New Routes....

As I journeyed out on my first "long run" of the season this morning, I was reminded that 2010 seems to be the year of new routes. Construction has caused the commute to go from the Ike to the Kennedy. Four years of the same old ride to and from the city and suddenly, with the change of the seasons (from winter to construction), I'm seeing the city (and life maybe) from a different perspective. I can assure you that the skyline is just as beautiful at sunrise from the NW as it is from the W.

Running on the lakefront is different this year too. Our gym moved over the winter and as it's finally humane to run outside in Chicago, I'm having to adjust those routes I lived by the past 3 years. To the point and back is only 3 miles, not five, however, the point will ALWAYS be a part of my training on the lake, just have to modify the post point run to make goal......The South route to Adler is virtually unachievable by 7:30 am as it's now close to 8 miles (would have to leave home by 5 am....not happening!!). So, I'm learning what landmarks count in the mental game of training on the lake. In addition, the Illinois Prairie path, my long run sanctuary for the past two summers, is closed by me. My 2008 long run training path closed last year and now the south branch is closed....grrrrr! Oh well, while I will miss the familiarity of these sacred trails, a season of new routes excites me just as much as it worries me!

Today, I ran a route that brought current hood and old hood together. While the run was rough (hills?...really???) , the weather and the intrigue of running in a new place contributed to a personal best for 8 miles and a generally perfect run (based on consistent pace from start to finish according to Nike+) I have been wanting to run this path for 3 years, but always took the known road. Maybe this is the year I will run that path on Route 59 I've been eyeballing all these years. And maybe this is the year I finally run the Busse Woods path that Dave, my guru, talked about back in the infancy of my running life. And who knows, maybe this is the year I cross I355 on the Illinois Prairie Path Bridge to satisfy that longing I've have every time I drive under it. Maybe this is the summer I explore one of those life ideas I've been kicking around.......I don't know, but I kinda have a feeling that it's going to be a great summer and I look forward to all the new adventures. Hope you're OK with me sharing them with you.