do they have good footing, or are they more like hiking trails? I tend to be someone who trips easily when I'm not paying close attention to footing. . . Thanks for any advice!!
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swatkins
Cool Runner |
posted Oct-03-2004 05:53 PM
I know what you mean about that stretch at Lake Johnson and you just have to cross the road and run a short distance on the shoulder. As for Shelley Lake, there are a lot of people there on weekend mornings so it should be OK. I just don't feel comfortable there in the evenings. There are both types of trails at Umstead. The main bridle trail is quite wide with crushed gravel. They were recently redone and very nice. There are a number of hiking trails through the park if you like that as well. They are dirt trails with a fair number of roots and rocks. There are a few streams on the trail after a hard rain but are usually dry. There is no loose rock, the paths are pretty well-beaten. They can be challenging especially if you are fatigued. There used to be a group that did interval training out at the NC State track. Check the NCRC webite to see if they still meet. Personally, I run at the East Wake Middle School track. There are others closer to me but they are not in as good condition and are usually locked up after hours. There's also at least a few people there walking the track so it's not isolated. [This message has been edited by swatkins (edited Oct-03-2004).]
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RDL23
unregistered |
posted Oct-06-2004 10:59 AM
Anybody running the Inside-Outside half marathon in North Cary? See http://www.ncroadrunners.org/ for more information if you have an interest. There are three races: Half begins at 7:30, 10k begins 7:40 and 5k begins 7:50. Half starts in North Cary and goes into Umstead park.------------------
Let's race. [This message has been edited by RDL23 (edited Oct-11-2004).]
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swatkins
Cool Runner |
posted Oct-06-2004 05:37 PM
They change the course every year so I don't know how much of the race is in the park. It was a very challenging race when it was still the Carrabba's 1/2. I will be 2 weeks post-marathon so I won't be looking for any big challenges. I might just do the 10K. Hope no one dies on the course this year.
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bianchilvr
Cool Runner |
posted Oct-07-2004 07:38 AM
I ran the 10K last year...the half was the same course but twice around ( and a tad more). Very, very challenging course, some very hefty steep and long hills. Nope, not this year.
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emlennon
Cool Runner |
posted Oct-08-2004 09:29 PM
Does anyone know how far around Lake Johnson is if you just do the paved part on the one side of the road (or how to find out)? I looked online and couldn't find it. . . I thought somewhere I read that it was 3.2 but when I ran there yesterday, it felt lots shorter than that!Thanks
Liz
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RDL23
unregistered |
posted Oct-21-2004 06:10 PM
Well the Inside-Outside North Cary race is almost here. I ran VA Beach Half in September and was really hurt by the high dew point. Ran 2:00:21. Looking to do better in the Half Marathon this Sunday in North Cary. Looking to get 1:58 or better. After this its the Richmond marathon in November. I owe much credit to the Wake County American Tobacco Trail soft surface to prevent knee problems. Ran 21.7 miles on the trail Sunday and have almost no joint pain (but plenty of muscle pain!).I hope to see some of you in the Half Marathon this Sunday. ------------------
Let's race.
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Gottagetfaster
Cool Runner |
posted Oct-25-2004 09:52 AM
quote:
Originally posted by RDL23:
Well the Inside-Outside North Cary race is almost here. I ran VA Beach Half in September and was really hurt by the high dew point. Ran 2:00:21. Looking to do better in the Half Marathon this Sunday in North Cary. Looking to get 1:58 or better. After this its the Richmond marathon in November. I owe much credit to the Wake County American Tobacco Trail soft surface to prevent knee problems. Ran 21.7 miles on the trail Sunday and have almost no joint pain (but plenty of muscle pain!).I hope to see some of you in the Half Marathon this Sunday.
RDL, How did the 1/2 go for you yesterday? I also ran the 1/2 and thought the course was a tad hilly for my tastes, but overall I really enjoyed the race. I even enjoyed the rain (at least until I finished and started getting cold.)
See you in 3 weeks in Richmond.
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RDL23
unregistered |
posted Oct-25-2004 01:08 PM
I had a good race yesterday in the Inside-out Classic half-marathon. I ran 1:54:24, and I felt great! When I ran VA Beach half-marathon last month, I felt terrible with the dehydration and heat exhaustion. I made sure to visit each water station and drink some Gatorade--though I did skip the last two stations with two miles to go. The rain was good for keeping me cool (if not cold at times), so I didn't overheat. The hills were a little tough, but good training for Richmond. Each time I went up a hill I slowed my pace down, but kept the same intensity--this prevented me from getting burned out. This race has improved my moral for the Richmond marathon--my first marathon! I feel more confident in what pace to set for the marathon now. Also, it was great to see the large numbers of Raleigh area runners at the race (621 finished the half-marathon). I was a little disappointed that there was not any food at the end of the race since this is a good time to socialize. I hope to see many Raleigh area runners in Richmond next month. ------------------
Let's race.
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Gottagetfaster
Cool Runner |
posted Oct-25-2004 03:51 PM
quote:
Originally posted by RDL23:
[BI was a little disappointed that there was not any food at the end of the race since this is a good time to socialize.I hope to see many Raleigh area runners in Richmond next month. [/B]
RDL, They had food down at the InsideOut store, but that was a good 1/2 mile from the finish line. Glad to hear that you had a good experience. Now all we have to do is somehow make sure we have cool weather for Richmond.
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RDL23
unregistered |
posted Oct-26-2004 12:07 PM
Thanks for the info. I try to remember that next year. ------------------
Let's race.
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swatkins
Cool Runner |
posted Oct-26-2004 05:33 PM
So, who's running the Old Reliable?
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Gottagetfaster
Cool Runner |
posted Oct-27-2004 10:24 AM
quote:
Originally posted by swatkins:
So, who's running the Old Reliable?
I would love to run it again, but it will be the day after my Richmond marathon so I will have to miss it this year.
Have some fun for me if you are going to be running it.
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Wile E
Cool Runner |
posted Oct-28-2004 11:52 AM
Hey Raleigh runners... is there not a marathon in your City anymore? I came down for the one a few years back that was postponed because of a snow storm. My friend and I were thinking of heading down there again, but I can't find anything on it...are there any others in NC that are in the decemberish timeframe? thanks!!
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mtharveyrunner
unregistered |
posted Oct-28-2004 11:59 AM
I live close to Umstead Park, so I almost always do my long weekend runs there. It's a fabulous place to do just about any distance you want. You just have to keep telling yourself that the hills make you stronger :->
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