Schunnemunk Hill Training

I find that while there is plenty of resources for beginner hikes for around the NYC area, there is barely anything for trail runners or hikers looking to train.  I'll be starting to post some of the workouts I created.  This should help give ideas on what you could do.

Schunnemunk Hill Training
Free trail map at https://www.parks.ny.gov/parks/attachments/SchunnemunckTrailMap.pdf
From it's eastern side, there are 4 trails that go up the mountain.  Two in the north east meet at the top and the two at the south east meet at the bottom.
Parking:  Schunemunk Mountain Otterkill Road Trail Head (appears in google maps)
The route:  Lollipop
Distance from Queens - About 65 minutes from Astoria, 80 minutes back (increased traffic)
10.3 miles, about 3,3000 in elevation gain
Note:  The park has hunting here in the fall.  Make sure to wear bright colors!
There's a 10 mile and 20 mile trail race here in October - the Great Schunemunk Traverse!

From the parking lot, head left and look for a clearing on the right side to enter the trails.  It's a very short walk/jog .  Trail markers lead the way.

The workout:

1. Hope you are warmed up a bit from the car ride, the white trail (Trestle trail) immediately starts ascending and you want to red line it.  It's about 1.3 miles uphill so be prepared for some hard breathing.
2. The trestle trail ends and immediately joins the red on white (Barton Swamp).  You want to take it left, look for a clearing.  If you ended up taking it straight you would join orange, this is the wrong way.  Shortly the red on white trails joins the yellow (Jessup).  You want to descend it hard.  It's about a mile downhill
3. The yellow descends down and joins the red, just before some train tracks.  Follow the red (Otterkill trail) to the right.  This is you recovery phase.  It's about a mile to the next climb.
4. Take the white trail (Sweet Clover) on your right.  It's a gradual climb, about 1.2 miles.  Red line it as well.  There's a break on the top for a bit before you descend so don't be afraid to push a bit harder.  
5. The trail joins the yellow, Jessup again.  Take it to the left and use it for recovery.  Now is the time to whip your phone out as you will pass 2-3 viewpoints.
6. Take the black (Dark Hollow) on the left.  It's initially a bit bushy and then has a surprise uphill but then descends nicely downhill.  Push it!  You will pass some viewpoints again but you're training!  Focus!
7. Back on the red Ottercreek trail, take a left and start heading towards the yellow (Jessup) again.  Take this portion easy.  This last climb won't feel easy.
8. The red joins the yellow (Jessup) once again, make sure to follow the yellow and turn left with it.  When you first see the yellow, it may look like there is a trail to your left going back up.  The trail back up is marked!  This is your last climb so make it count!  Alternatively you could continue on the red which will lead back to the car to skip this last climb.
9. The yellow hits the red again, take the red on your right!  It shortly reaches the white.  You're almost done now.  Just smash the white as you make it back to the road where your car is parked.