I've never run in my life. It's something I never grew up doing or had the interest to do. Ever. Now that I'm in college, I joined the cross country team and participated in my first race (6k) last weekend. How is this possible, you ask? The only way I can answer this question is by illustrating the importance of training and how easy it is to get your groove on in Pittsburgh. The city of Pittsburgh is the perfect place to test your limits, train with a decent altitude, and get your endurance up. Keep reading to find and up-and-coming runner's favorite go-to places.
1. Fifth Avenue
Fifth Avenue is one of the longest streets in Pittsburgh, reaching a bit over five miles. There aren't too many hills on Fifth, so it's not terribly hard to run. There is plenty to see and look at, with tons of foliage and parks to give a breath of fresh air while running. Depending on where you start, you will see different things of course, but there is always something interesting going on along Fifth Avenue.
2. Schenley Park
Schenley Park is where cross country teams across Pittsburgh go to train. It is also home to a plethora of track and field teams, soccer teams, and tennis teams. There is a large, flat gravel track that circles the majority of the park equaling a distance of about 1 kilometer. The inner red track is a total distance of 400 meters. Whichever track you choose, you will still manage to have a killer workout and have the chance to train on flat ground, if that's what you fancy.
3. Frick Park
Frick Park is a wonderland of forest, trees, and trail. No matter what kind of workout you're trying to accomplish, you can find something at Frick. The beautiful scenery is magnified by the naturalistic trails and sense of unity with nature. The canopy of trees provides a perfect umbrella of shade, allows you to stay cool, and lets you breathe in the wonderful scents of the forest. If you're an outdoorsy kind of person, the trails in Frick Park are perfect for you.
4. Highland Park
Highland Park is a spectacular view if you want to take in the sights while you get your exercise in. The gardens, sculptures, and fountain are what make this park so beautiful. If you want to get an intense workout, complete the 3/4 mile loop several times and you'll be good to go!
5. North Park
If you're looking for a longer but still scenic run, check out North Park. This park features a 5-mile loop around a nice lake, complete with bike and pedestrian trails. Running isn't the only thing you can do at North Park, so be prepared to experience new things and possibly even meet new people.
