A number of my runs consist of 10+ miles during any given week. I have had a favorite route that I have been using for a long while which was simply and out and back from my house to the Krohn Conservatory in Eden Park. I have loved this route for a long while since it 1) starts from home, 2) goes through some beautiful areas, 3) replicates major pieces of the Pig course and 4) is quite challenging with perhaps 1.5 – 2 miles of flat. So what’s the issue. Well my main issue with the route is that it’s a true out and back. I run five miles from my house and five miles back, so at the worst I would be 5 miles from home. Not bad when I’m feeling good, but on other days, I might want to cut it short and not realize it before it’s too late.
So, I know have a new favorite 10 miler. It incorporates all of my favorite things (except Eden Park) in a more challenging course that at most leaves me 3.5 miles from home. Starting from my house I do the typical run to Erie through HP Square. I then take Berry to Observatory to Edwards to Grandin. Then to Madison via the Grandin Loop. On Madison, I make it to Baker. This is the 5 mile mark, which also happens to be the 3 mile mark with a direct shot from my house. For an 8 miler, I can run straight back, but for 10, I repeat my route home. There’s plenty of water along the way so it’s perfect. It’s a little hilly, so it shouldn’t be an everyday thing. The elevation chart below is not perfect as I didn’t run home last night, but miles 1-8 are spot on.
