I hate running in Chicago

I hate running in downtown Chicago, too. Move to the burbs. End of problem. The Forest Preserve System by Glenview/Northbrook is very decent for running. I bumped into Ed Torres on a run at Harms Woods (Glenview) recently.

Enrico Fermi wrote:

It really sucks that the south side of the city (UChicago area; hyde park) would be a great area to run if it werent mostly run down sqaulor. The lake front is much nicer, there are more parks, more trails, less lincoln park-lakeview yuppie garbage.

Gotta agree here. If you have to run in Chicago, Hyde Park is the best place to be. The lakefront trail is nicer and less crowded, and you have Washington Park, Jackson Park and the Midway.

As another runner who was born and lived in Chicago for the first 30 years of his life, I have to say that there are plenty of great areas to run, although you have to drive to most of them, if you're not lucky enough to already live by one of them. Here's a short list of mine:

17+ mile bike path that runs through Caldwell Woods. The zero mark of this great path begins on the NW side of the city @ the intersection of Caldwell & Devon. I lived four blocks from there and ran 85% of my mileage there. Marked every 1/2 mile (well, used to be). Other than the few streets you crossed, you never had to worry about cars.

The "infamous" route through Barrington/Barrington Hills. Beautiful run through mansions and horse farms, with a few decent hills along the way. A Sunday long run staple.

The Prarie Path/Great Western trail system through the western suburbs. Nice crushed limestone surface and marked every 1/2 mile. Goes forever.

The Busse Woods loop in Elk Grove Village/Schaumburg. A nice 8-mile (?) loop through the woods on a paved bike path, marked every 1/2 mile. Complete with an elk pen.

The trail system around Argonne Labs in the near-SW burbs. Over ten miles of crushed limestone paths and some rolling terrain.

The lakefront path. Sure, there are lots of runners/walkers/cyclist/rollerbladers out there, but how many other cities can boast a multi-surface path that runs a long way, with such a stunning backdrop?

All in all, if you're willing to do a bit of driving, you can find some great places to run in a city as huge as Chicago. Now dealing with the weather extremes is another story...

truth teller wrote:

I've lived in this city all of my live.

The only place worth running at is the lakefront path which is a hassle to get to. Other than that, there is just a bunch asphalt, concrete, with crappy parks.

and there are plenty of yuppie runners.

terrible weather as well.

Stop crying and move. There are plenty of great places to train around the city, just not in the city. Pack your bags kid, get out of your parents' house and start being a man.