The answer depends on your personality, your likes and dislikes, and convenience.
Figuring out where to run can be a headache for some people. In fact, sometimes the decision can be so paralyzing on any given day that you don’t end up running anywhere at all.
I’m a firm believer in how finding the right environment can create and foster a long-term love of running. For that reason, I think it’s important to both know yourself, and listen to that knowledge in making decisions on where to run.
In my book, “Running That Doesn’t Suck: How To Love Running (Even If You Think You Hate It),” the chapter devoted to figuring out where to run is titled “Choose Your Own Adventure” because that’s how I feel about choosing where to run. The chapter is formatted as such: You read about a type of running experience—track, treadmill, road, trail, etc.—and make a decision at the bottom of the page. For example: “If you love the idea of EXPLORING and running somewhere other than around in circles, turn to page C” or, “If running in a circular fashion—at least at first—sounds appealing, turn to page D.”
Here, I’m going to summarize the main points from that chapter. My goal of having you choose your own adventure remains the same. Finding out where you’ll be happiest either becoming a runner or returning to running will hopefully help running be a sustainable activity for you.
Options for Where to Run
The basic options for where to run include a treadmill, neighborhood routes, multi-use paths, dirt or gravel paths, and trails. Each one has its pros and cons. To help you figure out which type of running environment might best suit you, ask yourself the following groups of questions. Your answers don’t mean you should always run in that environment, but it may lead you to realize you may be happier in one environment over the other.
Are you intimidated by the thought of running outdoors? Does choosing a route overwhelm you? Do you have easy access to a treadmill? Do you need to run very early or very late? Is the weather dangerous for any reason: hail, lightning, extreme heat, extreme cold? Are you drawn to controlled environments? Do you want to watch TV while you run? Do you like to measure mileage and pace?
If you answered yes to any of those questions, then running on a treadmill is great.
Are you intimidated by the thought of choosing a route, but want to run outdoors? Are you afraid of getting lost? Do you not want to think about where to go? Are you nursing an injury and not sure if you can run/run-walk for as long as you’d like? Do you have children who you need to keep an eye on? Do you have a baby who sleeps in a stroller or portable car seat? Are you drawn to controlled environments?
If you answered yes to any of those questions, then running on a track may be great for you.
Do you like the feeling of exploration? Do you want to run outside? Do you want to run directly from your house? Does your neighborhood have quiet streets? Is your neighborhood safe? Do you want to run on mostly paved surfaces? Do you need to maximize your time running (and not drive to run)? Do you like occasionally seeing your neighbors? Do you enjoy building/feeling a sense of community?
If you answered yes to any of those questions, then running in your neighborhood will suit you.
Do you like the feeling of exploration? Do you want to run outside? Do you want to run somewhere free of cars and mostly free of stoplights? Do you want to run on a paved surface? Do you want to run where others may be running or doing other forms of exercise? Do you want to run somewhere you have interesting things to look at while you run?
If you answered yes to any of those questions, then running on a multi-use path is great.
Do you like the feeling of exploration? Do you love nature? Do you want to run somewhere free of cars? Do you want to run on a natural surface? Do your joints ache when you run on roads or paved paths? Do you want to try trail running but are intimidated by varying surfaces?
If you answered yes to any of those questions, then running on a crushed gravel or dirt path is great.
Do you like the feeling of exploration? Do you love nature? Do you want to run somewhere free of cars? Do you want to feel like you’re having a mini-adventure? Are you coming to running from other trail or outdoor sports, like hiking, mountain biking, skiing, or rock climbing?
If you answered yes to any of those questions, then you may love running on a trail.
The goal with this little quiz is to help you find the environment where you’ll be happiest, and a happy runner is a lifelong runner.
