Detroit

My folks were raised in Michigan and I visit there quite frequently. It is a beautiful state full of trees and big lakes. Although the weather is a little sketchy, running Michigan should definitely be on your to do list.

Detroit is the largest city in Michigan as well as the eleventh largest city in the nation. It is also home to some amazing running/walking routes full of beautiful views and tough terrain. Below are a few of Detroit’s best and safest places to run.

Best Places to Run in Detroit

1. Belle Isle Park (Beautiful Island Park): Located close to the hub of downtown and full of many miles of trails and paths. The park is near America’s busiest inland waterway that provides breathtaking views of Detroit, Canada, and the Ambassador Bridge.
   

On Thanksgiving, I will be surrounded by 40-50 family members. After we share our feast from appetizers to desserts, several of us will find a spot in front of the television to watch football and doze through commercials. Although I would like to see the Lions hand the Titans another loss (I am a true blue Colts fan!), surrendering to “turkey-daze” is part of the holiday, right? It is commonly believed that the tryptophan in turkey induces sleepiness; however, there is more to our holiday drowsiness than this one chemical.

Tryptophan is one of ten amino acids that the body cannot manufacture on its own and must be supplemented through diet. Tryptophan aids in the production of the B-vitamin niacin which then assists the body’s production of serotonin. Serotonin helps us regulate mood, aggression, anxiety, impulsiveness, body temperature, appetite, and sleep. However serotonin cannot cross the blood brain barrier, meaning we cannot create more serotonin in our bodies.