Running in Phoenix

Get a treadmill for the summer.

Used to live in Phoenix - still have relatives there. Definitely invest in a treadmill for home. You can't run during the day there in the blasted heat from about May through Sept (unless you go about an hour before sunrise).

And don't bother trying to use a treadmill at a gym because they've all closed again with the spikes in coronavirus cases.

So, Arizonans are screwed because it's too hot to excercise outside at this time of year and with the gyms now closed it doesn't leave many options. ☹

I used to live in North Phoenix before moving down to Gilbert, AZ. Reach 11 for sure is a great place to run. Right down the road is another park, Horse Lovers Park. Sometimes for longer runs I would run from one trail to the other and back.

Would highly recommend getting to the Scottsdale Green Belt or any of the Canals on the weekend if possible. Nothing beats miles of flat/soft surface.

Another thing, I would look into , once COVID ends, is group runs. Runner's Den has good group runs on Wednesday nights, and great long runs Saturday mornings (I think 5 AM) to beat the heat in the summer.

KennyBania wrote:

Moving to the Phoenix area soon and considering where to live. For personal reasons I'd like to be toward the north side (Cave Creek, north Scottsdale, etc.) . Where are good places to get in daily mileage and tempo work? There are obviously a lot of trail options but I do most of my miles on flat ground and really want to avoid just running around random neighborhoods.

From my initial research it sounds like the Arizona canal and Indian Bend Wash Greenbelt are solid options, but they probably don't extend far enough north for what I'm looking for.

How is the Reach 11 recreation area? Are there good trails anywhere that are relatively flat/continuous and suitable for tempos?

Also, I appreciate any advice on running groups.

Thanks.

I've lived in Phoenix for 20 years. It's very possible to run/train outdoors here in the summer. Yeah, the heat sucks, but many people can adapt and get through without resorting to a treadmill. The obvious early-morning routine helps. But evening runs around sunset and later are completely tolerable, at least for me. It definitely helps to not have the sun blasting you. Where I live there's a mountain to the west that blocks the sun prior to sunset, so that works out well. Sure, you have to adjust your training paces, but it's not impossible. I've trained for Fall marathons during the past 10+ summers living here. I suppose some people may be very sensitive to the heat, but fortunately I'm able to tolerate it reasonably well. Be smart. Hydrate, watch your paces/effort, etc. It will probably take several weeks to get acclimated.

Good luck. I'm not too familiar with the areas you're talking about. I'm in the SE suburbs.

Just look out for Haboobs. And scorpions. And rattlesnakes. ;)

Thanks, Mazz! Good advice.

I live in the southeast so I'm no stranger to running in hot temps--I'm actually looking forward to escaping the humidity.

Reach 11 dirt road is great for workouts. Plenty of nearby trails and dirt roads for general mileage