The marathon training helped. Well, that and a couple of virtual marathons in the early-2020s. One doesn’t cover 26.2 unrepeated miles without getting a little creative. I also got to know many of the streets, sidewalks, and paths in the area at a much slower pace while campaigning for Borough Council. And then, of course, during the early days of the COVID-19 Pandemic when we couldn’t do much of anything… I walked. A lot.

All these miles have been on my mind lately. I’m just getting back into running. The weather is sufficiently spring enough (for me) to tear myself away from the climate-controlled cocoon surrounding the treadmill. That’s a huge help. More than that, though, I’ve only been recently reunited with my passion for running and the discipline it added to my life.

The 38+ miles of bike and shared use paths we have all over the Centre Region make it easy to cover some distance. I’ve racked up more miles than I would care to count running the limited number of approved 5K routes on campus. The most fun, though, has come from a few hidden treasures I’ve discovered along the way.

Pictured from left to right: Cairns Crossing, Covered Bridge, and the Secret Path

Accessible just off Gas Light Circle (yes, a real street), Cairns Crossing offers you a quick hit of solitude. A descending slope of sidewalk leads to a maintained grass path and wooden footbridge that follows Spring Creek for just about a quarter of a mile. Surrounded on both sides by private property, it gives rebellious explorer vibes while having the benefit of being a College Township Park. I highly recommend the path for a walking meditation.

A little bit further down Spring Creek, an unexpected covered bridge path adds a bit of excitement to any run or walk. For those who enjoy an out-and-back without having to just turn around at the end of your end, this path bridges (ha!) the gravel path extension running alongside the athletic fields to the shared use path you can pick up on the playground side. The big loop adds about half a mile to any walk or run. It gives a pinch of “my life is a movie” energy.

At the end of Grace Street, just off of one of the neighborhood’s three roundabout cul-de-sacs, you’ll find an unsuspecting sidewalk that leads to a hedge row of trees. I discovered it on one of those walks where I had nothing but time to explore, meander, and discover. It won’t get you much distance. It’s less than a tenth of a mile from there to Crabapple Drive (at Barley Way), and vice versa. But, for a moment, you’ll be transported to being a kid again – the possibilities of an uncharted secret path giving you a little boost to keep going.

Pictured: Musser Greenway Trail

And, if you need a minute to put it all in perspective, there’s nowhere better in town than the Musser Greenway Trail. The trail connects Whitehall Road to Route 45 and beyond to the Musser Gap Trailhead. Originating at the soon-to-open Whitehall Road Regional Park, this trail navigates some of Penn State’s property in the area. Most of the path features rotating crops, but a more thoughtfully developed ecological area quickly calms the spirit. Well, except the 15% grade that awaits you. You won’t believe this path is just minutes from everything and feels like it’s at the center of it all.

I have learned so much about State College by exploring it on foot. Good days, and bad. These spots, though, have always been a bit of magic that keep me going. That’s State College really – a mix of reliable and traditional with a splash of magic when you need it.

Dan Murphy is rediscovering what State College means to him after calling the area home for over a decade. His writing explores the elusive life part of work-life balance.