Well, hot girl summer is over. At least the seasonal part of that label is. Chances are you’re buried in your books, crying over an 80-page reading assignment you JUST remembered you had, and are looking forward to midterms—yes, you have midterms coming up. Always here to remind you! No problem.
Now, it’s time for fit girl fall. Exercise is a wonderful way to escape the stresses of daily life—and to justify going to Lower for quesadillas once in a while. Thankfully, we’re blessed to attend a school that has fantastic exercise facilities, including a gym, indoor and outdoor track, and (gasp!) a pool. Not to mention all of the GroupFit classes that happen throughout the week. Yoga, anyone? It’s evident that there are a lot of options to choose from when attempting to alleviate stress and stay healthy.
Sometimes, though, we get caught up in the overall nerves associated with going to the gym. When surrounded by several ripped football players, I, for one, am not likely to even approach the weight-lifting section. In reality, I find my physical peace when running. This, my friends, is where the real focus of this story comes in. How can we, as women in 21st-century society, feel safe and comfortable while running outdoors, not confined to the easy bore of a treadmill?
I have your backs. Joining running club has been one of the best decisions of my first month here, as I’ve acquired all of the insider tips on safe and calming places to run, sweat, and burn some calories! So, let’s get into it!
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Karl Stirner Arts Trail
This is a wonderful 3-mile route shaded by trees and dotted with various pieces of contemporary art. Getting to the trail from school is a 0.5-mile route, and then running along the trail and back is another 2 miles. By the time you get back on campus, you’ve run 3 miles! It’s safe, paved, and overall a really serene place to exercise.
2. Easton Canal Trail
One of the things I love most about this trail is that it is incredibly customizable to your running needs. In other words, it’s basically a long trail where you can run for however long you want. Getting to and from the trail is about 2 miles total, and then you can choose how long you want to stay on the actual trail!
3. Philippsburg Run
For those looking for a bit of a challenge, this is a 4-mile route across the bridge into Philippsburg, New Jersey. Following the sidewalk, you can then access the town and run through the main area before turning back and entering Easton by crossing the bridge again.
4. Bank Street Creamery Run
All running trails pail in comparison to this one! This is a 2-mile route down College Hill and into Easton—specifically with the focus of buying delicious ice cream from Easton’s very own Bank Street Creamery! You can then cool down by walking back to campus and enjoying your cold treat!