Exporing new trails

Its great to get a chance to run some new area's, since I'm visiting family I couldn't resist checking some of the local running places around Columbia Missouri.

Yesterday I drove to Rock Bridge State park around sunrise, the actual rock bridge is a large creek that runs though a hill kinda like a cave. This a hilly rocky area, the hills aren't big but there are enough to make an interesting run. I ended up running one side of the park, basically looked at the map then started running with only a general idea of the layout.

Started out barefoot carrying my Kso's...after about 200 yards I gave up on the barefoot as it was too dang rocky. Ran all the trails I could find then came upon a parking lot but it wasn't the one I parked at, checked the map and I was a couple miles from where I started. This was good mix of surfaces, lots muddy area's and a few stretches that tested the Kso's on rock protection, by the time I finished it was 10.5 miles...the original trail I started on said 2.5 miles. This was a nice wooded run overall, much of it single track, will do this again when I visit here next time.

Later in the afternoon my son wanted to get some running in so we went to basically the closest park we could which was Stephens Lake park. It's a typical city type park about 2 miles or so of paved running paths with lots of open grassy area around a lake. This was easy smooth barefoot pavement, paced with son at his 9 min/mile pace for 2 miles then he had enough, it felt hot out and it was getting to him. I did another lap with one up tempo mile then an easy cooldown for about .75 mile. This park is good for pavement running or grass running only.

Today went out again mid morning, found a small park... Rock Hill park not far from Stephens lake next to a creek. This was a hilly, rocky technical run with lots of mud and several small stream crossing. It was only about 1.5 mile long so short, slow going but still fun, probably wont run this again due to the shortness.

Next I went to Grindstone park, explored the main trail which is all gravel, flat and fast, at the far end of the park the creek was flooded so I turned around. Part way back I detoured into a large meadow and found lots of side trails mostly grassy flat and super muddy also some single track with not a lot of rocks. Hit the jackpot with this meadow its barefoot friendly for sure with lots of side trails, at least a couple miles worth all in all so now I know a barefoot trail place to go to here. Total for today was a little over 5 miles and covered in mud from the knee's down, did get a very small blister wearing the Kso's wth all the sliding around in the mud.

Tomorrow I will hit another park or two and see if I can find another barefoot friendly trail.

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