On Halloween, I’ll be running a 10-mile trail race in Framingham, MA, the Busa Bushwhack Trail Race. To prepare, I’ve been trying to integrate some sort of trail running each week. In previous weeks, I ran at Bluff Point and the Colchester Spur. But I wanted to try something a little different this week.
The 400-acre Oswegatchie Hills Nature Preserve houses several trails full of roots, rocks, fallen trees, and other varied terrain. As I ran today, it felt like more of an agility drill; I was forced to keep my feet fast and light. I careened down hills, chugged up hills, whipped around corners, all the while trying to dodge little obstacles along the path. I twisted my ankle several times and nearly fell on my face, and despite all this extra effort I was putting in, I don’t think my pace was particularly fast. But it was fun. Trail running definitely provides a refreshing alternative to road running: I had to stay focused the whole time so I didn’t trip, I was surrounded by pretty scenery and a fresh woodsy scent, and I ran in total peace- no cars beeping at me, no people catcalling- in fact, I only encountered a squirrel the whole time I was out.
If you’re interested in trying out Oswegatchie Nature Preserve on your next run, visit: www.oswhills.org. You can download a trail map here. I’m not sure about the exact mileage, but I think if you ran the outermost loop (red to blue trails), it would be about 3 miles. Parking is available at Veterans Field in Niantic.
