I've lived in Ocean Park for 3 years now and in the White Rock area for 6. Ever since we've been here, Steve and I have done everything we can to make the best workouts out of our beautiful surroundings. Today I'm going to share with you one of our favourite longer jogs, the Ocean Park to Crescent Beach Jog. Be forewarned, this workout can take you anywhere from 1-3+ hrs depending on your fitness level. There are stairs and big hills involved, as well it is about 8-10k round trip. Keep in mind that Steve and I like a challenge, so we usually run the whole time with just a small break at Blackie Spit to let the dog run around for a bit off-leash. Walk whenever you need to if you're not feeling totally up to running the whole time.
You can park your car in the Safeway parking lot on the corner of 128th Street and 16th Avenue. Start off with a brisk walk heading west on 16th Avenue, down the hill. By the time you get to the bend at the bottom of the road, start into your jog north up Ocean Park Road, being mindful that you're still warming those joints up. You're going to follow this road lined with estates I can only dream of (the spanish-style on on the west side of the road is my FAVOURITE!). Side note: Steve and I usually walk down this road in the evening after work, as it keeps us focused and motivated to keep working hard!
By the time we get to 18th Avenue we speed up to a sprint. I aim to keep my pace all the way to 20th Avenue and then slow it back down to a jog. At 22nd Ave we turn it back into a sprint all the way to 24th Ave. Once you make it to 24th, take a left and head towards the beach. You'll find a set of stairs at the very end of the road that lead down to a rocky beach. I usually jog all the way down the stairs right to the beach, and then do 3 sets of the metal stairs before continuing north along the rocky shore.
Once you get to the beach, please remember that it IS indeed rocky so you must really pay attention and take care not to twist an ankle.
At this point you should be able to see Crescent Beach up to the north of the stairs. Once you cross the small creek, continue your jog along the scenic beach pathway. Depending on the time of year it is it can be quite busy. Also, in the off-season you're allowed to bring along your four-legged friends! If your pup isn't allowed, you can detour off the path right at the beginning, over to O'Hara Lane. Either way you end up going, you'll end up at Blackie Spit. This is where Steve and I usually let Kuma off her leash at one of the two dog parks. There's a washroom over by the tennis courts and sailing club if you need it also.
Once you're ready to start the trip back to the Safeway parking lot, you will head out of the parking lot at Blackie Spit to McBride Avenue, and take a left on Sullivan Street. Follow this all the way to the slight left onto Crescent Road and get ready for a nasty hill to climb! It's got quite the elevation, and it's probably about 0.75km before you'll reach 128th Street. By now those quadriceps are probably feeling that hill, so take a right and head south down 128th Street at a nice slow jog. Once you recover you can pick up your speed again.
If you're really spent and just want to make it back to Safeway at this point, feel free to keep on your southern path down 128th. You'll make it to Safeway in no time! If you want to make it a bit longer of a trek, take 128th Street until you get to 24th Ave. Head west down 24th again, and take a left down 124th Street. This will turn into Ocean Park Road. You can follow this all the way back to 16th Ave, performing the same sprints you did for every 2 blocks just like at the beginning of your run.
Finish off with your triumphant run up the 16th Ave hill, and once you reach the 4 way stop you're done! Walk back to your car to cool down, and end your trip with a good 5-10min long stretch.
I LOOOVE this run, and I hope you do too! Please let me know if you have any questions. If you can't see the picture I included please contact me!
(click on the picture to make it bigger)
Yours in fitness and health,
Jenn
www.oceancitymobilefitness.com
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