Don't Even Try To Buy Spray Paint in Chicago!

I wanted to help Cory out with some projects before we head back home to Iowa. I intended to spray a piece of trim for the base of a fireplace only to be laughed at by the sales attendant at a nearby Kmart. He said, "This is Chicago, if you want spray paint, you need to drive out to the suburbs!". Apparently, it's been against city ordinance to sell or even use spray paint in downtown Chicago since 1995. I guess an electrician or professional painter can get some if they're over 18 years old. I ended up buying some acrylic paint and used a brush.

I got out a couple times for a workout and then some additional dedicated walking.

7 miles total on the day

Lake Effect Snow

The TV News has been promising the potential for snow this weekend. I got out earlier this morning while temperatures were still mild and sidewalks perfectly clear. Good thing...because the wind picked up and snow began to fly by mid-afternoon. It was a bit more difficult to negotiate the streets when I headed out for a quick errand at 4:30 PM.

It's interesting to see what a difference the large body of water to the east can have on the local weather. I understand that it was a bit colder than here back in MC today...I can only hope that there will be enough snow in Iowa for me to get out again on the snowshoes once we get back.

5 miles today

Going for Distance...Lakeshore Drive

I wanted to get a longer run in today so challenged myself to get to the paths along the lakeshore. This challenge was with full knowledge that a majority of the run was going to be pavement.

The additional torture along the route I chose was the wonderful aroma of fresh-brewed coffee each time I passed a Starbucks...there must be one every two blocks! I also noticed that regardless of the rather chilly ambient temperature, there was added warmth from underground when running past many of the open grates within a few blocks of downtown.

The lakeshore was beautiful today as the sun was shining and there were few other bikers or runners at the time I was out. I lost track of how far I was going or what pace I was keeping and ended up running through the Lincoln Park Zoo. What a treat to see a River Otter performing water acrobatics and Wolves pacing around their wooded enclosure!

I eventually made my back to Cory's neighborhood, but not before getting in more than 10 miles of mostly running amongst brief stops for photos. My knees could really feel it by the time I got back to the condo.

I took Buck out after lunch for his walk and my recovery...most likely an additional 3 miles for a 13 mile day. And my legs can testify to the work I'm subjecting them to...

Again, I'll post some photos once we get home to Mason City.

Pavement to Park

I decided to take a different approach yet, today, and used Google Earth to locate the closest green space to my son's home in Chicago. As a result, I headed straight down Division along some of the widest sidewalks I've ever been on and ended up at Humboldt Park. Similar to most urban parks, there is a combination of paved paths and green space. There's also several ball fields and a tennis court.

So I was able to run the perimeter and criss-cross the center staying mostly on grass, passing beside some wetlands with ducks and geese. It was quite pleasant considering how depressing it was to pass through the totally urban landscape along the street route through the city. There was an interesting sculpture in the park inscribed with two words that caught my eye and imagination...breathe oxygen...(photo to be posted later).

I also took a dedicated walk with Cory's dog, Buck, so got some additional time out on my feet!

7 miles

Solitary trail running in the Windy City

So it's more difficult to post while in Chicago because of limited computer access and no good way to get any photos downloaded. Yesterday was a bit of a bust for real running because even the short run on pavement on Sunday left my legs kinda trashed. But I got out for some steady distance at slower pace for a total of 5 miles.

Today, I decided to, again, make it easier on the legs and believe it or not found an abandoned, elevated, train line that runs between block after block of apartments and homes...but is dirt and gravel and seldom used by the general public. I had to sneak through a break in a fence as there is very limited access. In fact, it is probably considered trespassing! There's evidence of dog walkers, clandestine beer drinkers, and a few mountain bikers but otherwise it's like being lost in the middle of the big city. No hassles for street crossings or store fronts and miles of open "trail"! You basically feel alone even though you constantly hear the police sirens, auto horns, and very loud rumble of trains on active tracks. I'll post some photos when we get home to Mason City.

4 miles so far today with a good chance I'll get out again this afternoon.

2 additional miles before dark

Unscheduled Trip To Chicago

Late Friday we talked with my son, Cory, and decided to drive to Chicago to help him out. We'll dogsit Buck and be around the condo while Cory's on business in New York. So after the 6 hr. drive, I headed out for a run before the Super Bowl start.

I hadn't run this much pavement in a very long time and could really feel the extra shock. I was surprised during the run at one point, while running along a high, steel bar fence with the sun setting...there was the bizarre effect of a strobe-light...very disconcerting and raised havoc with my running rhythm.

During dinner at a local neighborhood restaurant called Frontier, we were watching the start of the game (with many New England fans) and one table had an entire roast hog delivered table-side,head and all. I wish I'd had the camera.

4 miles today and 36 for the week

Hilltopper Invitational

Traveled with the NIACC track and field teams today to Mt Vernon for another indoor meet. We're still in the process of trying to get as many athletes, individual and relays, qualified for the indoor national meet in Illinois.  We arrived early enough for me to sneak out on the local roads for a run of my own.

It was a bit icy to start so safer to run on the gravel beside a county blacktop. Then the walks were better as I came back into town so the temperature must have been rising.

Again, there were some good races today.

Samoane Waddy and Caila Jones are running in blue in this shot.

4 miles