Running with kids in the stroller can be great quality family time

Looking back to the day when we had 2 little ones in tow, getting out for a run served two fold – a way to get our daily exercise, and for the kids to venture out further then they would on their own two legs. The outings would become less of a dreaded exercise routine and more of an adventure often times enjoying the local fauna like the grazing cows and local prairie dogs, to stopping by the creek to throw a few rocks in.

But not all trails are built equal. While the trails closer to the foothills can be rocky, narrow and too bumpy for little ones, trails along the plains tend to be smoother, wider and flat with relatively little elevation gain which are great for jogging strollers.

Here are a few options for you and the little one(s) to venture out on. These same trails will also prove to be the better trails for the kiddos to follow along on their bikes once they become old enough to keep up with you!

Bobolink/South Boulder Creek

6.6mi http://beta.mapmyrun.com/routes/view/25931858/

Close and beautiful vistas of the foothills and Flatirons. The trail from the Bobolink Trailhead winds as it follows the creek, to the south west a few miles till you reach the gated entrance at Marshall road. Grazing cows often line the trail, if not overtake it and a prarie dogs village close to Marshall road will often get the little ones giddy. Although recently parts of this trail have been resurfaced and I noticed that it could get a bit soft in sections.

Wonderland Lake

3.3mi http://beta.mapmyrun.com/routes/view/25931902/

The Wonderland Lake area is a great place to run with wonderful views of the front range. The Wonderland Lake trail goes around the lake and connects with the Foothills trail that heads north towards the parking area off of Lee Hill Drive. Taking Foothills much further than the trail gets much bumpier and narrower.

Boulder Bike Paths

4.5mi from Eben G Fine Park http://beta.mapmyrun.com/routes/view/25931792/

Any and all of Boulder Bike Paths are amazing for running even in the winter time as the city is right on top of clearing them after a snow. One of the most varied and beautiful pathways is the Boulder Creek trail which follows Boulder Creek running west to east. You can pick up the trail at almost every block along the way including Scott Carpenter Park, The Millennium Hotel downtown’s Central Park and Eben G. Fine Park at the west end of Arapahoe. The last 1.5 miles of the path, turns to natural trail as it follows up along Canyon Blvd. The path is smooth and wide but can become snow and ice packed in the winters.

Boulder Valley Ranch

3.8mi http://beta.mapmyrun.com/routes/view/25931926/

Many of the trails in the system are suitable for strollers. Parking at Eagle trailhead just north of Boulder Reservoir leads to Eagle Trail to Sage for a nice big loop. Or park at the Boulder Valley Ranch off of 36 just north of Boulder.

East

Niwot Loop

3.9mi http://beta.mapmyrun.com/routes/view/25932000/

The trailhead can be on 75th just north of HWY 52 in Niwot. The trail is and easy 3.9 mile lollipop which features hard-packed gravel and scenic views of the front range and the prairies.

Teller Farm

4.5mi out and back http://beta.mapmyrun.com/routes/view/25931962/

The East Boulder – Teller Farm trail between Arapaho and Valmont is the widest and smoothest section here. The trail descends slightly from the Araphahoe trailhead to the north and you can definitely feel the climb as you come back. There is parking at both ends. The East Boulder Trail – Whiterocks again becomes more narrow and rugged the further north you travel.

Longmont – Rogers Grove/St. Vrain Greenway – Golden Ponds

4mi http://beta.mapmyrun.com/routes/view/25979158/

The Rogers Grove/St. Vrain Greenway was the first trail I used to take my first born when we lived in Longmont. There is a concrete path that winds its way along east to west with the St. Vrain. Once you reach the Golden Ponds Park and Nature Area the surface turns to dirt or light gravel easy travel for strollers. The views of Long’s Peak and nature along the creeks are great distractions for you and the kids.

Davidson Mesa

3mi http://beta.mapmyrun.com/routes/view/25932022

On McCaslin Blvd just south of South Boulder Rd offers great views of the foothills and Flatirons has a few trails in its network around the mesa that extends to the west close to Highway 36. Out and around for a short 3mi loop or extend your run by mixing in a few of the crossing paths.

South

Coal Creek Louisville

6.4mi http://beta.mapmyrun.com/routes/view/25979248/

Coal Creek Trail in eastern Boulder County, stretches, uninterrupted for seven miles along Coal Creek from 96th Street in Louisville to 120th Street in Lafayette. The 10-foot wide trail is primarily soft-surface, with only a few sections of concrete in low spots. Aquarius Trailhead parking lot on Highway 42, just west of the Louisville cemetery.

