Rave Run: Tigertail Beach

My grandparents live on Marco Island in southern Florida, so we annually make the long drive down there. Usually, we make the journey for Christmas or Spring Break and avoid them pesky hurricanes.

As it turns out, autumn is a great time for the tropics. The gulf water is wonderfully warm, and you don’t have to deal with all of the annoying tourists.

While we were down in the Sunshine State, I made it out for a few runs. I’ve always loved running on the beach, and it’s especially soothing when you’ve got the entire waterfront to yourself (save for a few seagulls, sandpipers and cranes).

We started our runs at the tip of Tigertail Beach and headed south on the sand and cruised through Resident’s Beach to the tip of the island.

The fall weather brings nightly showers to paradise, and it really works in the favor of runners. The white powdery sand is conveniently packed down and easier to navigate in the morning.

Another bonus of damp sand? You can study your footprints (or in my case, shoe prints). Recently, I’ve become much more in tune with my gait and running form, and the beach is a great place to analyze this. If you get the chance to run the beach, take a gander. The sand doesn’t lie, so take a look back at the prints you leave behind. You might be surprised.

My favorite part about running on the beach is shutting down the headphones and letting the ocean provide the soundtrack. Sometimes, Mother Nature really gets it right. Needless to say, I’m relaxed and happy. Thanks, Tigertail Beach. — Aidz