Running out of town

I know a lot of you travel on the weekends, but you still have to get in that long run. You could drive around in the car to find something, or (thank goodness for the internet!) there's several cool websites out there that are good tools for finding routes.

One I like is http://www.mapmyrun.com/ You put in the city and build your own route if you know an area, or you can search the city for other people's routes. Doing a shorter loop a few times is a good idea. This way you can stay close to your car (or where you're staying) and you can hit your drinks more often without having to carry a bottle. If you build your own route, make sure you have "follow roads" checked, otherwise it can get really frustrating. Play with it, I think you'll like it.

Another site is http://www.gmap-pedometer.com/ Same thing as mapmyrun, pretty much. You can save routes, look at other people's routes, etc.

Remember a few things: sand or dirt is best, asphalt is next best and concrete is the worst for running. Always run FACING traffic, bike WITH traffic. Wear light colored clothing so cars can see you, and don't run/bike in the dark if you can help it. Carry a cell phone if you're in unfamiliar territory, and don't forget to tell somebody where you're running and what time to expect you back. Its a good idea to carry your driver's license and a few bucks for emergencies.

Have fun!