Cake, you have to run Umstead park. See the official web site: http://ils.unc.edu/parkproject/visit/wium/home.html[/URL" target="_blank">

Another great run is the American Tobacco Trail in Wake County. See: http://www.wakegov.com/parks/atc/default.htm[/URL" target="_blank">

Both very safe.

There is a some more great paths and greenways like Falls Lake and a greenway trail from Meredith College to Umstead park. Check out this article: http://runningtimes.com/rt/articles/print.asp?id=6237[/URL" target="_blank">

I'll let others talk about some of their favorites.

Bob
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http://This message has been edited by RunBobaluRun (edited Mar-15-2007).

Hi Bob!
It's been too long since I checked in!

Sounds like you are doing well and getting ready for some Spring races! We should all meet up at a 5K or 10K this spring/summer.

JDF - Sorry to hear about the re-injury to the foot.

BrookT - How are you? You were out of running for a while, right?

Bonesheal - Fantastic job at Umstead!

Umstead was great this year. It was hot, but not as hot as last year, which made it much more enjoyable. For some reason, my legs were really hurting the first 4 miles, but then I kind of settled into a good pace and felt better for the next 9 or 10 miles.
Then there were a few miles where I was getting hot, tired, and was not drinking enough. I was so worried that I was going to have the same problem as last year, where I was dizzy and had to walk a lot! But that didn't happen. I started drinking more water and was feeling better by mile 19 or so. I felt good the last 7 miles and even tried to outkick a guy at the end! He beat me by a second though!
I finished in 3:43, which was 22 minutes faster than last year when I totally fell apart. Of course, I didn't go into it expecting a fast time! But I had fun and the organizers really put on a great race. And one of the best things about Umstead is that my legs were not sore afterwards. I guess it is the soft surface!

Hope everyone is well!

bitbit,
Congratulations on a good race. We must have run passed by each other a few times, as close as we were. I was wearing very orange shoes.

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relemert, great race. You finished next my friend based on your finishing time. Keep it up. I was able to get my 5k time down from where you are to 25 in about six months. Sprint workouts are the key.

I ran the Oaks also. My goal was to break 24 minutes. Cold start, but not as cold as I was expecting, so I changed out my long sleeve shirt for a short sleeve--but kept on the tights. At the start, I had to bang my elbows on a few people to get past them, but in the process went out to fast and almost blew a gasket. Then at the one-mile mark, 7:22, my shoe lace came loose--never happened before. Lost 10-15 seconds on that event. Found a comfortable pace for the second mile, 7:36. Was passed by more people than I passed, but I was in the don't care mood. Third mile, I tried to pick up the pace, but was really tired and the don't care mood was winning, 7:31. I found out a little problem between the three mile mark and the finish line--it wasn't 0.1 miles, something closer to 0.2 miles. On top of all of that, no clock at the finish line. I going to complain to the race director. I'm tired on running poorly prepared races--mile markers not in the correct position and no clock at the finish line or anywhere on the course--thanks for listening to my wining. Well I forgot to stop my watch and by the time I found it running it was past 24 minutes. I'm guessing somewhere near 23:30 was my finish. I was happy with my time, but was unhappy about my performance. I really think I had more in me than I was willing to give--just one of those days. I may have worked out to hard this week.

Bob

P.S. Bit, are you thinking of going in the Raleigh Marathon this fall?

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Thanks Misterfun for the update. I want my complaint to be accurate. I know these are small issues, but I feel a race needs to have basics in place, so that runners can enjoy the race more.

O course I didn't have my stuff together with a shoe lace coming untied.

Bob

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"Rlemert - Great 5K! Good luck at the half. Which one is it?"

Eugene, Oregon. I grew up there, and my folks still live there. It's part of the first marathon they've held there in 25 years (and those were Olympic Trials), and it's a good excuse to visit my folks (my did turns 80 in June).

I've actually run the second half of the full marathon course on some of my training runs when I've been back home before, and it's a great place to run. It essentially follows a bike/jogging track through a big linear park on both sides of the Willamette River. The path is wide enough that you could run four abreast for the most part (a few narrower places), but that's why they've saved it for last - get rid of those of us doing the half and let the full people have a chance to spread out.

If you ever get a chance to get out there and run, I highly recommend it. I figure the end of April has about 50/50 chance of rain, but the rain out there is slow-and-steady (not like the thunder-bangers we get here). July and August are so much more comfortable to run in than here, though, with the low humidity and morning temps in the 50's-60's.

(BTW - I've got a cold keeping me up. I'm not normally on the forums at this time of night.)