You know those runs where you’re flying through scenic trails, feeling strong, soaking in the crisp morning air? Yeah… that’s not how this training cycle went.
This winter, my training plan looked a little more like a hostage negotiation between me, my schedule, and the weather. Between work picking up, the kids’ sports calendar flipping faster than my GPS signal could keep up, and my refusal to run in anything below “mild hoodie weather,” the treadmill and I became very close friends. I didn’t even bother posting most of the runs to Strava. What’s the etiquette there, anyway? Do consistent treadmill miles get social media respect, or are they still considered the redheaded stepchild of training logs?
But even with fewer outdoor miles and more time pounding the plastic belt, I’m heading into the Shore 2 Shore 50k next weekend with genuine excitement.
Familiar Trails, Fresh Perspective
Last year, my wife Kelly and I tackled this race together, running from the South Shore to the North Shore. It was her first ultra, and we stuck together the entire way. There were moments when she wanted to drop down to the 25k, especially around mile 14, but we pushed through together, and crossing that finish line was an unforgettable experience for both of us. You can read about her journey here, and my recap is here.
This year, the course is flipped—North to South—which means new climbs, new descents, and a whole new way to discover just how many roots you can trip on in 32 miles. Kelly is running too, but she’s doing the 25k this year.
Even though I’m not chasing a PR, I’m chasing something better: enjoyment. I love how laid back this race is. The crew at Happily Running puts together events that feel more like a group trail adventure than a formal race. This is my third time running with them, and I keep coming back for a reason.
Course Overview
The Shore2Shore 50k is a point-to-point race that traverses the entire Suffolk County Long Island Greenbelt Trail, taking you from Sunken Meadow State Park on the North Shore to Heckscher State Park on the South Shore. The course offers a solid mixture of trails, roads, road crossings, and bike paths. While its flat-ish vibe might seem like a great way to lay down a PR, the varying terrain and safety considerations at road crossings make it a really great season warmup.
Most of the climbing is concentrated in the northern 10 miles of the course, with roughly 1,200 feet of elevation gain for the 50k. The trail is well-marked with white blazes on trees and poles from the Greenbelt Trail Organization, supplemented by pink flagging and arrows to guide runners from Happily Running Race Crews.
For a detailed look at the course, check out the Plotaroute map.
For Anyone Considering an Ultra…
Here’s the thing: You don’t need perfect training to toe the line. You don’t need to have every long run nailed. What you need is curiosity, a little grit, and the willingness to embrace the unknown, one aid station at a time.
Whether you’re thinking about signing up for your first 50k or you’re returning for round two like me, I promise it’s worth it. Not for the medal, not for the Strava kudos (treadmill runs or not), but for the experience of it all: the people, the trails, the moments where you surprise yourself.
And maybe a salt potato or two at the finish line.
See You Out There
If you’ve got thoughts on treadmill runs and whether they belong in your public training log, I’d love to hear them. Until then, I’ll be the guy enjoying the entire way from one shore to the other, grateful for every mile.