The view of Elephant Rock up Boulder Creek path

The View of Wonderland Lake

Runners along the Sage Trail out at Boulder Valley Ranch

Runner along the Coal Creek Trail in Louisville

The City of Boulder Open Space and Mountain Parks department (OSMP), in cooperation with several firefighting agencies, has closed some trails, areas and trailheads in western Boulder. The closures are due to wildfire operations, extreme fire conditions and expected high winds. The areas will be closed until further notice.

Citations are being issued for violations. OSMP and firefighters are appreciative of the public’s cooperation in this matter.

The closures include these trails and areas:

• Foothills Trail
• Hogback Trail
• Anemone Hill
• Settler’s Park/Red Rocks,
• Centennial
• Wonderland Lake
• West Old Kiln

Trail Closures

View Trail closures due to Fourmile Canyon wildfire in a larger map

Fire Area

View Boulder Fire Area in a larger map

Arial photos of the burn on a Google map can be found at the Denver Post http://photos.denverpost.com/mediacenter/2010/09/fourmile-fire/

For more information on OSMP, please call 303-441-3440 or visit www.osmp.org For more information on the Fourmile Canyon fire, please visit www.oemboulder.com

BOULDER — Three people died Saturday afternoon in the fiery midair collision of two small planes in the skies north of town, but three others escaped unharmed after the pilot of a glider being towed by one of the aircraft cut loose, maneuvered through a fireball and landed safely.

Trails effected are: The Hidden Valley, Degge, Mesa Reservoir, Cobalt, and Eagle (closed from the valley to the west) trails are closed until further notice. The Foothills trailhead is closed. The Boulder Valley Ranch and Sage trails remain open.

It is unclear at this time when the trails might re-open.

Also in this post: Running in the snow tips | Great places for running in the snow

First Big Snow at Chautauqua looking up at Saddle Rock

It seems in Boulder we have been waiting all year for it to snow. There have several false starts to our snowy season, but its been light at best. Until now. The social network has been all a twitter with updates about the snow. All the locals had photos posted of snow piling high on back patio furniture, trees and front yards or what they saw on their commute.

All the discussion was getting me pumped to get out. See, I love running in the snow.

Well, let me clarify that: Freshly fallen snow.

When a bike path or trail have a nice 3 to 6 inches on it, it is the best feeling. Just enough cushion to soften the stride, not too deep in which to work really hard at lifting the legs. (when the snow gets tracked out, footing gets a bit more wobbly and your legs are working harder to keep you upright). The big plus: everything is bright, calm and quiet. What you mostly hear is your breath and the soft “crunching” of snow underfoot. Running Nirvana.

Trying something different

I saw two videos from @runswithspirit, a local barefoot runner,  running through the snow and icy water.

After shoveling the walkway and drive I figured I would go give it a spin at the park adjacent to my house. I have to admit I was a bit giddy with what I was about to attempt. I haven’t been running barefoot much at all. A football field, or park on occasion. But running in the snow, seemed intriguing.

Barefoot Newbie

The air was relatively warm as it tends to be on socked in days. Transitioning from my warm Sorrels into the snow was not as jarring as I expected. I snapped a photo of my naked soles and took off for a jog around the circumference of the park. Actually it was exactly as I had expected, soft cushy and yes a bit cold. A few hundred yards to the other side of the park my feet began to feel the sting of the cold and I started wondering how long the toes would take it. But as I ran through the foot and a half of snow I enjoyed the ease of my step and the brush of the snow against my legs.

When I got back to the start I attempted to put the boots back on and start the warming process. It was at this point I realized how numb my foot had gotten. I was unable to put my left foot back into the woolen liner of the boot, so I had to sort of jog/hobble back to the house with one bare foot.

Surprisingly, the toes warmed up nicely within minutes of being back inside. But it made me ponder, how long I really could have stayed out there. I just got back from a broken foot, last thing I needed were frost bitten piggies. Perhaps the Vibrams would be a better idea for me.

Later in the afternoon I got out for a real run, after all I couldn’t let my tweeps down. Shoes and all. I was reading a blog post of a local runner Jeff Vallierev in which he had already been up Green Mountain, Bear Peak and South Boulder Peak, in this much snow!! So I decided I would at least give the lower trails a try and get a few photos along the way.

