Keri Traub. Photos: Chris Emeott
Join Keri Traub on her journey to explore every mile of Lakeville and neighboring cities, one street at a time.
Keri Traub, a Lakeville IT professional and mom of three, has been a runner since college. “Running has always been my time to clear my head, to think things through,” Traub says, noting that the almost-daily practice has seen her through all kinds of transitions, including the recent arrival of more free time as her kids get older and busier with their own activities. Several years ago, she joined the Lakeville chapter of the popular Moms on the Run organization, which connects women for workouts and fellowship.
Then, in spring 2023, Traub found a new “tool” that added another dimension to her neighborhood runs. CityStrides is an app that tracks users’ progress as they run (or walk) every single street in a city. A cousin in New Jersey had started using the app and got Traub hooked pretty much right away. “It combines my love of running with my love of exploring new places,” Traub says.
Within just five months, she’d finished running or walking every single street in Lakeville. “Every run became about checking off new streets, exploring neighborhoods I’d never been in and just seeing the city in a whole new way,” Traub says. One of the funniest elements, she notes, is needing to run or walk to the very end of every cul-de-sac in order for the CityStrides app to count it, which has led to some bemused looks from local residents.
Traub says learning new things about her home city has been an unexpected delight. “You’d be surprised what you find when you’re not just running the same old routes,” she says. “I’ve seen beautiful houses, interesting yard art and parks I never knew existed. You really get to know a place when you’ve run every street.”
After completing Lakeville, Traub moved on to Farmington and Empire Township, including newly built roads in brand-new subdivisions—sometimes with the only scenery a cornfield or a construction site. In addition to the physical challenge, Traub says her CityStrides runs are also about the sense of accomplishment and discovery. “There’s something so satisfying about finishing a city,” she says. “You can look at the map and see all those lines filled in—it’s proof that you did it.”
And as Traub has tackled more cities, she developed strategies to make her runs more efficient. “Planning is key,” she says. “I look at the map ahead of time, figure out the most efficient route, and try to hit as many new streets as possible in each run. It’s like a puzzle—figuring out how to make everything connect.” In Lakeville, she couldn’t start every run from her house, so she’d drive to a strategic starting point—often a city park—and go from there.
Although she doesn’t know of many other local folks who are using CityStrides (at least not yet), “people have been so encouraging,” she says. “I’ve had neighbors stop me and ask what I’m doing, and when I explain, they think it’s the coolest thing. Some have even joined me for a run or two.”
Now, as she makes her way through her latest city—Apple Valley—Traub reflects on her running journey. “It’s been an amazing experience,” she says. “I’ve learned so much about the area, but I’ve also learned a lot about myself. It’s about perseverance, setting goals and just enjoying the process.”
Lakeville resident Keri Traub has run every street in Lakeville, Farmington and Empire Township. She’s currently working on Apple Valley.
Getting in Gear
As she’s traversed multiple cities on foot, Keri Traub has become something of an expert on running gear and safety. “I’ve run in all kinds of weather—rain, snow, extreme heat,” she says. “Good shoes are a must, and I always carry water and a phone. You never know what you might need out there.” Here are some of her tips.
Dress light for winter runs. “I usually wear fleece leggings and then a thin winter coat,” she says. “As long as my skin is covered, I’m usually warm.”
Find the right shoes. In the winter, Traub wears winter-specific, waterproof running shoes with extra traction. “And keep your feet dry with wool socks,” she says.
Wear bright colors. Even if it’s daylight, says Traub, avoid black and green, and opt for neons that are visible to drivers. A running cap is a great spot to employ bright colors, especially in heavy-traffic areas.
Know your comfort level. “When I’m by myself, I don’t run when it’s dark,” Traub says. She also notes that city streets often feel safer to her—because they’re more populated—than parks or trails that tend to have more wooded areas.
Learn more and find the app download at citystrides.com.
Facebook: CityStrides
Instagram: @citystrides
