New East Bay Trail Runner

[beardrl]

Hi everyone - I am doing my first PCTR in May - the Forest Park run in Portland - I'll be doing the 20k. I'm pretty new to trail running, and running in general for that matter. My very first run was on Angel Island in December which completely blew my mind.

I live in Oakland and am looking for recommendations on practice trails to prepare for the run in May - something between 10-20k, also are there any groups that run on the weekends?

Like some others in another thread, I too seem to have issues with my IT Band, so the advice I found there was really helpful, thanks!

Thanks in advance on the trail advice, and hopefully I'll see you all out there soon!

Randy

[willgotthardt]

Hey Randy-

If you haven't already, check out Redwood Park there in Oakland (French Trail is awesome), and/or the 9M loop around scenic Lake Chabot just south in Castro Valley.

Cheers, Will G.

[jeffontrails]

I don't know where you are in the East Bay, but Mt. Tamalpais has plenty of trails in which to choose from and IMO the most scenic views in the Bay Area.

Rest that IT band and resist the urge to run if it's hurting. Listen to your body. Rest it, Ice it, Stretch It and take NSAIDs. Once healed, stretching religiously and a foam roller works wonders.

[Pacific Coast Trail Runs]

We run primarily on Mt. Diablo, but Will's right in recommending Redwood Park and the Oakland Hills area for your training. Those trails are very similar to the ones you'll encounter up in Forest Park - mostly lush, shaded, and soft with some climbs and descents.

Have fun training, and we'll see you in Portland next month!

Sarah (PCTR)

[beardrl]

Wow, thanks to everyone. I have run mostly in Joaquin Miller and Redwood (though haven't braved the French Trail yet ) as they are the closest to where I live.

I will definitely check out Lake Chabot in the near future.

Looking forward to the race in Portland!

[willgotthardt]

Here's a map of Lake Chabot and surrounding area...

www.ebparks.org/parks/anchabot.htm#Map

For the 9m loop, begin at the Marina off Fairmont Drive/Lake Chabot Road, go counter-clockwise starting on East Shore Trail (paved, but I run on gravel shoulder), cross narrow footbridge (~1.5m in) and turn left on Honker Bay Trail (dirt fireroad), then left on Columbine Trail (soft, hilly single track), left on Bass Cove (dirt/gravel fireroad), and again left on West Shore Trail (paved, run on dirt shoulder).

Mostly easy rolling terrain, one decent little climb at the end of Honker Bay Trail just before the transition to Columbine Trail. Enjoy.