By Tine Roycroft

As you leap into your Mean and Lean 2013 Workout Routine, don’t just concentrate on the free weights ~ mix it up with cardio. Running is a great way to help promote general health, overall weight loss and a calmer psyche.

Jogging/running can be for everyone ~ from the eager beginner to the adventurous trail runner. Like any physical activity, it’s best to consult your physician before launching into action. But when you’re ready, try out some of these local places to run.

For the winter weary

The truth is that our New Year’s resolutions are sometimes spoiled by the snow and chilly temperatures for which New England is known. If getting up in the dark and being blasted by cold wind isn’t your idea of fun, start your running journey on an indoor track.

The Greendale YMCA, located in North Worcester on Indian Lake, or the YMCA’s Boroughs Family Branch in Westborough, are two wonderful places to log your laps indoors. Look into signing up for a yearly membership at either location or try a guest pass for $15 per day.

Keeping tabs at outdoor tracks

If you’re going to put the time and effort into running, it can be a great idea to keep a log of your runs. But unless you have a pedometer, it can be tricky to calculate how many miles you’ve cleared when you’re running on trails.

An outdoor track, like the Bowditch Field Athletic and Cultural Complex in Framingham, is open to the public and well-lit for evening runs. Four times around the track equals 1 mile, and the nearby baseball field, tennis courts and basketball courts provide some entertainment while you run.

Beginning runners

For those starting out, have patience with yourself ~ there’s no need to complete a marathon in the first month. Worcester’s Elm Park is a mostly flat jogging gem filled with great trails and lovely scenery to keep you captivated. The people are friendly, the park includes interesting historical bridges, and you might just catch a couple exchanging wedding vows on the beautiful grounds. If you stick to the outer sidewalk of Elm Park, a loop will equal ¾ mile.

Moderate runners

Central Massachusetts is filled with great running paths, but a particularly exciting one is the Assabet River Rail Trail. The trail, which will eventually pass through Marlborough, Hudson, Stow, Maynard and Acton, is still presently under construction, but much of it is open to the public and receiving runners. The views vary, creating a great mixture of city/country ambiance. The challenge of this trail is the length of the finished portion ~ about 6 miles.

Experienced runners

Callahan State Park in Framingham is a great place for the experienced runner to warm up, get loose and then hit some trails for a great heart-pumping run. The 7 miles of marked trails, which wind up and down through forests, meadows and ponds, will inspire any hardcore runner. Dogs are welcome at Callahan, so feel free to bring your furry, four-footed runner.