AUGUST 25, 2016 // 11
G
The Astoria Social Running Club meets Tues-
day afternoons and organizes its informal, so-
cial runs in a Facebook group.
cool breeze from the water. Accessibility makes
the Riverwalk ideal for any time of day when
wanting to go for a quick run, whether you’re in
Uniontown, downtown or even in Alderbrook.
Traveling back and forth on the pavement
might get old, and it’s good to mix it up. The
surface a person runs on is just as important
as the scenery surrounding them. For runners
wanting to get to a real running trail, Lewis and
Clark National Historical Park is only a short
drive away. The trail system in the historic park
allows runners to take well-marked paths or
create their own course as they go by linking
together different sections.
Seasoned runners should try the Fort to Sea
Trail, which starts at Fort Clatsop and will have
them jumping over roots and traveling along
cattle farms before they are spit out at Sunset
Beach in Warrenton. The entire route out and
back is over 12 miles, but trail trafic is fairly
light and runners can expect to only come
across occasional hikers and wild rabbits.
Andrew Fick, the head cross country coach
at Astoria High School, makes it a point to get
out to the surrounding parks in order to mix it
up and get a variation while running.
“It’s like a mini vacation for an hour. I love
that you can ind places to really run fast or
places to just stretch out and get lost. And all
Runners compete a race before the Astoria Regatta Grand Land Parade in downtown Astoria.
Jim Cooley, second from right, checks his watch and stretches before beginning a run with
members in the Astoria Social Running Club. The group meets Tuesday evenings in front of
Fort George Brewery.
right in our backyard,” he said.
A large part of the coach’s job involves
getting new runners out with the team. This can
be dificult because many high schoolers even
dread running the mile in P.E. class. The young
coach explained that between wanting to be
with their friends or racing competitively there
are a multitude of reasons why kids join the
high school’s cross country team.
“I usually try to meet people where they are at
and help them connect with their reason for run-
ning,” said Fick. “Lots of reasons for people to run,
sometimes it’s just about making those connections.
Coaches and motivators like Fick are harder
to ind once you get out of school, but there is
a local group that can help you make your own
connection to running right in Astoria.
Whether you’re looking for friends to push
you in your training or just want to start jogging
for the irst time ever, the Tuesday night social
run in Astoria makes exercising a little less
painful and a lot more fun. There are no mem-
bership fees or attendance sheets; the runners
simply plan the event on the Facebook group
“Just Run Bike Swim Astoria.” The group
meets on Tuesday evening in front Fort George
Brewery on Duane Street.
The social running club is a mixed-aged
group that varies from members just trying to
get in shape and others who are training for tri-
athlons. They welcome anyone who just wants
to get out and go.
“I think people are just intimidated to come
out because they think they have to run fast,”
said Nancy Frederick. Having run her whole
life, the third grade teacher looks forward to the
weekly group runs and is training for a 50K.
Some members move away and others
might only come once, but the group is always
looking for more people to join and welcomes
anyone who might be the slightest bit interested
to get involved.
The key to keeping the runs fun is the
reward. Once everyone’s returned and stretched
out, the group goes into the brewery to recharge
with liquid carbs. “Oh, always a beer after,”
said Frederick.