I used to live in Arlington, TX.  Other than the fact that Texas is a vast wasteland of flatness, hail, nail salons, and mega-churches, I enjoyed living there for several reasons at that time.  One of the good things was the stadium at University of Texas, Arlington.  Before work every day (I worked second shift) I would head over to the stadium for an intense, fun workout - you know, you run run run up to the very top of the stadium steps, gently trot back down (gotta protect those knees), and then go back up.  This type of workout only works when you have real concrete steps that reach a certain height or higher.  Bleachers won’t cut it - too few stairs, and you’ll kill yourself tripping on the gaps between each step.

Santa Barbara City College has the same type of stadium, and there are ALWAYS people running stadiums there.  There are few acceptable-size stadiums around Irvine that I can find, and the ones that are, are locked up tight 99% of the time.

So does anyone have any suggestions for where I could find a good place to do stadium workouts around here?  It’s basically the same thing as my Stepmill workout but it’s a nice change of pace.  I have been sticking to my workout regimen for several months (three weight sessions a week splitting up into legs, back/shoulders/biceps, and chest/triceps, as well as 4-5 Stepmill workouts of at least 40 minutes each week) and I am finally beginning to notice results.  I want my muscles back!  All I am really doing is just trying to recapture the life I lived 12-15 years ago, from everything from the types of food I eat, to my workouts.  Doing stadiums used to be an important part of my workout routine.  I miss it!

Thanks!

CSUF has permanent football stands, Brea Canyon High School has stands built into a hillside, but those are the only two where I wouldn’t be worried for my safety.

Newport Harbor High?  I think I recall people running the steps on the weekends.

you could use one of the stadiums for a local high school.  heritage park/irvine high’s stadium has stands.  northwood and beckman do not however.

heritage park

good option is just to look around on google maps satelllite view and see if you can spot any stadiums!

barber park has a large baseball stadium with stands although not sure if its open when the field isn’t being used for a game.
what about uci?

also there are lots of people who do workouts at CDM in the mornings.  there’s several sets of stairs from the bluffs down to the beach, but thats kind of a trek from irvine.

Stick with the stepmill, running stairs or stadium is very hard on the knees.
At this point, you can’t afford a serious injury or set-back.
The routine you posted looks pretty good.
Nice mix of weights and cardio
Stay with it and you’ll be fine.
Summer’s almost upon us.
I’m cranked it up big time as well.

I used to do Irvine High’s Stadium.  It isn’t that high compared to others, so more up and downs but still gets the job done.  But I’m guessing thats one of the ones you are talking about that is locked alot.

Another suggestion is just running hills instead of stairs.  Peters Canyon comes to mind for that!  Here is a couple of the smaller hills

i second that recommendation!

take advantage of the locality.  there are lots of parks that have big hills (whiting ranch, aliso woods, laguna coast, el moro) where you can get 500 feet or so of uphill running.  and an added bonus is that it will be on dirt (easier on the knees).

I just remembered I had this.  Here is an example of the elevation changes at Peters Canyon:

this is just a small section (like the southern 1/4) of Peters canyon.  Its my favorite place locally to go running.  I have always wanted to try Whiting Ranch but I have been told its more of a place to bike than run.

those pictures are from approx. the .6 and .7 mile sections of the graph

I’m way ahead of ya’ll, kids!  I regularly hike Peters Cyn, both alone and with the OC Hiking and Backpacking Club.  I agree, the roller coasters in the Tustin Ranch section are kick-ass although you do have to be very careful when you are rubber-necking staring into the huge backyards of these McMansions that you don’t trip or anything.

I agree, yeah yeah, stadiums are hard on the knees.  But there’s something to be said for an occasional workout there, especially when you just get such a kick out of doing it!

Oh ugh ugh ugh!  Dark, musty, smelly, dank, with twists and turns.  No, it’s got to be in the Great Outdoors to satisfy my itch.

You could also run the trail next to Shady Canyon that goes up Quail Hill.  You can run the hill a few times or take the trail over to Turtle Rock and back.  There is parking at the trailhead off Shady Canyon.