Start Your Engines
Indianapolis sets the stage for races of all kinds
Each year on Memorial Day weekend, all of Indianapolis revolves around a place known as the Brickyard. Home to the Indy 500 — the race that’s the crown jewel in one of the country’s most enthusiastic sports towns — the 2.5-mile oval track at Indianapolis Motor Speedway sees plenty of automotive action. But for adrenaline-filled fans who are looking to take a different kind of lap, Indianapolis offers a longer, runner-friendly course in Eagle Creek Park.
Just 10 miles from Monument Circle and the heart of downtown Indianapolis, Eagle Creek lies among more than 5,300 acres of recreational bliss. The park offers 10 miles of running trails, so if you’re aching to commune with nature, this spot provides that in splendid fashion.
To get to Eagle Creek Park, take I-65 North to the 71st Street exit and the park’s north gate entrance. Or from I-465, the 56th Street exit will lead you directly to the south gate. Either way, it’s about a 15-minute ride from downtown. Hardcore football fans will also know that the park’s south entrance takes you right past the headquarters of the NFL champion Indianapolis Colts, making it an all-around athletically inspiring kick-off point for a 5-mile run.
Half the park’s trails form a maze through the brush, but Eagle Creek Parkway — the main path and the setting of this 5-mile loop — takes you on a more clear-cut, scenic tour of the park. After parking in the lot, head east on this route. Most of the Parkway is smooth, flat, and absolutely idyllic. The surface is paved, and motorized traffic is allowed on the park’s interior roads. You’ll likely see only about a half dozen vehicles during your run, but there is a wide bike/running lane, just in case.
About a half mile into the run you’ll pass a small pond on your right where on any given day you might see gaggles of geese, families of ducks, or even a tall, gangly heron quietly stalking the shallow pool for fish. Continuing north, on each side of the road stands a mixture of majestic pines and rough, old oak trees. This area is the most unpredictable part of the run because it also doubles as an unofficial deer crossing. In the spring, you’re practically guaranteed to get a glimpse of a white-tailed deer, and since the park is protected, the deer are completely at ease in the presence of people. When approached, they barely move, so be prepared to do some maneuvering.
After a slight left turn near the mile-and-a-half marker, the trail gets more densely wooded. On the left is an area for picnics and barbecues. Several of these recreational spaces are sprinkled throughout the park, but generally they’re inhabited only on the weekend. During the week, they are usually empty and silent. In fact, it’s probably here that you’ll realize the only sound you’ve heard since you left your car is the pitter-patter of your own two feet.
At this picnic area, expect a fork in the road. A left turn will allow you to opt for a shorter, 3-mile run. To go on with the full 5 miles, switch gears here for a hairpin turn to the right that will take you up the first incline. It’s a brief hill, but it offers a nice change of pace for those looking to incorporate a little interval work into their regimen.
After another sharp left turn, there’s a long, narrow straightaway that empties into the most dramatic hill on the trail. The hill is about three-quarters of a mile and inclines down at about 35 degrees. It takes you past another small pond on the left, where during the week, a smattering of elderly anglers can often be spotted casting for bass and walleye. At the bottom of the hill, just to your right lies a large, tranquil body of water, Eagle Creek Reservoir. This spot, Eagle Creek Beach, is where the first leg of the Indianapolis Sprint Triathlon Series takes place every summer.
The next mile, your fourth, is a somewhat steep and twisty climb through another densely wooded area. Once you reach the top you’ll see another small picnic area. From there, you’re rewarded with a refreshing downhill plunge through a beautiful tunnel of maple and oak trees. Watch your footing here, as the dense foliage even in May can block out the sun. At the bottom of the hill, however, you’ll — quite literally — see the light at the end of this tunnel. It’s no checkered flag, but when the vegetation clears and the sun creeps back in, you’ll want to speed up just the same. This signals that the parking lot is near. Since this final stretch is mostly flat, it won’t take very long to reach your goal and declare yourself a winner. But if you really want to stack up to Indy standards, refuel and give it another go.
— Shelly Gepfert
Getting There: Continental offers daily nonstop service to Indianapolis from its hubs in Houston, New York/Newark, and Cleveland.
