Based on a wholly unscientific survey, with a sample size of one, here are my top alternatives to the dreadmill and the ice encrusted arctic wastes, blown by bone chilling winds.
No. 5 - Muscatine Y, 1/16 mile BANKED track. About 20 years ago, a well known architect/engineering firm in Muscatine designed the local Y. Why, oh, why did they put in a banked track? As I work for said firm, I asked the now retired architect who designed the place. "I don't know, we hired an expert." Like leisure suits, the banked track and associated aches and pains went out a while ago. Makes a treadmill start looking really good IMHO. Don't forget to change direction on alternating days of the week.
No. 4 - Downtown Davenport Y, 1/14 mi elevated indoor track. Two spacious lanes wide. Agility training while you dodge walkers. Definite earbud territory as the neighbors talk loudly at the nearby basketball games. Quite an engineering feat suspended from the ceiling. Alternating cold and hot air from either broken windows or interesting HVAC system.
No. 3 - Blackhawk College, 200 m, 1/8 mi 4 lane track. Hidden under the gym in the same building (Building No. 3) as the pool. Described by females as "dark and creepy." It's just eco-friendly electric light savings. As best as I can tell, free to use. As long as you can dodge the surplus office furniture and the stored athletic equipment. Never have seen anyone use this track when I have.
No. 2 - Bettendorf Fitness, 200 m concrete surface track. But, it's painted concrete. So much softer than ordinary concrete. At least everyone goes the same direction. A bit hard on the knees of the master's runner. Sharp turns. Modest weekend crowds. Somewhat steep $8 admission for day pass.
No. 1 - Pepsico Center, Augustana Colllege. 6 lanes of artificial surfaced, 200 m goodness. Unfortunately, there is the late morning 'college student' schedule opening on weekends (9 am Sat, 11 am Sun). And those college student athletes think they have a right to their own track from 4-6:30 pm weeknights. Other than that, not much to dislike. My favorite. College students don't keep consistent lane direction either. Cost is either $3 per use or, $5 per use, seemingly based on how much the student desk clerk is feeling the burden of student loans.
-Larry
2 comments:
I love this, only an engineer could write an article like this, an geek like me to enjoy it.
JayRip
I have heard that there are ninjas running around that track in Muscatine, so keep that in mind if you choose that one!!
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