This past Friday, after setting up our ambassador booth at the Chelmsford Radisson for the Baystate Marathon and Half Marathon and seeing the excited (and some nervous!) runners check in to pick up their race packets and prepare for Sunday’s race, my mind raced back to 3 years ago when that excited (and mainly nervous) runner was me, just days away from my first half marathon. This nostalgia inspired me to go back to my car and rather than head home, lace up my sneakers (that may I add, I always leave in my backseat so I can never have an excuse) and head to the nearby Bruce Freeman Trail for a run.
The Bruce Freeman Trail follows the route of the former Framingham and Lowell Railroad, beginning at the Lowell/Chelmsford city line near Cross Point. From there, it travels nearly 7 miles, passing through Lowell, Chelmsford and Westford. This paved, flat and beautifully scenic trail provides a great route for runners, walkers, bikers and inline-skaters. Along the way there are beautiful vistas to stop and take in natures serenity, bird watch, or savor the peace and quiet. Open year round, with a number of public parking locations, public restrooms, and places to stop for a bite to eat or even reward yourself with an ice cream along the way you can experience the beauty of each New England season for yourself.
While I still run almost daily, it is runs like this that remind me why I love this pastime. The Bruce Freeman Trail is the only run that I willingly do without headphones. It allows me time to reflect after a long day and take in the beauty that surrounds me. So go grab your sneakers and head over to the Bruce Freeman Trail to experience it for yourself. To download a copy of the trail map, click here!
Until our next adventure…
-Courtney