Running around Huddersfield

Before you read on…

Just a little disclaimer before I kick this thing off; I am not a pro-runner or even a good runner probably. I run every morning, yet I’m certain if you asked a professional runner about my form, technique or even my running gear, they’d probably point out a thousand things I’m doing wrong. For the past month I’ve been running with a hole in my shoe, which at this time of year is dangerously close to giving me trench foot. New shoes are imminent. However, the one thing I might have going for me is that I’ll run anywhere, and since moving to Huddersfield that’s exactly what I’ve done. I’ve always tried to run near-ish to where I’m living and that’s what led me to write this blog about my three best running locations, so hopefully no matter where you are in Huddersfield, one of these running locations is achievable for you.

Storthes Hall

If you’re a first-year student, chances are you may be residing in Storthes Hall Park. I had the privilege of staying here for my first year as an undergraduate student, and the beauty of Storthes Hall is that it is out of the way from the main town. Most of the roads I run on back home are lone country roads, so it was an easy transition when moving to Storthes. I used to run just down the road from my student accommodation, as I’ve poorly highlighted below:

This was about 2 miles according to the faulty second-hand Fitbit I owned at the time, so maybe take that with a pitch of salt on either side of that total. Still, there are plenty of other routes and detours you can take to make the run shorter or longer, depending on your ability. The best part of this running route for me was, apart from the occasional car (depending on when you run), was that it was just me out there, surrounded by fields and trees. I would highly recommend this route to anyone who wants to run outdoors, see some different surroundings and also stay near their homestead. 

Team Hud*

In my second and third year, I moved into a house near the town centre, with some of my mates I met at Storthes. Being 6 miles away from Storthes, my regular running route was no longer an option, so I decided to do something I’d never done before and join a gym. For anyone who knows me in person, the idea of me in a gym is almost laughable, but I must say the staff at Team Hud did make me feel very comfortable in these very new and alien surroundings. The gym for me was a whole new experience, because it was the first time I was introduced to a treadmill, with the only knowledge of a treadmill I had previous to this being videos of people flying off them at the speed of light. However, after a lot of fiddling about with the buttons and settings, I was eventually able to find a speed and elevation that felt somewhat similar to running outdoors. With the treadmills facing towards massive windows, it was almost just like running outdoors, except with the safety and warmth of the blissful indoors.

If you're living close to the University like I was, I would highly recommend the gym at Uni, not only for its excellent facilities, but it’s a great place to go between lectures to let off steam or even just to get your workout out of the way so you don’t have to worry about it when you get home. If you’re like me and can’t do maths to save your life, below is a website I used to convert my treadmill pace to running outdoors, as without the outdoor elements like wind, your pace varies drastically. This is all stuff I didn’t know until I went to the gym and the staff there gave me some tips. Like I said, I don’t really know anything about running: Hillrunner.com

*Please check the Team Hud webpage for the latest Covid-19 updates relating to opening restrictions.

Greenhead Park

After finishing my undergraduate studies and starting my Master's, me and a few fellow survivors moved to a smaller flat near Greenhead Park, which has quickly become my new favourite running route of them all. Not just because it’s a stone’s throw away from my house, but there are numerous different routes, distances and elevations you can run, and still remain in the park from start to finish. Granted, there may be a bit of overlap in your route, but I haven’t once complained about running by and admiring the pond a few times each run. 

With the whole park being about 1 mile long around the perimeter, you can easily pick and choose which routes to take. I did a 5k run in the park last week, and with my particular route (below) it took 5 laps to complete it (again according to some questionable technology, this time an app on my phone). I purposely chose a route which took me past the pond which is full of life (very loud ducks especially) and by the tennis courts which is a completely flat surface, to give me a break after the uphill incline near the pond. I would highly recommend Greenhead Park to anyone living in Huddersfield, just purely on its natural beauty and had I known about Greenhead in my second and third year, I would have gone there on most sunny days. Even if it’s not for a run, Greenhead is a great place to do anything from read a book, meet mates or even kick a football around.

Why run at all?

It’s a very valid question which I’m almost certainly not qualified enough to answer, but I’ll throw my two pence in anyway. Running isn’t for everyone, it's mostly just exhausting and sometimes painful. However, for me personally, it’s a way to start the day off productively and it’s a great way to make yourself feel better, mentally and physically. I’m a lot more alert, awake and stress-free on the days I run first thing, compared to the days I didn’t get chance to and I’m what can only be described as ‘cranky’. Even the days when I just slow jog no faster than a walk, I feel ten times better than if I hadn’t run at all. If anyone reading this is wanting a way to get fit, get more energy during the day, relieve stress or just have a new hobby, I couldn’t recommend running more. It helped me throughtout my undergraduate studies and now as I continue into my postgraduate studies. However, if you want to do more than run and actually get super fit and healthy, I recommend reading Mishti’s blog post who not only is certified in this area, but talks about how students can get fit while battling university schedules and student budgets.

If you have any questions about the places I’ve talked about, running in general or just want to chat about your course or how uni is going, I’m easily reachable on Unibuddy. I’m more than happy to talk about anything. Or, you can talk to any of our other lovely students, who are just as happy to help.