Back at it

Everyone needs a break once in a while.  Lots of us have different definitions of an appropriate break from running, but we all have to do it at some point.  The body just isn't meant to go 'pedal to the metal' without easing up every once in a while.  As for me, I feel like I haven't really taken a break from running for at least a year an a half.  Possibly longer.  So the current couple weeks of barely any running has served as a pretty good break for me.

I ran once or twice in the two weeks after the last marathon three weeks ago.  Part of the reason for that was because I was packing or unpacking boxes during every other waking moment that I wasn't at work.  Moving is not fun, even if the end result is.  But we are starting to have things a bit more under control, and I have been back to the roads a little in the last week or so.  I actually tried to run long last weekend, and was sick.  I got two miles into it, and my training partners urged me to quit.  Good advice.  I pretty much slept the rest of the day when I got home.

I think the physical and mental break from running helps recharge the batteries, and remind me of why I love to run.  Sometimes you have to get away from something to remember why you do it in the first place.  I was getting a little burned out, but I got to the point where I missed getting out.  Now I plan to just run for the enjoyment for a while, with no training goals in mind for at least a couple months.

This morning, I made it back out out for real.  Waterfall Glenn turns out to be relatively close to where we have moved in the western suburbs.  It's about 15 minutes away, and that is a huge bonus.  It's such a great place to run, and my partners don't mind meeting out there, because it's only 20 minutes or so from downtown. 

The secret is probably out, however.  This morning the parking lot was full, and there were cars parked on the street a quarter mile down from the entrance.  There were a lot of runners, and cyclists.  The path winds around and is tree lines pretty much the entire way, so as a result, you really never feel like the path is crowded.  I've mentioned before that it is a 9.5 mile loop on a trail that has a few small hills.  It's really nice, at least until the snow and ice hit.  I'm told it's not a great place to run in January and February.

In my new location, however, I also have the Prarie Path.  It's about 2 miles from my house, so it's a nice run down to it.  Depending on how long I run, I can get some miles in on the path, and then cool down on the run home.  I don't know how it will be in mid-winter, but we'll see.  It's much too soon to be thinking about that.  It's not even Thanksgiving yet!

Speaking of Thanksgiving, I am reluctantly giving up my tradition of running the Turkey Trot in Lincoln Park on Thanksgiving morning this year.  It's a great race, and I really enjoy it, but this year I can't pass up the opportunity to jog down to the starting line of the Dan Gibbons Turkey Trot in Elmhurst.  It's a 5k, and I'm told they get more than 6,000 runners on a course that combines streets and the Prarie path.  It should be fun!

So I hope you get a chance to run over the next couple days.  It'll make you feel better about eating a big meal on Thursday, that's for sure. 

I'll see you on the roads....

Comments

[Mike]

John,

Good to see you out at WFG Saturday morning. Along with the Prairie Path you've discovered some of the best running in the Chicago area.

Enjoy!