Note: If you’re interested in mountain biking in Fantasy Island for the first time, check out this post!
Ever notice how running on the pavement gets so boring? No? Me neither. Running has never been my strong point. I don’t set out to beat others ahead of me. I don’t strive to leave other runners in my dust. Instead, I run (sometimes jog) to stay fit and feel my blood start pumping.
It’s exhilarating but it’s also exhausting. Sometimes, a little extra motivation is needed to get out the door. For that extra push, I sign up for races.
Recently, I took a leap and signed up for my first trail running race.
Living in Vail, we have the prime location to train for runs in the rocky, sandy desert. One place that seems like a good starting point is Fantasy Island.
Training in Fantasy Island
The other night, I ran Fantasy Island for the first time. I have mountain biked there plenty, but never run. A lot of people don’t use Fantasy Island for running. In over a year of going to this park, I have only seen two runners. I’ve seen countless bikers.
Still, it seemed like a good place to start for a few reasons.
- It’s flat.
- You can choose to run a short distance or a long distance.
- It’s beautiful.
- It’s an excellent introduction to off-road running.
From the first few steps on the trail, I was hooked. The ups, downs, twists, turns, and occasional pits of sand were enough to keep the run interesting and fun. Pretty soon I had run 4.5 miles and climbed only 74 feet. It felt like less.
If you’re interested in starting to trail run, or if you’re just looking to give Fantasy Island a try on foot for the first time, here are a few tips.
1. Start South.
There are two entrances to Fantasy Island. One is South along Valencia. The other is North along Irvington.
The Irvington entrance puts you on steep, rocky trails with lots of rolling hills. That might be an excellent place to train but it’s not recommended for beginners.
Start by going through the Valencia entrance on the bunny trail. This will give you a good, flat, but fun trail to run for your first time. About 2 miles from Valencia, you have the option to go straight, turn left, or turn around. Turn around and you’ll run about 4 miles. Turn left and you’ll run 4.5 miles. Go straight and you’ll find more trails, including an equally flat and windy Rez Loop (about 6 miles round trip) or a steeper, hillier, rockier trail called Fire Loop (about 7.5 miles round trip).
2. Follow the Bike Tracks.
If you don’t like running in the deep sand (who does?), follow the bike tracks. This will give you the flattest and most comfortable place to run.
Bikes often take corners quickly pushing the sand to the outside of the turns. By running along the bike tracks, you’re more likely to run on the harder, more compact dirt.
There is only one sand ditch, close to the end of the trail, where you’ll have to drudge through the deep sand for a few steps. No amount of biking will ever level that out.
3. Ditch the Earphones.
Speaking of bikes, it’s up to you to be aware of them coming up behind you. There are many mountain bikers in Fantasy Island at all times of the day. Keep your earphones and music at home so that you can hear when they’re on your tail. Move to the side of the trail or off the beaten path to let them pass.
4. Bring Water.
There isn’t a water station, hole, or facility anywhere in Fantasy Island. Bring your own water and nutrition (if you plan to be out there for more than an hour) so that you stay adequately hydrated.
5. Watch Your Step.
Even though Fantasy Island is located in the middle of town, you’re still running with the wildlife. There are cows, coyotes, and lots of jack rabbits. This makes for fun scenery but don’t let it distract you to the point where you’re not watching your step.
Fantasy Island is home to many types of snakes, Gila monsters, and insects. These critters love to hang out on the trail or next to the trail. Be careful where you step!
You’ll also want to watch your step for rocks. As with any type of trail run, you’re more prone to rolling an ankle or hurting your foot by stepping on uneven terrain. Keep an eye out on the trail for small risks.
Bonus: You’ll Hear Sounds From the Air Force Base Next Door.
If you hear gunshots, chances are you don’t need to duck and hide. They’re probably coming from Davis-Monthan Air Force Base.
If you run in the morning or at dusk, chances are you’ll also hear the reverie and the Star Spangled Banner. As you can see, I slowed down at the end of my run because it was closing time on base and the music started playing. It was an interesting and unique sound for a trail run!
Here’s a glimpse at my Strava recording for the run. This will give you a flavor of what you can expect on your first run in Fantasy Island – especially if you’re a beginner like me!
Another Bonus: Go at Sunset
See that picture above? I took that at the end of my run. It’s a beautiful way to take in the bright colors of our Arizona sky.
Enjoy!
Have you ever jogged through Fantasy Island? What other tips do you have for beginners?
