Pemberton

Every once in a while you have to stretch yourself-which I managed to do this weekend. The 15.4 mile Pemberton Trail loop at McDowell Mountain Park is a great rolling trail for runners (or mountain bikers or horseback riders, etc...). Very runnable surface with great views of 4 Peaks, the McDowell Mountains, and lots of little ins and outs along the trail. We ran it clockwise, which I believe is the easier way since the last 6 miles or so felt to be all downhill, making for a long uphill climb going counter-clockwise. Of course, I don't recommend going out to do the full loop if you're only doing 20 miles a week (and have already done 11 of those prior in the week), but like I said, it's good to stretch yourself, especially when you have good company (as we did this weekend). Being on summer break now, I can fully rest up anyways! On the wildlife side, was able to catch views of a roadrunner and small snake-and a biker said she had run over a snake along the trail, but it had scooted off right away again...

Travel Miles

The first in a (very) occasional series...travel finds. I always run while traveling (no better way to get to know a place) and anything interesting I find I'll talk up. This one happens to be in Columbus, Ohio (Glen Echo Ravine)...and this is one I found with the help of some locals a year ago and was able to return to and explore a little bit more. Ohio is not flat (at least not all of it) with much of it having been carved up by glaciers long ago. Those glaciers left these great little ravines scratched into the landscape where now trees tower above you as you run along the bottom. The one I ran through was off of Hudson Street and Arcadia Rd. (near the soccer stadium)... Head down Arcadia to the north and when the road turns you can keep going straight down a paved path/one land road into the ravine. It is fairly steep but a neat sight making your way down into it. This first part is pretty much a public park area with some grassy spots and plenty of people walking dogs. Wind through this and you'll pass under the road and from there follow the path that veers up to your right, up the side of the ravine. This trail will take you along about a 1/2 mile or so of great wooded footpath through midwestern woods. I even had the chance to hurdle a couple (small) downed trees. You'll spit out by a school, or head down to the bottom to explore a little more. It's a short section, so it'll only be part of your run, but it's a great sidetrek that will stick out. I didn't have more time to explore, but I don't believe it's very far from the bike path that follows the Olentangy through the city, which has miles and miles of paved, quiet, and safe running ready.