Running at ShingleTown

I have always enjoyed running.  Maybe it is because the sport I played all my life, soccer, revolves around running.  So on the 17th of October my friend, Ransom, and I woke up at 7:00am to go for a nice run.  Only thing is we were not just running down the street, I decided to go trailing running at a location called ShingleTown, located just outside of State College.

To get to Shingle town you have to know where it is, because along the road there are no signs or indications, that show a location for hiking is there.  Even though it is an unmarked location it is a popular place.  On most Saturday mornings the small parking area is packed, but not this Saturday.  Maybe most people though it was too cold to go for a hike that morning.  They may have been the smart ones.  My friend and I went anyway. 


If you guys have not noticed the State College area is beautiful, all year round, but its beauty is highlighted during this time of year.  The patchwork quilt of color that the surrounding mountains become, during the fall, is the height of the natural beauty in State College.  This natural beauty if one reasons that running at shingle town to me is so fun.  I have run their many times but always in the summer and never during the fall season it was a really neat experience. 

Usually running along the trails at shingle town possesses a challenge because of the treacherous ground that must be traversed, there are roots sticking up, rocks big small lose, and even areas were the trail in nothing but rocks.  Since it is fall the leaves on the trees have fallen down all along the trail.  This makes it hard to identify the true shape and location of the roots and rocks that are sticking up whose only purpose in life is to trip you up. 

The challenge of traversing the rocky laden trails I have always considered a game.  You have to plan where each foot is going to land as well as plan ahead to keep a decent running pace.  The challenge this present always creates a vary engaging run.  Another great side effect the constant concentration of carefully placing each step draws the brains attention away from the fact that you are running and it is kind of hard.  Especially when running up hill. 


My favorite section of trail to run at Shingle town, is a trail that is about a mile long, the catch is that it is all up hill.  This is the “Bald Knob Ridge Trail.”  It begins in the draw between the two parallel ridges and is a pretty direct ascension up the ridge that is closer to the State College area.  When you look out your dorm window to the South the Mountain/Ridge line you see is the one I run up at shingle town.  The fact that it is all up hill makes it the most intense exercise I will commonly do.  I timed myself and it took a little over ten minutes to run up without stopping for a break. 
Once at the top of the ridge if you go to left down the trail there will be a little clearing that opens up.  This is the location I took the background picture for all my passion blogs.  I is a great view of all of State College.  IN total if all you do if run to the lookout point of the top of the ridge and back it is a little over four miles.  While four miles normally on flat ground is not a vary long run.  Four miles that are littered with rocks, roots and elevation change can be challenging. 

The challenge is worth it though, as it is a good break from the monotony of running along the road or track for miles and miles.  I suggest a trip out to Shingle Town even if it is not for a run.  It is beautiful trail that can be admired and enjoy at a leisurely walk as well.