Something Worth Sharing: Santa Rosa Spring Lake Par Course

Have you ever been to a park and noticed a sign with a picture of someone exercising and wondered what it was? You usually find them alongside a jogging trail and see joggers ignoring them as if they were somehow an interruption to a good workout. Fitness is not measured in miles. Not everybody is a long distance jogger. Take a moment and explore a par course the next time you go to a park and are looking for a bit of exercise. There is jogging involved, but you'll have more time to catch your breath, get a well rounded workout, and meet other people you wouldn't normally be able to if you were jogging the whole time. And, well, if you only walk when you are at the park, you may not be getting the degree of fitness you should be. The course offers 3 levels of fitness by suggesting a number of each exercise to perform and you may want to start at the beginner level to build your confidence and stamina. So here is a photo blog virtual walk through of the Par Course located at Spring Lake in Santa Rosa, California.

The Start. Its located at the top of the hill by the park firewood cutting and storage area on the West side of Spring lake. This is along the path to the campground, aka Spring Lake Trail. There ought to be a bike rack here, but there isn't so you may have to improvise unless you park at the restrooms. There is car parking though oddly. The sign is hidden by a tree, and faces the fire wood storage shed. Here we go!

The Start. It tells you which stations to start running or jogging.

Take a deep breath, and walk to the first station on your right.

Jumping Jacks! I reserve the clapping as optional, don't tell my daughter.

Walk down the trail the next station.

Toe Touches! You will be admired, not admonished for doing this in public. Feel the burn!

Mosey on down to the next station. Note the very large water tanks on your right. Be thankful!

Take a deep breath and kick. Think of it as toe touches in mid air. I tend to not hop. WTH I'm not a chorus girl!

Stifle your embarrassment and make your way down to the next station.

This is a very common runners stretch. Now you get to do it. Lots of leg stuff coming up.

Park overview map next to station 4

Make a right at station 4 or you'll end up in Howarth Park! Walk to the next station. I usually run this part.

I call this the frog hop for the benefit of my kids. More than a little silly when performed but definitely involves the whole body. Don't get too lax or you'll trip up.

RUN! Okay just jog. You'll be doing this a lot so what's the hurry, right?

This takes a little coordination to do as instructed, but the idea is to do a step up and a step down with each leg individually before you count the next repetition.

Jog on over to the next station. Enjoy the view.

This is a good one. If you have any upper body injuries you'll feel them. Getting ready for some upper body work.

Downhill... much better.

This is an interesting one. I think it's a form of torture in some countries. Bonus points if you actually hold your arms out in front of you.

Horse crossing. Beware. Jog with caution.

Coming around the bend to the dreaded...

CHIN UPS! Ha ha ha, you thought this was going to be easy. Remember, palms out. We're not doing pull-ups here. Buck up and do them quickly before someone sees you struggling!

You made a concerted effort on those chin ups right? ' thought so. Wipe the sweat off your brow and jog to the next station please.

This is another slightly silly maneuver. Difficult enough. You'll be better at one side than the other but the angle will keep you from going around in a circle. Ignore the picnic going on behind you and keep up the pace. Don't get lazy or you'll skin your shins!

Hoof it all the way down to the next station beyond the swimming hole. Don't take the blind bridge shortcut. Stay on the trail.

More toe touches? Yes. They're good for you, and you can catch your breath. You probably just dodged multiple bicyclists, dogs, toddlers, old people, couples, and geese, all at a jogging pace.

Least used section of trail. EVERYbody uses the shortcut across the bridge. Now don't you feel exceptional? I mean, besides being one of the few people in the world to run the Spring Lake Par Course?

Beautiful extra 1/4 mile of trail. Keep at it.

Progress indicator.

The next station. Sit ups. Now you see where everybody taking the shortcut comes out.

Pick a comfortable spot on the log, take a deep breath and get to it! Exhale as you sit up, inhale as you lay back. Avoid holding your breath.

Water! My advice? Drink heavily. Unless you like warm sun baked plastic tasting water from a jug banging around from your waist, this is perfectly fine water.

Short jog to the next stop. Note the artsy memorial on the left.

Here's your opportunity to lose your keys. I suggest you empty your pockets first. Women should not attempt this wearing a skirt. Unless you're fine with that. Just a suggestion.

Another short jog brings you to...

A Classic. Pick a bar and start showing off.

Last jogging stretch. Great views of the lake.

A nice cool down maneuver. Keep your feet apart for more challenge.

Walk! Really, it's okay. Cool down. Wipe your brow. Check out the lake. Head across and up the parking lot to the next station.

To the parallel bars. This is easy enough, unless of course, it's not. Everybody's got there weakness.

Walk on up the hill to the right. Passed the restrooms. BTW, do you need to use the restroom? Well here you go.

Don't blink or you'll miss this one under the trees to the left of the road. It overlooks the meadow. Pick a bar and STRETCH!

Almost done. Keep going, there's a test.

Balance beam. If you can't do this you've overexerted yourself, or you're clumsy, which could be the case, or maybe you didn't put much effort into doing it. Toes in works best for me.


YOU DID IT!!! Thank you for participating in this virtual walk through of the Santa Rosa Spring Lake Par Course. I look forward to seeing you at the lake.