I am planning on going up to altitude for my junior summer (going into senior year). I was originally planning on going to Flagstaff, but was given an opportunity to stay for free in Colorado Springs. I am wondering if any of you have experience running there and your opinions on the environment. Is it noisy? (good place to get away and focus). What about altitude variation as in how fast can i get higher/lower. What do the running trails look like? and other thoughts on altitude training.
it's a great place to run, 6000-7000 feet depending on where you are. Lots of beautiful trails all over the place. Home to numerous elite distance runners such as Leonard Korir. If you want to come down in altitude, you can drive to Pueblo, elevation of 4500 feet. It's about 45 minutes away. If you want to train at higher altitude, check out Woodland Park. It's a 30-45 minute drive and is about 8500 feet.
looking for any roommates?
Fountain Creek Trail/Pikes Peak Greenway/Monument Creek Trail starts at Hanson Trailhead just off Grinde Drive in Fountain. It is a nice soft packed trail. It runs north between Interstate 25 and Highway 85/87 along the creek. Past Fort Carson, past El Pomar Youth Sports Park, and all the way to The Vanguard School. Here the trail becomes paved for several miles, past America the Beautiful Park, and into downtown.
Just past Bijou Street, it becomes soft again. It continues past the track at Colorado College, through Monument Valley Park, to the railroads tracks near Steel Street. Here it becomes paved again. Cross the tracks and continue around the five softball fields. The trail continues along Mark Dabling Blvd, past the skate park at Gossage Youth Sports Complex, past the Pikeview Reservoir, under Interstate 25 near the Rodeo Hall of Fame, and past Adventure Minigolf. This is as far as I ever ran heading north. I have been told it continues past Air Academy High School and the Air Force Academy.
Straight line distance from the minigolf to the trailhead is about 17 miles one way; with all of the twists and turns, it is easily 20+. If you continue all the way to the Academy it is quite a bit longer. You will cross quite a few bridges back and forth over the creeks. There are also numerous parking areas along the trail so you can start almost anywhere. You don't need to head all the way south to Fountain to get the trailhead.