I am so lucky to live in the beautiful Morgan Hill, California. It is very peaceful and yet very close to the heart of Silicon Valley.
If you are looking for partners, please join us at the South Valley Running Club. SVRC is a group of runners of all ages and abilities. We have runs almost every day of the week and monthly socials/meetings. It is a really great group of people.
Here are local places I recommend running.
NEW RUN: One of my running partners and I just ran Rancho Canada del Oro for the first time. He did a nice post about it that includes details on trails and directions how to get there.
I recently posted a run about Henry Coe State Park. Take a read, it includes a map and everything.
I live on Lake Anderson and I train on these hills all the time. I recommend the 15 mile run to and from Henry Coe that starts at the lake.
If you are new to trail running, or want a nice 4-mile introduction, my dog (he runs this one with me) and I recommend from Anderson Lake Dam Park, up Serpentine Trail, across the dam and into the hills.
Harvey Bear State Park offers miles and miles of lovely trail running, good climbs and rolling hills. The longest run I have done at Harvey Bear is 21 miles, but you could do more. There are cows, wild boar, deer, bobcats…
Coyote Creek Trail runs about 15 miles, from Morgan Hill to San Jose. It is great for marathon training. I bet I have run this route hundreds of times. I have seen at least four rattle snakes, two coyotes that I can remember, a bobcat or two, a skunk, etc. etc. etc.
On occasion, and always with club members (see past blog about my sense of direction), I get to run Mt. Madonna.
There are a number of wonderful parks in Santa Clara County. Visit their website to learn more: Santa Clara County Parks.
And for speed training, come on over to Live Oak High School Track. Anyone can use it as long as the kids aren’t in session. The address is 1505 East Main, Morgan Hill.
Source of photos:
Lake Anderson: http://www.city-data.com/picfilesv/picv21719.php
Anderson Lake Dam Park trail: http://3dparks.wr.usgs.gov/3Dbayarea/html/Anderson.htm
Harvey Bear:http://www.sjparks.org/Trails/coyote/CoyotePhotos.htm
Coyote Creek Trail: http://www.sjparks.org/Trails/coyote/CoyotePhotos.htm
Mt. Madonna: http://www.flickr.com/photos/josiahmackenzie/1502674494/
