Chicago Runners?

[mfluder]

The city, not necessarily a race:).

I am finally trying to stop the I moved and it's like vacation mentality and get back to running. Any Chicago runners? Do you recommend CARA or another running club? Right now I'm thinking I need the structure - but I'm also mainly downtown/and slightly west and their stuff seems so far away....

[jordylee]

What area are you in? I feel like the only runner in Chicago who isn't in CARA, but their start spots just aren't that convenient to me (south loop). A lot of running stores have free group runs and there is a free club I run with sometimes that's sponsored by a local bar.

[woowoo]

I'm in Chicago (West Town) and I also find CARA's starting locations to be inconvenient. I just run through the West Loop most of the time on my own, or Humboldt Park if I'm able to run during the day, and the Lakefront for my longruns. During my half IM training this summer I plan to head out to Morton Grove, Schaumburg, etc for my long runs/rides. It's just too hard/dangerous in the city!

[emsumm]

Ditto the fun runs. I run alone, I'm in the northern burbs. I will say that the Chicago botanic garden is worth the drive for long runs. Get there when they open and they don't charge you :-)

[woowoo]

emsumm how big is the botanic gardens? We've been through it on our bikes while out on the North branch trail, but wasn't sure how easy the running would be through the park in terms of getting mileage in. Great suggestion!

[emsumm]

woowoo, I do a 2.5 mile loop that I just repeat ad nauseum, lol. The nice thing is that it's beautiful and ever-changing.
The Morton Arboretum has two trails, too...longer but not quite as pretty, though still quite nice.

[emsumm]

Here are some pics from a couple runs in late summer/fall at CBG:

[mfluder]

jordylee Southloop seems like it would be really nice for running (near a path). There was a bar there with a running club - Scout? (We almost moved to Soutloop - and we visit for the movie theater there, love). 

woowoo I'm in west town! The location of the CARA runs worry me. But I also worry I need a little structure. I know the LLL in Bucktown has runs on Tuesday, but its hard for me to get off work for it (and also I don't know how big the group is/if they run too fast for me  . It didn't occur to me to go to suburbs, longer runs easier to handle there?

emsumm I had no idea they would let us run at the botanical gardens, that sounds awesome. I will have to put that on my list. 

Thanks a lot guys!

[mfluder]

Also, follow up, emsumm woowoo jordylee, do you recommend a particular LRS?

[emsumm]

I like Running Away :-)

[jordylee]

I like universal sole. A new fleet feet opened near me, but I've only poked around in there (haven't been fit or anything). It seems pretty nice though.

[woowoo]

I have gone to every LRS near me and something frustrated me about all of them. I go to Road Runner in Lincoln Park (on Kingsbury?). It feels like a local store to me, they recognize me, are friendly and are always asking what I"m training for, they know their stuff, etc. And it's easy parking!

[mfluder]

LOL, y'all named the three ones I was looking at! Field trip shopping time I guess .

[chitownbelle]

I don't run with a group, mainly because they don't fit my schedule. I'd love the motivation if I was aiming toward a goal of BQing or something, since I obviously couldn't accomplish it on my own this year, but for now ill continue alone. I live near the Fleet Feet in LS and do my long runs on the lakefront.