Three Alternate Workouts in Indianapolis
Looking for more high-speed activity? Indy’s brimming with fitness options. Check out these alternatives:
Go Deep
Take a swim in the main competition pool in the IU Natatorium (901 W. New York St.), where 90 American records and 11 world records have been set. There, you can set your own record in one of eight 50-meter lanes. After a swim, visit the facility’s fitness center for a cooldown on a stationary bike or some weight work on the Hammer Strength equipment. The pool is open most weeks Monday through Thursday, 5:30 a.m. – 8 p.m., and Friday, 5:30 a.m. –7:30 p.m. Because it’s a venue for competitions, check with the facility before heading to the pool (317.274.3518). It’s $6 for a single visit.
Hold Court
For workout fiends, Westview Healthplex Sports Club (3660 N. Guion Road) is the place to be. The club features a 25-yard, six-lane lap pool, a cardio area, and a full-length basketball court that was once a practice site for the Indiana Pacers. There are also two racquetball courts, a health spa, and six indoor and three outdoor tennis courts. One floor below the pool, there’s a weight room and a cushioned outdoor eighth-mile running track. A fee of $6 gets visitors access to everything.
Walk On
After a stressful business meeting, the Canal Walk will take you miles away from it all. Extending from 11th Street and Senate Avenue at the city’s north end, all the way past the NCAA headquarters at the south end, to the White River State Park Visitors Center on W. Washington, the smooth, paved walkway is the ideal place for walking, biking, or in-line skating. — S.G.
(To Your Health)
Getting Back on Your Feet
Athletes whose feet take a pounding know this scenario well: You wake up, hit the alarm clock, and bam! With your first step of the day, you’re tripped up by an aching heel.
If your mornings begin with this kind of rude awakening, it’s likely you suffer from plantar fasciitis. The problem starts when the plantar fascia — the fibrous tissue along the bottom of your foot — stretches irregularly, causing small tears and chronic inflammation. Morning foot pain is the classic symptom, but discomfort can also occur after a long day on your feet.
Plantar fasciitis is a repetitive motion injury, often caused by feet that roll inward when you stride. Runners and athletes are particularly at risk; for example, St. Louis Cardinals slugger Albert Pujols has struggled to play through the nagging pain.
But weekend warriors and regular folks are also susceptible, particularly if they have flat feet or unusually high arches. The American Podiatric Medical Association estimates that 18.6 percent of Americans reporting a foot ailment have experienced plantar fasciitis pain (heel pain).
“It takes time and effort to beat plantar fasciitis — there isn’t a magic bullet. But pain is not normal,” says Cary Zinkin, MD, a podiatrist based in southern Florida. “If pain is constantly ruining your day, you really need to see a podiatrist.”
Zinkin always starts by examining his patients’ shoes. He cautions against wearing flip-flops or going barefoot and encourages sufferers to opt for supportive sneakers. “Go to a store that caters to runners, where the salespeople tend to be knowledgeable about foot problems and your shoe options,” he advises. Many sufferers find that changing their shoes makes all the difference. But several other remedies can be effective:
- Tight calf muscles and Achilles tendons aggravate the problem by pulling on your heel, so stretch carefully several times a day.
- If you're overweight, losing even 10 pounds can minimize symptoms. To drop the weight, try activities that are gentle on your feet, like yoga, swimming, or swirling on an elliptical trainer.
- Wrapping your feet with athletic tape can provide extra arch support, reducing pain and fatigue.
- Anti-inflammatory drugs like Aleve can provide temporary relief. Applying ice or a cold wrap to the inflamed area also helps.
- "Night splints" are devices that keep your foot flexed while you sleep. This gentle overnight stretch helps you avoid retearing the plantar fascia when you wake up.
If the pain persists, ask your podiatrist about custom orthotic shoe inserts, which can provide dramatic results. Inserts that correct your stride are available over the counter, but a custom pair delivers more precise support.
Custom orthotics did the trick for Susan Passaro, a 43-year-old interior designer from Mar Vista, Calif., whose routine of step classes and running on concrete led to severe foot pain. “It was so horrible, I could barely walk in the mornings,” she recalls. A rigid pair of orthotics for her work shoes and a soft pair for her sneakers made her symptoms disappear. “I was consistent about wearing them every single day,” she says. “It took about a month to feel progress, but it was a miracle cure.”
Truly stubborn cases may require more drastic measures like cortisone shots or surgery, but most patients can achieve good results through conservative treatment. Either way, plantar fasciitis doesn’t have to be a life sentence.
— Lisa Renaud and John Rosenthal
