Salem, Oregon's
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Willamette Valley Road Runners (WVRR)
www.WVRoadrunners.org.

Salem Riverfront Park Loops
by Susan Gallagher

Although Riverfront Park gets good use, I generally don't coach people to cover measured distances, so please don't assume the routes covered below are known to be exact. One exception is the .75 Mile Loop, which is marked, thanks to the City of Salem.

The rationale for inexact or unmarked routes is simple. First, people usually have a certain amount of time available, 10, 20, 30 or 40 minutes, for example. Second, it is very important, in general, for people to exercise at a pace that is "comfortable" for them. Third, there is a general tendency for many to try and cover a certain distance in a certain amount of time, every time, giving little or no consideration to "effort." This usually leads to over-exertion and a yucky feeling. Too many days of feeling yucky leads to a decreased motivation to go at all, which then leads to inconsistency. However, most people's exercise goals include elements of consistency.

Therefore, I tend to encourage people to go for a specific amount of time at a "comfortable" effort or at "conversation pace." This way they don't feel pressure to cover a certain distance in a certain amount of time. They simply go for the time they have available, at an effort that is "comfortable" and generally, have more fun!

Once in awhile, on the other hand, it can be fun to cover a certain distance and see how long it takes. The "competitiveness" that many people inherently have, admittedly or not, is a wonderful motivator. The thinking goes something like this... "Can I do it? I wonder if I can I cover a mile in ___ minutes? I want to try and see!" Well, whatever it takes to motivate you, go for it! But that doesn't mean you have to do it day in and day out. For general fitness, I suggest giving yourself the green light to take that "test" to "see if you can do it" about once every three to five weeks. This may be just enough to help keep you motivated, without over-doing it.

Anyway, I'm happy to provide content for WVRR readers based on information I am aware of. Whether it's for a measured or unmeasured day, for motivation, for consistency, or just plain fun. Here it is.…

.75-MILE RIVERFRONT PARK LOOP

• Marked .75 loop begins near the "turn-around" with a marker that says "Start".
• Head south toward the amphitheater and there's another marker that says .25.
• Go around the globe and proceed north toward play area.
• Turn right at play area and see marker that says .5.

Head north past carousel continuing on sidewalk toward parking lot.

• Bear left on sidewalk bordering parking lot towards "turn-around" to .75 marker.
• TIP: Really cool map facing the river is located near Start of .75 Loop.

1-MILE RIVERFRONT PARK LOOP

• Starts near AC Gilbert house on Water Street and heads south toward the "turn-around."
• Follows the .75-mile loop, around globe, past carousel and toward parking lot.
• At parking lot, angle left toward "turn-around" back onto Water Street.
• Head north on Water Street and finish near AC Gilbert House.
• TIP: Unmarked route

LARGER RIVERFRONT PARK LOOP

A larger loop uses Water Street sidewalks heading north from AC Gilbert House.

• Go right on Union Street and right behind power station.
• Head north onto sidewalk behind AC Gilbert Discovery Village to parking lot north of main park.
• Go through parking lot toward carousel, reversing the .75 Mile loop around globe.
• At "turn-around" head north on Water Street sidewalk back to AC Gilbert House.
• TIP: Loop is un-measured but estimated at approximately 1.3 Miles.

If anyone has measured it, please feel free to send an addendum.