While Madden was at volleyball practice, I ran a quick half mile from campus to Woodlake Nature Center in Richfield - a hidden gem! Today, on a beautiful 69 degree day, I ran my first trail run in this beautiful discovery.
The nearly 2 mile loop was an easy, safe course - no roots and brush to run over. Most people I passed were walking the trails, but I was not the only runner. Most of the trail is well shaded and includes wetlands, prairie and woodlands. I saw a majestic blue heron come in for a landing, ducks splitting the waterways as they swam along, and teensy frogs crossing my path.
All this about 10 minutes from the airport. I did hear the occasional airplane and traffifc noise from 35W - but I almost didn't notice it.
The nature center really is a place apart, a retreat. And it was a great place for a run. I feel like I had a taste of trail running today - and I liked it!
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How cool! I hear St. Louis has many gems like that, and I have a list of them from a local runner's club that I want to try out once I'm running just for fun again. :)
ReplyDeleteQuick addendum - One my last trail run in Woodlake, I saw a little red fox. It crossed my path and I think I scared it, because it scampered off. I rounded the bend and there it was again. It scampered off into the woods and I didn't see it again! If you take in the environment around you when you are running, you have the chance to notice things that others are too busy to see.
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