This week on Tuesdays on the Run we’re talking about spring race plans. Because I’ve been hemming and hawing like a boss when it comes to spring races, I’m going to stray off topic this week and show you some scenes from my run instead.
I live out in the prairies of Northern Illinois. I like to call it the Chicagoland boonies. It’s kind of a tossup as to which is faster to drive to: downtown Chicago or the Wisconsin border. My money’s on the border, if I take traffic into account. 99% of the time, I run right out my front door.
Anyway, I’m pretty lucky because it’s quite lovely up here, even though winters are on the harsh side. We have lots of wildlife. Deer, foxes, coyotes, and hawks are very common.
I run on 3 basic routes:
- An 8-mile loop that can be modified for 3-, 4, and 6 milers as well.
- A 7-mile scenic but hilly route that becomes impassable in winter because the road shoulders are not at all safe when there’s snow on the ground. The 7-mile and 8-mile routes can be combined for a nice 15.
- My long route is a 10-mile loop, but it can be modified to become the big kahuna 22-miler. It encompasses 4 suburbs and goes mostly through residential neighborhoods. I pass by the houses of at least 8 friends on this route, not counting the ones here in my own neighborhood.
I also have about 2 miles of trails very close to me that I run often. If I want to drive 10 minutes, I have access to the Des Plaines River Trails, which pretty much go on forever.
This is where you’ll find me if I’ve got an 18- or 20 mile training run and it’s hot and humid. The shade here is wonderful. The fall colors are spectacular.
Tell me about your favorite running routes.
Emily @ Out and About says
Your pictures are so beautiful! I envy that you have such easy access to the DPRT and to shaded paths. It’s fantastic that you have so many ways to change up the routes based on the day’s mileage!!! How cool to see wildlife, too!
I do most of my running in the West Loop. I love the hood, but it does get a little frustrating sometimes dealing with all the traffic and stop signs/lights. The lakefront path, as you know, is beautiful but can be a total zoo and a fight for territory with cyclists!!!
lacey@fairytalesandfitness says
Looks like you got alot of great trails to run where you live. I don’t have any close trails to where I live. The closest one is about 15 mins and it is completely flat so nothing to exciting. It’s pretty much a straight out and back.
Karen @ Fit in France says
Very pretty routes ! Is it safe ? Running in the country side always makes me a bit nervous if I am by myself.
Lisa @ Running Out Of Wine says
It looks really beautiful where you live! I wish I had longer routes from my front door, but I end up making circles quite often. My trails are similar- a short one nearby and a longer one within driving distance.
Judy @ Chocolaterunsjudy says
That looks lovely!
I run outside my front door often, too, but it’s not as pretty & more limited. The roads here are not very runner friendly. Some barely have a shoulder at all!
Wendy@Taking the Long Way Home says
It’s amazing that you live so close to me yet it is so different by you. It’s so congested here in the burbs. I have been fortunate to find my own little piece of nature on my little running routes. There’s beauty everywhere, right?
Janelle @ Run With No Regrets says
These are gorgeous photos of where you run, and they are so beautiful I wish that I could visit! I love running the trails year-round, but there’s something about the fall that is my absolute favorite.
Michelle @ LivelyChicken says
I love your beautiful pictures! And I’m jealous that you can run straight out of your door! If I run from home, I’m on busy streets. It works in a pinch but it’s not the nicest run! So I only run from home if I don’t have time to drive to the trails. Now that the trails are covered in snow, I do run along the road more often, but it’s usually the treadmill for me at this time of year…
Megan @ Meg Go Run says
Very pretty! Most of my routes involve random loops around my hood so I can be close to my husband if I need him. I used to venture out though. I had a BEAUTIFUL 12 miler I could do right from my house. Also, two hilly runs- 15 and 9 miles. Central PA can be very beautiful!
Lesley says
That trail looks wonderful. I bet it’s so nice during the heat. We have trails, but it’s all concrete. It’s hard to get a break from concrete anything here. Concrete roads, sidewalks, trails. I’d use the track but there’s no shade at all.
Sonia says
Such gorgeous scenery on your runs! I’m so jealous! It must make the miles go by so much faster.
Patty says
So very beautiful. I’m jealous of all the trees! While I think my desert scenery is lovely, I do miss the lush views of green I used to have in Texas.
Michelle says
Such lovely views. I didn’t realize you lived that close to DPRT! Are you close to my sister?
Tricia@MissSippipiddlin says
My pictures are a far cry compared to yours, you have the most beautiful places to run! I do enjoy seeing your pictures. Out of these, my favorite is still the rose and pink colored skies overlooking the snow covered ground!
Char says
You live in an exceptionally beautiful corner of the earth.
Rachel says
Oh my gosh, you live in such a beautiful place. <3
Jody - Fit at 58 says
Your running pics are by far my favorite!!!!! I have to look up that app! I already forgot it. Is it free?
Coco says
So gorgeous! On my run this morning I was thinking how lucky I am to be able to run by the D.C. monuments, but you are lucky too!
Abby @ BackAtSquareZero says
Looks beautiful, but cold right now.
Becky @ Ok, So Here's the Plan says
What pretty places to run! I mostly run around my neighborhood (which is rural, but not always pretty). Sometimes I drive down to my old neighborhood to run on the trails at the Rockefeller Preserve – it’s gorgeous!
alexandra @ my urban family says
Those photos are so beautiful! <3
Laura@Fit Running Mama says
I think we need to finally meet this spring or summer and run together! My only issue is that I need to run where there is water. Or have a route that encompasses stops on my driveway to hydrate– I hate belts, hand helds– I just don’t like being “weighed down”
Tricia Coniglio says
I have not blogged in a while and I came by to say hi. Your pics are absolutely beautiful! It looks like your blog is really growing! Congrats!!
Clara says
This looks beautiful! A very inspiring and motivating post! Keeping at goals always pays off!
elizabeth says
combining posts to save you emails- you have the MOST AMAZING views. I don’t think mine are ever that pretty. I’ve had the same routes for years and it will be odd to be in a new city soon and start new ones. i was even sad to see no more ice skating- but yay for track!!! and omg, lol’d on the plane at the kiss story. bhahahaaha
Zenaida Arroyo says
Definitely gorgeous!!
Sue @ This Mama Runs for Cupcakes says
Gorgeous views! I can’t get enough of running around the monuments in DC, they never get old!