Bear Canyon – Mesa Trail – Bluebell Baird – Chautauqua

Mesa Trail to NCAR, Eldorado Springs or back to Bear Mtn Drive

This time with shoes.

For my warmup, I followed a few streets up to the Bear Creek Trailhead just off of Bear Mtn Drive. The trail is narrow for a few hundred yards until it joins with the access road which is Bear Creek. The snow had been well traveled at this point with hikers, runners and even skiers. The snow was soft, but uneven as I climbed. My legs working extra duty to keep stable up the steady climb. I took a few opportunities for photos as my reprieve enjoying listening to other soft sounds that were previously muted by my breathing.

At the trail juncture with Mesa, I headed north behind NCAR. I was glad to have others find the way before me, as I could just concentrate on the now well marked path. At this point I am still climbing although it is rolling under normal conditions. Back behind NCAR, the trail decends for a short while before climbing again, but its just enough time to give me a preview of how fun the decents will be later. The trail then climbs up a steep switchback then finally opening to a view of the valley. Along this stretch I pass a hiker and a skier and we briefly comment on how wonderful the snow is as we pass by.

Bear Peak lost in the cover

Now the Mesa Trail lets out into the road down to Chautauqua. I take a right as I head up a short steeper section that leads to the Bluebell-Baird trail. I follow this trail up and over to towards the Gregory Canyon Trailhead. As I descend, I notice a few tracks that meander down the slope.

Now this looks like too much fun to pass up. So I head straight down the hillside bounding, gliding, landing softly with each stride. That was worth the whole trip right there!!

Following the trail just above the Baseline trail I crossed underneath skiers and snowboarders hiking up further to catch some fresh tracks. Closer to the park, there are many families up on the hill with sleds taking advantage of the massive run-out with nothing but tall grass and 2 feet of snow to pad their slide.

Now being an hour into the run, I figure I needed to get home. So I took the streets straight down from the park to get to Broadway. This was actually really fun as well. There was just enough left over snow in the street where they hadn’t plowed to leave about 8 inches of soft/slushy snow in which I could land my steps and provided some great cushion.

All in all the trip was 8 miles and took about 1:22 to complete, but so glad I was able to get out and renew my mind.

Snow Tips

Dress Warmly

Kristen at Run-Faster has a great post on Winter Running Gear

Shorten Your Stride

High Altitude Spine and Sport Twitter update: Runs on snow/ice force inner & outer thigh muscles 2 work 2x’s as hard 2 keep ur body stable: shorten ur stride 2 help minimize over activity. @Artsportchiro

Get Traction

YakTrax, Grip-ons, or STABILicers – are traction cleats you wear over your shoes if you are concerned about slipping.

Instep Boulder has a video of how to modify your running shoes. Shop owner RL has been doing this for years and many of the trail runners have adapted this method.

Great places for running in the light snow

• Any of Boulder’s bike paths ( they are the first on the list to be plowed when it snows)
• Boulder Creek Path
• Wonderland Lake
• South Boulder Creek Trail (Bobolink Trailhead)
• Around the Boulder Rez
• Teller Farm

The snow began falling early Sunday, with thick, gray clouds moving down from the Flatirons just as our group started up the Bluestem Trail in south Boulder. Soon, the mountains disappeared into the clouds, and we were left with only the soft gravel in front of us, punctuated by a few pine trees and lichen rocks on the side.

With the deadline to mail in ballots for the Nov. 3 election nearing, it seems appropriate to pause and give a shout out to those far-sighted folks who got Boulder started on its open space acquisition.

“Every time I get stale, I realize there is something new, even for people like you and me. All of a sudden, a new trail will appear out of nowhere.” – Brendan Reilly

Read the full article at the Daily Camera
http://www.dailycamera.com/recreation-columnists/ci_13646062

Chautauqua Park

More about Boulder’s Open Space and Mountain Parks
http://www.bouldercolorado.gov/

Boulder Weekly’s opinion on 2009 Boulder County County Ballot Issue 1A
http://www.boulderweekly.com/article-12-boulder-county-ballot-issues.html

While Boulder Weekly acknowledges that the purchase of open space has had some unintended negative consequences, especially on the availability of affordable housing in Boulder, those are outweighed by the high priority that county residents have placed on preserving natural lands in an era of sprawl and communities that run together without a clear boundary.

Vote YES on Boulder County Ballot Issue 1A.