On the Beaten Path

Running during the summer in Austin is brutal. Fact. Add Coronavirus pandemic (race cancellations and running group shutdowns) to the mix and many athletes have suffered from motivation to continue to train and push the body. But, summer training in central Texas is actually a secret gift for faster paces and stronger running in the cooler seasons and COVID has provided many with a schedule that allows for more time to exercise than they had before.

The key is to get it done and mixing up your running route can help add novelty to those mundane neighborhood loops you’re getting tired of! Here are some of the top places I like to catch a run in Austin to mix it up and keep my routes fresh and interesting.

Scenic to Mt. Bonnell

Heading west from the Rock on Lake Austin Blvd up Scenic drive provides some nice hills and there are some great views of the lake and Austin skyline. There are also so many beautiful homes in the neighborhood and it is a fairly low traffic neighborhood. Scenic Drive is part of the Run for the Water 10 mile race route and I definitely enjoy it as a training run more than I enjoy those hills during a race.

I like to take the neighborhood roads up to 35th street after the view on the top of Scenic Dr. and head northwest to Mt. Bonnell. I always run/walk up the stairs to the top of Mt. Bonnell and catch another fabulous view on the top of Mt. Bonnell. Catching a view and pausing a run or a workout to take it all in is always worth it. These hills in west Austin are great summer training as hill running is just speedwork in disguise.

Slaughter Creek Trail

There is a small gravel parking lot just off of 1826 for a gem of a trail nestled in southwest Austin. It is a 5 mile loop of nice single track trail. It isn’t very crowded as it is a bit out of the way for most city dwellers, but the views are unlike the other trails in Austin. You really feel like you’re out in the hill country and on top of the world in some areas on that trail.

The trail is super well maintained with signs and mile markers. I especially appreciate that mountain bikers all go clockwise while runners go counterclockwise which means there is never a mountain bike surprise attack from the back and wearing headphones is much safer.

The Greenbelt

Tried and true, the Greenbelt is a staple of Austin trail running. It can get crowded on the weekends so hit the trail early to beat the hikers and families out for the day. Usually in the summer there is water so there are places to cross the creek and get wet feet, but this year it is completely dry with the exception of some water at the far end near the Lost Creek trailhead. I am partial to the Hill of Life trailhead in Westlake because getting a few hill repeats on the hill of life is some of the best hill training for trail runners there is in Austin. There are many routes off the main trail that avoid crowds and I like the trails over by the Moonshadow trailhead in Travis Country neighborhood as they are wooded, shaded, not crowded at all and quite technical and hilly.

Shoal Creek

Running up and down Shoal Creek road and then the paved bike path south of 35th street is such an easy, pedestrian friendly go-to for some gentle, shaded miles.

The paved path from 35th street south connects to the hike and bike trail and is a beautiful slice of natural beauty as you run along Shoal Creek. North of 35th street up towards Anderson Ln on Shoal Creek Blvd is a well-used segment for running and cycling so there are protected bike lanes and sidewalks the whole way. Southbound is part of the 3M half marathon course and is a nice gentle downhill.

East Austin

Running in East Austin is flat and has become a lot more pedestrian friendly in recent times. Right now Comal St is closed to car traffic (due to COVID-19) and is a great street to run north-south along. I like to do speed loops in the neighborhood just south of Cesar Chavez and East of I-35 as they are shaded and pancake flat. I also like to head north up to the Cherrywood neighborhood to get some hills and run through the park at Mueller. Running in east Austin is a wonderful reprieve from the hills of west Austin and also a great way to scope out new restaurants or bars to check out later.

Article by Jackie Howard

Jackie is a writer, teacher, ultra marathoner and is certified as a plant based nutritionist.

512-673-0625 | jacqueline.howard@gmail.com