Yesterday I ran 18 miles on the road in Truckee along a decidedly un-inspiring route. I had hoped to run Wednesday, but a very wet snow storm blew all morning. Happily, the storm passed, the roads were plowed, and the sun peeked through. It left me thinking about the different ways that I choose to enjoy the hours that I spend running on the road before the trails in Tahoe become widely available.
Gratitude is one of my best tools for finding running inspiration. Yesterday I was thankful that the weather cooperated and that I was able to find some flexibility in my schedule this week. What good fortune I have to live in a place where I can skate ski on Tuesday, run barefoot indoors on Wednesday, then go for a long run outdoors on Thursday – all within a five-mile radius of home! I was also grateful for the plowed roads and sun-exposed bike paths.
My run started near downtown Truckee at the Community Recreation Center, where you can park for free, use the restroom, and fill your water bottle before heading out. The neighborhoods around the Rec Center have proved excellent for Winter and Spring road running in Truckee. Gray’s Crossing has very few homes and even fewer full-time residents. Further down the hill, Old Greenwood is a bit more built-out, but just as sparsely populated. I sometimes like to add some mileage by passing through Pioneer Center. The paved path doesn’t have 100% sun exposure, but you can easily hop on the road where necessary. (I also enjoy a run in Pioneer Center when I go to Stone’s Tires for that time-honored Tahoe ritual of changing out the snow tires.)
Another source of running inspiration comes from tiny elements of surprise and adventure. Gray’s Crossing is good for only about 6 miles of running on the road or paved paths with minimal elevation gain (by Tahoe standards) and light traffic. I was not looking forward to 2 to 3 laps around the same neighborhood, so it was with delight that I found the bike path down to Old Greenwood to be free of snow. I wonder if maybe it is regularly plowed, as it was completely clear, even in the tunnel under the freeway. You can find this path off Hennessy Rd, behind the apartment homes just east of the Rec Center. (Click here to see the actual route from my GPS watch.)
The path continues a short distance east-northeast along I-80 until it dips down under the freeway and into the Old Greenwood neighborhood. I don’t know the neighborhood well, so I enjoy the sense of adventure of running around on the roads with only a general heading in mind. I continue down the hill until I eventually get to the Overland Trail exit from I-80. Then a hiccup… the bike path to return to Gray’s Crossing is 6″ deep with mushy snow. I poked around for a little bit until I decide that turning around would be more pleasant and so I returned up the gentle hill the way I came. Slightly annoyed about having to turn around, I turned my attitude around by thinking about the purpose of this training run.
Next month we are going to Oregon for my Grandfather’s 100th birthday. He raised his family in the rural town of Vernonia, Oregon, about an hour outside of Portland. I have many fond (if rainy) memories of tromping through the forest which was my father’s childhood home in Vernonia. So when I found out that the Vernonia Marathon will be run the day after the big party, I was immediately compelled to add it to my event schedule. Understanding that this run is getting me in shape to enjoy 26.2 miles through the beautiful Oregon rain forest was plenty of inspiration to keep going.
Finally, I look at every step is an opportunity to practice my ChiRunning and to increase awareness of my specific body mechanics. Over the course of 3+ hours, that adds up to over 34,000 steps! I have been working on some alignment issues with the fabulous Jen Fluharty of Full Circle Movement, and the long run really gave me a chance to make some mind-muscle connections.
The next time you are out on a less-than-exciting training run, I hope that you’ll be able to draw inspiration from somewhere that can help turn the mundane into meaningful.
Sophia Duluk says
I was wondering, do you plan on running all through winter? This will be my first winter as a full-time Truckee resident, and I’m wondering how to keep my running up through winter without tredmilling it for the next few months.
helen says
Hi, Sophia,
I will run “a little” during the winter – usually 2-3 times a week. Lower elevation trails (Emigrant, Waddle Ranch, Martis) are sometimes clear through December. Then, roads are an option, though I do not recommend Tahoe Donner, as there is not enough shoulder with all the snow. (The paved bike baths are not plowed, so they are not generally a great option.)
I will snowshoe run when there are no other outdoor options available. I have an XC ski pass, so it’s nice to go to an area where it is packed and groomed. Finally, there is a (very small) indoor track at the TDRPD public rec center, if you would rather run in circles than on a treadmill.
Have a great winter!
miguel says
thanks for all the info. i’m going to be out that way for 2 weeks and want to get some runs in. it sounds like there isn’t a ton of snow right now so i guess there will be more options than usual. any recommendations based on current conditions are appreciated.
helen says
Hello, Miguel,
You shouldn’t have any problems finding road runs for the next couple weeks. Donner Lake should be do-able depending on the amount of snow on the shoulder. Plan to bring shoes with good traction, whether for road or trail. For trail running, lower elevations (Lake Level / under 6000′) will probably be runnable without snowshoes, as long as you have decent traction. Emigrant Trail may be an option.
I hope you have a wonderful visit! If conditions aren’t great for running, be sure to give XC skiing a try!
-Helen
Carey Eberle says
Hi Helen,
Love your blog. My husband and I live in San Francisco, but recently bought a home in Gray’s Crossing (and make it up every other weekend – or at least try to!). It’s so easy to run in SF all year long; we’re trying to adjust to running in winter weather!
At this time of year, do you just wear your regular running shoes to run an 18-miler such as this Gray’s Crossing/Old Greenwood route? Or do you wear trail shoes and/or YakTrax Pro? Just wondering what is the safest way to get out on these roads during the winter? Any other road runs in winter that you recommend?
Also, re: trail running in the winter – silly question: do you actually get out on the trails with snow? If so, which trails do you recommend and do you use Kahtoola microspikes?
Thanks for all of the great info on this blog!
Best,
Carey
Helen says
Hi, Carey,
Thanks for the note and welcome to Truckee! For winter road running, I generally prefer to just wear a shoe with good traction. If more traction is needed, then I prefer to find a different way to enjoy the outdoors. Now, to that question, my preferred winter sport is Nordic Skate Skiing. I will run with running snowshoes when conditions are good for it or I just feel like a change. There are lots of times that you can run on the trails with traction devices only (no snowshoes).
Oh, also, now the Legacy Trail is periodically cleared for winter running. It may still be icy, but normal, good traction shoes are usually fine. I feel the main problem with road running in the winter is the lack of a shoulder due to the “snow walls”.
I encourage you to check out our non-profit running club, Donner Party Mountain Runners. We are lucky to have Coach Peter Fain leading a series of snowshoe runs in January and February.
All the best,
Helen