I hunted every way I could think of and didn't find a thread like this yet...if one exists, please feel free to shut me down and merge me!

 

So my wife and I started jogging last September, using the CoolRunning.com Couch-to-5K plan.  It's supposed to be nine weeks to take you from never having run before to running 3.1 miles...well, we slowed that down, ended up taking 18 weeks, but we ran our first full 3.1 miles January 4th.  Of course, neither of us have lost a goddamn pound - I've even put a little weight on - but we both feel a lot better, and are really digging running.

 

So our course was always Mirror Lake, in the morning before work, just running loops.  That was great when our longest sustained run was 3 or 5 minutes, but by the time you're talking about running miles, that repetition really starts to suck.  So we just started road running last Saturday, and I've been tracking our routes using the gmap-pedometer, and I thought I'd open up a thread for folks to post their favorite running routes.

 

So here's our current short loop:

 

http://www.gmap-pedometer.com/?r=629062

 

...it avoids major road crossings - any busy street gets crossed along a stretch that lets you pick your spot, so you never have to wait at a light.  Just 2.6 miles, but we can extend it with a loop or two as needed.

 

And here's this morning's run - we planted a car in Hyde Park Square, then came back, walked to the Twin Lakes, then ran this:

 

http://www.gmap-pedometer.com/?r=636891

 

So, what are your favorite routes?  I'd love to hork people's ideas and suggestions to keep things fresh and new!

 

I know all the routes around there from my marathon training a LOOOOONG time ago...we would always base our runs from the Running Spot in O'byronville (you could probably find a group to run with there)

 

Problem is, you can't run in the 'Nati w/o going up a hill (or going down one).

 

One of my favorite routes was thru Eden Park, down Eden Park Drive, straight down Madison to Eggleston

to Sawyer Point and various routes across the River and Back...coming up Madison/Eden Park Drive was a long hill, but one of the flatter routes up to Mt Adams and Eden Park.

 

Or, Go down Kemper and run along Eastern...well I guess Collins is the only safe way under Columbia Parkway

^You're talking about Gilbert, not Madison, right?  Or am I misunderstanding it?

 

You can cross Columbia Parkway at Kemper - there's a light there - and go down the Kemper Lane Extension to Eastern (now Riverside Drive) - I probably wouldn't want to do all that downhill running - I definitely have not mastered the art of the downhill yet - but that's a great idea for a route - start by walking to Eastern, then running back up Gilbert and through the park to get home.  That'd be a very tough route!  I'm definitely not ready for it yet...but yeah, all that riverfront stuff would be fantastic!  Since my wife and I are doing this together, we can plant a car and don't have to worry about looping...

 

RiverViewer, are you sure the weight gain is not muscle?  Muscle weighs more than fat.  I'm not implying your fat or out of weight.  Just something to think about so you don't become discouraged.

I hunted every way I could think of and didn't find a thread like this yet...if one exists, please feel free to shut me down and merge me!

 

I'm pretty sure there is another thread very similar to this somewhere...sorry too lazy to hunt for it now.

Daaaah, Gilbert I meant

i'm usually very boring in my jogging route. I do this: http://www.gmap-pedometer.com/?r=639706 route, (its a figure eight) around my neighborhood. For more mileage I simply repeat the route. One lap is 1.4 miles.

i'm usually very boring in my jogging route. I do this: http://www.gmap-pedometer.com/?r=639706 route, (its a figure eight) around my neighborhood. For more mileage I simply repeat the route. One lap is 1.4 miles.

 

Pope...are you sure you aren't one of those mall walkers that converge on Severance? :-D   It's like the Cleveland marathon over there.  All these people running around or power walking.  Its jogging suit hell! lol

My long run for marathon training goes from Gaslight Clifton through DeSalles corner to obryonville, oakley, hyde park, mt. lookout and back.  It is about 20 miles if you do it right and throw in a loop around burnet woods.

 

 

Pope...are you sure you aren't one of those mall walkers that converge on Severance? :-D  It's like the Cleveland marathon over there.  All these people running around or power walking.  Its jogging suit hell! lol

 

there's mall walkers at severance?

 

 

Pope...are you sure you aren't one of those mall walkers that converge on Severance? :-D   It's like the Cleveland marathon over there.  All these people running around or power walking.  Its jogging suit hell! lol

 

there's mall walkers at severance?

 

Yes, they run around Severance Blvd. or what ever the loop around Severence is called.

 

When my brother an I went to HD Severance...they were everywhere.

People run in Hyde Park until its dark out! I went to Buca De Bepo with a few of my friends monday, and the place was overrun with joggers... this was late too!

