By Randy Accetta
Special to the Arizona Daily Star
In my last column, I discussed some of the great paved paths that you can use for running and walking, but there’s a reason that Runner’s World magazine recently named Tucson one of America’s top running destinations: our wonderful trail system.
Basically, go to any edge of Tucson and you’ll find the ultimate trails, with cactus and mountain views that convey the ultimate in American scenery. North, east, south and west: you’ll find your choice of flat, hilly, or mountain climbs.
Gorgeous. Scenic. Historic, with more cactus than you can shake a stick at. Be sure to watch your footing and don’t play with the snakes.
Here’s a good area to try for beginning trail runners:
Saguaro National Park East: The cactus forest is the most famous of the trails in Tucson, with your choice of flat desert running or rolling hills or rugged mountain climbs to the top of the Rincon Mountains. Parking at the eastern end of Broadway or the eastern end of Speedway leads to miles and miles of trails. Parking at the Saguaro East Visitor Center does not have immediate access to trails, but you can access a beautiful trail at two locations on the 8-mile loop. Be sure to bring your National Park Pass.
Randy Accetta co-founded the popular Meet Me at Maynard‘s and the race director for upcoming SAR Southern Arizona Roadrunners events, TMC Get Moving Tucson Half-Marathon and 5K and TMC Saguaro National Park Run. He is the national director of coaching education for the Road Runners Club of America and with his wife, Tia, coaches runners in Tucson at The Workout Group.
6 tips to stay safe
Trail running can be a bit scary for some people, especially here in Tucson. In addition to the typical rocks and roots, we have additional worries: dehydration, cactus, rattlesnakes, mountain lions, and mountain cliffs.
1) Get good trail running shoes. Visit one of Tucson’s local running specialty stores, such as The Running Shop, Fleet Feet, New Balance, Tri-Sports, and Performance Footwear. Shoes with sturdy rubber and knobby soles are better for the sharp rocks of Tucson trails.
2) Don’t wear headphones – you want to hear your surroundings, so keep the music player in the car.
3) Take shorter strides. Shorter strides enable you to be more efficient going uphill and let you stay in control on the downhill.
4) Breathe and stay relaxed. Running in a fearful state will make it harder to make the split-second decisions about foot-placement.
5) Start with less difficult terrain – the flatter trails at Sabino Canyon, the softer terrain of the Saguaro East cactus forest, the dirt trail adjoining the Rillito and Santa Cruz Riverpaths. As you get more comfortable, venture into the more difficult terrain of the Phone Line Trail or Seven Falls Trail at Sabino or the loops around Starr Pass.
6) Be hydrated. Always be sure to drink 6-12 ounces in the hour or so before you run, but if you will be running more than 30-60 minutes, bring water with you. Sabino Canyon may have water fountains along the Tram Road, but once you get into the trails you’ll need to be self-sufficient.
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