Running Week: My Favorite Places to Run

I have several go-to running spots in and around Omaha. Depending on whether I'm looking for something flat, something shaded, something soft, something close, or something with amenities, I know just where to go!

• Wabash Trace - Wabash is my all time favorite place to run. It is scenic and comfortable. (We even had our engagement photos taken there!)
• Pros:
• A canopy of trees leads you along farmland in Council Bluffs, offering glimpses of the Loess Hills. Very pretty.
• The crushed limestone path is really soft on the knees. 
• It's an easy run, with just a gradual incline/decline.
• Lots of wildlife and nature.
• Mile markers.
• Cons:
• Port-o-Johns and water fountain only at the beginning of this out-and-back trail.
• Isolated & quiet, so may be a concern if running alone.
• 20 minute drive from Omaha.
• Can get buggy or be hard on seasonal allergies.
• The infamous Taco Ride is held on this train every Thursday evening, which means it's no good for running that night!

• Keystone Trail - This well-known trail that runs through the center of town is very popular with cyclists.
• Pros:
• There are water fountains located near Maple St, at Roberts Park, and next to the College of St. Mary's soccer fields. There are also park restrooms & a port-o-john at College of St. Mary's.
• There are lots of people and businesses around, so feel safe in case of an emergency.
• Mile markers.
• Runs past my gym, so a good place to stop, park, or continue a workout after dark.
• Easily connects to Elmwood Park.
• Fairly flat.
• Cons:
• Not much shade.
• Not very scenic.
• Water is shut off when nearing the first frost.
• Lots of bikes going fast around tight curves/blind corners.
• Zorinsky Lake - Perhaps one of the most popular places to run and bike on the weekends. Early mornings are best for less crowds.
• Pros:
• A 4 mile loop to the east of 168th and a 3 mile loop to the west of 168th (which connect) makes it easy to get in a run of any distance.
• Water fountains and park restrooms.
• Loops make it easy to stop at your car for fuel, etc.
• Scenic views of the lake on the east and wooded areas on the west.
• Fairly flat.
• Cons:
• Sometimes stinky due to fish & the lake.
• Can get buggy.
• Far from my house (20-30 minute drive.)
• Crowded.
• Good shade for about 3/4 of the trail.
• Field Club Trail - This short out-and-back trail is tucked away and probably unknown to most. Mostly used by walkers/dog walkers.
• Pros:
• Just a mile from my house.
• Flat.
• Great shade.
• The trail head is next to my friend's work (a bar that my friends & I hang out at all the time), so I always have a restroom and safe place nearby.
• Cons:
• No water or restrooms.
• Short (only 1.6 miles long).
• A little bit scary - secluded and goes past a couple sketchy areas.
• Elmwood/Memorial Park - This is where I run with the running club in the evenings. The parks are right next to UNO and Dodge St runs right between them.
• Pros:
• Although there is a concrete path, there is plenty of grass to run on, if desired.
• The parks are well-kept and pretty.
• There is an overpass so getting from one side of Dodge St to the other is not an issue.
• There is water at the pavilion in Elmwood, along with a couple port-o-johns.
• Easy to connect to the Keystone Trail.
• Close to my house.
• Fairly shaded.
• Cons:
• There is one major hill...although this could be seen as a pro if you're looking to do hill work.
• Pretty short - only about a 3.5 mile loop if you run along the perimeter of both parks.

• Standing Bear Lake - An old family favorite near my parents' house.
• Pros:
• Trails are well-kept.
• Rolling hills make for an interesting course.
• Scenic.
• Cons:
• No water fountains.
• Only about 1/2 shaded.
• Not a full loop - there's no sidewalk along 144th St.
• Sometimes smelly near the lake.

• 24 Hour Fitness - Although not my first choice, treadmills are a great alternative to outdoor running in certain situations.
• Pros:
• Water and restrooms always available.
• Able to run at any time of day.
• Able to run in any weather.
• TVs available for entertainment.
• Good for speed work & interval training.
• Cons:
• Boring.
• Sometimes have to wait if crowded.
• Hard to do more than 5 miles.
• Not the same as running/racing outside.
• Treadmill keeps a steady pace for you. (Also a pro.)