Hyde Park is the jogging capital of Cincinnati. Its also a pretty ideal place to jog. When I would jog in Clifton, I'd go up Riddle road which is a steep hill. I've vomited twice after reaching the top of the hill. Hyde Park is very flat so its not as stressful to jog there.

^Riddle road is in univeristy heights, not clifton.

 

Clifton is the area north of dixsmyth but before winton place.  Neither UC nor Burnet woods is technically in clifton.

Yeah yeah I know. It's a euphemistic term that I have a habit of using because I've grown up and went to school around there and my friends always referred to pretty much anything that was a 1/2 mile radius of UC as Clifton. I doubt most people could pinpoint university heights and fairview on a map.

 

Thomas you go to UC?

I am a trustee of the Clifton Town Meeting, we take the neighborhood designations seriously. 

RiverViewer, are you sure the weight gain is not muscle?  Muscle weighs more than fat.  I'm not implying your fat or out of weight.  Just something to think about so you don't become discouraged.

 

I'm sure it's muscle - you don't move 240 pounds of RiverViewer up and down hills for 3+ miles without building muscle!  And I do feel a tad looser in the pants sometimes...and I really am not all that concerned with how I look - nonetheless, it does get a little depressing, having spent five months in regular exercise for the first time in my life, trying to eat better, and only seeing the scale go higher!

 

Thomas - God love you for defending the borders of the One True Clifton!  Of course, I'm still with David on the colloquial use of Greater Clifton in regular conversation, so I guess I'm an offender as well!

 

Oh, and Pope (or some other mod/admin), if you'd like to change the title of the thread to make it a generic running/jogging thread, that'd rock - I'm sorry I made the thread so parochial - I'd love to see suggestions for routes for when I'm in other parts of the state!

 

RiverViewer, are you sure the weight gain is not muscle?  Muscle weighs more than fat.  I'm not implying your fat or out of weight.  Just something to think about so you don't become discouraged.

 

I'm sure it's muscle - you don't move 240 pounds of RiverViewer up and down hills for 3+ miles without building muscle!  And I do feel a tad looser in the pants sometimes...and I really am not all that concerned with how I look - nonetheless, it does get a little depressing, having spent five months in regular exercise for the first time in my life, trying to eat better, and only seeing the scale go higher!

 

Thomas - God love you for defending the borders of the One True Clifton!  Of course, I'm still with David on the colloquial use of Greater Clifton in regular conversation, so I guess I'm an offender as well!

 

Oh, and Pope (or some other mod/admin), if you'd like to change the title of the thread to make it a generic running/jogging thread, that'd rock - I'm sorry I made the thread so parochial - I'd love to see suggestions for routes for when I'm in other parts of the state!

 

 

Try a higher degree of cardio.  Haev you thought about a spin class or adding sprinting into your longer jogs?

^^Call what you refer to greater clifton as Uptown and everyone is happy.

Yeah but uptown consists of Avondale and East Walnut Hills. They really don't have much to do with UC.

 

I don't feel much of a barrier, physically or socially between the CUF neighborhoods so its hard to look at 'em separately. Obviously Clifton is wealthier but they all have close ties to UC.

Grandin Road is tied with Observatory for having the most runners in Cincinnati.  Hyde Park runners are so annoying too.  They run right on the street when there is a sidewalk right there.  On a narrow road such as Grandin it makes it almost impossible to fit 2 cars and a runner through all at the same time so someone has to stop and let the other car go.  This is particularly annoying when it makes you late to school on a regular basis!

I am just afraid that I'm going to run one of them over because I can't see them when they are running in the dark without blinkers or bright clothes! In Hyde Park that is...

http://www.gmap-pedometer.com/?r=587253

 

I am currently training for the flying pig marathon in May and this is what I do for my "recovery runs".  I like the fact you run across the Purple People Bridge and the Taylor Southgate Bridge.  I feel safe doing this by myself too.  Nothing gets my day started off better than an early morning jog over the Ohio River.

For those who feel they need a little *ahem* motivation to run, why not partake in your local chapter of the Hash House Harriers?  (not for those without a sense of humor!)  Despite the silliness, lots of hashers are actually fairly serious runners.  In the DC area, more hashers run the Marine Corps Marathon every year than any other "real" running club.

