Runners hit the training trail near Sisters

Marathon training requires long months of building up mileage in preparation for the 26.2-mile test of endurance.

Incorporating long training runs into the regimen that are unique in some way helps runners to avoid "staleness" in the last month or two of training.

Here in Sisters country the best solution is a wilderness run.

Deirdre Kanzig, her buddy Susan Fullhart, along with David Carlson and Rochelle Curtis, who are all entered in this month's Portland Marathon, put this theory into practice on Labor Day with an early morning adventure that began 1.1 miles from the Park Meadow Trailhead near Three Creeks Lake and ended on the Cascade Lakes Highway at the Green Lakes Trailhead.

This particular course is about 15 miles.

The group parked along Three Creeks Road near the sign announcing the Park Meadow Trailhead and warmed up on the 1.1 miles up the road to the actual trailhead.

From the trailhead, the path through thick forest remains level with a quite a bit of gentle downhill for the first three or four miles which is a great way to start a long run. The first real payoff of the run comes at Park Meadow which offers an incredible view of Broken Top and South Sister.

The trail leads back into the woods and the climb up to the saddle between Broken Top and South Sister begins, giving the runners a good mid-run challenge that includes a handful of switchbacks.

From the high point of the run, just past the halfway point, the views of all the Central Oregon Cascades are breathtaking, providing an excellent place for a drink of water and a quick mouthful of sports gel.

The descent toward Green Lakes is welcome.

The grayish lava fields to the southwest provide a lovely contrast to the lush vegetation on the other side of the lakes.

The path joins Fall Creek as it tumbles down waterfall after waterfall for the next three miles or so toward the end of the run.

The sights and sounds of creating by the water add a sense of refreshment in the final stretch. The Fall Creek section of the trail is heavily used, but well maintained, and provides an excellent running surface. The meandering of the creek means a number of crossings on stout log bridges, which add to the attractiveness of the course. The last half-mile pulls away from the creek and the run concludes in the parking lot at the Green Lakes Trailhead.

"This is a run that never has a dull moment," said Susan Fullhart. "Each section includes either a challenge or some scenery that can't be ignored. I will never forget the beauty of all the mountain peaks when we were up at the very top."

Wilderness runs are a great way to spice up training even though they require a bit more preparation and caution. Permits should be filled out at trailheads both as a courtesy to the U.S. Forest Service that monitors trail use and to record your plans in the event someone gets lost.

Runners are urged to carry water and other basic survival gear as well as a map of the route being taken. Late summer and early fall are fairly safe weather-wise, but it is better to be safe than sorry.