Ahhh, great question.
On weekends, it seems like Chicago's entire running population takes to the lakefront path. When I lived at 31st Street, I was a mile away from the lake so I would always run the path between 31st and Roosevelt. But now that I live in the West Loop, I don't make it out to the lakefront path too much anymore.
So where do I run these days? Obviously I run in the West Loop neighborhood and surrounding areas. Within very close vicinity are Greektown, the restaurant row on Randolph Street (try saying that five times fast), and the United Center.
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| Top from L to R: Greektown columns; Randolph Street restaurant row; rooftop dining at Pegasus restaurant Bottom from L to R: Michael Jordan statue at the United Center adorned with a Blackhawks jersey; Mary Bartolme Park, Greektown ATM |
Venturing just a little further out brings a whole other blend of diverse neighborhoods and areas: Little Italy, Pilsen, UIC, and the Illinois Medical District, just to name a few.
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| Clockwise starting from top left: St. Ignatius College Prep; Nuevo Leon restaurant in Pilsen; the Casa Aztlan community center in Pilsen; the UIC campus; Mario's Italian Lemonade stand in Little Italy. Center: Rush Hospital in the Illinois Medical District |
When I lived at 31st Street, I was pretty close to Chinatown. At the time, I went there a lot to eat or shop, but didn't explore it much in my running shoes. However, last year during a run Erin took me to the Ping Tom Memorial Park in Chinatown:
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| So peaceful. Notice the Chinese pagoda along the waterfront |
When I was working in Hyde Park, I had intended to blog about my running adventures there, but never got around to it. So now, here are some pictures from Hyde Park, mostly in or near the University of Chicago campus:
One of the things that I love most about Chicago is that while it is a large city, it is really more a collection of neighborhoods. Within those neighborhoods, there is so much diversity within very short distances. It is amazing how much contrast you can see within just a quick walk. This is especially true when you go off the beaten path, which I like to do as much as possible no matter where I am.
I could live in Chicago my entire life and still always be exploring all that it has to offer - with or without my running shoes.
I am simple. I run along the lakefront. Sometimes I alternate between 31st street and Wilson Beach but they're still very different routes. Love the photos you took! I LOVE taking pictures and always ask which app was used so I will ask you "Which app did you use?" :-)
ReplyDeleteYou can never go wrong with the lakefront. =) 31st Street Beach and Wilson Beach are HUGELY different indeed! Isn't it amazing how they redid 31st Street Beach, btw? The harbor there is really nice.
DeleteGlad you like the photos! Sadly I can't take credit for them (Google Images is my best friend). But I use www.fotor.com to create the collages. =) What about you, what apps do you use!?!?!?
I use Pic Collage, Photo Collage, Camera +, InstaBokeh, BokehPic, Pic Stitch, and InstaFrame.
DeleteBy the way, how come I don't have the option to get responses from your blog? :-)
Thanks for sharing your apps! I am pretty new when it comes to photo apps so I will look into them. =D
DeleteWhat kind of responses from my blog do you mean? I'm still learning about blogger's detailed features/options/settings so please advise on what I might need to change?
Oh I was just curious. On some blogs there is an option to get follow up comments.
DeleteI wish I knew how to set it up that way on my blog. I think it's much easier to receive comments via email as opposed to having to back and look on the blog itself!
DeleteSo you basically run all of Chicago!!
ReplyDeleteI was just talking to my wife about loving how each hood feels like a mini city and is so different!
Good job with the challenge response!
LOL, I am pretty good about running neighborhoods near where I live or work, but obviously there are SO MANY other neighborhoods out there. Speaking of which, I heard there is a man who is trying to run every street in the city of Chicago. Wonder how long it will take him to do so?
DeleteGlad you like the challenge response!!! I look forward to reading your response soon, yes? =)
How about I just copy your post and say "Ditto"? :-)
ReplyDeleteAlthough, I started a new 5 mile route that goes through part of West Town that we should do some morning.
LOL, feel free to ditto away!!! =D
DeleteI would love to try your new route through part of West Town! I'm having a heck of a time even imagining the idea of getting up for an early-morning run these days... but a new route would be some helpful motivation to get back on track!
One of the things I really love about running is how it's a great way to see the city.
ReplyDeleteRunning is an AMAZING way to see the city. It beats touring in public transit or in a car anyday, in my opinion!!!
DeleteChicago looks like such a runner-friendly place. (Moreso than many other big cities.) Today on my run I was thinking about a recent podcast I listened to where the commentator mentioned running along the Pacific Coast Highway. And here I was trudging along through dusty old El Paso. Pretty much the opposite of the PCH. But it made me think of the beauty of the connectedness of runners. No matter where you are in the world, someone else is running somewhere else seeing something else, but probably feeling the same way you are. Deep thoughts, lol!
ReplyDeleteWe are very blessed here in Chicago that there are some really great places to run and bike! (Don't tell that to cab drivers or cars or busses, though, because it's always a battle for who rules the road. =D )
DeleteAhh, the PCH! One of my dream destinations to run, too! But you are so right about the beauty of runners being connected to each other. Anytime I meet someone, even a perfect stranger, and find out that they are a runner, it's like we are instant friends with tons to talk about. It's an incredible community and we are so blessed to be a part of it.