Living In Las Cruces- Spring/Summer 2008

REST & RELAXATION

By Anela Borrego
Photography by Bill Faulkner

Whether you're cycling down Highway 28 (between Mesilla and La Mesa) --taking in the gorgeous views of the thousands of pecan trees and open fields that line the road or hiking up Baylor Pass, enjoying the solitude of nature -- Las Cruces is an awesome place to enjoy the great outdoors.

With more than 350 days of sunshine per year, beautiful scenic views in virtually every direction and terrain that practically calls to be appreciated and explored -- this area is truly an outdoor enthusiast's dream. Within a 100-mile radius from the heart of Las Cruces, locals have access to some of the most incredible hiking, biking and running trails the state has to offer. It's no wonder why many avid and professional athletes love to call Las Cruces home. Whether you're an extreme athlete or just someone who'd like to explore some different fitness options, the Southern New Mexico region is a great place to take your exercise out of the gym and into the splendor of the great outdoors.

Places to ride>>
There are two good reasons to ride a bike in the Mesilla Valley -- good weather and quiet farm roads. There are not a lot of hills here, but they can be found. Some popular rides include taking University Avenue up to Soledad Canyon (just follow the asphalt until it stops (this includes a great climb). For a more leisurely route, take Highway 28 south out of Mesilla and through the pecan orchards (this will take you all the way to El Paso if you are up for it). Calle del Norte, in front of The Bean in Mesilla will lead to Picacho, then take a left on Picacho, up a short hill, and follow the signs to the Las Cruces Airport. At that point, you can go as far as you like. For the braver, stronger riders out there, ride to or park at the Del Rey exit off Highway 70, go over San Augustine Pass, then midway through the desent on the other side, turn right into Aguirre Springs. This is probably the most picturesque riding around and the hills are short but steep.

Places to race>>
Tour of the Gila, the Tour del Paso, the Hillsboro Road Race, the Juarez Stage Race and more. Check out www.nmcycling.org. Places to get the gear: Both Outdoor Adventures (Missouri and Solano) and Ride-on Sports (Telshor Avenue), have an assortment of road and mountain bikes.

For a newbie>>
If you are going to go for longer rides, you will want to buy some shorts with built-in padding in the crotch. Also, you will need to carry spare tubes, tire pries and a pump (and know what to do with them when you get a flat). Avoid high traffic areas. Ride with traffic. Stay hydrated and keep some sugary snacks onhand in case your blood sugar starts to drop. Mostly, just ride.

Safety tips>>
You don't need to shave your legs quite yet, but a helmet is a must. Wear bright clothing. Also, don't get hit by a car. It is the law that bicycles follow the same street laws as cars (cars, to all you drivers out there, are supposed to give a bike at least 5 feet of clearance -- which is also the law that too few seem to follow or get ticketed for). The biggest danger is not being seen by
motorists. So stay off the sidewalks, don't run stop signs/lights and do what you would do if you were in a car (assuming that you don't talk on your phone or cat nap while driving). Unless you have lights, don't ride when the sun is going down or when it is dark.

To make it a group thing>>
The best way to get into the sport is to find a nice group ride. To do so, checkout www.bike.meetup.com/cities/us/nm/las_cruces/

FOR THE DISTANCE RUNNER

Places to run>>
In the Las Cruces area some of the best places to run are along the canals or ditch banks. Running up towards "A" Mountain is also great. The ridge that is found behind the businesses on Telshor Boulevard is also a nice trek. It is important to run on non-pavement surfaces as much as possible -- it's much easier on your joints and you'll decrease your chances of injury.

Places to race>>
The Rio Grande Marathon, El Paso Marathon, Bataan Memorial Death March and many others that take place nationwide—for the runner/ travelers out there. For additional regional race information check out www.runelpaso.com or www.riograndemarathon.com and for national marathon information check out www.marathonrookie.com.

Places to get the gear>>
Up and Running (3233 N. Mesa, El Paso, TX) and online at www.roadrunnersports.com (great shoes at a great price). The one thing every runner should invest in is quality pair of shoes -- they can make all the difference in terms of how enjoyable and comfortable your runs are. You want your running shoes to be a half to a whole size larger than your regular street shoes; your foot expands by almost 10 percent when it heats up.

For the newbie>>
Worry about time not distance. Go out slow and taper off. It's all about how much time you put in. Never increase your distance or time by more than 10 percent very two weeks. Run no more than four days a week. Try to have a rest day between each of your run days -- you body needs time to recover. On your rest days you can incorporate different types of training such as Yoga (which is great for overall flexibility) and strength and endurance training. Most importantly, when you're running, simply enjoy the time.

Safety Tips>>
Run only during daylight hours -- preferably in the mornings whenever possible. Traffic seems to be significantly less during the morning hours. Run facing traffic and be extremely cautious when running near moving vehicles.

To make it a group thing>>
Check out www.teamintraining.org.