Naperville Runners Hit the Trails

Ross Carlson isn't training for a race or to compete, he's just running to stay fit. Carlson is one of many Naperville runners who regularly hit the trails at Springbrook Prairie.

For Carlson, the trail is close to home and away from traffic, two key points for running at Springbrook. He usually runs the trail about three times a week, as he was just about to do on a recent afternoon.

"It's a nice distance for me," he said before his run. "It takes about an hour."

For both experienced runners and novices, Naperville offers many options for worry-free running, away from vehicle traffic.

Springbrook Prairie's 5.5-mile loop has mile markers clearly stating the distance. The trail starts out just off Book Road and 83rd Street, and it heads east to Naperville Road, down along 75th Street, and winds back parallel to Book Road and back to the start in the forest preserve parking lot.

Al Carius, North Central College's cross-country coach, said his runners regularly hit the trails in the area's forest preserves, including Greene Valley, Blackwell, McDowell Grove, Herrick Lake and Danada.

"Anytime you get out into a forest preserve and you get out in nature, it gives you back energy," Carius said.

One of Carius' favorite places to run in Illinois had been at the Morton Arboretum in Lisle. "I used to think I was running in a picture," he said.

But Carius lamented the fact that trail running is no longer allowed at the arboretum. Runners must stay on the paved roads, he said.

Amber Druien, a former cross-country runner from North Central College, now works at Naperville Running Co. as a salesperson and teaches a walk-to-run program at the store. She said Naperville's Historic District is a good choice for runners looking to make the rounds through a residential neighborhood

Among her favorite streets to run are Sleight, Hillside, Julian and Columbia.

"There's nice houses, good shade and not so much traffic," she said.

Other runners interested in a longer route might choose to run along the Riverwalk. From the Riverwalk, runners can get on the bike path that runs parallel to Washington Street and continues until about 83rd Street, Druien said.

Both Carius and Druien stressed that runners must keep safety in mind. Even with fall's generally cool temperatures, runners should remember to stay hydrated, particularly on longer runs, Druien said.

Carius said it's important for new runners to get clearance from a doctor before starting a running program. All of his runners must get physicals that ensure they are healthy enough to run.

Most new runners are advised to start a walking program, then move up to a combination of walking and jogging, and finally progress to jogging, Carius said.

Some runners think going harder and faster is better, he said. That isn't necessarily the case.

"Running consistently over a long period of time is going to be more beneficial than seeing how hard you can run, how fast you can run," he said.

Using Nike + iPod Sports Kits to track pace and mileage are great tools for runners, but Druien cautions that runners shouldn't have the tunes so loud that they can't hear what's happening around them. They must guard against being "so in the zone that you are not aware of your surroundings," she said.