Jess is participating in the Little Rock Half Marathon and is scared out of her mind. She’s never done anything like this, but is chronicling the whole process, blisters and breakthroughs, right here on Little Rock Soirée. Start with the first installment here.
A haiku about treadmills:
So hot, so boring
But I don’t want to watch golf
Sweet scenery – not
Yeah, yeah, I know sometimes a treadmill is your only choice, but if that’s all you ever limit yourself to, you will actually die of boredom.
Picture this scenario: It’s a Sunday afternoon, the weather is perfect and you’re about to go for a run. As it turns out, Little Rock, we’ve got some pretty sweet areas to explore right in our backyards. And in The Natural State? Who’da thunk, am I right?
So here’s a quick rundown of some of the best spots to get in a few (or a lot of) miles.
Arkansas River Trail
You knew this would be on here. Well, duh, maybe because it’s massive, well-kept and runs all the way to west Little Rock. It also includes a massive 88-mile loop that goes through Little Rock, North Little Rock, Maumelle and Conway that you could technically run, but lol yeah right.
The trail features the Clinton Presidential Park Bridge, the Junction Bridge, the Big Dam Bridge (I will always laugh) and the Two Rivers Park Bridge. If you want to hop over to the parks on the other side, go right ahead. If you just want to do sprints back and forth, no problem.
The trail is always full of people so that you never feel too alone, but not cramped. Bikers, walkers and families also use the space, so it’s great for teaching you how to share, a lesson it appears many missed in kindergarten. I’m looking at you, Mr. I’m Gonna Cut By You On My Bike So Close That I Hit Your Ponytail.
Emerald Park
This out-and-back trail on the North Little Rock side offers both paved and unpaved options, depending on just how wild you feel that day. The views of the Arkansas River are killer and it usually isn’t packed.
It’s a relatively unchallenging route, and with the cooler weather and leaves beginning to change, now is the perfect opportunity to get out here.
Burns Park
Chances are you’ve been out here for one thing or another. At 1,700 acres, it’s one of the nations largest city parks. There are six miles of paved multi-use trails and 15 unpaved miles. With sports complexes, dog parks, campsites, playgrounds and tons more, the buzzing atmosphere and populated trails are good motivation to keep moving, hallelujah.
Tracks
If you’re looking for a good old fashioned track to relive your glory days (or not so glorious), there are plenty of well-lit options in Little Rock. Hall High School’s Scott Field and the Catholic High facilities are great places to hit. I promise there are no judgmental cheerleaders waiting to ruin your life in the lunchroom.
Lake Willastein
Sometimes you just need a change of scenery, and if you usually keep close to Little Rock, look no further than Lake Willastein in Maumelle. This one area has tons of trail options ranging from 0.4 miles to 2.1 miles. Do a couple laps, mix and match; it’s your call. And the lake? Gorgeous.
The moral of the story is that on the days you have the option, get outside. This is the ideal time of the year to do so and with so many great areas nearby, you really don’t have an excuse not to utilize them. Take it from an asthma/allergy infested human like myself: Yes, the fresh air really will do you some good.
It’s either that or go all Edgar Allen Poe on your treadmill.