This is Pt. Defiance Park, an extremely lovely and humongous park full of trails in Tacoma. I've only ran here once before and never ran on the trails, and I didn't know what I was missing. Pure loveliness.
I got there, and had no real plan, which turned out to be a shame because I could have made a full loop of the park. You'll see in the map above that I missed a lot of the West side. I got turned around and ended up coming back the same way I went up (not on purpose). It took a while to figure out what the markers meant and most of the time I had absolutely no clue where I was. What? I don't see a problem with that...
I started out with a short jaunt along the water! Beautiful, right? I saw a bald eagle! But then later I saw another bald eagle and it turned out to be a seagull. So the jury's still out on that first one.
Then I took to the paths. They were gorgeous. The main paths were nice and wide and cleared well like this one. I found a few single track that were much more technical and then a few trails in between the two extremes as well.
Then you'd come across amazing looks-outs - like this one of Vashon Island.
And before I knew it, I had ran 10 miles!
Okay not really before I knew it. At around 7 miles I was suddenly EXHAUSTED and realized that I was at about the furthest point I could be from my car. But by then I had FINALLY figured out the map / marker system (I'm not such a smart one - don't ever put me in charge of navigation) and it turned out it was really only about 2 miles away if you took the direct trail. And it was mostly downhill on the way back. So I booked it.
And I finished! 10 miles in 1:39:15 (Average Pace: 9:55). And I was TIRED. My legs were beat.
And running mojo officially back. Let's just hope all that trail running coming out of nowhere doesn't mess up my legs! I LOVE trail running. Why don't I run here all the time? It really wasn't that far from work (though there aren't many days I can run near work, but after Girls On the Run is over next week I'll have more opportunities), it was LOVELY, and it felt way safer than I feared. I'll be back, trails.
Some smart people say I need trail running shoes. What do you think? I wear Saucony Mirages now - use that information to recommend a trail running shoe! GO! :-) And also tell me everything I need to know about running trails. Please!
Kasey · 672 weeks ago
I'm giving you a Liebster award, by the way! I've loved reading your blog. If you're wondering what the heck it is, I was given it last week, and there's an explanation on my blog forthcoming. ( http://bombletquilts.blogspot.com )
ricoleruns 72p · 672 weeks ago
tashamalcolm 91p · 672 weeks ago
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runfundone 65p · 672 weeks ago
It really is a great place to run though! :)
hikermom · 672 weeks ago
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lisa j · 672 weeks ago
then i scroll to the bottom hehe.
I wore Saucony mirages briefly (they were touted to me as light stability, turns out i just need flat out stability)
If you like saucony, I hear their trail shoe is GREAT. don'tremember name of it, but i'm sure you can find it on website :)
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Jamie · 672 weeks ago
Looks like a lovely trail run, I also get really lost and I'm glad I have my husband to guide me on the trails haha.
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Jill · 672 weeks ago
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XLMIC · 672 weeks ago
Glad you had a great run! I just recently got some trail running shoes. I got Brooks Cascadias. I like them a lot so far.
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