The morning is calling and your run is happening now!

Seize the moment: Running in Capitol Hill

4/17/13

It's that time of the year when no matter what time of the day it is, you'll see more and more runners around Seattle streets and parks. It's a beautiful thing to wake up before the sun rises, don your running garb, grab your iPod and head out the door. The air is brisk and fresh, often the product of a midnight rain shower. The street lights begin to dim as the sun emerges from the east and spring flowers make the air fragrant with inspiration and energy.

Mere months prior to recent mornings, it was just you and your iPod, running miles along vacant streets before others had even woken up. Now you have company on nearly every corner and sidewalk, greeting you with the runner's nod or wave that symbolizes a greater understanding and encouragement to keep going. This is your community and sleeping in isn't really your thing. Get up and seize the moment; the morning is calling and your run is happening now!

The Capitol Hill neighborhood in Seattle offers a variety of parks, trails and routes for runs of all distances and difficulties. Two wonderful options for speed intervals or easy laps are Volunteer Park and the Washington Park Arboretum. Volunteer Park features minor hills and beautiful lawns for cross training activities or a picnic on a sunny afternoon. It is also home to the the Volunteer Park Conservatory and the Seattle Asian Art Museum. One lap around Volunteer Park is just shy of one mile; consider reversing the direction you're running with each lap. Similarly, the Washington Park Arboretum features 230 acres of beautiful vegetation, gardens and trails. Enjoy beautiful bridges and views of the Union Bay during your run.

Volunteer Park