Indianapolis, IN

Eagle Creek Red Trail

Running Time: 56:39 + 2-minute kick

I actually wandered onto the blue, orange, yellow, and pink trails, not just the red, though I spent most of my time on the red trail. There were some switches and road stretches that confused me at first, as well as some muddy spots that I avoided and circumnavigated. Once I got a little off-track, the overall distance of the red trail was not feasible, so that contributed as well.

Some of these trails were not ideal for running. There were tree roots and embankments and slippery old wood stairs, and it was shaded enough that I ran without my sunglasses on most of the way to avoid disaster. Again, though, the tree canopy was a godsend, as it cut about 10 degrees off the hot and muggy temperature.

The park was less than 3 miles from the hotel I was staying at, which was ideal, and there was no one at the gate to collect the daily fee, which was more ideal, because I brought only my license and hotel room key with me. I smiled at the honor box on my way past – isn’t a smile priceless?

The map makes it look like the trail has you running through the middle of the lake. I made sure to get to this section, and it did not disappoint. There was a strip of land just wider than the trail running all the way across the lake. Spectacular. There were a few people out there fishing or just enjoying the day – it was a hike to get that far, so not many people.

Indianapolis, in general, does not impress me. The focus on car racing is just one example – I drove by the Speedway Baptist Church between sales calls. I just don’t see Jesus spending a lot of time at the track when he returns. A sign at the city limits proclaimed that the city was the “Home of the 2021 NCAA Basketball Tournament.” Is that really sign-worthy?

Although I had a lot of starts and stops, I had a good run. I perspired more than normal. I hung up my running clothes to dry, and in the morning my t-shirt was still damp. All of the running obstacles and elevation gains was good balance work. I felt my brain working with my body, which is the beauty of trail-running. Cast of the asphalt. Follow the trail.