Running Durham: Al Buehler Trail

Buehler...? Buehler...?

I don't think there's any relation to Ferris, but that doesn't mean the Al Buehler Cross Country trail in Durham isn't a great way to spend a day off.

Probably my favorite place for cardio (of all kinds!) in the Bull City, this gravel route has it going on.

The three mile loop around the Washington Duke Inn and Golf Course features: scenic views of golf holes and pond, excellent forested tree cover (for shade in the summer, rain canopy in the spring), and plenty of friendly folks to encounter along the way (dog walkers, stroller walkers, bikers, joggers, Duke Divinity students pondering the inner workings of modern religion...)

The course is moderately hilly (including one MASSIVE hill about halfway through. Just remember: hills build character), and the total distance is great for 5K training or just getting out in nature for a bit.

If you're looking to take this trail for a spin, there's parking off Cameron Blvd.

Playing hooky is optional.

Big Boss Run Club

Running and Beer. At one time in my life I considered these to be two vastly different entities.

Running is a form of exercise, improves heart and cardiovascular health, strengthens leg muscles, burns calories and can aide in weight loss.

Beer is a tasty beverage created via brewing and fermentation, is alcoholic, consuming it does the opposite of burn calories and can aide in the emergence of the 'beer belly'.

But as I've grown to enjoy both beer and running separately, I see how they are actually pretty similar in a lot of ways. Both are used to de-stress and clear the mind, both are pretty healthy activities in moderation, both promote social interaction and spawn mini communities that come together specifically to enjoy their chosen interest as a group.

I wrote an earlier post about experiencing the running and beer loving communities overlap at Durham's Fullsteam Run Club. Recently I decided to check out another brewery-based running meetup, Raleigh's Big Boss Run Club.