Best Places to Run - Providence, Rhode Island

The "Best Places to Run" series kicks off with none other than my home base of Providence, Rhode Island. Providence is home to Olympians Molly Huddle, Kim Smith, and Ro McGettigan, the 2013 NCAA XC National Champions Providence College, and countless other fast runners. Whether you're visiting PVD for work or pleasure, be sure to check out our city's history, fine dining, and of course these runs!

Blackstone Boulevard

Blackstone Boulevard is a common destination for runners, located on the East Side of Providence. The Boulevard is divided by a center median running and walking path; made of soft crushed granite, it is easy on the legs and a great place to run when you want to be on soft surface. On either side of the wide Boulevard, large bike lanes ensure a safe buffer from car traffic.

The soft surface of Blackstone is great for a recovery run.

The soft surface path begins at Lippett Park, close to the Providence/Pawtucket border, and runs to the end of Blackstone Boulevard, where the street becomes Butler Avenue.  An out-and-back loop on the Boulevard will yield you ~3.2 miles.

Although the soft surface path is short, you can easily add on miles by running the nearby East Side streets (you can admire the big historic homes) or by running a loop around Blackstone Park and along the Seekonk River.

In the winter, the Boulevard is a safe bet for being plowed of snow; the median will be covered (grab your snowshoes!) but from January to March, I frequented the cleared bike lanes for an open stretch of road.

Historic Downtown + Waterfront

If you’re visiting Providence for business, you’re likely staying downtown. Lucky for you, our city is small, you can easily escape the downtown hustle + bustle and get in a solid run starting from downtown. If you're short on time, check out these quick lunchtime loops that my friend and fellow runner Kate Huot has put together.

Downtown Providence

Head out from downtown along the Providence River, following the route of the Downtown CVS 5k (which also serves as the course for the USA 5k Road Championships), heading south along Memorial Drive toward the Jewelry District. Pass Brown University’s Medical School and catch glimpses of Providence’s startup neighborhood before crossing the river at the Point Street Bridge. From the other side of the river, you can loop around India Point Park along the waterfront before heading back along the East side of the Providence River. Look to your right for views of Brown's campus and historic Benefit Street (and get in some hill work if you want to add on); otherwise, continue back along the river for ~3.5 miles total.

East Bay Bike Path

From India Point Park, you can get in a longer run and connect to the East Bay Bike Path for more miles - I promise, it will be worth your while! The East Bay Bike Path is now easily accessible to Providence residents with the opening of the Linear Park and pedestrian/bike lanes on the Washington Bridge. Access the bridge via a switchback bike path located next to the Wyndham Garden Hotel, cross the river, and take 1st Street southeast to connect to the bike path. The path parallels Veterans Memorial Parkway in East Providence and offers you stunning views of Providence Harbor and the river. 

East Bay Bike Path

The path is relatively flat, i.e. great for tempos or other workouts. The trail is over 14 miles and goes all the way to Bristol, RI - so if you're training for a marathon, you can get in many miles here (I sure did when training for my first 26.2!). Another added bonus - great sunset views! The sky here is always gorgeous, making it all the easier to get through a tough mile.

Hope to see you out on my favorite Providence trails! Got a place you want to see featured next on "Best Places to Run" ? Drop me a line in the comments and your destination might be next!

Fall Racing Update

Pre-race, with Molly and Steph

The past month has seen a return to racing after a summer of adventure, recovery, and rebuilding. In September I kicked off the fall campaign at home with the CVS 5k/USA 5k Road Championships, on the familiar streets of Providence.

The temperature was perfect for race day, unlike in years past when it has been hot and humid. After a sweaty summer, I was glad for the respite. I milled around the start area with PVD friends and my Strava Track Club teammate Steph Dinius before heading out for our warmup. Soon enough, it was time to step up to the start line, in the shadow of the Rhode Island State Capital.

The race starts with a downhill first mile, which means that you’re always off the line fast. Steph and I came through the mile mark together sub-5, running 10th and 11th. It was quick, but comfortable, and I forged ahead into mile 2. I felt strong, legs and lungs feeling powerful after a summer of high mileage.

And then I started to feel it… around 2.5 miles, close to the finish line but not close enough. My legs reminded me that I’ve been training for 10 milers, not 5ks, and things started to catch up with me. 1 woman passed me, and then I heard Steph closing the gap I’d built in the 2nd mile. As we charged for home up the steep hill toward the Capital, she pulled even with me; we battled for a moment, but it was Steph’s day, and she surged ahead. I finished strong in a road 5k PR of 16:31 - not quite what I was hoping for, but you can’t be upset with a best time. And then it was back to work - a long cool down, then recovery and prep for the week of training ahead.

Across the finish line

Next up for me was the TC 10 Miler/USA 10 Mile Road Championships in the Twin Cities, Minnesota. I've had success at the 10 mile distance in the past, so I was excited for this race. Race morning was chilly - I broke out the layers and gloves for the first time all season - but crisp air was much preferred over a warm day.

Though the temperature wasn't hot, the pace sure was - right from the gun, we took off fast, falling into the slipstream of Molly Huddle's record-setting pace. I took a risk and went out with the lead pack, coming through the mile in a blazing 5:07. The blistering pace continued (splits here) but eventually I had to dial it back a bit.

Around mile 6 Alia Gray, Maddie Van Beek, and Kara Goucher came up on me; I hung with that group for a while, using the power of the pack to propel me forward. Around mile 8, I caught up with Amy Hastings and was within striking distance of a top 10 finish. Unfortunately, I began to struggle shortly after that, needing some calories to fuel me to the finish. Alas, I had no gel with me, and instead of ingesting Powerade, I proceeded to spill the cup of it all over me. Drinking from paper cups at 5:30 pace is no easy feat!

My fast start cost me a top-10 finish, but I held on for a respectable 15th place and a 40 second PR. I took a risk that day, putting myself out there and going for it, and I came up a little short - but I did learn a lot and I'm happy with the experience of racing from the front. Unfortunately, my body wasn't happy with me, and I had to make a trip to the med tent post-race for vomiting and chills. I've learned my fueling lesson and don't plan on repeating it when I race the Pittsburgh 10-Miler later this month!

The "Oh s***" look on my face says it all...

My body was also displeased with me yesterday at the Tufts 10k for Women/USA 10k Road Champs. With 2 big races in 8 days (plus a hectic 36-hour work trip to Cleveland), my body shut down before the finish line. Usually I am pretty good at balancing running, work, and the many side projects I have going on - but this week it caught up to me. No one likes to DNF (Did Not Finish), and no one likes puking in public, and I unfortunately did both of those yesterday. Suffice it to say, the walk back to the elite athlete tent, in neon yellow buns and bra, puking in someone's yard, was more brutal than any "walk of shame" I can imagine. I'm grateful to everyone who helped lift my spirits after the tough day.

So this week I'm regrouping, resting, getting healthy again, and rediscovering balance. The season is far from over and I still have many goals to achieve. Fast Fall continues at the Pittsburgh 10-Miler on October 25!