Oh, the Places you'll GO! *

Training for competition sometimes requires finding places to run or walk wherever you are, just to keep on schedule. Whether you are home or traveling for pleasure or work, you have the credentials to ask locals about suitable routes, and to explore spectacular as well as unremarkable scenery.
Below are suggestions for finding places to accomplish your training goals in any location.
Above is an image of the north side of Chicago's Lake Michigan shoreline, which offers an
18+mile running/walking/cycling path!
http://www.traillink.com/trail/chicago-lakefront-trail.aspx
RACE COURSE MAPS
Want to run all or part of the course of a BIG famous race held in the place you are visiting? Often the race website will publish maps of one or all the distances of that event weekend. Portions of each course may not be open or safe for public use all year round. But there may be segments suitable for your run.  Seeing the official course can inspire you to compete in that distance or run! Here's a sampling:

Boston Marathon - mid-April 
http://www.baa.org/races/boston-marathon/event-information/course-map.aspx

New York City Marathon- Fall
http://www.tcsnycmarathon.org/race-day/course

Chicago Marathon - Fall
https://www.chicagomarathon.com/participant-information/course-amenities/

Bay to Breakers 12K Race - Spring
http://zapposbaytobreakers.com/course-info/

Marine Corps Full and Half Marathons, 17.5K Race
http://www.mcmlocator.com/map

http://www.marinemarathon.com/Assets/Maps/2014HistoricHalfCourse_web

http://www.marinemarathon.com/MCM_Event_Series/17_75K/Course.htm

Old Kent River Bank Run 25K - Spring
https://www.53riverbankrun.com/course-informati

City ROUTE maps

BOSTON
http://www.bostonmagazine.com/health/blog/2012/09/20/best-running-routes-boston/

MAP MY RUN (2017)
TOP 20 Running Routes In America 
http://blog.mapmyrun.com/run-the-world-the-top-20-running-routes-in-america

GREAT RUNS
Best 100 Runs in America (2017)
http://greatruns.com/100-best-runs-in-americas-cities/
Other City Routes Around the World
http://greatruns.com/how-to-use-great-runs/

Search Box

The EARNED RUNS website is now searchable. 
Check it out...
LOOPS
Need a safe area and smooth pavement? Map out a 1+ mile loop on quiet streets, and repeat it as needed. This works well for early or late runs in darkness, in bad weather conditions,  or any time you don't wish to be too far from home or car at any point in the run.

Parking garages

Running a loop around a floor or up/down the ramps of large multi-story indoor parking garages can be a way to escape lightening and inclement weather, and include hill runs/repeats in unfamiliar or flat locations. Generally, floors farther away from the garage entrance will be less wet and slippery, and the less the traffic will interfere with your activity.

High SCHOOL and College tracks

Both outdoor and indoor tracks provide a great way to run specific training distances at faster than jogging speeds. Outdoor tracks use is mostly free.  Indoor track use may require a membership; they are often small and you must run multiple laps to cover just one mile (8-11 for example). However the relatively controlled environment may allow you to stay on your training plan, or run during the day without too much grooming needed to get back to work. Both allow you to keep water or nourishment close by.

HOTELS
Most hotels and resorts have maps of nearby safe routes for runners/walkers. WESTIN hotels support runners by lending New Balance shoes and running clothes for a $5 fee.  HYATT hotels have a StayFit program. HILTON hotels have a "Five Feet to Fitness" program that offers in room fitness systems and other exercise oriented items.

If you stay at these hotel chains check in advance if the programs are available where you're staying.

WESTIN
http://westinwellbeing.starwoodpromos.com/move-well/gear-lending/

http://www.starwoodhotels.com/westin/about/move-runwestin.html

HYATT
http://www.hyatt.com/en/hyattplace/hotelfeatures/stayfit.html
 
​HILTON
http://fivefeettofitness.hilton.com
 
http://www.cnbc.com/2017/05/31/travel-hotels-pu-t-mini-gyms-inside-guest-rooms.html
 
http://running.competitor.com/2017/06/news/hotels-creative-fit-traveling_165225

Enjoy the scenery when Training away from Home!

Picture
Inner Harbor, Baltimore MD
Picture
St. Lawrence River, Quebec Province, Canada
Picture
Holland MI, USA
Picture
Santa Barbara CA, USA

"Congratulations! Today is your day. You're off to Great Places! You're off and away!
You have brains in your head. You have feet in your shoes. You can steer yourself any direction you choose."
* Excerpt from Dr. Seuss book 1999. "Oh, The Places You'll Go"