(photos) Lovely tide pools. Bird and crashing wave.
The mother load of coral.
Trail skimming past mansion hurricane devasted property.
Termite nest near mangroves.
Rocky section near mansion.
For me, there has always been a disconnect between the romantic image of beach running and the reality of actually doing it. If I can find a rare beach with hard packed sand to run on, then perhaps, an actual productive run is possible. But even then, I get easily bored running on along a flat, straight line--and then back again along the same damn flat, straight line. I guess I must be a high maintenance beach runner because not only do I want remotely runable terrain, but varied as well, and with some bends and roll and surprises along the way.
On a recent trip to the Mayan Riviera in Mexico's Yucatan Peninsula, I found a beach front route, one I enjoyed so much I actually ran it on two different days. I have named it Four Points, because it stretches from the northern point of Soliman Bay north of Tulum to the southern point of Tanka Bay. The two-hour out-and-back route follows two sandy crescents, passing two additional points of land, and turns around at the nauseatingly posh resort Dreams. I did not venture to try, but I imagine they would refill your water bottle there, adding a slice of lime and a colorful paper umbrella.
There is a variety of footing along the route, hence the appeal--from hard packed sand to the miserable slogging variety, and also traverses over rocky sections, a patch of actual trail running through a grove of palm trees, weedy sections, horrifying garbage-riddled sections, and even expanses of limestone pocked with tide pools. For those who dare the sea to get their feet wet, or for those who don't mind running in soaked shoes, there is also, of course, the waterline. Such a tease, the sea. One moment it gives you a glimpse of hard-packed good running, and the next, it playfully hurls a wave at your feet. Don't expect to outsmart it. You WILL have at least one wet foot before the run is over.
There are actually a few wilder-feeling, undeveloped sections of beach between the various bays, and it is here you will find yourself marveling at the bounty of coral (the second largest reef in the world runs parallel to the shore), maritime birds, and the afore mentioned tide pools. It is bliss. Along the developed sections, you will pass workers diligently raking the beach in front of their respective properties (why?)--a variety of casitas, small hotels, grand villas, and opulent mansions. There are also seemingly abandoned properties, some damaged by the hurricane of two years ago, and others, by the economic downturn.
This is a route which some runners may find frustrating, but seasoned and determined trail runners, accustomed to tackling and embracing all kinds of terrain (read: shitty) will enjoy.
Bring a camera and a laid-back attitude, and enjoy the little surprises and adventure along this slice of sun-drenched coast north of Tulum, Mexico.