 

Akron

www.geocities.com/akronhash

 

Cincinnati

www.sch4.com

 

Cleveland

www.clevelandhash.com

 

Columbus

www.columbushash.com

 

Dayton

www.daytonhhh.org

 

Toledo

www.mudhenhhh.org

http://www.gmap-pedometer.com/?r=587253

 

I am currently training for the flying pig marathon in May and this is what I do for my "recovery runs".  I like the fact you run across the Purple People Bridge and the Taylor Southgate Bridge.  I feel safe doing this by myself too.  Nothing gets my day started off better than an early morning jog over the Ohio River.

 

What time are you shooting for? (and did you just buy a condo?)

Here are a couple of routes I've been doing lately (from Court Street, Cincinnati):

 

http://www.gmap-pedometer.com/?r=623020

http://www.gmap-pedometer.com/?r=623048

 

I swear there is a thread on this somewhere...

 

Hyde Park is the jogging capital of Cincinnati. Its also a pretty ideal place to jog. When I would jog in Clifton, I'd go up Riddle road which is a steep hill. I've vomited twice after reaching the top of the hill. Hyde Park is very flat so its not as stressful to jog there.

 

People run in Hyde Park until its dark out! I went to Buca De Bepo with a few of my friends monday, and the place was overrun with joggers... this was late too!

 

I've have jogged extensively throughout Hyde Park (I lived in Oakley for 3 years) and it is by far the jogging capital of Cincinnati.  That being said, I did find that many streets were poorly lit in Hyde Park.  One of the nice things about running downtown is that at 5:30 in the morning, you have the streets all to yourself and it is exteremly well-light.

As far as my time goes, since this is my first marathon, I don't want to put too much pressure on myself with a time goal.  I heard a quote that goes "I am a completer not a competer"  That is my philosphy for the marathon.

 

My husband and I just bought a condo downtown.  Hence why we both like to run downtown!

Then was that you quoted in the Enq. condo story on Sunday?

For those who feel they need a little *ahem* motivation to run, why not partake in your local chapter of the Hash House Harriers?  (not for those without a sense of humor!)

 

I love the slogan, "drinkers with a running problem..."

 

MrsAWeeks - how do you handle waiting for the light to cross the street?  Just jogging in place?  Or jaywalking when there's an opening?  So far I've avoided crossing main streets where I can, and otherwise just run alongside them so I can pick an opening to cut across...but that's probably unwise...

 

BTW, running across the bridges - that's definitely on tap for us - I couldn't imagine anything cooler!

 

run to beat the traffic across --- there's your cardio!

Run on alternate days--your body needs a rest from the impact.

Don't run on canted surfaces.

Walk, don't run, downhill.  It can be hard on your knees. 

 

I wish I had known that when I started running.  I developed an overuse injury and now I  cannot run.  I miss it a lot.  I bike.  Going to a podiatrist to check for a problem like pronation would be prudent.  Orthotics might have prevented my problem.  good luck.

^oddly enough, I can't bike anymore.

There is so little traffic downtown early in the morning, that I just do the "look both ways before you cross" rule, and I haven't gotten hit yet!  If there is a  pedestrian crossing I have to wait on, yes I am one of those people who take advantage of my lucky timing and stand there to catch my breath.

Thought I'd bring back an old thread...

 

How's everyone's summer jogging season going along? Meeting expectations? Run in any races?

 

Personally for me, its been the best year so far, but no races, more for personal enjoyment.

I've had a good year. I finished the Cleveland half-marathon in 1:52 (my goal was to finish under 2 hours).

 

I'm training for my third marathon this fall (Tow Path) and I want to finish under 4 hours. The training is going very well. I have a 16-miler planned for tomorrow morning. I love the quiet of Saturday mornings at 6am in the city.

 

Does anyone else use gmaps to map and distance out their runs? http://www.gmap-pedometer.com/

 

(edit--I see from page one of this thread that you've all discovered gmaps)

I use that website for all of my runs, I change my route once a week.

I use that website for all of my runs, I change my route once a week.

 

Really?  You're good.  I have three routes and one in NYC. 

 

How do you decide on what to change in planning your route?

Anyone use Nike+Ipod? I just bought one, but I haven't set it up yet.

 

I have four different areas in which I run (starting from the northerly portion of Ohio City):

 

1. straight down Detroit and over Superior into downtown

2. down into Edgewater Park and then west on Edgewater into Lakewood

3. Down through the Flats

4. through Ohio City and Tremont

 

I also use St. Ignatius' track when I do speed work.

My roommate has the Nike+iPod and loves it. It works really well.

I use that website for all of my runs, I change my route once a week.

 

Really?  You're good.  I have three routes and one in NYC. 

 

How do you decide on what to change in planning your route?

 

I "try" to up the distance every week. If I don't feel up to it, I at least change the route so I get to see and notice different things around Cleveland. Like, oh, I didn't know there was a bowling alley there.

