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.
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!!!
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.
Very pretty routes ! Is it safe ? Running in the country side always makes me a bit nervous if I am by myself.
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.
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!
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?
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.
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…
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!
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.
Such gorgeous scenery on your runs! I’m so jealous! It must make the miles go by so much faster.
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.
Such lovely views. I didn’t realize you lived that close to DPRT! Are you close to my sister?
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!
You live in an exceptionally beautiful corner of the earth.
Oh my gosh, you live in such a beautiful place. <3
Your running pics are by far my favorite!!!!! I have to look up that app! I already forgot it. Is it free?
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!
Looks beautiful, but cold right now.
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!
Those photos are so beautiful! <3
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”
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!!
This looks beautiful! A very inspiring and motivating post! Keeping at goals always pays off!
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
Definitely gorgeous!!
Gorgeous views! I can’t get enough of running around the monuments in DC, they never get old!