Running in a new area?

[T2runner]

Well I will be away next weekend, and planning a run in a new location. Not sure of exact location yet but it brings two potential issues for me that I have not experienced yet! 1. I may end up road running, unfortunately there are not many footpaths so will literally be in the road, and 2. Could also be running off road on footpaths and trails, something else I have never done. The roads are extremely quiet but it would still be a road with traffic, the the paths would be unmade on a river bank and surrounding areas, proper walking route though. Has anyone got any tips and advice on these situations please?

[Jancanrunagain Graduate]

Hi T2

I live in the country but not many off road options or pavements here. Usual rules I follow are run towards the traffic always take the outer curves on bends regardless of whether that means you’re running with the traffic flow. Never run with both earbuds in always keep the ear nearest the road free to hear what’s happening

Don’t run if it’s foggy and if you can check out your route beforehand to spot any dangers . I have a really bad blind bend with banking either side so no escape options- therefore I usually pause and listen for traffic before committing.

Choose the best time of day and weather you can - I won’t run in fog nor high winds here as my lanes are surrounded by very big trees and pretty much by routine one or two of them fall in autumn or winter.

It’s just usual road sense I think but being in Italy most motorists are used to cyclists on the road and far less so runners especially those running towards them, so I tend more towards the cautious end as I’d rather be that than injured or worse.

[Yesletsgo Administrator]

If it's a walking route it's a running route 😁 Jancanrunagain gives great advice about road running. Trails and paths are great but can be slow. Keep an eye out for branches, holes, mud etc all things that might trip you up. Take a phone so you can summon help if needed (and take photos of your adventures). You need to keep an eye on the path ahead... and enjoy the scenery 😁

For route ideas have a look and see if there's a Parkrun nearby and follow all of part of their route.

Don't put your running shoes in the washing machine if they get muddy, it can damage them.

Enjoy your break!

[CBDB Ambassador]

Parks are always a great place for running tourism. I sometimes look at Strava heat maps to see where other runners are running. And lastly, the RunGo App is also a kind of SatNav for runners, so you could set out a route and listen to direction. It also has search function for searching for runs in different places!

So exciting!

Do report back!

[T2runner Graduate in reply to CBDB]

I spend a lot of time on the Norfolk broads, too much time to be honest, so a weekend run will inevitably be river and country roads. I was disappointed to see there is very little in the way of parkruns in Broadland, there is one a short drive away which i want to do, even has showers and changing rooms! If I can get into it I will try to organise one on the Broads myself and see where it goes, I can't be the only one in that area that would like one.

[CBDB Ambassador in reply to T2runner]

It sounds beautiful! Happy running!

[Pugwash Graduate]

Tangential comment, but hopefully useful. You can download the free Ride With GPS (ridewithgps.com/) app to plan runs. I use it on my PC to get the bigger screen, being of a certain age... . The good news is that, once you enter a start and finish point, it defaults to the safest route available. Whilst obviously principally developed for cyclists, you can (and I do!) change the type of activity to walking,and thus the surface. You can further refine the type of surface and tweak the suggested route too, just by dragging and dropping.

[T2runner Graduate]

Will give it a look, would be handy for the bikes as well, so could turn out to be very useful.

[nowster Graduate]

If there's a parkrun local to where you'll be, maybe go to that? If I'm away I like to do parkrun tourism.

I find it useful to use the OS Maps layer from bing.com/maps or streetmap.co.uk/ along with services like plotaroute.com/runningroute...

Bear in mind that paths can be muddy (see photo taken during my run yesterday lunchtime).

Muddy toe shoes.