Our group of runners has recently discovered a desert oasis nestled right here in the heart of Tucson.  Well positioned along the Rillito River Path, the Brandi Fenton Memorial Park features chilled drinking fountains, shaded ramadas, bathrooms and get this – a free water park!  Featuring water cannons, tipping water buckets and in-ground geysers, the park is a perfect way to ‘cool down’ after a nice run. At the junction of Dodge, Alvernon and River, the park is a hidden gem for runners, walkers and bikers looking for a respite along the path. 

The perfect way to cool down on the Rillito River Path

This fits nicely into our recent thoughts about running during the hot summer months in southern Arizona.  Many of you have asked about training tips during the summer and I think that I have found an option for those aching to get outside and off the treadmill.  The Rillito River Path provides more than 10 miles of paved and dirt paths along the Rillito River wash and, as I ran on the Rillito recently, an abundant amount of shade along the mesquite lined path early in the day.  Along with the Brandi Fenton Park, strategically placed drinking fountains along the path mean you’ll never have to go more than 10 – 15 minutes without a drink. Hit the trail at 6 a.m. and you are bound to have temperatures in the mid 70s.

It’s important to realize that many others have found the path as well, so there is a certain etiquette for being a ‘cool’ runner on the Rillito.  A sort of ‘Rules of the Path’, if you will: 

• The path is like the road – running/walking/riding is done on the right side of the path.
• Runners, yield to walkers; bikers & rollerbladers yield to both runners and walkers. 
• Pass on the left.  If you are passing someone from behind (especially you bikers), a simple “on your left” as you approach is helpful.  Yield where appropriate.
• If you are getting passed from behind, hold your line, let the person passing you determine the best way around you.  A quick movement may lead to an accident.
• ipods/mp3s are OK, but YOU are now required to be fully aware of your surroundings and others on the path.
• Dogs OK, but on a leash (and please, please take advantage of the well positioned dog scoopers and clean up after your dog).
• There are plenty of designated parking lots along the path.  Trader Joe’s opens at 9a, so the lot tends to be empty early in the day.  Brandi Fenton Park also has plenty of parking.

Mileage along the Rillito tends to be haphazardly marked.  Many well meaning bicyclists, runners and walkers have at various times marked mileage that doesn’t seem to make sense.  The best bet is to use the accompanying mileage chart from Pima County Parks & Recreation. The county has marked parts of the path in 1/10 mile increments and tried to mark mileage, using the Campbell bridge as

Mileage along the Rillito River Path using Cambell as the starting point

Alyson defends herself with the blue water cannon

 the ‘Zero Point’.  East or West bound, you are sure to be pleasantly surprised about what you’ll find.  From ‘Stonehenge’, a solar viewing circle at the end of the mesquite grove, about four miles west of Campbell, to the newly renovated rest area at Craycroft trail head about five miles east of Campbell. 

So get out early, follow the rules and you’ll get your miles in while avoiding the heat. Oh, and one last piece of etiquette to remember: it is perfectly acceptable to return fire with the blue water cannon at Brandi Fenton Park.

I hear conflicting reports that the monsoons may arrive a little earlier in Tucson this year.  This made me happy, not just because it will help my outdoor plants currently on life support, but because I love to run in Tucson’s summer rains.  Actually, I think it’ right after the rain stops, when steam comes up from the desert floor, carrying the smell of dirt, rocks and creosotes that is my favorite time. 

Yesterday’s rain was kind of a tease, but it did get me to thinking about precautions to take while running during the monsoon season in Tucson (many of these make sense all the time).

-Stay off the roads if you can, Tucson drivers have a hard enough time negotiating the roads as it is.  Plenty of beautiful places to run here in southern Arizona.

-Lightning is bad.  Do not run if lightning is present – ever.  If you get caught in a lightning storm, low lying areas are the best and stay away from trees.

-Know that a dry wash can turn into a flooded wash at any time.  Ask some of my friends that got airlifted out of Sabino Canyon last year…

-Carry ID, cash and a cell phone.

-Always, always let someone know where you plan on running and when you plan to return.  Good advice all the time.

-A hat – keeps the sun out of your face and the rain out of your eyes.

It doesn’t take much to get out and hit the trails, and with these precautions you’ll be sure to enjoy your run no matter what Mother Nature throws at you…

What are your favorite times to run? 

Why does a Creosote bush smell? Everything you wanted to know (or maybe not) about the Creosote bush…