Why I Love Running in Detroit

As you may or may not know, I am training for the Detroit Marathon right now. I had a very unsuccessful 10 mile run this evening. I mean I finished it...but it was painful and slow and I ran out of water multiple times. The last mile or so I had to walk because I was desperately thirsty and just the though of running made me even more thirsty.

Now why would I start a post titled, "Why I Love Running in Detroit", with such a sad story...well because today I discovered a great place to run in the city (or pretty close to the city). I ran along Hines Drive which is about 16 miles of bike/running path along a relatively quiet road with plenty of places to use the bathroom and get water (sadly today most of them were locked...hence my terrible dehydration). Anyway, I thought I would make a list of my favorite reasons for running in Detroit.

• Previously mentioned Hines Drive
• Minus my own problems thinking about my hydration needs ahead of time, it was a great place to get in a long run...It is probably even better for biking.
• Running into people I know
• Now don't get me wrong, I don't know that many people in Detroit but probably of 50% of my runs I run into someone I know. I love the small town feel of the city. It helps that I am in a soccer league with tons of other folks. You get to know a lot of people quickly.
• Getting to know the city by foot
• You see a lot more when you are running slowly. I run by empty fields, burned down or broken down buildings, the site of old Tigers Stadium, neighborhoods trying to make a resurgence. It is really quite interesting observing the changes happening in the city both good and bad.
• The Dogs
• Don't get me wrong...I hate the dogs that you can't see at first and start barking like crazy when you run by. They are all for the most part behind fences and bark at you for the length of the fence. If I can't see them at first, it always scares the shit out of me. The best part though is I mostly get chased by these little tiny chihauhau dogs while the scary looking ones just sit there too sleepy. It always makes me laugh...as long as I am on the right side of the fence.
• Detroit Urban Running League
• Yes there is such a thing. I don't know who started it, but they meet at Belle Isle and run various distances on Saturdays and other times during the week. I was hoping for a running partner or two and got a whole group.

There are probably quite a few more reasons but this is what I got for now. If you happen to be in the city, join me for a run or a bike ride.

Oh and why I hate running in Detroit...I can never find a bathroom and water is scarce to come by. Many of you know my travails with needing to go to the bathroom while running so of course this often creates problems for me. And as empty as Detroit feels at times...it is often hard to find a field to squat in or a tree to hide behind. I have had quite a few close calls over the past few months of running...