I use that website for all of my runs, I change my route once a week.

 

Really?  You're good.  I have three routes and one in NYC. 

 

How do you decide on what to change in planning your route?

 

I "try" to up the distance every week. If I don't feel up to it, I at least change the route so I get to see and notice different things around Cleveland. Like, oh, I didn't know there was a bowling alley there.

 

I think I need to increase my distance.  As I run about a mile. and it's always one of two routes.

I'd like to join even though this is not my best jogging year.  I ran 3 5Ks last year (I am VERY slow) and then injured my leg and was out for awhile.  Because of a long-time back injury, I can only run about once a week max.  I tried to keep that up over the winter but it was tough.  I intended to try to do another 3 5Ks this year but with my 2nd job schedule, it has been next to impossible.  I am finally getting a break there and intended to sign up for some upcoming ones, and I've just injured my other leg in my dance piece last week at Ingenity, the same place as last year's injury but different leg.

 

I am hopeful that with rest and my PT exercises and swimming, I can be back to get a few good trail runs in at least before end of the summer, though I think the pounding of any 5K at this point is out.

I literally just got back from running. I never knew about this thread or the gmaps thing either. I run about 2 miles 3-4 times a week on just one route mainly because I didn't feel like taking the time to measure out a new route but now that I know about gmaps my next run will be different at least.

I literally just got back from running. I never knew about this thread or the gmaps thing either. I run about 2 miles 3-4 times a week on just one route mainly because I didn't feel like taking the time to measure out a new route but now that I know about gmaps my next run will be different at least.

 

I know.  my two routes are always the same.  left out the door, left onto Coventry, right onto Larchmere onto West Park, then a right on shaker blvd back home.

 

The other is right out the door down shaker blvd. to 127 then acrros fairhill, up to Kemper and take that right into my backdoor.

 

I sometime just want to run, just never sure where.

I did my downtown natti run this morning.  I start my run down 4th Street turn north on Central run down 5th turn north on sycamore, run down 6th, north on Central, down on 7th,north on Sycamore, then 8th, 9th, Court same way then back to condo down Central to 4th.  Right at 5 miles, and I am within a mile from home the whole time.  It is one of my favorites.

When I lived in Columbus, I would run 5+ miles and still not feel worn out because of the lack of hills.  There I liked to run to the statehouse and back which was 7 miles, although I'd usually walk the block around the statehouse and usually poop out for a few blocks somewhere in short north.  In Cincinnati I run from UC down the Vine St. hill to the river and then usually back up Sycamore, although I've never been able to make the whole Sycamore hill without stopping 4 or 5 miles into the run and in fact usually only make it to about Milton's Bar before I have to walk for a minute or two.  But I can usually make it up the hill without stopping after that.  Biking is what I do, I usually only run once a week which keeps me from getting injured, although last summer I twisted my ankle on a tree grate in the dark and limped two miles home which kept me out of the game for 3 weeks.  Oddly I have been able to run a lot better since age 25, I don't have an explanation for it.  I used to get cramps or pull something all the time before that. 

The Cincinnati Recreation Commission puts on a run every December called the 7 Hills of Cincinnati Run. You start on the east side of town with the first hill being the one on Monastery in Mt. Adams and ends on the Westside with Lehman hill being the last one. Here is a course description and a map.  I run marathons and this is definitely comparable to that!

 

http://www.cincinnati-oh.gov/crc/downloads/crc_pdf17505.pdf

http://www.cincinnati-oh.gov/crc/downloads/crc_pdf15016.pdf

^I might conveniently make sure I'm out of town so I have an excuse not to participate in that one!  Honesty, just walking that course would be a little rough.  I'm familiar with that Lehman hill and it has to be one of the rougher in town, I've only biked down it, never up.  I think though the steepest and highest climb in the city is 10th St. in Bellevue KY which is significantly higher than Sycamore or Ravine St. and at points steeper. 

 

Isn't there another hill climbing event where they sprint up Straight St. and other hills?  The Straight St. record is apparently something like 2:10.     

Great thread. Below is my lunchtime run at work from my gym in DT Akron that I do at least once a week. I start up at the top of hill across from U of A and the run down to the towpath, run out about a mile and then turn around. It is about a 4 mile run. According to Gmaps it is about 250 ft of vertical and I can feel every foot of compared to running by my house. What kind of vertical are people seeing running the hills of Cincy?

 

http://www.gmap-pedometer.com/?r=2143881

today's route: http://www.gmap-pedometer.com/?r=2160045

 

It doubles back on itself if you can't tell.