You love to run. Or maybe you don’t. Wherever you are on the spectrum, if you are planning on adding more mileage or training for an event, you need to make sure that your body is adequately prepared to take on the additional stresses running places on the body.
What do we mean by this? Strength and conditioning!
Many runners neglect to strengthen the muscles they use when running. And not only those muscles, but the opposing ones too. In order to prevent injury and run at your best, you need to ensure that your body is strong and your training plan is well balanced. We like to refer to this as “pre-hab” work.
No need to fight traffic for ultimate fall foliage viewing. Check out these recommended runs, rides and hikes closer to the front range with gorgeous fall colors and terrain for all levels.
Fall is just around the corner but summer heat still has a strong hold on the front range. With record topping temperatures people are flooding to the mountains, eager to spend time in the wilderness.
However you can save the time (and gas $) by sticking closer to home!
Check out our recommendations of places close to the Denver area that you should visit on a hot day for your outdoor adventures.
And please share your favorite places to stay cool in the comment section below too!
Hike, run and ride:
Deer Creek Canyon Park Lakewood The trails in this park are diverse, challenging and rewarding. From the lot/trailhead, take the Plymouth Creek trail to the Plymouth Mountain trail around to the Scenic View trail lookout for a tough 6 mile out and back route. For most of the route you will be in rich and thick pine forests.
Windy Saddle Park: Morrison Park at the Lookout Mountain Nature center and take the Lookout Mountain trail to the Beaver Brook trail. This trail boasts 9 miles (one way) of exciting terrain including aspen groves, open fields, thick forests and some rocky scramble sections. The higher elevation offers cooler mountain air for an exceptional long run or hike (no bikes allowed).
Getting through a rocky section at Lair o’ the Bear park.
Lair o’ the Bear Park Morrison From the lot/main trailhead, take the Bear Creek trail. The first 1.5 miles is a wide, flat dirt path along the creek and then you begin to climb on single track into a thick and fragrant pine forest. The entire trail is 6.2 miles one way and is shaded most of the time. This is a beautiful trail system close to town that provides an opportunity for a great long run, hike or ride!
