Trail Running in Dallas Area

 where abouts you be??  Addison/carrollton/dallas ??  

Like you said arbor hill, there is a new trail in the colony by the lake,, but it's more of a wide dirt walking path than a true trail for most of it.   Look up DORBA  the dallas off road bike site, many of those trails are also running trails,

But I don't think there are ,many close to you ,

Other than Arbor Hills, Rowlett Creek Preserve(RCP) is the easiest most beginner friendly trail in the area. And it's not too far from you. Almost all dead flat. A few roots and hardly any rocks at all. Plus there are a ton of loops so it is very easy to make a run any length you need.

When you're ready for something a little tougher, try Erwin park in McKinney. It's a little tougher than RCP, more hills and roots and rocks. It is a singular big 8 mile loop though you do pass by the parking lot a time or two where you could cut it short.

As Gary said, use Dorba. They have trail conditions updated regularly. You're not going to find much open right now with all this rain we've had, and continue to get.

http://www.dorba2.com/

I came across this, its the site for the North Texas Trail Running club.  Their site has a list of trails on it, don't know if they are any good or not though.  I would love to stop pounding the pavement and take it back to the good ole cross country days.

http://www.nttr.org/

Erwin Park in McKinney is good for trail running.  It's a bike trail that goes thru fields and wooded areas.  Water fountains & restrooms are also at the park.  8.1 miles worth of trail with plenty of places to bail out if you don't want to run the whole 8.

I've run out there a few times.  The bikers are friendly and you can hear them well in advance to move to the side.

If you can make it down there, Cedar Ridge Preserve rocks. I think its a total of about 6 miles of trail running.

Thanks everyone!!!

I live & play in Addison and work in Carrollton. That's why I was looking primarily in the N Dallas area. Though, maybe I can do the trails that are far from my stomping grounds during the weekends. This is the most excited I've ever been about running, ha!

Hmm, hopefully I won't break my neck on my first trail run......I am pretty clutzy

Tania,
This summer, me and you (and whoever else) swim 1.5 miles across Grapevine lake then run back on the North Shore Trail to the start.  Seriously, I've done this.  We had a great time.  The swim isn't really "across' the lake.  It's more like swim along the shore and across a big cove.  We parked a car at the swim exit and had our shoes in the car.  Then drove to the other side where we started the swim.  The trail run back is about 4 miles.

BTW...that North Shore Trail is really nice.  It's worth the drive to Grapevine.

 I"d be up for that

You had me at "1.5 mile swim" I am totally game!

I didn't mean to hijack Tania's thread.  dgillen, kproudfoot and I did this swim/run last year (I believe).  Wore wetsuits and swam together keeping an eye on one another.  The funniest part was when we swam passed some fishermen in boats.  I stopped to look up and didn't realize I was probably 100' from them.  Told them I hoped I didn't mess up their fishing.  They said no, they were enjoying watching us swim by.

Sounds fun!!!!!

Add one more to the lets do it list. 

That does sound fun. Jen, I'll swim with you, although you're probably faster than I am.

if you guys don't mind, I'd like to tag along.  You all could practice drafting off of me!  hahaha  ( if you knew me, you'd think that was funny)

Now that sounds fun. Maybe we could run the entire north shore trail to make it even more exciting

 
I'll bring my bike and attempt to ride as fast as you run..  senor'

Count me in too Tommy. I do all my trail running down at the Cedar Ridge Nature Preserve. It is really techincal at parts but you can opt out of the super hard parts if you want too. Its worth the drive.