The Joy of Running in Tyler State Park

Editor’s Note: David Chapek, a senior economics major, shares what happened when he went running on one of Tyler State Park’s many trails. 

By DAVID CHAPEK/Contributor

There are a lot of great things about living in East Texas, but diverse scenery is not one of them. Pick a road to drive down, and – in my experience – you’ll find nondescript trees, houses, and more trees. After a while, it all blends together.

Recently, I started road-running to train for a race this spring. Normally, lack of interesting scenery doesn’t bother me in the slightest. As I have recently discovered, however, when my calves are cramping and my lungs are burning, a little scenery goes a long way in helping me toward the finish line.

When a friend recommended running on the trails at Tyler State Park, skeptical though I was, I decided to check this out. After all, life had been pretty boring as of late. I could use an adventure.

AN INTERESTING RUN

At the park’s entrance off FM 14 north of Tyler, I turn onto a long, winding road that reminds   me of a long country driveway. Trees staunchly guarded each side, graciously allowing the sun to filter through to light up the way.

My spirits rise as I drive by a lone runner – maybe the trails would prove an adventure after all.

When I find the entrance to the trail that runs along the banks of the park’s lake, I park, pull out my earbuds, and – after nearly faceplanting over a tree root – begin the 2-mile route around the lake.

Right away I know I am in for an interesting run.

Tree roots stick out in every possible direction along the path, testing my agility.
After a few minutes, I reach a flat stretch across a grassy land bridge. I know I have come to the right place. On my right, I can see all the way across to the far side of the lake, which gives way to the trees that stretched up to the clear sky.

ENCOUNTERING OTHERS

Eventually I reach the halfway point, where a couple families are enjoying the day. One is
walking alongside the water, while the other prepares to swim to a dock a short way out from land.

“It’s cold!” the youngest daughter exclaims, dipping her toe ever so slightly into the shallow water.

After pausing to take in the scene – certainly not because I am tired – I press on. Across a small wooden bridge, up a slope, across another bridge, and down a small hill, all the while dodging tree roots from below and low-hanging branches from above.

Aside from two couples I pass, the trail is not being used. I take out my earbuds, and hear the distinct sound of the wind rustling through the trees overhead.

Well, that and my panting.

I detoured around a large branch that has fallen across the path, and a few turns later I arrive back at my car.

I don’t have time to run the entire trail again, so instead I drive around to where I had seen the families earlier. Choosing one of the benches next to the water, I sit down to
watch the water for a few minutes. A few people mill about briefly, but for the most part, I am alone to appreciate the beauty.

NOT SO BLAND

Maybe East Texas isn’t all that bland – I just have to look in the right places, like this one.

As I was getting up to leave, I bump into Rebecca and Andy, a young couple eating their lunch by the lake. Celebrating Rebecca’s birthday, they had driven here from Dallas. We briefly exchange thoughts about our favorite things about the park.

“The weather is great and, I think, the landscape view – the lake and the trees,” Andy tells  me.

Even though they had never been to Tyler State Park, Andy and Rebecca have been to other state parks throughout Texas, Arkansas and Colorado.

“There’s a whole bunch of different varieties of trees in quite a small area,” Rebecca says of the park. “Seeing the sun come through the dappled foliage is pretty picturesque.”

When I mentioned I have been running on a park trail, Andy asks if I had “bit the dust” over any tree roots.

Yes, I admit, they certainly make trail running a lot more interesting, to say the least.

But hey, I had come looking for an adventure, hadn’t I?